McHenry Times

City of Harvard Park Board met Sept. 23.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Chairman Jay Schulz called the meeting to order and called roll at 6:00 pm. Committee members present: Alderman Charlie Gorman, Alderman Matt Perkins and Joel Kriete. Alderwoman Bona Heinsohn, Jose Saucedo, Mike Vest and Scott Logan were absent. A quorum was not present. Also present were Mayor Kelly, Alderman Raul Meza, Supt. Ryan Knop and Torey Lawin.

Citizen Comment

None

HERS Dugout Proposal

Supt. Knop related that Jose contacted him to advise that the labor to pour the cement and materials for the project have been donated. Julie has been contacted. A formal proposal is needed for Park Board approval.

HERS Concession Stand

Supt. Knop updated the Park Board on converting one of the washrooms to an ADA family washroom. After taking measurements, block does not need to be cut for a minimum ADA compliant 36” door. The concrete needs to be raised up to be wheelchair accessible and new fixtures added. The second washroom will be converted to a family washroom at a later time. Supt. Knop will prepare a proposal for approval.

Harvard Swimming Pool

The Park Board reviewed a draft 2019 City of Harvard Aquatic Center Survey and discussed the overall intent of the survey and how to present the situation to the community. Other areas discussed:

• Include a statement that notes the current budget and how the budget will be affected due increase in minimum wage. Stipulate what it will cost to keep the status quo to offset the increased cost. Maintaining the pool would result in a cut-back on other services.

• Increase fees and/or reduce variable costs and hours of operation to reduce loss. Look into additional stand-alone revenue stream.

• Before conducting the survey, do due diligence to monetize fixed price and streamline where possible.

• Have informational meeting to explain the situation to educate the community and present the available options. The meeting could be put on Facebook and/or YouTube.

• Discuss whether the Parks Dept. should focus on programming or maintenance/cleanup/taking care of the pool and parks.

• Budget for next fiscal year needs to be ready for submission by December.

• Consider a long-term loan against the referendum revenue stream.

• Bubble the pool or indoor field for year-round operation.

• A new boiler and painting the pool are necessary in order to open next year.

• Partner with the school district and other leagues to create the best facilities for children’s participation in sports.

Mayor Kelly will prepare a statement to post to social media that the Park Board is analyzing the pool and associated costs, followed up by a focused survey explaining options and a town hall meeting. Supt. Knop will meet with Chairman Schulz and Alderman Gorman to work on the structure of the survey based on board input. The survey will be distributed on the City website and Facebook and as a backpack flyer through the schools. The survey to be released by mid-October with responses due by the end of October. Follow up with a town hall type informational meeting in early November at the Library.

New Business

Chairman Schulz called a Special Park Board Meeting for Monday, September 30, 2019, at 7 pm for further discussion.

The meeting adjourned at 7:21 pm.

https://www.cityofharvard.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/parks_and_recreation_board/meeting/11541/minutesparks2019-09-23.pdf