McHenry Times

City of Harvard Park Board met Sept. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Chairman Jay Schulz called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Committee members present: Chairman Jay Schulz, Alderman John Lavallee, Alderwoman Lori Lancaster, Scott Logan and Pep Saucedo. Member Alderwoman Rosa Luna was absent. Also present were Mayor Kelly, City Administrator Lou Leone, Finance Director Deb Bejot and Supt. Ryan Knop.

Public Comment 

None

Approval of Minutes 

A motion was made by Scott Logan, seconded by Alderwoman Lancaster to accept the Park Board Minutes of August 21, 2023, as presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Project Update/Status 

Supt. Knop updated the Park Board on the following projects:

• The dog park expansion is still in process. The fence company should start the expansion in the next couple of weeks. Public Works has ordered the equipment for the waterline connection for the water fountain. Ryan will create a Facebook post outlining improvements.

• The pool is 90% ready for winter.

• The 2023-2024 Basketball season registration went live. Sponsorships for this upcoming season have been secured; the future of the program needs to be evaluated during the budget cycle.

• Egg Nog Jog registration went live. This is a 3K Fun Run/Walk on December 2nd.

• Park Point Gravel Path: Powell Gravel came back with a quote of $4,615 which is $615 over what was budgeted for completion. Darrell expressed concern at the last department head meeting about utilizing limestone as it doesn’t prevent weeds. The 2022-2023 expansion at Park Point was done in limestone.

• Darrell received a quote from Hartwig's for the sewer issue at Milky Way Park. The cost is $32,515 which includes a whole new pit and system for that bathroom. Supt. Grant is seeking another quote.

• Ryan secured pricing for timed magnetic bathroom locks. The cost per two doors would be about $900 without installation cost. An electrician would be needed at around $125-$150 per hour.

Rebuild Illinois Grant 

No update at the current time.

Community Garden 

Ryan spoke with Karen at the library who inquired as to the status of the community garden as well as the status of converting those to individual plots. The library is looking to utilize their seed library, as well as expand their selection of gardening tools that users can "check out". The Park Board discussed how to proceed for the 2024 growing season. Repairing the water system is on the Public Works list of projects.

Recreation Center Survey 

The Park Board discussed the draft recreation center survey. Additional recommended changes: 

• Change verbiage throughout the document “new recreation center” to “proposed recreation center”. 

• Question 3 – add sauna to indoor amenities

• Question 11 – replace “other” to say “anywhere in town”

• Question 13 – delete “I have no strong preference” with a list of specific environmentally friendly features (i.e. wind, solar, EV charging stations, rain barrels)

• Question 15 – under yes, put in (please provide contact information)

• Scott brought up his comment that the survey could raise false expectations that the City is going to build a rec center. There was further discussion to add a clarifier for explanation that the City is gauging interest in a proposed rec center and to add a question asking what people would be willing to pay for a monthly membership cost, starting at $50 for a base membership fee.

Ryan will make the changes and go live with the survey.

Finance Director Bejot/Presentation Park Fund Financial Report 

Finance Director Bejot gave a Power Point presentation outlining the Park Fund Financial Report for 2023. Areas highlighted and discussed:

• History of the park fund deficit. This is a snapshot reported by the auditors which gets flagged every year. Deb related that the fund deficit will be fixed with a general ledger entry this fiscal year, so at the end of the year, it’s going to be a net zero.

• History of the 2017 park referendum.

• Park fund property tax.

• Initial and additional project proposals.

• Park/Pool revenue & expenses.

• Strategies in motion: park fee structure and improve/increase recreation utilizing a second survey, quarterly catalog and tournaments/events.

• Goals for the future: find temporary space, revisit/revise master plan and institute recreation programs. 

• Assets: athletic fields, park land and open space that can be used for programs, the Park Board, the Harvard Park Foundation, Mayor Kelly, City Administrator Leone and Supt. Knop.

• Chairman Schulz clarified that with the approval of the referendum, the Park Fund is no longer being supplemented by the General Fund.

• The Rochelle Fall Program Guide was briefly discussed as a sample guide and possible programs.

Vandalism Report 

Supt. Knop reported on two issues relating to police reports regarding Parks and Recreation: 

• The police were dispatched to a disturbance relating to the adult soccer league (six spectators; one soccer player) that occurred at Milky Way Park. The individuals involved were issued citations.

• Milky Way Park Vandalism. An individual was observed on camera spray painting numerous surfaces at Milky Way Park. Said individual was identified and arrested on 8/24/23.

Mayor’s Report 

• In terms of programming for 24/25, the expectation is to implement some additional outdoor programming and smaller programs utilizing the Community Hall. Staff is further investigating other indoor spaces within the community and will report updates/recommendations as they develop.

• The Strategic Vision Workshops are upcoming for the City Council and City Staff. Part of that vision will look at programming and sports/recreation as a whole.

• Mayor Kelly thanked City Staff and the Park Board for being engaged in trying to find ways to boost the Parks Dept. and that part of our community that becomes an amenity for current residents and an attraction for future residents.

Supt. Knop’s Report 

Supt. Knop reviewed his report as submitted.

Ryan has also put out a Facebook post seeking instructors for different classes. He has a lot of ideas which require both space and instructors. He created a dog park community group on Facebook to keep the community involved and engaged with each other.

At Alderman Lavallee’s inquiry, Ryan provided an update with the Eagle Scout Project which is pending final Boy Scout approval of the project.

Harvard Parks Foundation Report 

Scott related that the HPF has identified their next project initiative is a basketball court at Northfield Park; estimated cost for the asphalt is $45,614.

New Business 

City Administrator Leone thanked the Egg Nog Jog Team (Ryan, Donovan, Jannette and Anne). The next meeting is Monday, October 16, 2023, at 6 pm.

At 7:23 pm, a motion was made by Scott Logan, seconded by Alderman Lavallee to adjourn the meeting. All ayes. Motion carried.

https://www.cityofharvard.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/parks_and_recreation_board/meeting/14723/minutesparkboard2023-09-18.pdf