McHenry Times

Village of Lake in the Hills Parks and Recreation Board met Oct. 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm. Roll Call was answered by Members Wackerlin, Cairns, Donahue, Vice Chairman Andrea, and Chairwoman Tredore. Member Sivakumar was absent.

Also present were, Director of Parks and Recreation Trevor Bosack, Recreation Superintendent Kim Buscemi, Trustee Wendy Anderson, and Recording Secretary Dana Popovich.

Audience Participation

Scott Surman wanted to discuss adding keycode entry to the Beach, like they have at the Bark Park. He feels this would really help eliminate nonresident access, and maybe even eliminate the need for staffing all together.

Director of Parks and Recreation Trevor Bosack addressed the Board about changing the order of audience participation, as previously asked, and said that it would have to stay in the order it is. He also met with resident Scott Surman after the September 1st meeting to discuss the signage at the beach.

Chairwoman Tredore noted at 6:35pm Member Carman was added to the Board meeting.

Approval of Meeting Minutes

Motion to accept the Parks and Recreation meeting minutes of September 1, 2022 was made by Vice-Chairman Andrea and seconded by Member Cairns. On a voice vote, Member Wackerlin, Cairns, Donahue, Carman, Vice Chairman Andrea, and Chairwoman Tredore voted Aye. No Nays. Motion carried 6-0.

Old Business

A. Lynn Dillow Playground Replacement

Director of Parks and Recreation Trevor Bosack asked the Board to look at the slide show of the Lynn Dillow Replacement project. He went over placement of the equipment and some of the focal points like the tri-rider, swings, and the communication board. Director of Parks and Recreation Trevor Bosack then went over the many different color options that were available. He showed examples of colors that were present in the many parks in Lake in The Hills. The first color concept for Lynn Dillow Playground is lime, purple, and orange. Three colors seemed like too much color, so Director Bosack asked Play Illinois to put the brown back and just add pops of color. Director Bosack said he wants to be respectful of the Board and what they want, and is asking the Board for their feedback. Chairwoman Tredore asked what colors other than brown do the posts come in. Director Bosack said they come in just about any color, he chose the brown color because it goes like nicely with the roofs, and in keeping with the nature theme. The Board added that they think it is too much brown. Member Donahue commented that she really liked the purple, it’s not a color we see in many of our parks. She also said that maybe we could make the posts lime. The Board all seem to agree with that idea. Director of Parks and Recreation Trevor Bosack asked would the Board like him to go back to Play Illinois and ask them to make a mock up with the colors of green, purple, brown, and tan. He requested that they still make the recommendation so he can prepare it as an agenda item.

Motion to accept the colors for the Lynn Dillow Park Replacement project was made by Member Carman and was Seconded by Member Cairns. On a voice vote, Member Wackerlin, Cairns, Donahue, Carman, Vice-Chairman Andrea and Chairwoman Tredore voted Aye. No Nays. Motion carried 6-0.

Director of Parks and Recreation Trevor Bosack asked for feedback on what items should be on the Communication Board.

Member Wackerlin suggested asking the Preschool Academy about what options are best. Director of Parks and Recreation Trevor Bosack said that was a great suggestion.

Chairwoman Tredore suggested contacting NISRA about it as well.

Trustee Wendy Anderson said that being in special education, everything that is on there, looks appropriate.

New Business

A. Informational Item – Facility Use Policy Updates

Director of Parks and Recreation Trevor Bosack reviewed Chapter 8 of the Village’s Municipal Code that outlines the Facility Use Permit process in section 8.13 of the Code, specifically the Facility Use Permit application. In 2021, staff representing Village departments began meeting to discuss and review the Village Facility use Policy. After reviewing, and looking at neighboring municipalities these are the changes, that have an effective start date of January 1, 2023.

Director of Parks and Recreation Trevor Bosack reviewed the changes. He went over some of the fees and what the rules are. He said he would like to clean it up to make it easier to educate the renters on what the expectations are. Recreation Superintendent Kim Buscemi suggested that we take pictures of the table and chairs and have the posted in the rental area. Director of Parks and Recreation Trevor Bosack said that there is a lot of information to digest and that is why he brought this forward as an informational item. He asked the Board for their feedback.

Member Wackerlin asked where in the policy does it state when the indoor and outdoor facilities are available to rent. Is there an amount of time you can schedule in advance?

Director of Parks and Recreation Trevor Bosack responded that the picnic shelters it’s the first Monday in April to the first Friday in November. The indoor facility is six months in advance, and the reason why, is our recreation department uses the facilities for events.

Member Wackerlin said that he went to schedule a party in April, and every weekend was full. He feels it would be helpful if we had it stated somewhere in the policy.

Member Carman thought it would be helpful if we could send some sort of automated text before a rental, reminding them of their responsibilities.

Member Donahue said maybe residents could have first access to rentals by letting them book a few weeks prior than a nonresident.

The Board thought that was a good idea.

B. Informational Item – Indian Trail Beach Grant

Director of Parks and Recreation Trevor Bosack discussed that T-Mobile partnered with two nonprofit agencies, Main Street America and Smart Growth America, to administer, review, and issue “Hometown Grants” to communities and small towns across America. This grant program has $25 million committed to be distributed over five years as $50,000 grants to 25 communities, per quarter. Staff identified upgrades that would fit within the $50,000 grant award amount. The Public Works Department anticipates installing the various amenities and the estimated labor was identified as a Village-related contribution at approximately $11,300. Staff will provide an update as to the status of the grant application once a decision has been made.

Staff Reports

Recreation Superintendent Kim Buscemi discussed Sunset Fest, and what a great turn out they had. She thanked Board Member Brad Wackerlin for helping out and taking pictures. Recreation Superintendent Kim Buscemi talked about upcoming events starting with Hero Week, and how they added a pinning ceremony that will be on Veterans Day. Everyone is invited, and it is at two o’clock. Recreation Supervisor Casie Peltz participated in two Senior Fairs that were sponsored by local State Senators. Recreation Supervisor Casie Peltz was also invited to serve on State Representative Suzanne Ness Senior Advisory Committee which meets quarterly to discuss senior needs, issues, and legislation. Recreation Superintendent Kim Buscemi talked about some of the activities and trips that took place over the last month. She discussed the Preschool Academy being at eighty percent capacity, and only having seventeen spots left. Recreation Superintendent Kim Buscemi said they hired a supervisor for Beyond the Bell, and the program is running well. She asked the Board if they had any questions. She also said the Board is always welcome to attend any of the events they have.

Vice-Chairman Andrea Asked what UFO was that is on the fifteenth.

Recreation Superintendent Kim Buscemi said it was Unfinished Projects. There is a group of mostly women, but a few men, and they work on different projects.

Village Trustee Liaison Report

None

Member Reports

Member Brad Wackerlin had Rolling Hills Park. He said it looked good. He suggested that the bushes need a trim, and some weeds need pulled.

Member Cairns had Ryder Park. He said it was in good condition, and he really likes the park. The only issue he mentioned was that the plant island that is there is getting washed out. The blacktop is starting to sink in and that is where the handicap entry is. Director of Parks and Recreation Trevor Bosack said that parking lot is getting replaced next year.

Chairwoman Tredore had Plote Field, and thought it looked good. She suggested that another picnic table be added, and striping of the parking lot.

Vice-Chairman Andrea had Richard Taylor Park and Skate Park. He thought it looked good. He also suggested that they put some kind of seating around there. The way it is now, you have to sit on the ground.

Member Carman had Stoneybrook Park. She thought it looked great, just a few weeds in the mulch. The trees looked good. She said that there were a lot of families playing there, which was nice to see.

Member Donahue had Turtle Island. She said it looked great. She also wanted to say that the Kidzone at Sunset Fest was amazing and thanked the Parks and Recreation department for all the work they put into it.

Adjournment

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Vice-Chairman Andrea and seconded by Member Donahue. The motion was approved by a voice vote 6-0.

There being no further business to discuss, the Parks and Recreation Board meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM.

https://www.lith.org/home/showpublisheddocument/3649/638034949486630000