McHenry Times

Village of Lake in the Hills Parks and Recreation Board Met April 1.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The Parks & Recreation Board meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. Those present were Members Wackerlin, Cairns, Anderson, Sivakumar, Donahue, Vice-Chairman Andrea and Chairwoman Tredore. Also present were Recreation Superintendent Kim Buscemi, Public Works Director Tom Migatz and Customer Service Specialist Tracey Padula.

APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES

Member Anderson made a motion to approve the March 4, 2021 minutes of the Parks & Recreation Board meeting. Vice-Chairman Andrea seconded. The motion was approved by a voice vote of 7-0.

OLD BUSINESS – None except Chairwoman Tredore did want to address an article from the past week regarding park inspections. There were inappropriate and uncalled for comments made against one of the Parks and Recreation Board members. Chairwoman Tredore requested that Superintendent Buscemi make name tags for each member to wear when making these visits. She also requested that an email go out to Village Staff along with the Police Department making everyone aware of the Parks Stewardship program.

Superintendent Buscemi replied that both will be done in addition to working with the Communications Specialist to come up with something to be shared on social media that would highlight the Parks Stewardship Program.

NEW BUSINESS

A. Informational Memorandum Recreation Budget Summary for 2021 – Superintendent Buscemi informed the board that budget information was something that would be reviewed at the beginning of each year moving forward and then continued with the review of the 2021 recreation budget summary. Vice Chairman Andrea needed clarification on the 56% cost recovery rate. Superintendent Buscemi explained cost recovery is different than margin percentages. The 56% cost recovery rate means 56% of expenses have been recovered by revenue. Vice-Chairman Andrea also wanted clarification on expenses. Superintendent Buscemi explained the program expenses reflect direct expenses to the program. The program expenses do not include indirect expenses. The indirect expenses appear in the administrative expenses. After discussion it was determined that the board thought they would see a combined Parks and Recreation overall number. Superintendent Buscemi said she would reach out to Parks and see if they could work on that together. Trustee Murphy wanted to know what the difference was between the expenses for program totals vs expenses for total w/adm expenses. Superintendent Buscemi shared some examples such as full time salaries, IMRF costs, healthcare costs, professional development, school training, professional dues such as NISRA, telephone, postage, brochure’s etc. which come directly from the Recreation Budget. She also offered to get the board a more detailed budget but reminded them that the information can also be found on our website under Government/Financials.

B. Informational Memorandum Recreation First Quarter Program Statistics Report – Superintendent Buscemi presented and reviewed the first quarter program statistics report.

C. Informational Memorandum Park and Recreation Board 2021 Goals - Superintendent Buscemi shared the Park and Recreation 2021 goals. She then asked the board if they would like to come up with their own goal or goals that could be tracked for the reminder of the year. In December, those goals could be reviewed to see how they did and then a new set of goals could be created for 2022. After discussion the board decided they would all give it some thought, add it to the agenda for the next meeting to review all suggestions and determine what goal or goals they would like to track for the remainder of 2021.

STAFF REPORT

A. Recreation Staff Report – Superintendent Buscemi advised the board she will put recreation magazines on the table for the board to take or read prior to the meetings. There are some great articles to share that might create ideas or discussion. She then reviewed her staff report.

PARK STEWARD REPORTS

A. Chairwoman Tredore – Visited Ford School Park in the morning so nobody was there to speak with. Layout is great and gazebo is wonderful. With this park being on the replacement list not sure how much money would be put into improvements. There were weeds coming up through the gazebo bricks, green paint touch-up is needed, screws and bolts were missing or need tightening on the beige ladder in between the slides. There was only one garbage can and she felt there should be two. One by the gazebo and one by the entrance.

B. Vice-Chairman Andrea – Visited Hagele Beach on a cold day and nobody was there. One drawback was no parking and not accessible for many of the people in the village but great for people in the immediate area. Everything was in good condition.

C. Member Anderson – Visited Edward William Hynes Park and said everything looked beautiful with the equipment being in excellent condition. There was a tree at the front that had been pulled out but she was not sure if it was going to be replaced. There were also a couple of dead shrubs needing to be pulled out and replaced. The day she visited there were a lot of bikes laying on the ground so the possibility of a bike rack would be a benefit. Second park visited was Celebration. The equipment is chipping paint and needs a lot of touch ups. Everything else looks good. One question that came up from a resident was why the village does not use rubber mulch. Director Migatz said that was something that could be looked into. But not only would it likely be a higher cost than what is currently used today, rubber mulch can maliciously be set on fire.

D. Member Cairns – Visited Indian Trail Beach but nobody was there. Everything looked good except there were some large rocks on the roof of the shelter. Also, some of the plywood looked to be rotting from the inside of the shelter. He asked the question as to what the status of the vacant building at the beach was. Chairwoman Tredore requested that Superintendent Buscemi check prior Parks and Recreation minutes because there was allot of discussion with ideas as to what that building could be used for. In addition, she also requested that the prior minutes on the Larsen Park replacement get pulled so both items could be added for review at the next meeting. All information and prior ideas can then be shared with the new parks and recreation members to bring them up to speed on work already started on both.

E. Member Donahue – First park visited was Echo Park. All the equipment looked beautiful with no problems. The landscaping all looked nice with the flowers and bushes all coming in. The benches are all well placed under the trees with the garbage cans right there too. What could be improved is the walkway into the park. It could use a new coat of asphalt. There was also some of the mulch going into the grassy areas so that might just be a spring clean-up thing. There was a family from the neighbor that stated they loved the park and one of the benefits was the large grassy area that could be used all types of activities like flying kites and playing soccer. One request they did have was different equipment geared more for the toddlers. The only other comment was that when multiple kids were on the spider merry go round it made allot of noise regardless of which direction it was going and vibrated allot. So parks might want to have someone check to make sure everything is tight and smooth. The second park she visited was Fischer Park. Nobody was there the morning she visited and it was a little hard to find so maybe a sign on the walkway at the entrance would be beneficial. Walkways were all clear and beautifully landscaped. Only thing that might make park more appealing to the community would be to get some parking spaces right there because it is quite a walk coming from Sunset Park.

F. Member Sivakumar – Visited Jaycee Park on a Sunday night so there were not that many people. But on Saturday when she was at the car wash next door, there were lots of people enjoying themselves using all the equipment. Basketball courts, benches etc. were all full. Everything in the park looks like it needs to be replaced. This park is on the schedule for replacement in 2023 but they might want to look at pushing it up sooner if possible. Basketball surface had gouges along with chipped concrete and cracks. The playground equipment was in bad shape with some pieces being completely broken. All metal had rust and needed to be painted. Plus, the park could use another trash can. What would make the park better and more appealing would be some lights. Upon her visit it was a cloudy day around 4:30 and it seemed a little dark. The requests from last year for the Basketball Hoops looked great and kids seemed to be enjoying them.

G. Member Wackerlin – From the previous month he had the Bark Park and had visited it twice in the last month. Mostly positive responses with all the equipment in good working order. The only concerns that were shared were the need for another water station at the far end of the park and an additional shade shelter in the main dog area. Another question he asked while visiting the park was if there was an interest in seeing a dog wash added. Most said they would just like to see a rinse station for the dog’s paws but had no interest in paying for a dog wash. He also visited Horner Park. All the equipment is new and the park was beautiful with no trash or graffiti. There was sufficient seating and trash cans. The fishing dock is also very nice. It was a cold night so nobody was at the park to talk to.

TRUSTEE LIAISON REPORT - Trustee Murphy asked Director Migatz for immediate follow up of the loose screws on the ladders between the slides at Ford School. She then thanked the board for all the work they do and commended the board on doing a great job. Pointed out that they are thoughtful and appreciate seeing them participating and volunteering at the events.

MEMBER REPORTS –

A. Chairwoman Tredore – Attended the March Village Board meeting and reviewed with them what had been discussed at the past three months Parks and Recreation Board meetings. She also addressed the young resident’s request for the basketball court addition to Cattail Park. Even though the funds might not be there to keep this and the request for the Pickleball court in the back of their minds.

B. Vice-Chairman Andrea – Said thank you for the playground replacement plan and requested that an excel spreadsheet or some version be emailed to them. Director Migatz reminded them that the half sheet was included in this package but could provide the whole sheet. Vice-Chairman Andrea also suggested that topics like the vacant building at the beach and the Larsen Park project be kept on the agenda every month so they don’t lose sight of where everything stands.

C. Member Anderson – Wanted to confirm if it was a possibility to do one of the Pickleball courts instead of both courts along with the half basketball court at Cattail. She feels the board really needs to figure out a way to make this happen as a group. Especially if we can add it onto one of the streets or parking lot resurfacing projects or just come up with other suggestions.

D. Member Cairns – Wanted to know if the political signs that are popping up around the Village and at Sunset Park are allowed. Residents have been asking him that question and he was not sure. Director Migatz answered code enforcement would address this type of problem and would bring it up to them.

E. Member Donahue – Just wanted to reaffirm one goal of the board is to make our parks accessible for everyone. Regardless of race, age or disability. They are meant to bring everyone together in a public space.

F. Member Sivakumar – Shared her negative resident encounter and just wanted to make sure this does not happen to any other member in the future.

G. Member Wackerlin – Wanted to make one last comment on his Horner Park visit that was personally important to him that he forgot to mention. There is a sign by the fishing dock on a pole saying Lake Use Permit is required. He would also like to see one of the fishing line recycling elements put on that same pole since that is a wildlife area.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION – Resident by the name of Walter wanted to know if any of the fests or races were going to happen this year. It was confirmed that the Summer Sunset Festival and Rib fest is planned for 2021 but as far as the race, it was unsure at this time. Pub in the Park would not be happening this year. Cecilia Carmen also took the opportunity to thank the board for supporting Member Sivakumar and to continue challenging themselves on making 2021 goals. She commented that as she sat and listened to all the board members sharing their inputs and reviews, she heard so many goals that are already being worked.

Member Anderson was looking at the Village website and under Parks and Recreation there is nowhere to click to see names and pictures of Board members. All members felt it would be a great addition to the website and Superintendent Buscemi agreed to look into.

STAFF REPORT

B. Parks Staff Report – Director Migatz reviewed the public properties report. He asked the board when they are doing their park inspections, if anything critical is found, please email him, Superintendent Parchutz or Superintendent Buscemi for immediate action. Also, make sure they are forwarding their completed forms to keep on record for review. Board members did not know the new Parks Steward form had been finalized and asked for that to be sent and printed for the next meeting. Director Migatz stated Parks is working on creating a fillable form that can then be emailed. Chairwoman Tredore then asked when tear down of Ford School is to begin. Director Migatz stated there was a projected start date of May 21, 2021. The board also suggested that date and updates on this project get posted online keeping everyone aware.

ADJOURNMENT

Vice-Chairman Andrea made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Member Cairns seconded the motion. The motion was approved by a voice vote of 7–0. The meeting adjourned at 8:10pm.

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