PARKS & RECREATION BOARD 2013/07/16 Packet
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
JULY 16, 2013
6:30PM at CITY HALL
LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS
AGENDA
I. CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL
Curt Volkmann, Chairman
David Brush
Steve Hill
Dan Jasica
Charlie Kohlmeyer
Lauren Turelli
Paul “Skoo” Walker
Wil Dixon, Student Member
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Approval of June 18, 2013 Board Minutes
III. OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON ITEMS NOT
LISTED ON THE AGENDA
IV. BID APPROVALS—
A. Approval of Recreation Seasonal Brochure Bid—Presented by Jeff
Wait, Superintendent of Special Facilities
B. Approval of Tree Planting Bid—Presented by Chuck Myers,
Superintendent of Parks and Forestry
C. Approval of Annual Holiday Tree Light Bid—Presented by Chuck
Myers, Superintendent of Parks and Forestry
V. APPROVAL OF PARK BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE & FORMAT CHANGE—
Presented by Mary Van Arsdale, Director
VI. SPOTLIGHT: ENVIRONMENTAL COLLABORATIVE—Presented by Curt
Volkmann, Environmental Collaborative Chairman
VII. DIRECTOR’S REPORT
A. Friends Foundation: Golf Fundraiser and Festival & Fireworks
B. Golf Course Safety Concern
C. Forest Park Project Update
D. Upcoming Programs and Events
E. Other
VIII. COMMENTS BY BOARD MEMBERS
IX. ADJOURNMENT
The City of Lake Forest
Parks and Recreation Board
Meeting Minutes
June 18, 2013
I. Call to Order
The Parks and Recreation Board Meeting were called to order by Chairman Volkmann at
6:30p.m. The following were present:
Board Members: Mr. David Brush
Mr. Steve Hill
Mr. Dan Jasica
Ms. Lauren Turelli
Mr. Curt Volkmann, Chairman
Mr. Skoo Walker
Staff: Ms. Mary Van Arsdale, Director of Parks and Recreation
Mr. Chuck Myers, Superintendent of Parks & Forestry
Ms. Sally Swarthout, Superintendent of Recreation
Mr. Jeff Wait, Superintendent of Special Facilities
Mr. Peter Gordon, City Forester
Mr. Rob Carmichael, Program Manager, WDC
Ms. Tricia Schwall, Administrative Assistant
II. Approval of Minutes
The meeting minutes of the April 16, 2013 Park & Recreation Board meeting were
presented.
Board Member Turelli moved for approval of the minutes and Board Member Brush
seconded. The Board meeting minutes of the April 16, 2013 meeting were then
unanimously approved.
III. New Board Member Welcome
Chairman Volkmann welcomed new Board Member Charlie Kohlmeyer and new Student
Board Member Wil Dixon. Neither Board Member was present at the meeting due to other
commitments.
IV. Emerald Ash Borer Information and Bid Approval
City Forester, Peter Gordon gave an overview of the Tagging and Removal Program. He
shared that City parkway trees will be tagged first with residential trees to follow. Trees will
be tagged with pink tags and ribbons for Dutch Elm Disease (DED) and green tags and
ribbons for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). City Forester Gordon walked the Board through the
process of tagging the trees and let them know the ash trees on public and private
properties would be tagged if they pose a threat to public health or safety or public
properties.
Chairman Volkmann asked if a resident receives a letter stating that they have 30 days to
remove a tree, they do not need a permit and that the letter would serve as their permit.
City Forester Gordon replied yes. Chairman Volkmann asked if that could be made clearer in
the letter. Board Member Jasica asked about the letter that states that a permit is required.
City Forester Gordon responded that the letter he is referring to is the letter that states the
tree is dying or dead, however does not pose a threat to public, therefore is not required to
be removed. In that case a permit is required.
Board Member Hill asked about the difference between trees that pose a threat to public
health or safety or public properties and trees that pose a threat to private property or
neighbors. City Forester Gordon explained the difference, including the logistical challenges
and liability factors. Board Member Turelli wanted to know if the ash borer would infest
other plants and trees in the yard. City Forester Gordon responded only if they are ash
trees. Board Member Walker inquired about residents using who the City uses to remove
trees to benefit from costs. City Forester Gordon shared that the City has looked into
consortium pricing for various components of the EAB process, however tree removal has
too many variables to consider it. Chairman Volkmann expressed his concern on the
administrative portion of EAB, and whether the City had sufficient administrative support to
address the anticipated volume of calls. City Forester Gordon explained the process and his
initial approach regarding the toll that EAB is taking on the Forestry section and Director Van
Arsdale indicated that the City may also utilize administrative staff from the Public Works
Department if volume requires this. Board Member Brush asked about the policing of the
tree companies coming in to remove these trees. City Forester Gordon explained that there
is no process in place to police who the homeowners are using. There is a meeting
scheduled later this week with Community Development to work through some of the
permitting processes. Board Member Brush also asked if the City is requiring residents to
replant if they remove a tree. City Forester Gordon responded no due to potential
economic realities and the many variables on private property.
City Forester Gordon gave an overview of the FY ’14 bid for tree and stump removal. He
shared that the bids came in quite a bit lower than they thought they would therefore they
would be able to remove more trees than anticipated. He also let them know that they are
seeking approval to use the top three bidders for the removals, stating that they would be
using the lowest bidder first but would then have the flexibility of using all three if the
removals become too much for just one company to handle. A discussion followed
regarding the pricing structure and how the work would be divided between the companies.
Also the difference between the original cost proposals for the tree removal and what is
actually coming in.
Requested Action: Approval of a one year contract to Landscape Concepts Management,
Nel’s Johnson Tree Experts and Kinnucan Tree Experts not to exceed a total amount of
$100,000 for FY ’14 tree and stump removal of trees on City streets, City‐owned properties
and unimproved easements.
A motion was made by Board Member Brush to award a one year contract to Landscape
Concepts Management, Nel’s Johnson Tree Experts and Kinnucan Tree Experts not to
exceed a total amount of $100,000 for FY ’14 tree and stump removal of trees on City
streets, City‐owned properties and unimproved easements. The motion was seconded by
Board Member Turelli. The motion passed.
A discussion then followed regarding the great work the Forestry section is doing in
response to EAB, the acquisition of a new chipper, the sign boards and the community
workshop.
V. Proposed Changes to Park Board Meeting Schedule & Format
Director Van Arsdale proposed a change in the FY ’13‐14 Park Board meeting format and
schedule. The proposed new schedule alternates monthly meetings between a televised
meeting and a Committee of the Whole (COTW) workshop format beginning in August 2013.
She shared that all of the meetings would be open to the public, posted with an agenda and
minutes would be taken. The COTW meetings would be discussion purposes only, unless in
a rare instance due to critical timing. Televised meetings would be at City Hall and COTW
meetings would be held at Municipal Services building. A discussion ensued regarding the
meetings and in general, board members liked the proposed format change. Director Van
Arsdale let the Board know that this subject would come to the Board meeting in July for
approval.
VI. Spotlight: Summer Camps
Program Manager Carmichael gave an overview of the Summer Camps offered through the
Rec Center. There are a total of 17 different camps available and there are two week
options in addition to full camp sessions. He shared the benefits of camps, the different
types of camps, the Counselor in Training program. He also discussed the participation
levels over the past several years and well as a financial overview of the camps. A discussion
followed regarding the sports camps and the drop in participation. Board members
suggested contacting parents at the end of summer, while camp was still fresh in the minds,
as to any suggested revisions for the 2014 camp season. Staff indicated they would schedule
parent focus groups.
VII. Director’s Report
Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Program kicked off this past Saturday
Friends Foundation: Golf Fundraiser and Festival & Fireworks
i. The Golf Fundraiser took place on June 7th
ii. Festival & Fireworks will be held on July 4th
Golf Course Promotions
i. Sunday afternoon family golf available
1. $50 – 5 players after 3pm
ii. Looking into using TravelZoo for coupon marketing
Forest Park Project Update
i. Family Fun Fest will be held Saturday, August 25th 11am‐1pm at the park
ii. Groundbreaking Ceremony will be held on July 27th at 9:30am
iii. Infrastructure is starting the week following the Family Fun Fest
Upcoming Programs and Events
i. 2,500 Lake County students participated in Environmental Education
Program ‐ WDC
ii. Rob Carmichael – WDC received a $1,500 from Zion Solutions to lead a
special study at the Illinois Beach State Park
iii. Raging Waves at the beach is kicking off with rave reviews
iv. Deerpath Golf Course has a new food vendor also
VIII. Comments by Board Members
There were no comments.
IX. Opportunities For The Public To Address The Board On Items Not Listed On The Agenda
There were no comments.
X. Adjournment
Board Member Jasica moved to adjourn the meeting. Board Member Brush seconded. The
meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Tricia Schwall
Administrative Assistant
SUBJECT: Seasonal Brochure Printing Bid
PRESENTED BY: JEFFREY WAIT, SUPERINTENDENT OF SPECIAL FACILITIES
PURPOSE AND ACTION REQUESTED: Staff is seeking Park Board approval to award the Department’s seasonal
brochure printing services to J.W. Swift Printing Company for the 2014 calendar year.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: The Recreation Department’s main avenue of marketing its seasonal program
offerings is through the three seasonal brochures; Winter/Spring, Summer/Camps and Fall. Staff works diligently
months prior to residents receiving their copy to develop the content and graphic design before submitting to a
vendor for printing and mailing. Prior to bidding all 3 seasonal brochures together, staff sought individual quotes
for each brochure which was time consuming and inconsistent. Bidding the entire year of brochures will ensure
consistent deliverables and allow potential volume savings.
Adhering to Administrative Directive 3‐5 relating to Purchasing Procedures, staff sent out bid packets to 11 local
printing companies. Staff also submitted bid notifications to Pioneer Press and the Sun‐Times at least 10
business days before they bid opening. On July 5th promptly at 9:30am staff held a bid opening.
Three vendors submitted bids with the results detailed below. As this is the first time staff has bid out this
service, staff reached out to all printers who were sent bid packets to ascertain why they chose not to bid. Many
of the printers submitted quotes in the past and have not been awarded the brochure printing projects. They
indicated, based on past experience, they would not able to provide a competitive bid for this type of work and
did not want to spend the time compiling the bid when they would not be awarded the project.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT: John Swift Co. Inc. was the lowest bidder at $27,762. The Department has previously
worked with this printer. Swift has produced the last two seasonal brochures and staff is familiar with the
quality of their work.
Below is a summary of Project budget:
FY2014 Funding Source Amount Budgeted Amount Requested Budgeted?
Y/N
220‐8048‐451‐60‐13 $34,000 $27,762* Y
* Plus additional four pages if needed.
RECOMMENDED PARK BOARD ACTION: Approval to award the Recreation Department’s 2014 seasonal
brochure printing services to J.W. Swift Printing Company for the base bid amount of $27,762 and additional 4‐
page incremental costs of $377 per brochure if needed.
Vendor Base Bid Amount Additional 4‐page Amount
Darwill Press Inc. $40,987 Did not submit
Haapanan Brothers Inc. $31,246.13 $540 / brochure
John Swift Co. Inc. $27,762 $377 / brochure
SUBJECT: Approval of Contract for Annual Tree Planting for FY14 Budget
Staff Contact: Peter Gordon City Forester, 810-3563
PURPOSE AND ACTION REQUESTED: Staff is seeking approval to enter into a one year contract
with Guy Scopelliti Landscape for the planting of trees on City streets, parks and other City
owned properties. This contract is for planting only and does not include the purchase of trees.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: The City’s Forestry section typically plants 200 trees a year;
however, with the increase of tree removals resulting from Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) we
anticipate planting approximately 400 2” - 3” trees in FY14. These trees will be primarily planted
along City streets but may also include City parks and City-owned properties.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for the annual tree planting contract is budgeted in the Fund
311, Capital Projects. The results of the bid process confirmed that outsourcing of tree planting
will be cost efficient. Staff received three (3) bids for the tree planting detailed below.
FY14 Tree Planting Bid Data Overview:
Trees
1.0”-2.0”
Trees
2.1”-3.0”
Trees
3.1”-4.0”
Trees 4.1”-
5.0” Total*
Guy Scopelliti
Landscape $75.00 $95.00 $200.00 $380.00 $38,000
Gro Horticultural
Enterprises, Inc $104.00 $161.00 $222.00 $317.00 $64,400
Rosborough $260.00 $375.00 $570.00 $780.00 $150,000
*Based on planting 2.1” – 3.0” trees
Guy Scopelliti Landscape was the low bidder and has experience working in Lake Forest and
has satisfactorily performed other projects for The City in recent years.
Summary of Project Budget:
FY ’14 Funding
Source Amount Budgeted Amount Requested
(Not to Exceed)
Budgeted?
Y/N
Capital Fund 311 $ 100,000 $ 40,000 Y
*remaining funds of $60,000 are for the purchasing of trees from multiple vendors
RECOMMENDED PARK BOARD ACTION: Park Board recommends to City Council approval of a
one year contract not to exceed $40,000 to Guy Scopelliti Landscape for the planting of trees
on City streets, parks and City-owned properties .
SUBJECT: Approval of Contract for Installation of Holiday Lights in the Central Business District and Waukegan
& Everett Road Berm
Staff Contact: Peter Gordon City Forester, 810‐3563
PURPOSE AND ACTION REQUESTED: Staff is seeking approval to enter into a two year contract with MacFarlane
Douglass & Companies for the installation of holiday lights in the Central Business District (CBD) and Waukegan
& Everett Road berm (located on the southwest corner).
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: The City’s annual tree lighting program is approaching its 30th year. This event has
brought generations of Lake Forest families together to celebrate the holiday season. The CBD is lit with over
120,000 lights that brighten Western Avenue from Deerpath Road north to Westminster Avenue and includes
Historic Market Square. Residents and visitors are drawn to the CBD to begin their holiday shopping season
under the glow of these tiny white lights. Lights also shine on The City’s west side as the berm located on the
southwest corner of Waukegan and Everett Roads is lit with thousands of lights that welcome residents and
visitors into the community. The City’s Forestry staff also places two large evergreen trees in Market square and
the Telegraph Road Train Station to welcome in the holidays.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for the installation of Holiday Lights is budgeted in the Forestry Fund 220
contractual line item. The City began bidding this work contractually approximately ten years ago to lock in the
price within a two‐year cycle; year one complete replacement and year two replacement where needed. This
year’s bid results confirms that outsourcing of the holiday lighting program continues to be the most cost
efficient approach and allows for the section to focus on other forestry operations. Staff received three (3) bids
for the holiday lights as detailed below.
FY14 Holiday Lights Bid Data Overview:
Year 1
Complete
Replacement
Year 2
Replacement
Lights Total
MacFarlane Douglass & Co. $27,000 $9,000 $36,000
The TLC Group, LTD $26,240 $10,080 $36,320
Temple Display, LTD $77,500 $7,500 $85,000
Macfarlane Douglass & Companies was the low bidder and has experience installing holiday lights. They have
not worked for The City of Lake Forest before; however, references were checked with favorable results.
Summary of Project Budget:
FY ’14 Funding Source Amount Budgeted Amount
Requested
Budgeted?
Y/N
Fund 220 Park Operations $ 31,000 $ 27,000 Y
FY ’15 Funding Source Amount Budgeted Amount
Requested
Budgeted?
Y/N
Fund 220 Park Operations To Be Budgeted $ 9,000 N
RECOMMENDED PARK BOARD ACTION: Park Board recommends to City Council approval of a two year
contract in the amount of $36,000 to MacFarlane Douglas & Companies to provide the installation of holiday
lights in the Central Business District (CBD) and Waukegan and Everett Road berm (located on the southwest
corner).
V:\Recreation Board\Board Packets 2013\Board Mtg 07-16-13\MeetingScheduleChangeFY13-14.doc
SUBJECT: Proposed Change to Park Board Meeting Format and Schedule FY13‐14
PRESENTED BY: MARY VAN ARSDALE, DIRECTOR, 810‐3918
PURPOSE AND ACTION REQUESTED: Chairman Volkmann and Director Van Arsdale have
proposed a change in the FY13‐14 Park Board meeting format and schedule. The proposed new
schedule alternates monthly meetings between a televised meeting and a committee‐of‐the‐
whole workshop format beginning in August 2013. This agenda item was discussed at the June
18, 2013 televised meeting and adoption of the new schedule is sought at the July 16, 2013
meeting.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: Over the past year, various board members have expressed a
desire to facilitate a more collaborative and in‐depth discussion on items related to Parks and
Recreation services before the items come to final recommendation for Park Board approval.
Implementing a Committee‐of‐the‐Whole (COTW) workshop environment on alternating
months would allow the Park Board to provide staff with feedback and provide an enhanced
opportunity to bring professionals or experts to a meeting to share knowledge and insight into
projects while they are in the development stage. Ultimately, the goal of the COTW workshop
format is to provide the opportunity for the Park Board to feel more engaged with the topic
during its development instead of becoming engaged only at the stage of approval. The annual
Park Board COTW capital improvement project planning meeting is one such existing example of
creating a collaborative environment to explore direction together. Staff can share some other
examples at the meeting of upcoming topics that may benefit from this meeting style format.
To meet the very important goal of transparency and accessibility to all residents, the meeting
formats will adhere to the following guidelines:
1. All meetings, televised or COTW, will be open to the public and posted with an agenda
in accordance with Open Meeting Act legal requirements.
2. Minutes for all meetings, televised or COTW, will be kept and posted in accordance with
Open Meeting Act legal requirements.
3. COTW meetings will be for discussion purposes only. Typically no action would be taken
at these meetings. Action items would be brought forward for approval at televised
meetings. In the rare instance due to critical timing needs, action may be sought at a
COTW meeting but only if the COTW meeting agenda notices that action is being
sought.
4. COTW meeting attendance will be deemed as critical and required as monthly, televised
meetings, i.e. we would not want Park Board members to view COTW meetings as
optional.
5. Televised meetings will be held at City Hall (unless in conflict with a moved City Council
meeting). COTW meetings will be held at Municipal Services.
6. This schedule does not negate the possibility of joint meetings with other boards such as
the Property and Public Lands Committee or sub‐committee meetings of the Park Board,
if necessary.
Staff has attached a chart that outlines the meeting dates, formats and tentative key topics that
annually fit the monthly meeting timing. Before bringing this option to the Park Board, Director
Van Arsdale did discuss this meeting format with the City Manager.
RECOMMENDED PARK BOARD ACTION: Adoption of the Revised Parks and Recreation FY14
Meeting Schedule and Format.
V:\Recreation Board\Board Packets 2013\Board Mtg 07-16-13\MeetingScheduleChangeFY13-14.doc
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD
PROPOSED FY2013‐14 MEETING SCHEDULE
Meeting Date Meeting Format
June 18, 2013 Televised Board Meeting
July 16, 2013 Televised Board Meeting
August 28, 2013* COTW *note not 3rd Tuesday
September 17, 2013 Televised Board Meeting: Annual
Fees for Golf, Fitness, Lakefront,
Athletics, Parks ; Kemper Year 3
Agreement
October 15, 2013 COTW: Capital Improvement Plan
November 19, 2013 Televised Board Meeting
December 17, 2013 COTW or no meeting
January 21, 2014 Board Meeting at Municipal
Services (Park Board bumped from
City Hall as that City Council moves
its meeting to Tuesday because of
Martin Luther King Day)
February 18, 2014 COTW
March 18, 2014 Televised Board Meeting
April 15, 2014 COTW
May 20, 2014 Televised Board Meeting
Special Notes:
1. All meetings will be open to the public and posted with an agenda in accordance
with the OMA requirements.
2. Televised meetings will be held at City Hall. Committee of the Whole meetings
will be held at Municipal Services.
3. Additional Sub‐committee meetings may be held in addition to the meetings
listed above.
4. Also to be scheduled in early fall is a special strategic planning meeting with the
Friends of Parks and Recreation Foundation.
7/9/2013
1
Lake Forest’s Commitment to
Environmental Stewardship
July 16, 2013
Background
Lake Forest’s 1861 motto: “Naturae et Scientiae
Amor”, or “Love of Nature and Science.”
2012 Strategic Plan includes focus on
environmental stewardship
Signed the Sierra Club’s 2015 Cool Cities
Sustainability Agreement
Formed a Collaborative to help achieve the
objectives of the Strategic Plan and
Sustainability Agreement
7/9/2013
2
Lake Forest Collaborative for
Environmental Leadership
City of Lake Forest
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest High School District 115
Lake Forest Elementary School District 67
Lake Forest Open Lands Association
Statement of Purpose
“The Collaborative will help educate and coordinate environmental action
and promote sustainable practices within the community. The role of the
Collaborative is … to assist the community in identifying … issues and …
new programs … that encourage environmental thinking and action to
protect Lake Forest’s unique natural heritage, enhance its residents’
quality of life, improve the value of the community … and expand
resident pride in their community and conservation ethic.
The Collaborative will … work closely with the City’s key institutions to
define conservation and environmental goals, identify and enact policies
and programs that positively influence behavior, promote citizen
involvement and awareness, and protect and restore the community’s
unique natural heritage.”
7/9/2013
3
Collaborative Goals
Promote awareness of environmental concerns such as water
quality, ravine and bluff degradation, invasive species, air quality
issues, tree disease and pest threats, and reduction of waste.
Develop and promote awareness of community-wide projects and
programs aimed at improving our natural environment and quality
of life.
Engage a network of resident volunteers to take action to address
environmental issues and manage the natural resources of the
City.
Assist in the development of responsible environmental standards,
City ordinances and policies, and promotion of educational
awareness of environmental practices in our community.
Current Areas of Focus
Re-greening Lake Forest
Ravine restoration
“Where does it come from, where does it
go?” education series
Water (July 18)
Energy
Solid Waste
7/9/2013
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If you want to get involved …
Please contact:
Curt Volkmann (volkmanncurt@gmail.com)
Chuck Myers (MyersC@cityoflakeforest.com)
John Sentell (jsentell@lfola.org)
Glenn Adelson (GAdelson@lakeforest.edu)
Jim Sullivan (jsullivan@lfschools.net)
Kristin McCain (kristinmccain@gmail.com)