McHenry Times

City of Woodstock Parks & Recreation Commission met Aug. 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

A. CALL TO ORDER

A regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission of the City of Woodstock was called to order by Chair M. McCleary at 7:00 PM, in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall.

B. ROLL CALL: A roll call was taken and Chair M. McCleary determined a quorum was present.

COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Melissa McMahon, Pete Riis, and Chair Mike McCleary.

COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Chris Neuhart

OTHERS PRESENT:

STAFF PRESENT: Recreation Director Dave Zinnen, Parks & Facilities Superintendent Chris Lynk, Grants Manager Terry Willcockson, Deputy Clerk Aileen Zei

C. FLOOR DISCUSSION:

1. Public Comments: None

2. Commission Member Comments: None

D. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:

A correction to the April 12, 2022 Meeting Minutes was presented by M. McCleary. In the Floor Discussion section (F2) of the Minutes, the question proposed by M. McCleary was whether sediment will be able to be reused in the dredging of the Emricson pond; not whether water will be able to be reused.

Motion by P. Riis, second by M. McCleary, to accept the Minutes from the April 12, 2022 Parks & Recreation Commission meeting as presented. Ayes: M. McMahon, P. Riis, and Chair M. McCleary. Absentees: C. Neuhart. Abstentions: none.

Motion carried; Minutes accepted as presented.

E. TRANSMITTALS: The following items have been transmitted to the Commission for information and there is no discussion expected or action recommended.

1. Recreation Department Report for July 2022

D. Zinnen reported that this was a good year at the Aquatic Center. There were no boiler problems and leaks were remedied. Lifeguard schedules needed to be arranged around sports and college schedules and the baby pool had to be closed a couple of days due to low staff availability.

D. Zinnen mentioned that he would like to work with the Marketing Department to encourage residents to engage in activities for better health.

P. Riis requested an update in regards to the whirlpool and swimming pool repairs. D. Zinnen reported that there is still a leak in the whirlpool and a vendor is unavailable to repair. The underwater lights in the pool need to be removed per the new inspector but contractors have not been located for repairs.

C. Lynk reported that there are funds in the budget to replace the siding on the building and the hope is to only need to replace one section of the siding. Final costs are not yet available. The roof leaks have all been repaired.

D. Zinnen reported that while they are attempting to move out of COVID-19, attendance numbers are not yet back to pre-COVID-19 status; prior to COVID-19 was 1200, 400 at first coming out of COVID-19 and presently is at 800.

In answer to M. McCleary’s question regarding the Disc Course Grand Opening, D. Zinnen responded that the Grand Opening will be rescheduled from April 30 to a date in the Fall. M. McMahon asked if there is a map of all of the playgrounds to which D. Zinnen advised that there is a map on the City of Woodstock website.

2. Parks Division Report for July 2022

M. McCleary asked if the Mary Ann Park basketball court is a full court or half court. C. Lynk advised that it is now a full court and a second basketball rim will be installed. The Commission was also advised that the crack in the court at Emricson Park is covered by warranty.

P. Riis requested the schedule for the Sullivan and Dream Field renovations. Staff reported that on August 10, equipment will be brought to the fields for grading and grading will begin on August 15. A new fence and bullpens will be installed at Dream Field. C. Lynk posed a question to the Commission whether Pickleball courts should be created. P. Riis suggested that one court could be constructed as a demo to calculate interest. P. Riis requested that the Commission be provided with a list of projects so that they can provide input to which C. Lynk advised that such a report will be provided at the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on September 12.

On the subject of lighting, P. Riis asked if sensors will be installed. C. Lynk advised that Perryweather and Company was approved in the CIP for upgrades at Sullivan Field, the Aquatic Center, Bates Park and Merryman Fields in the amount of $54,000.

F. OLD BUSINESS:

1. None

G. NEW BUSINESS:

1. Presentation Emricson Park Intergenerational Playground & Woods Trail Project City of Woodstock Grants Manager, Terry Willcockson provided a detailed presentation to the Commission in regards to the proposed Intergenerational Playground and Woods Walk projects. A Grand Opening to the Woods Walk will take place on September 24. Chair McCleary asked if the Parks and Recreation Commission will be involved in tasks such as choosing playground equipment. T. Willcockson advised that RFPs will be reviewed by staff and forwarded to the Parks and Recreation Commission for additional review. Chair McCleary also asked if naming rights may be offered to participating corporations. T. Willcockson responded that this topic could be discussed further as the project progresses. P. Riis posed the question to C. Lynk as to whether the playground budget would be affected by the Intergenerational Playground project. C. Lynk advised that the playground budget would not be impacted by the Intergenerational Playground Project.

2. Request from Rawlings Baseball/Softball Program for Approved User Group This agenda item was tabled.

3. Discuss Security Cameras at Bates Park

In response to recent car break-ins at Bates Park during a baseball tournament, C. Lynk expressed that he would suggest high technology security cameras with both facial recognition and license plate recognition. C. Lynk also proposed the idea of downward facing lights at Emricson Park for runners for the Commission to consider.

4. Discuss Softball/Baseball Tournament Fees

This agenda item was tabled.

H. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:

1. Tentative agenda items identified by Administration

a. Park Master Plan

P. Riis requested a timeline for the completion of a 5-year plan. Staff proposed a Parks Tour in September and a Master Plan would be provided in October.

b. Comprehensive Review of Park Policies & Practices

c. Lynk advised that everything had been approved except for fees.

2. Requested by Commission: Any member may suggest an item to be considered by the Commission at a future meeting, but must be approved by a majority of the Commission to be included as a future agenda item.

None.

I. ADJOURN:

Motion by M. McMahon, second by P. Riis, to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission. Ayes: M. McMahon, P. Riis and Chair M. McCleary. Nays: none. Absentees: C. Neuhart. Abstentions: none. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 9:09 PM.

The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, September 13, 2022.

https://www.woodstockil.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/parks_amp_recreation_commission/meeting/45723/parks_and_recreation_commission_meeting_minutes_august_2022.pdf