McHenry Times

City of Harvard Park Board met March 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Chairman Jay Schulz called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Committee members present: Alderman John Lavallee, Alderman Raul Meza, Bryce Bannwolf, Joel Kriete, Scott Logan, Pep Saucedo and Mike Vest. Committee member Alderwoman Rosa Luna was absent. Also present were Mayor Kelly, Supt. Ryan Knop and members of the audience.

Public Comment

Ron Hutchinson, 804 W. Thompson, addressed the Park Board regarding junk cars, in particular in the back yard behind his home. Mayor Kelly said the best course would be to contact Code Enforcement Officer Anne Nutley to address the issue. Another option is to report through the City’s website; there is a tab under Notifications for Citizen Input which would be routed to the appropriate person.

Approval of Minutes

A motion was made by Scott Logan, seconded by Pep Saucedo to approve the Park Board Minutes of January 17, 2022, as presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Mayors Monarch Pledge

Pat Lawlor and Mary Ellen Schroeder from the Environmental Defenders of McHenry Co. and members of the Harvard Garden Club were in attendance. The Defenders have an Action Team called the Water & Natural Resources Protection that is trying to enlist cities and villages in McHenry Co. to participate in the Mayors Monarch Pledge. This is an initiative of the National Wildlife Federation to create habitat for pollinators, much of which is a volunteer effort. Melissa Kelnhofer from the Harvard Garden Club indicated their support of the initiative. Supt. Knop related that upon taking the pledge, the City must commit to implement at least 3 of the 30 action items within a year of taking the pledge. At least one action must be taken from the “Program & Demonstration Gardens” section. The Garden Club annual plant sale would qualify as an action item. The island at the pool would be a good location for a pollinator demonstration garden with signage noting the garden is in support of the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge. Another potential location would be the islands/medians on Harvard Hills Rd. which could be accomplished one island at a time. A motion was made by Mike Vest, seconded by Scott Logan to recommend to the City Council to give support to the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge. All ayes. Motion carried. The pledge needs to be made by March 31st from Mayor Kelly’s official email address.

Project Update/Status

• Supt. Knop reported that spring general maintenance has started.

• Supt. Knop has reached out to Marengo on five occasions about their pool equipment and hasn’t received a response. Joel will reach out to the Park Director, Dan Bertrand.

Park Fees

Chairman Schulz initiated discussion to reconsider charging park fees for groups like Milk Days, sports organizations and other not-for-profits. The City Council recently waived fees for the Chamber of Commerce for use of Milky Way Park from Sept. 7-12 for the American Veterans Traveling Tribute event. Scott related that the Harvard Parks Foundation also plans on requesting a waiver of fees for the Food Truck Feastival. Chairman Schulz reported that the overall budgeted revenue for park fees is about $5,000 per year which he felt the Park Board could live without and find another revenue source. It was noted there is a direct cost to the city for lighting for night games. After discussion, a motion was made by Scott Logan, seconded by Mike Vest to recommend to the City Council that park fees, including shelter rental fees, be waived for local Harvard based not-for-profit organizations with the stipulation that security deposits can be collected when necessary. Additional discussion ensued. Mike Vest inquired about the process to draft an ordinance. Mayor Kelly indicated that the City Council can direct staff to draft an ordinance for council approval. Alderman Lavallee suggested having requirements for not returning a security deposit. Ryan noted that the shelter reservation does include a list of regulations. Mike stated his second stands. All ayes. Motion carried.

Park Land Discussion

Moose Field

• Supt. Knop reviewed pictures of the park; the shelter/concession stand/dugouts are in good condition.

• The Boys League will be putting in new digital scoreboards, one this year and one next year.

• Maintenance/improvements: fix the water line on the small field, remove press boxes and old backstop, new sign out front, put bleachers on cement pads, LED lighting on and off the field, fix asphalt cut through on the north side of washrooms, sealcoat and stripe parking lot by concession stands.

Mary D. Ayer

• Supt. Knop reviewed pictures of the park; the shelter is in good condition but the concrete needs to be patched where it splits.

• Maintenance/improvements: fix sign, playground mulch on next year’s cycle, look into redesign of playground with a similar layout as Delavan’s Park with playground equipment surrounded by sidewalks and mulch, new benches, sealcoat basketball court and LED lighting.

Park Pointe

• Supt. Knop reviewed pictures of the park.

• Maintenance/improvements: water main extension/looping Dewey St. to Kennedy Dr. will be done this summer, replace rotten boards on pier and stain, extend gravel path going back to the fishing pier, tree removal, sealcoat parking lot, new trash cans, more native prairie plantings. Consensus was not to curb cut entrance to parking lot.

Vandalism Report

One incident, Report #22000794, cement garbage can at Northfield Park broken.

Mayor’s Report

Mayor Kelly reported that the Harvard Parks Foundation is looking at long term and short-term projects. The foundation would like to support a dog park as a short-term goal.

Supt. Knop’s Report

Supt. Knop reviewed his monthly report.

Parks Foundation Report

Scott Logan stated that the Harvard Parks Foundation met last week and have set a dog park as the first short-term project to fund. Location would be up to the Park Board and City Council. The Park Board discussed Lions Park or Northfield Park as viable options. Another location that could be considered is the area previously used by the Illinois Extension for a garden. Ryan received a phone call relating that the master gardener for Harvard is retiring and will not be participating in the garden. The city will also be able to utilize the shed once the gardeners remove their irrigation equipment. A motion was made by Mike Vest, seconded by Raul Meza to accept the Parks Foundation recommendation for a dog park, location to be determined. All ayes. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Scott Logan, seconded by Raul Meza, that depending on the outcome of the City Council meeting, to waive the park and shelter fees for the RWB Food Truck Feastival to be held on July 2, 2022, at Milky Way Park. All ayes. Motion carried.

New Business

None

The next meeting is Monday, April 18, 2022.

At 7:25 pm, a motion was made by Scott Logan, seconded by Mike Vest to adjourn the meeting. All ayes. Motion carried.

https://www.cityofharvard.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/parks_and_recreation_board/meeting/14553/minutesparkboard2022-03-21.pdf