PARKS & RECREATION BOARD 2016/02/16 MinutesThe City of Lake Forest
Parks and Recreation Board
Meeting Minutes
February 16, 2016
I. Call to Order
The Parks and Recreation Board Meeting was called to order by Chairman Charlie Kohlmeyer at
6:30p.m. The following were present:
Board Members: Mr. Charlie Kohlmeyer
Mr. Skoo Walker
Ms. Shannon Maguire
Mr. Steve Reimer
Mr. Scott Herman
Colton England, Student Member
Staff: Ms. Sally Swarthout, Director of Parks and Recreation
Mr. Joe Mobile, Superintendent of Recreation
Mr. Chuck Myers, Superintendent of Parks, Forestry & Cemetery
Mr. Anthony Anaszewicz, Program Manager
Ms. Dani Spann, Administrative Assistant
II. Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes of the November 17, 2015 Park & Recreation Board meeting were presented.
Chairman Kohlmeyer moved for approval of the November 17, 2015 minutes and the motion was
seconded. The Board meeting minutes of the November 17, 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. Athletic Field Usage Policy
Anthony Anaszewicz proposed changes to the current athletic field use policy. The change in the
policy is the “tiered structure” as opposed to “simple qualifications”. The question was asked if we
want to stick with the current field usage structure or go with a tiered structure in light of all the
competitors looking for field usage. The different tiers are:
• Tier 1- 0% upcharge for vendors or users will pay to recoup general maintenance and labor
costs to the Parks department. This tier is for programs we do not run that are community
groups.
• Tier 2- 10% upcharge and would be for any programs that are resident based and do
compete with our programs offered through the Recreation Center.
• Tier 3- 3rd party or nonresident based parties.
This tiered process will be used to address the vendors that are requesting to use our fields/parks.
Discussion followed.
Skoo Walker asked for the explanation of Tier 1. Tier 1, for example would be the AYSO program. It is a
resident based program that would not pay any upcharge, only the fees for general maintenance of the
fields. Charlie Kohlman asked for clarification on “competitors”. These competitors would include
programs that would compete with any current Rec programs and would therefore pay the upcharge
fees. There is no revenue generated from the Tier 1 participants. The question was raised on why are
we not taking advantage of revenue that could be generated from Tier 1 participants. There is a fee per
child ($10.00) charged to cover field maintenance. This goes into a restricted fund to help maintain the
fields.
The tiered system will protect us in the future for the 3rd party organizations that keep forming in the
different sports. Clarifications on the 3rd party organizations were discussed and the higher premium fee
they will pay. In 2003, the purpose of the initializing of the policy was to recuperate costs.
Discussion followed on the four team requirement and their ability to utilize fields and the fees involved.
The three tiers are needed to protect our community based programs. Joe Mobile mentioned there
should be careful consideration when opening up fields to Tier 3 participants as this may cause the
community programs to suffer.
The criteria that need to be met for each tier was discussed along with the percentage increase
included. Tier 1 is viewed as breaking even, Tier 2 is 10% upcharge, Tier 3 is 75% upcharge. These
percentages can be flexible. Conversation followed that there should be a flat fee for Tier 3 participants.
V. Junior Scouts Travel Baseball
Skoo Walker lead into the Junior Scouts travel baseball. The staff wants to bring back a travel
program. They created a committee and discussed bringing back a travel program to the Rec that
will be in sync with the house program. He introduced Anthony Anaszewicz, Manager-Athletics to
provide details of the committee’s discussion. Anthony Anaszewicz gave a little bit of background of
baseball in Lake Forest. The trend for baseball is going down and the reason they want to get this
program started. This travel program will coincide with the current Pinto League house program (7-8
year olds) through the Recreation Center that starts in April, with the travel program starting in
May.
The commitment for the program would be 3-4 days of practice a week. This would be an entry level
program. To be eligible to play all kids must be involved in the Pinto League. The goals and
objectives of this program are to streamline baseball as one organization all the way to the high
school. Another goal is to directly tie the travel and house league under one roof and to compete
with the private academies.
With the implementation of the Junior Scouts is to rebrand the current Scouts program and to
streamline from 8-14 year olds. Some community impact would be with the current baseball leagues
in town. The overall goal is to run a travel component to coincide with our existing house league.
Discussion followed regarding the current House League Program. The current house league offers
programs from Kindergarten to 8th grade. The Pony league is offered to Lake Forest and Lake Bluff at
this level to prepare them for high school and the future of Lake Forest Scouts. The big picture is to
encompass Kindergarten - 8th grade in both house and travel leagues.
Rob Rourke, the Commissioner of Lake Forest Baseball Association (LFBA) gave his comments in
regards to the travel league baseball in Lake Forest. He went over LFBA and the decline of baseball
enrollment in the community. LFBA wants strong, community based baseball with a travel program
that is well run and coordinated with a spot in town for all kids at all abilities. Some discussion
followed.
VI. Comments by Director
Chuck Myers gave an update on the West Park Playground. NUToys is the contractor and they had
help and input from the 4th graders at Sheridan School. A meeting will be held at CROYA on February
18th at 6 pm. This will be the last step in gathering information and feedback to make the final
decision on the two options. Board Member Maguire asked for confirmation on the location of the
new playground. It was confirmed the new playground will be in the same spot as the current one.
Summer camp registration for residents will begin on March 9th, and the brochures are in the mail.
The turnout on Preview Day was pretty good, with 23 pre registrations.
The following events are coming up this month:
A. Reptile Rampage – March 6th at Recreation Center Gym
B. Easter Eggstravaganza - March 19th - 9:30am-11:30am at the Deerpath Community Park
The closing on the Open Lands Park is complete and a new name is up for discussion.
Director Swarthout discussed two board projects up and coming.
The first project will involve a group visioning committee to start project planning for the new park
located at Deerpath and Greenbay Rds. This will include help with designing and finding uses for
that piece of land. Anticipated timeline for this vision participation to begin is in September. A
couple of small events will be held to introduce the park to residents.
The second project is a discussion of privileges for Highland Park residents to use our facility at a
resident rate for power boat launch. Volunteers will be needed to hold discussions with our boaters
and Highland Park boaters. This is something that will be looked at for the next season and will need
a year to discuss.
VII. Comments by Board Members
No comments.
VIII. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:50p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Dani Spann
Administrative Assistant