PARKS & RECREATION BOARD 2017/11/21 MinutesThe City of Lake Forest
Parks and Recreation Board
Meeting Minutes
November 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. Steve Reimer
Mr. Paul Best
Mr. Paul “Skoo” Walker
Ms. Melanie Walsh
Ms. Shannon Maguire
Staff: Ms. Sally Swarthout, Director of Parks and Recreation
Mr. Joe Mobile, Superintendent of Recreation Mr. Aaron Dalzot, Program Manager, Lakefront
Mr. Will Howard, Program Supervisor, Sailing
Ms. Dani Spann, Administrative Assistant
Special Guest: Mr. Patrick Marshall, Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Foundation
Mr. Ed Zarek, Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Foundation
II. Approval of Minutes
Meeting minutes of the October 17, 2017 Park & Recreation Board meeting were presented and
approved.
Board member Reimer 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 comments
IV. Capital Campaign-Masterplan Presentation
Patrick Marshall introduced himself and Ed Zarek, who are members of the Capital Planning
Committee for the Friends of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation Foundation (LFPRF). Mr. Marshall gave
a brief background and summary of their ideas and plans for a new comprehensive Master Plan. The
current Master Plan, designed in 2008, will have run its course by the end of 2017. The Friends of
Lake Forest Parks & Recreation conducted a review and would like to co-fund the steps for a new
10-year Master Plan by securing a public/private partnership. The LFPRF believe this plan will fit well
within the city’s new strategic plan.
Mr. Marshall talked about the actions and next steps for this process. Currently, the Friends Capital
Planning Committee has issued an RFP in September and received several bids from planning and
consulting firms. Once they review the results the next steps will be to market and work on the
fundraising. Board member Best asked how the fundraising will work. Mr. Marshall replied the RFP
was designed in a two phase process starting with the assessment phase, assess the community
needs and then continue with the feasibility phase.
The timeline of the Parks & Recreation big capital projects over the last four decades was discussed.
A summary from the 2008 Master Plan was presented along with the comprehensive review of the
highlights from this plan. The list of new Capital Projects from 2014 research was mentioned along
with possible ideas. Board member Maguire mentioned a pool partnership with Lake Bluff.
Chairman Kohlmeyer asked what the next steps will be. It was answered the next steps will be to
select 1-2 firms and have them present in December/January with a kickoff in the early first quarter
of 2018. Mr. Zarek talked about the process going forward. Discussion on the survey process and
various options of funding followed. There will be a follow up with the Parks and Recreation Board
after the beginning of the year.
V. Sailing Spotlight
Aaron introduced Will Howard, Program Supervisor of Sailing. Mr. Howard gave a brief background
on himself and Scott Newman, Program Supervisor, and the experience and dedication they bring to
the Sailing program.
Mr. Howard gave an overview of the sailing program and the operations during the various times of
the year. During the winter season the participants travel to compete in regattas in Florida. A lot of
effort goes into the maintenance and repair of the various boats and equipment.
The spring and fall season includes a tremendous amount of high school racing. There are currently
two different high school teams. This type of racing includes short quick races and they compete
almost every weekend of the season. Optimist racing is for 10-13 year olds and they race all over the
Midwest. This is the first year we had a Green Fleet and had about 25 kids participate, this was
considered the biggest team off season.
The summer is the busiest season at the basin. Some changes were made to the program schedule
to help increase retention. There is a 10 week summer program with 5 two week sessions offered
every week. Another special satellite program offered through the Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing
Foundation is a class that allows individuals with disabilities to be able to sail Lake Michigan on a 20
ft. Keel boat specifically designed for people with disabilities. Mr. Howard touched on the adult
classes offered, in addition to private lessons and a Sunset Cruise.
The current focus and highest demand is the youth racing. We have the largest off season Opti team
in the Midwest. He talked about the various styles of boats used in the Sailing program. Mr. Howard
talked about the racing results from the 2016 and 2017 seasons. In 2016, the High School team one
1st place in both the MISSA team and fleet race and placed very high in the US Sailing single hand
qualifiers and finals. For 2017 the Opti team has done very well in all their races.
The goals for the Sailing program are to continue the growth of youth sailing, increase the
involvement of adult programs, offer more adaptive sailing lessons and encourage more people to
experience Lake Michigan through community sailing. The program would like to be able to host
more national events in the future.
Chairman Kohlmeyer asked how many participants were enrolled. Mr. Howard answered there were
180 students enrolled in the summer and 25 students in the fall. Discussion followed on the
upcoming events. Lake Forest hosts the Jr. Olympics every other year in the end of June.
VI. Comments by Director
Director Swarthout gave an update on the South Beach Access Road. There is an anticipated open
date of next week. The North pavilion will be shut down tomorrow due to the cold weather. The
North Beach Access Road project will hopefully commence on March 1st. She mentioned the surveys
that went out for the printing/marketing of the brochures. Kinderhaven is having an opening party
at the Lake Forest Bookstore on November 29th from 5:30-7:00pm. She invited everyone to attend as
20% of the sales will be donated back to Kinderhaven. Director Swarthout spoke about the
upcoming events scheduled.
1. Cocktails with the Claus’s – December 1st from 7:00pm – 10:00pm – Northcroft Park Pavilion
2. Dinner with Santa – December 2nd and 3rd from 4:00pm – 7:30pm – Northcroft Park Pavilion
3. Santa’s Coming to Town- December 2nd & 24th from 12:00pm – 4:00pm and
9:00am –12:00pm – Lake Forest households at the Recreation Center
4. Annual Holiday Art Sale – December 8-9 from 6:00pm - 9:00pm and 10:00am - 4:00pm at
StirlingHall Art Sale
5. Winter Dinner Spectacular – December 9th at 4:00pm at the Recreation Center Gymnasium
VII. Comments by Board Members
Board member Walker inquired about an Elawa update. Director Swarthout replied the Master Plan
and Special Use Permit is up to go before the Board of Appeals. All entities had a chance to testify.
Small discussion followed on options for the Master Plan.
VIII. Adjournment
Board member Best motioned for adjournment and Board member Reimer seconded.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:51pm.
Respectfully Submitted
Dani Spann
Administrative Assistant