Loading...
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD 2021/07/20 MinutesThe City of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes July 20, 2021 CROYA I. Call to Order The Parks and Recreation Board Meeting was called to order by Chairman Paul Best at 6:30p.m. The following were present: Board Members: Mr. Paul Best Ms. Nancy Duffy Mr. Marc Silver Ms. Kaci Spirito Mr. Patrick Marshall Mr. Kevin Carden Staff: Mr. Joe Mobile, Superintendent of Recreation Mr. Chuck Myers, Superintendent of Parks, Forestry & Special Facilities Mr. Anthony Anaszewicz, Program Manager, Athletics Mr. Ken Pierini, Program Supervisor, Athletics Mr. Jason Olson, Program Supervisor, Athletics Ms. Dani Spann, Administrative Assistant Public Attendees: Ara Goshgarian, Alderman II. Resolution for Board Member Jared Rhoads Chairman Best read a Resolution of Appreciation for former Board member Jared Rhoads. III. Welcome New Board Members Chairman Best welcomed new Board members Kevin Carden and Patrick Marshall. IV. Approval of Minutes Meeting minutes of the April 20, 2021 Park & Recreation Board Meeting were presented and approved. Board member Silver motioned for approval of the minutes and Board member Spirito seconded. The Board meeting minutes of April 20, 2021 were then unanimously approved by roll call with 4 ayes and 0 nays. V. Opportunities for the Public to Address the Board on Items not listed on the Agenda None VI. Approval of FY22 Board Meeting Dates Director Sally Swarthout presented the FY22 Board meeting dates. Due to a conflict with City Council meeting dates in January and February, the adjusted Park Board meeting dates will be January 11, 2022 and February 15, 2022. Short discussion followed on changing the original meeting day of the third Tuesday of the month to a different day. A motion was made by Board member Marshall to approve the FY22 Board Meeting Dates. Board member Duffy seconded. The motion was passed with 6 ayes and 0 nays. VII. Approval of Athletic Field Usage Rental Fee Changes Program Manager, Anthony Anaszewicz presented the proposed changes to the Athletic Field Usage Rental Fees. Mr. Anaszewicz went over the current athletic field usage policy fee structure. The current policy has two major fee components, a maintenance fee scale and a rental fee scale and separates users into two classes. Short discussion followed on the two tiers of users along with the fee scales. Staff conducted research from surrounding communities of Vernon Hills Park District, Glencoe Park District, and Park District of Highland Park. Staff found it is more common practice to charge per hour rather than per event. Staff is proposing a new hourly rental fee structure for Baseball Diamonds and Grid Fields for Class II users. In addition to the fee changes, Staff is proposing to remove existing fees of Diamond prep practice, Grid fields and Goal anchoring. Discussion followed on the existing and proposed fee structure. Requested Action: Approval of Athletic Field Usage Policy rental fee structure A motion was made by Board member Silver to approve the Athletic Field Usage Policy rental fee structure. Board member Spirito seconded. The motion was passed with 6 ayes and 0 nays. VIII. Synthetic Turf Update Superintendent Joe Mobile gave an update on the topic of adding a synthetic turf sports complex. Mr. Mobile went over the purpose and background research. Resident survey was conducted with 61% of responses showed that synthetic turf was an important issue. An Athletic field assessment was done in 2020 and reinforced the need to improve field conditions. Mr. Mobile talked about the reasons for choosing Deerpath Park as a candidate for the synthetic turf fields. Deerpath Park has ample parking, large in size and has lights already installed. A lengthy discussion followed with thoughts on using Deerpath Park vs Townline Park for synthetic turf fields. Mr. Mobile went over some of the health and safety advantages of adding synthetic turf fields to Deerpath Park. Overdue repairs for Deerpath Park will be made, the synthetic turf will allow a safer, more shock absorbing material for players with a more level playing surface. Superintendent Mobile presented the economic impacts of the addition of turf fields. An estimated project cost would be $10,000,000, including bathrooms and other amenities. This location could generate potential new revenue along with public/private partnership and grants. Benefits to City of Lake Forest and to the Central Business District was talked about. Mr. Mobile presented some sustainability components with the addition of turf fields and went over the synthetic turf infill options. Superintendent Mobile went over the next step of having Gewalt-Hamilton develop a schematic design. This design will cost $21,300. The project timeline was presented with an anticipated construction date in May of 2023. Alderman Ara Goshgarian talked about the timing of the project and the process. IX. Approval of Veterans Park Improvement Project Superintendent Joe Mobile went over the background and design for Veterans Park. The American Legion will be raising funds to have a monument built for a location in the park. A local artist will be designing the monument. Mr. Mobile presented the updated entrance to the park. As much work as possible will be done in-house. Superintendent Chuck Myers went over the bid process and the bid opening that was held on June 30, 2021. Two bids were received, from Mag Construction and Clauss Brothers, Inc. Recommended Bidder/Proposer is BOLDED Company Name Dollar Amount Bid Mag Construction $306,245 Clauss Brothers, Inc. $481,278 City Staff is recommending to proceed with Mag Construction with the lowest bid of $306,245. Staff is hoping for a start date in August, after City Council approval on August 2nd. The projected completion date of the project is Memorial Day 2022. There has not been any groundbreaking information yet. Requested Action: Award a contract to Mag Construction for the Veterans Park Improvement Project. A motion was made by Board member Silver to approve to award a contract to Mag Construction for the Veterans Park Improvement Project, in the Amount of $306,245 plus 10% Contingency in the Amount of $30,625 for a total of $336,870. Board member Carden seconded. The motion was passed with 6 ayes and 0 nays. X. Comments by Director Athletics Program Supervisor Jason Olson and Athletics Program Supervisor Ken Pierini presented a spotlight on the Athletics Football program. Mr. Olson went over the Missions and Goals of the program. They offer three football programs, Flag Football, 7 on 7 Friday Night Lights and Tackle Football. Mr. Pierini talked about the Flag Football program. A new Preschool Flag Football program was started. The Flag Football program is for ages Pre-School thru 4th Grade. Girls’ Flag Football was offered as well. Mr. Olson talked about the new 7 on 7 football program. The program was very successful with 110 participants. Mr. Olson talked about the Tackle Football program. The Tackle Football program is playing in The Chicagoland Youth Football League (TCYFL). The current participation numbers are raising. Director Swarthout stated the Fall Registration opened today and it was very successful. Director Swarthout went over upcoming events in July and August. The Lake Forest Music Festival on August 21st is a fundraiser sponsored by the Friends of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Foundation. Chairman Best inquired if the Foundation will need any volunteers. Director Swarthout answered they will probably need help. Board member Duffy offered to help. XI. Board Member Comments Board member Duffy voiced her safety concerns about dance students leaving the night dance programs. Board member Marshall announced there will be a ground breaking on August 21st at the Deerpath Golf Course for a large putting complex, ready for use in 2022. XII. Adjournment Board member Silver motioned for adjournment and Board member Marshall seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20p.m. Respectfully Submitted Dani Spann Administrative Assistant