City of Harvard Park Board met Feb. 18.
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, Joel Kriete, Scott Logan and Jose Saucedo. Members Alderwoman Bona Heinsohn and Mike Vest were absent. Also present were Mayor Michael Kelly and Supt. Ryan Knop.
Citizen Comment
Carl Ray, 400 Joshua Tree, Harvard, indicated he walks his dog every day at Milky Way Park and inquired why the parking lot isn’t routinely plowed for residential use. It was noted that Public Works dumps snow from Ayer St. onto the parking lot. Supt. Knop related that the predominant use for Milky Way Park is for sporting activities. It was further noted that there haven’t been any previous requests to plow the parking lot. Mayor Kelly indicated there isn’t any official policy that the parks are closed during the winter and will discuss the possibility of plowing a portion of the paved area of the parking lot with the City Administrator and the Parks Supt.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Scott Logan, seconded by Alderman Perkins to approve the Park Board Minutes of January 20, 2020, as presented. All ayes. Motion carried.
HERS Dugouts Update
Jose Saucedo reported on the status of the HERS dugouts. The masonry work is about halfway done with a completion date of March 1st so the roof can be completed before the first game on March 17th. He is coordinating with Athletic Director, Andrew Walters to get cubbies and 12’ aluminum benches with backs.
HERS Bathrooms
Supt. Knop has talked with Scott Bennett and is waiting on a quote on the bathrooms, which will be forthcoming once the snow has melted.
Boys League Concession Stand
No update. Supt. Knop related that the press boxes get vandalized frequently and if the project comes in under budget, they may look at purchasing an electronic remote and removing the press boxes altogether. They may put in some upgraded lighting in that area as well.
Harvard Swimming Pool
Pool Painting Quotes
Supt. Knop updated the Park Board on the quotes reported on at the last meeting:
• Pecover Decorating Services Inc. $22,500 (blind bid)
Supt. Knop has talked with them as their bid is lower than when they previously painted the pool. He will have them come out and actually quote the pool for a more solid number.
• McCahill Painting Co. $58,840
He is obtaining a third quote which will be forthcoming once the snow has melted.
Sponsorship Packet
The Park Board reviewed the draft Sponsorship Packet which will focus on corporate sponsorship. Any revenue generated will go to the Parks Dept. to be allocated by the Park Board.
• Under sponsor benefits, amend Opportunity for free use of the park for a group/business activity per year, to include a dollar limit based on a single in-town use of $50.
The consensus was to move forward with the program. Supt. Knop will make necessary revisions and email to the board for final approval at the next Park Board Meeting.
Community Action Day – April 18th
A Community Action Day is scheduled for April 18th with a rain/make-up date of April 25th at the pool. Objectives would be to remove the existing mulch in the flower beds, remove certain plants/bushes, redo the edging, add new flowers/plants and mulch. He will contact Powers for a quote for the mulch and Harvard Nursery to see if they would donate the plants.
2020/2021 Budget
Chairman Schulz and Supt. Knop updated the Park Board on the Finance Committee Budget Workshop:
• There is approximately $12,000 left in the 2019/2020 budget so $10K will be used for security cameras,
$1K for power tools and 1K for miscellaneous.
• HERS Concession Stand/Bathrooms - $15,000
• Boilers, impellers and painting the pool was budgeted with $45,000 of the cost taken out of capital improvements
• Tennis Courts - $7,500 to be set aside this year and next year
• Mower - $5,000 to be set aside this year and next year
• Chairman Schulz recommended $6,000 be put away each year for the next 5 years to paint the pool.
• Supt. Knop will be reviewing existing inventory on turnover equipment to determine a rotational scale.
Ryan will be getting various quotes including the pool house roof. He will also get an updated cost to pave the Milky Way parking lot because he thinks French drain has collapsed which causes flooding and will cost more than the $250,000 previously projected.
• General fund transfer to parks - $30,000
Supt. Knop reported that the boiler is being built with a ship date of March 13th and projected installation in April. He is researching the impellers and Northern Mechanical will send out a rep to determine what we actually have and what we need.
Mayor Kelly advised that the budget will be sent out to the City Council prior to the April City Council Meeting.
Park Usage Fees
The Park Board reviewed current park usage fees as outlined in Section 6.13, Parks and park shelter reservation fees. There was discussion relating to increasing the fees and whether it would result in a decrease in user participation and/or the leagues’ ability and willingness to maintain the parks/fields. Chairman Schulz suggested hiring a grant writer to research grants as a way to increase revenue. Mayor Kelly said an additional possibility would be to borrow against the revenue stream with the loan interest offset by a matching grant. The consensus was not to increase the fees.
Supt. Knop’s Report
Supt. Knop reviewed his monthly report and updated the Park Board on activities and programs he is working on.
New Business
Supt. Knop reviewed a quote received from Harvard Nursery Inc. to return the ice rink behind the library to grass in the amount of $4,920.00. The consensus was to move forward with the quote which will be paid for out the current fiscal year budget.
At 7:32 pm, a motion was made by Scott Logan, seconded by Joel Kriete to adjourn the meeting. All ayes. Motion carried.
https://www.cityofharvard.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/parks_and_recreation_board/meeting/13151/minutesparks2020-02-18.pdf
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