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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05_26_15 PandR minutesParks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting Minutes May 26, 2015 City Manager 6:00 p.m. Sean R. Stegall Parks and Recreation Department Staff Conference Room, Administration Office, Second Level The Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way, Elgin, IL 60120 Present: Tom Armstrong, Marino Lamantia, Eric Larson, Carl Missele Staff: Randy Reopelle, Maria Cumpata, Verdelle Corn Guests: Xitali Navarro, Mohammed Iqbal, Maryann Kuhn Randy Reopelle introduced guests to the board. Xitali Navarro is interested in serving on the board and is present to observe the meeting. Maryann is going to help with promotion of the park dedications. I. Call to Order: Tom Armstrong called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. II. Minutes of the April 28, 2015: MOTION: Carl Missele moved to approve the April 28 minutes. Eric Larson seconded. Motion carried unanimously. III. Citizens Forum (items not on the agenda): Northeast Neighborhood Association: As a board member of the Northeast Neighborhood Association (NENA), Eric Larson reported on NENA's survey conducted. Background: Around the first of the year parking lots owned by Advocate Sherman went up for sale. NENA saw this as an opportunity to engage the neighborhood on the broader issue of development in the neighborhood. A subcommittee met with Advocate Sherman's leadership and then with a number of city leaders mostly to get this on everyone's radar. NENA did not have a set position at that point as to what to do with the property. We felt the neighborhood should be engaged in what happened with the property. It sounded like NENA had a position because it was pointed out that Parks and Recreation Department had a master plan in place and had given this kind of opportunity a lot of thought. In fact, the master plan identified these parking lots as an opportunity for a neighborhood park if the property ever became available. Whatever the result (residential development or 150 Dexter Court, Elgin, IL 60120 847-931-6100 www.cityofelgin.org Mayor David J. Kaptain City Council Richard Dunne ELGIN Terry Gavin Rosamaria Martinez THE CITY IN THE SUBURBS Tish S. Powell John Prigge Carol Rauschenberger Toby Shaw F. John Steffen Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting Minutes May 26, 2015 City Manager 6:00 p.m. Sean R. Stegall Parks and Recreation Department Staff Conference Room, Administration Office, Second Level The Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way, Elgin, IL 60120 Present: Tom Armstrong, Marino Lamantia, Eric Larson, Carl Missele Staff: Randy Reopelle, Maria Cumpata, Verdelle Corn Guests: Xitali Navarro, Mohammed Iqbal, Maryann Kuhn Randy Reopelle introduced guests to the board. Xitali Navarro is interested in serving on the board and is present to observe the meeting. Maryann is going to help with promotion of the park dedications. I. Call to Order: Tom Armstrong called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. II. Minutes of the April 28, 2015: MOTION: Carl Missele moved to approve the April 28 minutes. Eric Larson seconded. Motion carried unanimously. III. Citizens Forum (items not on the agenda): Northeast Neighborhood Association: As a board member of the Northeast Neighborhood Association (NENA), Eric Larson reported on NENA's survey conducted. Background: Around the first of the year parking lots owned by Advocate Sherman went up for sale. NENA saw this as an opportunity to engage the neighborhood on the broader issue of development in the neighborhood. A subcommittee met with Advocate Sherman's leadership and then with a number of city leaders mostly to get this on everyone's radar. NENA did not have a set position at that point as to what to do with the property. We felt the neighborhood should be engaged in what happened with the property. It sounded like NENA had a position because it was pointed out that Parks and Recreation Department had a master plan in place and had given this kind of opportunity a lot of thought. In fact, the master plan identified these parking lots as an opportunity for a neighborhood park if the property ever became available. Whatever the result (residential development or 150 Dexter Court, Elgin, IL 60120 847-931-6100 www.cityofelgin.org park land), NENA wanted to be sure they were engaged and had input. NENA also hosted a public meeting on March 12. NENA Survey: NENA conducted the survey solely on line but promoted it the old- fashioned way - handing out fliers, e-mail blasts, knocking on doors, etc. The survey included questions to gather what neighbors wanted the lots to be and questions about the neighborhood including what they value, like the most, like the least, etc. Residents ranked a park as the most positive development to replace the parking lots, open space was second, residential development was third (positive toward single family homes and senior housing), and business development was last. One consistent theme communicated by respondents was that if new housing were development in the neighborhood, it should be appropriate to the neighborhood; that is single family, historic styles, and matching the neighborhood. A meeting with Advocate Sherman is scheduled for Friday, May 29, to convey the results of the survey and to stay in contact with them. Eagle Heights Property: Tom Armstrong introduced Mohammed Iqbal who owns property in Eagle Heights next to the creek. There is a pond with a small island in the middle and 14 homes on east side of pond. Mr. Iqbal asks if the city is interested in the property for park land. A brief discussion regarding the pond and area followed. The developer created this area for water retention. Regardless, Randy noted that the city cannot take on additional property for parks unless the property is part of a development contract. The city does not have the manpower/resources to maintain additional park land. IV. Election of Chair: After a brief discussion, Marino Lamantia motioned to nominate and approve Carl Missele as chair of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Eric Larson seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Carl Missele took over as chair for the remainder of the meeting. Randy Reopelle thanked Tom Armstrong for his valuable leadership and dedication for serving as chair and as a member of the board. V. Discussion of No Smoking Policy: Carl Missele noted at a previous meeting Joseph Madrid presented the Youth Leadership Academy's (YLA) request for smoke-free parks. Joseph Madrid presented YLA's findings and a draft ordinance at the previous meeting. Carl noted the board's discussion should continue, citing an issue is how to enforce no smoking in parks. The board discussion included: Determine where designated smoking areas would be at specific locations (Sports Complex is an example). Not to include the three golf courses No smoking when near a facility No smoking around children (noted that staff should discuss with youth sports groups) Randy will draft a policy and Maria will send the draft to Elgin Police Department and youth sports groups and ask for input. VI. Regional Park Phase II Planning: Randy noted that Jack E. Cook Park and Forest Preserve is a 224 acre park of which 25 acres are now developed. Elgin has an agreement with Kane County Forest Preserve District to develop more at the park but there is no set timeframe, whereas the first 25 acres was on a timeline with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) as a stipulation with the grant awarded. We need to plan for the next phase so if a grant opportunity arises; we have identified or planned the next phase in place for any potential grant application. Realistically future development of park would be passive; shelters, paths, possibly we can add two soccer fields at the north end as 90 percent of park is in flood plain. Also, strategize how we can bring people into the park. The June board meeting is our annual park tour so we should include Jack E. Cook Park in the tour. Randy also noted that he had talked to Holly Hudson about potential grant opportunities, but first we have to determine boundaries to narrow down the type of grant opportunities. VII. Miscellaneous: a. Request from North Country Knolls Property Owners Association (NCKPOA): Neighbors of North Country Knolls request a fee waiver for use of Hawthorne Hill Nature Center. The neighborhood group, who volunteer at the nature center regularly, are holding the annual gathering for National Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday, August 4. The event is typically held outdoors, the threat of rain, high humidity and mosquitoes has moved the event indoors. This event has been held by the group at the nature center the past five years with 80 to 100 participants each year. MOTION: Tom Armstrong moved to accept the Neighbors of North Country Knolls' use of the nature center with no fees on August 4. Eric Larson second. Carl Missele abstained from vote; motion carried unanimously. b. Park Tour Meeting: Recommended parks to include in the June park tour include Jack E. Cook Park, Elgin Sports Complex, and the Eagles property. Dinner will be provided at either Hawthorne Hill Nature Center or the Grumpy Goat. c. June 6 Ribbon Cutting: Douglas Park re -dedication of playground ceremony will be at 10:30 a.m. and will include light refreshments at the ceremony. Trillium Park ceremony will be at noon and will include a light lunch at the ceremony. Maryann Kuhn was introduced by Randy and noted she is working on marketing the celebrations. d. Other: Tom Armstrong noted that Saturday, May 30, is the last event of National Bike Month. From 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the Riverside Promenade the Elgin Area and Convention Visitors Bureau is hosting Bikes and Bites. The event has been marketed via Facebook and other methods and has received about 650 positive rsvp's and 120 maybe's. 150 Dexter Court, Elgin, IL 60120 847-931-6100 www.cityofelgin.org VII. Adjournment: MOTION: Carl Missele motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:39 p.m. Eric Larson seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfullsubmittedto &" IJ Verde le Corn, Recording Secretary Approved: //'