McHenry Times

City of Harvard Park Board met Oct. 21.

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: Alderwoman Bona Heinsohn, Alderman Charlie Gorman, Alderman Matt Perkins, Joel Kriete, Scott Logan, Jose Saucedo and Torey Lawin. Member Mike Vest was absent. Also present were Mayor Kelly and Supt. Ryan Knop.

Citizen Comment

Sarah Berg read a statement to the Park Board about current efforts by some in the community to shut down the pool and to dispute some of the committee’s rhetoric. Chairman Schulz thanked Sarah for her input and stated there will be a town hall meeting to provide a forum for additional public feedback and discussion. Supt. Knop said it would be beneficial if he had direction by the end of November to better prepare for the budget meetings in February. After the Park Board makes a recommendation, the City Council will make the final decision, perhaps at the November or December meeting. Final budget approval is in April, 2020.

Boys League Concession Stand Update

Supt. Knop reported on a break-in at the Boys League on October 17th. A Police Report was filed and the area has been re-secured. The only items damaged were the doors and it appears that nothing was taken.

Supt. Knop updated the Park Board on the status of the concession stand upgrades. All supplies have been purchased and construction has started with a tentative completion date in the spring of 2020.

HERS Dugouts Update

Jose updated the Park Board on the status of the HERS Dugouts. The plan is to pour concrete on Saturday, October 26th with masonry to hopefully start the following week. The electric for the home dug out has been completed. The scoreboard will be moved early next spring. The Booster Club donated $7,000 towards the cost of the project; total budget is $8,500 which includes supplies purchased by the Park Board. Tentative completion date is the first week of November.

Reschedule Community Action Day

A Community Action Day (and rain date) will be rescheduled in the spring which could perhaps be coordinated with the High School which has instituted a requirement for students to complete community service hours. The Park Board discussed inviting Asst. Supt., Vicki Larson and the High School principal to attend a meeting.

Pool Survey Discussion

The Park Board reviewed the 2019 City of Harvard Aquatic Center Survey responses – 256 responses have been received to date. The deadline for survey completion is October 31, 2019. Areas discussed:

• Torey brought up discussion of the value and merits of the data obtained through the survey and recommended finding a better and more accurate way to regularly garner information from the people using the facilities.

• Sara suggested using volunteers to staff non-lifeguard positions such as cashiers and concession stand.

• Mayor Kelly noted there is just as much justification to keep the pool open as there is to close the pool.

The issue is to determine the Park Board and communities’ priorities and expectations on park upgrades and pool maintenance. More information/details can be put together prior to the town hall meeting to better educate the public and correctly represent the issue and revenue/expenses involved to continue subsidizing the pool.

Town Hall Meeting for Pool

The Park Board discussed the best location to hold a Town Hall Meeting. The consensus was to have Chairman Schulz check with the School District on the availability of the room used for board meetings at Central School either November 12th or 13th. Supt. Knop will draft a letter for backpack mail and get school board approval. Mayor Kelly, Chairman Schulz, Alderman Gorman and Supt. Knop will put together a presentation for the Town Hall Meeting to be forwarded to the Park Board next week for review/edit.

A Special Park Board Meeting was scheduled for Monday, November 4th at 6 pm to review the presentation for the Town Hall Meeting.

Parks Dept. Focus

A motion was made by Scott Logan, seconded by Alderwoman Heinsohn to table discussion on the Parks Dept. Focus. All ayes. Motion carried.

Supt. Knop’s Report

Supt. Knop reviewed his monthly report and updated the Park Board on activities and programs he is working on.

Torey said he has a friend who might be open to conducting a one-day instruction basketball clinic.

There was additional discussion on the low turnout of the various park programs that have been offered and ways to market/promote programs for greater response and participation. The City has taken steps in the last few years to provide better communications with residents: upgraded digital sign at 5-points, a newsletter that is mailed with water bills and embraced bilingual communication.

New Business

Supt. Knop reviewed the policy about park bathrooms. The public washrooms on the east side of Milky Way Park and the single stall at the pool are open 24 hours a day. Additionally, the washrooms are opened when a park shelter is rented. Each individual organization has a key to the concession stand bathrooms and are responsible to open/close as needed for their functions.

Supt. Knop reviewed the quote from Hartwig Plumbing and Heating for the pool boiler and (2) pump replacements in the amount of $71,200.00. Supt. Knop was directed to obtain additional quotes.

At 7:42 pm, a motion was made by Alderwoman Heinsohn, seconded by Scott Logan to adjourn the meeting. All ayes. Motion carried.

https://www.cityofharvard.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/parks_and_recreation_board/meeting/11571/minutesparks2019-10-21.pdf