HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebuary 13, 1989 COW COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
February 13 , 1989
A Special Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to
order at 4 : 10 p.m. , in the Council Conference Room, by
Mayor VanDeVoorde. Members present : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam,
Moylan, Popple , Shales and Mayor VanDeVoorde . Absent :
Councilman Walters .
Review of the Parks and Recreation Department Preliminary
Master Plan dated December, 1988.
The City Manager advised the Council the Parks and Recreation
Department has spent the last year in review of facilities ,
programs , equipment and staffing. This preliminary report
sets out a series of alternatives for 1989 and beyond.
This is not a master plan. The goals for levels of service
are not set forth. This is an operational guideline for
preparing the master plan over the next 12 months . Staff
would welcome comments on areas that Council members would
like to see added or modified to this evaluation.
Councilwoman Moylan asked staff if they felt the City was
ready for the Gold Medal Competition Program.
Ross Ricks stated this program is only in the preparation
staff for next year.
Councilman Fox stated there is a need for improvement in
the public relations in the marketing and customer services
area.
Mayor VanDeVoorde stated he thought the publishing system
should be a central system, which would include all of
the City publishing projects .
Councilman Fox suggested the establishment of a special
events commission.
The City Manager stated he had a real problem with creating
more commissions .
Councilman Fox asked if the Park' s staff could assume responsi-
bility for the Youth Fest . Councilman Fox stated he would
like to see the Youth Fest become a tradition.
Ross Ricks stated there is a problem securing volunteers ,
but at the present time staff is working with the Youth
Council and the Recreation Board to resolve this concern.
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Committee of the Whole Meeting
February 13 , 1989
Page 2
Mayor VanDeVoorde felt the staffing alternatives should
be up to the City Manager and made a part of the annual
budget
Councilwoman Popple stated she was happy to see the staff
concentrating on inner-city programming.
Mayor VanDeVoorde stated the proposed city-wide interest
survey should include the question "do you want to pay
the cost " .
Councilwoman Popple stated she would not like to see the
City give up on the proposed recreation center.
Mayor VanDeVoorde stated the research and developing of
programming services for senior citizens should be coordinated
with existing agencies .
Councilwoman Shales stated staff should watch to see that
the senior programs are not duplicated.
Councilwoman Moylan stated she would like to see two inner-
city gym programs .
Mayor VanDeVoorde stated the proposal to purchase a new
16 passenger van should be approved and staff should be
supplied with any needed tools to get the job done.
Ross Ricks stated there is a need to check out the programs
administered by the Jayne Shover Rehabilitation Center.
Council indicated they would like to see increased activities
at the Elgin Sports Complex. If it is necessary to move
the Wing Park Pool this site might be considered to relocate
the pool.
Councilman Fox stated the Council might like to consider
an additional golf course or a place for cross country
ski program in the undeveloped area of the Sports Complex.
Councilwoman Shales stated the forest preserves provide
cross country ski sites .
Mayor VanDeVoorde stated the Council should study whether
or not to discontinue the zoo.
The City Manager stated the zoo should not be maintained
year round because there is a problem with feeding and
handling animals during the winter.
Committee of the Whole Meeting
February 13 , 1989
Page 3
Councilwoman Popple stated the zoo had an attendance of
11, 000 people and perhaps the present zoo could be made
smaller and staff could look at what kind of animals would
be appropriate . The zoo might also be coordinated with the
Elgin Museum activities .
Councilman Fox stated there is huge number of people living
in Elgin who have never been to Fermi Lab , Lincoln Park,
or Brookfield Zoo, and he would like to know how these
people feel about discontinuing the Elgin zoo.
With reference to the question of what should be done with
Fountain Square Plaza, the Mayor suggested waiting to see
what happens to South Grove Avenue, but we should maintain
what we have down there presently.
Adjournment
Councilwoman Popple made a motion, seconded by Councilman
Gilliam to adjourn the meeting. Yeas: Councilmen Fox,
Gilliam, Popple , Shales and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays: None.
The meeting adjourned 5 : 55 p.m.
Marie YearmarU City Clerk
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