PARKS & RECREATION BOARD 2015/08/18 Minutes
The City of Lake Forest
Parks and Recreation Board
Meeting Minutes
August 18, 2015
I. Call to Order
The Parks and Recreation Board Meeting was called to order by Chairman Charlie Kohlmeyer at
6:33p.m. The following were present:
Board Members: Mr. Charlie Kohlmeyer
Mr. Scott Herman
Mr. Steve Reimer
Mr. Skoo Walker
Mr. Colton England, Student Member
Staff: Ms. Sally Swarthout, Director of Parks & Recreation
Mr. Joe Mobile, Interim Superintendent of Recreation
Mr. Chuck Myers, Superintendent of Parks, Forestry & Cemetery
Ms. Tricia Schwall, Administrative Assistant
II. Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes of the July 21, 2015 Park & Recreation Board meeting were presented.
Board Member Reimer moved for approval of the minutes and Board Member Herman seconded.
The Board meeting minutes of the July 21, 2015 meeting were then unanimously approved.
III. Opportunities for the Public to Address the Board on Items not listed on the Agenda
No Public Comment.
IV. Grove Campus/Northcroft Park Master Plan
Director Swarthout gave a project timeline for the Master Plan.
· 2014 – Direction from the Property & Public Land Committee to undertake a Comprehensive
Master Plan for Northcroft Park and Grove Campus.
· June 2014 – Staff met to discuss the challenges of the project.
· October 2014 – Visioning sessions took place with stakeholders, which include City Council,
Property & Public Land Committee, Parks & Recreation Board, Historic Preservation
Committee and Foundation, Plan Commission and Senior Resource Commission, Soccer
Associations-Lake Forest & AYSO, Business Accelerator and Music Institute of Chicago, Lake
Forest Open Lands Association, Heller Nature Center and The Lake Forest Friends Group.
· November 2014 – Staff compiles data and begins work on the Comprehensive Plan
· July 2015 – Property and Public Land Committee approved the Grove Campus portion of the
plan
· July 2015 – Property and Public Land Committee approved the Grove Campus portion of the
plan
· August 2015 – Northcroft Master Plan presented to the Park & Recreation Board
Board Member Walker asked if the Master Plan had been reviewed again since the change of staff.
Director Swarthout said it has been reviewed by her and others since the turnover.
Director Swarthout explained the roles and responsibilities of the board going forward. Two
members of the board participated in the visioning session. The board will review and discuss the
plan, approve the plan and participate at the time of implementation. Board Member Walker stated
that he was concerned that David Brush, who was the board member of stakeholders, was not
present at the meeting. Director Swarthout acknowledged the request. She then discussed the
current uses of the park and the plan recommendations. A lengthy conversation followed regarding
the plan recommendations. Board Member Walker asked if the board was approving programming
at the park. Director Swarthout responded no, just the concept. She also reiterated that any
changes to the park would be based on funding and board approval before anything happens.
Chairman Kohlmeyer asked if this were to get approved tonight, what would be the next steps.
Director Swarthout responded that the entire plan would go before City Council for approval. And
then as funding and ideas came together then they would move forward. Board Member Reimer
asked what the most important changes would be. Director Swarthout responded that the walking
trails and the educational opportunities would be the biggest thing for the Parks & Recreation
Department. Board Member Reimer then asked what the biggest change they would like to see.
Director Swarthout stated that removing the baseball diamond out there and adding more grid
fields. A conversation followed regarding the grid field activities. Board Member Herman asked
about how the travel teams pay for use of the fields. A conversation followed regarding the fees.
Director Swarthout stated that fees will be coming up for discussion later.
Requested Action: Approval of the Northcroft Park portion of the Grove Campus/Northcroft Park
Master Plan and the recommendation to move the plan forward to City Council.
A motion was made by Board Member Herman to table the discussion Grove Campus/Northcroft
Park Master Plan until the next meeting to wait until Board Member Brush can provide his
feedback. The motion was seconded by Board Member Walker. The motion passed.
V. City of Lake Forest and Lake Forest Open Lands Land Swap Update
Superintendent Myers gave the board a brief overview of the land swap. Currently the Master Land
Transfer is being developed. Bleck is working on a survey of the property. He reminded the board
that the McCormick Nature Preserve is being swapped for two of Open Lands property, one at Elawa
Farm and the park at the corner of Deerpath & Green Bay Rd. This will be going to City Council on
September 7th. Before that it will go the Property and Public Land Committee prior to City Council.
He gave a description of the GLFER program to the board explaining that a Program Partners
Agreement (PPA) must be signed by The City of Lake Forest, Lake Forest Open Lands and the Army
Corp by September 15. Board Member Walker asked what involvement does the Parks &
Recreation Department have in this. Superintendent Myers responded none; the board will have
involvement in the development in the new park. He mentioned that the City will get possession of
the two properties sometime in the fall. A conversation followed.
VI. Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Park and Recreation Joint Task Force Update
Director Swarthout gave an update to the board on the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Parks & Recreation
Joint Task Force.
· Joint Press Release will be done after the fall
· Waving non-resident fee will start in the winter brochure for both communities
· Joint Golf Task Force was been tabled until further discussions with Lake Forest City Council
and Lake Bluff Park Board regarding the future of the golf courses. A conversation followed
regarding the golf course.
· Reviewed the current common capital improvement expenses and found there are no
opportunities to share those expenses at this time
· Instituted the Fitness Super Pass
· Cross marketing of programs has started slowly but will be moving forward. A conversation
followed.
· Tracking beach usage in both communities
· Offer joint training for lifeguards in both communities
· Both communities engaged outside consultants to update the 2008 operational review of
golf course
· Still planning to issue a survey to measure the reciprocity of the cost sharing opportunities
between the communities
· Intergovernmental agreement with Lake Bluff has expired and will be re-written to include
the changes that have happened with the Joint Task Force.
Board Member Walker asked about the IDOT plan to fix the water situation at the intersection of 41
& Deerpath. Superintendent Myers responded that it is all dependent on monies.
VII. Comments by Director
Director Swarthout gave a department update.
A. Lake Forest College hosting Welcome Back Party@ beach – August 25
B. BMW Golf Championship @ Conway Farms Golf Course – September 14 – 20
C. Townline Park will be closed to the public during the BMW starting on September 11
D. Library Book Sale at the Rec Center Gym – September 17 – 20
E. Family Fun Campout @ beach – September 26 – 27
F. Discussions coming up for the board
i. Program Fees
ii. Capital Expenditures
G. Everett playground is complete
VIII. Comments by Board Members
Board Member Walker asked that the board get an update on Kemper.
Chairman Kohlmeyer asked about registration on the new computer system. Director Swarthout
replied that aside from a few glitches the system is working well.
Board Member Herman asked if there are any updates on the applications for the positions at the
beach.
IX. Next Meeting 9/15/2015
X. Adjournment
Board Member Reimer moved to adjourn the meeting. Board Member Walker seconded. The
meeting was adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Tricia Schwall
Administrative Assistant