PARKS & RECREATION BOARD 2018/10/16 MinutesThe City of Lake Forest
Parks and Recreation Board
Meeting Minutes
October 16, 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. Paul Best
Mr. Rich Adams
Ms. Nancy Duffy
Ms. Melanie Walsh
Mr. Steve Reimer
Mr. William Zordani, Student
Staff: Ms. Sally Swarthout, Director of Parks and Recreation
Mr. Joe Mobile, Superintendent of Recreation
Mr. Chuck Myers, Superintendent of Recreation
Ms. Dani Spann, Administrative Assistant
Mr. Anthony Anaszewicz, Athletics Program Manager
Mr. Aaron Dalzot, Lakefront Program Manager
II. Approval of Minutes
Meeting minutes of the September 18, 2018 Park & Recreation Board Meeting were presented and
approved.
Board member Best motioned for approval of the minutes and Board member Adams 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. Approval of Waveland Park Playground Expansion and Surfacing
Superintendent Chuck Myers is requesting to expand and surface the Waveland Park playground.
The request is to expand the bay, add an expression swing, and put in poured in place surfacing. The
poured in place surfacing has proven to be less maintenance and offers a safer surface for the
playground. Some of this work will be able to be done in-house.
A motion was made by Board member Duffy to approve a contract with NuToys Leisure Products
for the purchase of additional swing bay equipment and installation of Poured-in-Place surfacing
material at Waveland Park, for a total for $48,167. An additional $1,833 (4%) contingency is also
requested, for a grand total of $50,000. The motion was seconded by Board member Best. The
motion passed.
V. Approval of FY20 Golf Fees
Superintendent Chuck Myers gave a brief recap of the FY19 and FY20 golf fees and requested
changes. Kemper Sports is requesting a ceiling increase on the weekend and weekdays, an increase
in the nine hole cart fee and the driving range prices, in addition to a small increase in all
membership categories.
A motion was made by Board member Reimer to approve the Proposed FY20 Fees. The motion
was seconded by Board member Best. The motion was passed.
VI. Approval of FY20 Fitness Fees
Superintendent Joe Mobile gave a brief review of the recommended FY20 Fitness Center Fees. They
are asking to increase all resident and non-resident membership fees by an adjusted 4%. They would
like to continue to offer the month to month option, the three month membership option as
summer promotion and the one month option over the holiday season. Board member Reimer
asked if going forward the layout of fee charts remain consistent throughout the departments. It
was brought up to include next year the opportunities to improve on and how we compare
competitively.
A motion was made by Board member Walsh to approve the Proposed FY20 Fees and to proceed
to City Council for approval. The motion was seconded by Board member Duffy. The motion was
passed.
VII. Approval of FY20 Permit Fees
Athletics Program Manager, Anthony Anaszewicz and Lakefront Program Manager, Aaron Dalzot
gave a brief recap of the proposed FY20 Pavilion Rental Fee increases. Staff is recommending
increasing all pavilion rental fees by $25.00 and increasing the South Beach upper lot parking passes
to $10.00.
A motion was made by Board member Best to approve the Proposed FY20 Pavilion Rental Fees.
The motion was seconded by Board member Duffy. The motion was passed.
VIII. Approval of FY20 Lakefront Fees
Program Manager Aaron Dalzot went over the Lakefront permit proposed fees for FY20. Staff is
recommending a 4% increase in resident and non-resident permit fee categories with an exception
to the Nanny and Caregiver parking pass, Resident Guest Daily parking pass and the Non-resident
Daily Boat Launch. Staff is also requesting to raise non-resident walk in fees from $10.00 to $15.00.
Board member Reimer brought up the marketing and communications efforts used to promote
programs offered. He also mentioned staff has done a phenomenal job over the last year.
A motion was made by Board member Best to approve the Proposed FY20 Lakefront Fees. The
motion was seconded by Chairman Kohlmeyer. The motion was passed.
IX. Capital Improvement Projects Discussion
Superintendent Chuck Myers and Superintendent Joe Mobile briefly went over their recommended
projects from the Parks and Public Land Fund.
1. Forest Park Path Extension ($300,000)
Mr. Myers presented a plan drawing showing ADA compliance. City Council agreed to move
forward with the design and recommended looking into grants. A second design concept
was shown with a gravel path and not in ADA compliance. They are anticipating starting this
project in November. Superintendent Myers brought up the idea of on an ADA compliant
boardwalk on the North end of the beach. Concerns of a parking area for the boardwalk
were discussed. These designs are simply ideas and will be discussed in more detail at a
later date.
2. West Park Sidewalk Addition (110,000)
Superintendent Myers went over a project for the West Park sidewalk addition. There are
four different options adding concrete access to the park. The total amount to complete all
four options is $110,000. The four options range from $25,000 to $30,000 each.
3. Deerpath Golf Course Bridge ($75,000)
Superintendent Myers talked about the Deerpath Golf Course Bridge at Hole 4 needing
replacement after the damaging impact of the flooding. The bridge was reset last year in
hopes to get several more years use, but is still in need of greater improvement. This
project is eligible for the Parks and Public Land fund. After receiving pricing this is an
estimated $75,000 cost to improve the bridge.
4. South Park Improvements ($80,000)
Superintendent Myers talked briefly about South Park improvements. We have applied for
the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development Grant (OSLAD) to help with funding on
some of these projects. It is still in the approval process and can take four to six months.
The items included in the improvements will be:
2 tennis/pickleball courts
1 basketball court
1 fitness equipment area (3 pieces with PIP surfacing)
1 batting cage
1 bocce court
ADA trail connection to June Terrace and to parking lot
Trail loop section to south end of park
Woodland/wetland restoration with limestone trail and interpretive signage
The funding breakdown is as follows for South Park.
$150,000 FY2019 Budgeted for tennis/basketball courts from Parks & Public Land
Fund
$80,000 FY2020 Proposed for Parks & Public Land Fund
$40,000 FY2020 Proposed for Special Recreation Fund
$10,000 FY2020 Proposed for Operating Fund (Sports Field Improvement)
$280,000
$280,000 Matching funds from OSLAD
$560,000 Total Project Cost (includes Design and Construction)
The question raised on the completion of this project. Mr. Myers replied the goal is to have these
improvements implemented by next summer. Small discussion followed on moving forward with or
without the approval of the OSLAD grant and the Parks and Public Land funds available. A
conversation on the Master Plan process followed.
Open Lands Park ($200,000)
Superintendent Joe Mobile gave a brief overview of the Open Lands Park project. We are waiting for
the paperwork to be finalized. The Master plan has been designed with the improvements. Staff will
be doing as much work in-house as possible to help with costs. We will begin with the park entrance
redesign, an interactive fountain, tree removal and invasive plants. Next fiscal year we would like to
continue with the remaining improvements to include the lighted pathways, raised planting beds,
wooded path build and woodland features with natural play and music play. $200,000 has already
been budgeted in the Parks and Public Land Fund from this fiscal year. Staff is requesting an
additional $200,000 from FY2020. Another community session will be held to view the Master Plan
and come up with ideas for naming the Park.
A discussion took place between staff and board members regarding the prioritization of the Capital
Fund items.
The final outcome was:
Deerpath Golf Course Bridge Replacement ($75,000)
South Park Improvements
Open Lands Park
West Park Sidewalk Addition
X. Comments by Director
North Beach Access Road Update
Director Swarthout gave an update on the North Beach Access Road Ravine. Keno is busy restoring
the ravine to make it functional. We are currently waiting on two pieces being made. Once these are
placed they will be able to complete the work with a target completion date of December 2018 for
this particular project. In 2017 the City hired AECOM to conduct a bluff monitoring and slide risk
evaluation of the beach. AECOM developed a grid showing the high risk/moderate and watch target
areas. Director Swarthout mentioned City Council approved Project Option 3A to include moving the
road out. She presented a slide showing the construction area and how this will impact the beach
for next year. Ms. Swarthout went over the areas closed for the summer. Parking will be in the
South Lot next year. Staff will be bringing forward to the Park Board their plan for managing
operations in the upcoming beach season. The construction timeline has an estimated construction
completion date of July 18, 2019.
Elawa Farm Update
An updated Master Plan and Special Use & Operating Agreement is going before the Zoning Board of
Appeals (ZBA). We are anticipating our final meeting on Tuesday night. The ZBA will then pass on
their recommendation to City Council. The Operating Agreement will go before the Property and
Public Land Committee on November 6th. We are hoping by December to have an idea of a Master
Plan and Operating Agreement that will allow the two entities to work in the same space. This will
not include adding any construction at this time.
Kinderhaven Update
Director Swarthout reported there are extremely promising opportunities for Kinderhaven to
expand. She will be able to provide more details at the next Board meeting.
Upcoming Events
Director Swarthout went over some of the exciting upcoming events scheduled for October and
November.
1. Scarecrow Build-Off Contest – October 20th from 1:00pm – 3:00pm at Northcroft Park
2. Haunted Trail Walk – October 20th from 7:00pm – 9:00pm at Northcroft Park
3. Croctoberfest – October 22nd from 10:00am – 3:00pm at Wildlife Discovery Center
4. Halloween Tricks & Treats - October 26th from 5:00pm – 7:30pm at Lake Forest Recreation
Center
5. Holiday Boutique –November 15th - November 17th from 10:00am – 5:30pm at Lake Forest
Recreation Center
6. Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony- November 23rd from 1:00pm – 5:00pm at Market
Square
XI. Comments by Board Members
Board member Reimer asked how Oktoberfest went. Superintendent Mobile answered the
Oktoberfest was very successful this year and had a couple thousand participants. The downtown
location was a big hit. It was requested to cancel the November meeting and consolidate the
November/ December meeting and move to December 4th.
XII. Adjournment
Board member Reimer motioned for adjournment and Board member Best seconded.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Dani Spann
Administrative Assistant