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PARKS & RECREATION BOARD 2017/02/21 MinutesThe City of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes February 21, 2017 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. Jake Lee Ms. Melanie Walsh Ms. Shannon Maguire Mr. Paul “Skoo” Walker Mr. Paul Best Mr. Andrew Grabemann 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, Athletics Ms. Dani Spann, Administrative Assistant II. Approval of Minutes The meeting minutes of the November 15, 2016 Park & Recreation Board meeting were presented and approved. Board member Best motioned for approval of the amended minutes and Board member Walker seconded. The minutes were then unanimously approved. III. Opportunities for the Public to Address the Board on Items not listed on the Agenda No comment IV. 2017 Baseball Program Update Program Manager Anaszewicz gave an update on the baseball program and some of the upcoming changes. In order for the two programs to run smoothly together the staff has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Lake Forest Baseball Association (LFBA). The changes are being made to help bolster the program. One of the changes will be LFBA members will play house league. This is the first and foremost focus. The Rec Center and LFBA are continuing to partner and support each other. Next year LFBA will manage the youth 13-14 travel component. One key point is LFBA will manage the top 12 8U and the Rec will manage all others eligible to play. The difference between these is the top 12 will play two tournaments and the Rec team will play one. Travel baseball will start at 8U. It is very important to note there is constant contact and communication between Recreation staff and LFBA board members. There will be a parent meeting on February 26th at 6pm to educate the community on this partnership. All are welcome to attend. Program Manager Anaszewicz went over some of the changes to the Pinto and Mustang leagues. The Rec will be running a spring training league in March for any kids signed up for the house league. In addition to the spring training they will be doing an All Star Weekend this year. Staff is very excited to revamp the House League with new and fun ideas. Board member Maguire mentioned what a great transition this is and asked how the teams are formed. Program Manager Anaszewicz stated only staff will be evaluating after they start Pinto. Discussion followed on enrollment and the house league versus travel program. V. City Save-A-Tree Program Superintendent Myers talked about the new Save-A-Tree program. This is adding to the current shared cost tree program. City staff has been treating Ash trees for the last 10 years and are down to 480 Ash trees and 15 Heritage Elm trees. Staff is winding down on Emerald Ash Borer removals and has started shifting gears to the ones we have been treating. Currently, the trees have been a two year treatment plan, with treating every year. There are two groups of trees currently protected. This coming year we have been approved for $23,000 worth of treatment which is 267 trees. This will protect them through 2018. Starting in 2019 we will not be treating, which will result in the loss of these trees in 2020. The second groups of trees are currently protected. If next year’s budget of $15,000 gets approved we will be treating to carry them through 2021. This program has been put together to provide a way for residents to help protect the Ash and Elm trees. If anyone is interested, they can complete the form and staff will check the tree over for approval for treatment. Board member Best asked about the success rate and treatment delayed costs per tree. Superintendent Myers explained the success rate is about 95% effectiveness and the costs per tree are about $100.00 every two years. Discussion followed on the resident involvement and the communication updates for this program. Requested Action: Approval of the Save-A-Tree program. A motion was made by Board member Best to approve the Save-A-Tree program. The motion was seconded by Board member Lee. The motion was passed. VI. City Tree Replacement Plan Superintendent Myers went over the tree planting plan and the guidelines they have been working on. The diversity of trees species is the key to success with an overall emphasis on native trees. The basic guideline is the 30/20/10 rule. The rule of thumb for all 26,000 trees in our inventory is to not have more than 30% of one family, 20% of one genus and 10% of one species. Slides of the tree planting plan were shown. The City has decided to participate in the Native Plant Sale in May only. Board member Walker asked about a current disease affecting Oak trees. Superintendent Myers explained this type of disease has been around for years and they are not overly alarmed about a major loss of any trees at this time. Requested Action: Approval of the City Tree Replacement Plan. A motion was made by Board member Walker to approve the City Tree Replacement Plan. The motion was seconded by Board member Maguire. The motion was passed. VII. Elawa Park Restroom and Path Addition Superintendent Myers gave an overview of the requested changes and is asking for approval for the addition of a restroom and path at Elawa Farm. The plan is to have the design completed in April and the additions put in over the summer. The path will have easy access to the trail and will help alleviate foot traffic through the parking lot. This design would match the current design of the park. A donor has come forward and is willing to pay for the restroom. The utilities have already been run. We are currently working on funding for the path. Discussion followed on the location of the restroom. Requested Action: Approval of the Elawa Park Restroom and Path Addition. A motion was made by Board member Lee to approve the Elawa Park Restroom and Path Addition. The motion was seconded by Board member Best. The motion was passed. VIII. Comments by Director Director Swarthout touched on the upcoming events along with the first annual Daddy Daughter Winter Ball that occurred on February 11th. There was a total of 60 participants. A great time was had by all and they had special guest appearances by the Princesses from Frozen. • Camp Preview Day- February 4th at Deerpath Middle School • Lake Forest Baseball Parent Meeting- February 26th in CROYA • Reptile Rampage- March 12th at Recreation Center Gymnasium • Passion to Dance 2017- March 18th at Lake Forest Academy IX. Comments by Board Members Board member Best asked about the budget for the next fiscal year and the Board’s involvement. Director Swarthout explained the timeline and procedures. Board member Lee asked about an update on the South Park meeting. Superintendent Myers explained Hitchcock Design is working heavily on the design options. A follow up meeting hasn’t been scheduled yet. Board member Walker gave an update on the Elawa Foundation and WDC ad hock meeting that took place. It is going well and the last meeting was very positive. Another meeting is scheduled in a couple weeks. X. Adjournment Board member Lee motioned for adjournment and Board member Walker seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:38pm. Respectfully Submitted Dani Spann Administrative Assistant