PARKS & RECREATION BOARD 2018/03/20 MinutesThe City of Lake Forest
Parks and Recreation Board
Meeting Minutes
March 20, 2018
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. Nancy Duffy
Ms. Melanie Walsh
Staff: Ms. Sally Swarthout, Director of Parks and Recreation
Mr. Joe Mobile, Superintendent of Recreation Mr. Anthony Anaszewicz, Program Manager
Mr. Ken Pierini, Program Supervisor
Mr. Jason Olson, Program Supervisor
Mr. Jason Busdeker, Facility Manager
Ms. Dani Spann, Administrative Assistant
II. Approval of Minutes
Meeting minutes of the February 20, 2018 Park & Recreation Board meeting were presented and
approved. Board member Walker motioned for approval of the minutes and Board member Reimer
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. Baseball/Lacrosse Partnerships Spotlight
Ken Pierini, Program Supervisor, gave an overview of the Lacrosse program format and divisions.
The Recreation Department currently has a partnership with Lake Forest Lacrosse Association that
meets weekly. Mr. Pierini touched on the breakdown of the teams managed by the Lake Forest
Recreation Department (LFRD) and the Lake Forest Lacrosse Association (LFLA). The LFRD will
manage the 1st and 2nd grade House League that includes the White Team Division. The White Team
Division consists of players who are beginners or did not qualify for the Blue and Gold Division. The
ages include 10 to 14 year olds.
LFLA will manage the Learn 2 Lax kindergarten program, the 1st and 2nd Grade House Plus league and
the Blue and Gold teams. The House Plus league include players from the in house program and
those looking for more practice. In order to be on the Blue or Gold teams the players must try out
and qualify.
The program will play in the Illinois Boys Lacrosse Association. There are at least 60 teams in this
league with all grades from Kindergarten - 8th. He touched on some of the divisions within the
league. Mr. Pierini explained the program philosophy of the various managed teams. The
philosophy is to help develop the skill of the players, encourage them to have fun and promote
safety. The individual teams hire their coaches with assistant parent coaches.
Mr. Pierini talked about the current and projected enrollment. The current enrollment numbers are
around 40-50 with combined Lake Forest and Lake Bluff players. The future goals of the program is
to grow and increase enrollment, further develop the partnership with LFLA and ensure each player
gets a positive experience. Through the partnership, we have gained the beginner (C) level kids to
increase the competition for Lake Forest. Discussion followed on the flexibility of moving players based on skill level.
Jason Olson, Program Supervisor, gave an overview of the Baseball House League, the program
format and various divisions. The different leagues include T-Ball, Pinto, Mustang, Bronco and Pony.
These vary in ages from Kindergarten - 8th Grade. They are in their third year of the North Shore
House League. They now have travel kids participating in this league.
Mr. Olson touched on the partnership with Lake Forest Baseball Association (LFBA). They are
currently in their second year of this partnership and it is going very well. The Recreation staff work
very closely together with LFBA to hire the coaches, create schedules and winter workouts. All the
8 - 12 B teams are required to play the Recreation Center House League. Mr. Olson went over the
Lake Forest Recreation Department (LFRD) responsibilities.
Mr. Olson talked about the 2017 enrollment and the 2018 projected enrollment numbers. They are
anticipating a significant growth in T-Ball. Discussion followed on the involvement with Lake Bluff;
they will be sending ten kids to play in the Pony league. He also mentioned they would be working
with Lake Bluff to hold a Crosstown Classic with the 8 – 12 year olds. A date is to be determined.
Some goals for this year will be to increase participation in the house league and LFBA and to help
increase participation for girl’s softball. They are working with the high school varsity softball coach
to help create ideas to bring interest in softball back to the community.
V. Approval of Fitness Center Carpet Replacement
Jason Busdeker, Facility Manager, presented the Fitness Center Carpet Replacement purchase. He
began with a brief background on the existing carpet. The current carpet was installed in 2007 and
has had several repairs due to stains, damage and significant fading. This project has been previously
postponed for the last three years. Mr. Busdeker explained they would like to replace the current
fitness center carpet with Mondo flooring. This is a rubberized and non-porous athletic flooring with
a usual lifespan of 20+ years, which is 2-3 times longer than carpet. A sample of the Mondo flooring
was presented. City staff did a visit to another facility with Mondo flooring in addition to phone calls
for feedback on the flooring.
This new flooring will greatly increase the ease of cleaning and maintaining than the current carpet.
In response to board members questions on durability, Mr. Busdeker replied due to the thickness it
will hold up very well under the various equipment.
Facility Manager Busdeker went over the purchasing process. The purchase will be made using
National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA). This is a public agency created to provide purchasing
assistance to government agencies and will complete the bidding process for us. NJPA purchases are
included in the City’s purchasing directive. Discussion followed on the installation process and the
closing of the fitness center to complete the installation.
Requested Action: Staff requests approval of a purchase of Mondo flooring to replace the
Recreation Fitness Center flooring. The total amount requested is $67,240.
A motion was made by Board member Walker to approve the purchase to replace the carpeting in
the Fitness Center. Board member Best seconded. The motion was passed.
VI. Forest Park Maintenance Contract
Superintendent Chuck Myers gave an update to the board regarding extending to a third and final
year with Mariani Landscape for the mowing and grounds maintenance services at Forest Park.
When the contract went out to bid in 2016, Mariani Landscape was the lowest bid in a three year
ability to renew contract. Staff has been very satisfied with the work they have done in maintaining
Forest Park. One additional change this year is the ecofriendly program that Mariani Landscape is
offering. They will be using all battery-powered equipment. These offer no emissions and low
decibel level. This is very fitting with the current Sustainability Plan. Brief discussion followed on the
benefits of Mariani Landscape and other options for the contract.
Requested Action: Staff requests approval to enter into a one year contract with Mariani
Landscape to provide mowing and grounds maintenance services at Forest Park, in the total
amount of $38,502.67 for FY19.
A motion was made by Board member Best to approve the one year contract with Mariani
Landscape. Board member Walker seconded. The motion was passed.
VII. Annual Grounds Maintenance Contract
Superintendent Chuck Myers gave an update to the board regarding extending to a second year
with Landscape Concepts Management, Inc. for the mowing and grounds maintenance services of
City owned properties, cul-de-sacs, and right-of-ways. The contract went out to bid in 2016, and
Landscape Concepts Management was chosen with the lowest bid in a three year ability to renew
contract. Staff is happy with the work Landscape Concepts has done and would like to recommend
the contract be extended in FY19. The question was raised on the time it takes to maintain these
properties within a month. Mr. Myers replied it is difficult to answer as high growth times and other
factors could change the amount of time to complete, but it takes about two and a half days a week.
Requested Action: Staff requests approval to enter into a one year contract with Landscape
Concepts Management, Inc. for the mowing and grounds maintenance of City properties, cul-de-
sacs, and right-of-ways.
A motion was made by Board member Duffy to approve the one year contract with Landscape
Concepts Management, Inc. Board member Walsh seconded. The motion was passed.
VIII. Comments by Director
Director Swarthout talked about the exciting upcoming events scheduled in April and May.
1. Easter Bunny Baskets delivery – March 21st from 3:00om – 6:00pm
2. Easter Eggstravaganza- March 24th from 9:30am – 11:30am at Deerpath Middle School
3. Smelt-O-Rama- April 21st from Sundown to 10pm at the Forest Park Beach Boat Pavilion
4. Lake Forest Dance Academy preschool Recital 2018- April 22nd from 11:30am – 1:00pm at
Gorton Community Center
5. Family Drive-In Movie Night- April 28th from 4:00pm – 6:00pm at Lake Forest Recreation
Center
6. Lake Forest Dance Recital 2018 of Wizard of Oz & In These Shoes- May 5th & 6th at Lake
Forest High School
Ms. Swarthout talked about scheduling an upcoming meeting at Stirling Hall in the Gallery and being
able to learn more about the facility and program offerings. She also reminded the members there is
still time to RSVP for the NSSRA event, Shining Stars.
IX. Comments by Board Members
Board member Duffy commented on the phenomenal job the Lake Forest Dance Academy did at the
Company Benefit Show performed at the Lake Forest Academy. Board member Reimer inquired
about the North Beach parking being moved to the South end this summer. Director Swarthout
replied it is still going through the permitting process and we are waiting for Army Corps to inform
us on what type of permit is required for the project to start. The timeline of the project may be
moved to the end of the summer to enable keeping this road open with careful monitoring. There
was short discussion involving brief access to the lower south parking lot by visitors without a South
Beach Access or Boat Launch permit. This issue will be coming before the Board at the April 17, 2018
meeting.
X. Adjournment
Board member Best motioned for adjournment and Board member Walker seconded.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10pm.
Respectfully Submitted
Dani Spann
Administrative Assistant