South Cook News

City of Palos Heights Recreation Committee met July 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Key called the regular meeting of the Recreation Committee to order at 7:02 p.m. at the Palos Heights City Hall, 7607 W. College Drive. In attendance were Chairman Key, Alderman Bylut, Director of Parks and Recreation Matt Fairbanks, Lake Katherine Board Member Terry Horvath, and Recording Secretary Lauren Koszola.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Chairman Key moved to approve the minutes of the June 8, 2021 meeting as written, seconded by Alderman Bylut. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENT – None

LAKE KATHERINE REPORT

Lake Katherine Board Member Terry Horvath provided the Lake Katherine update:

∙ Lake Katherine sold beer at the Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, July 3, and made a profit of $2,020. Lake Katherine had the clubhouse open during the fireworks, and Deputy Chief drove the tractor and hay wagon in the 4th of July Parade.

∙ Lake Katherine has been extremely busy with camps starting as well as programs. ∙ New Arbors have been installed and finished around the waterfall. Landscaping is still being done around the new arbors.

∙ Gareth had a meeting with Sundeep Vira, Assistant Professor of Business at Trinity Christian College, who will have his business students provide suggestions on revenue diversification for nonprofits.

∙ Gareth met with IDOT, and the project is being reclassified as a trailhead project. The written determination will be provided soon.

∙ Upcoming events are July 14, Canoe and Kayaks evening tour, July 17 Dragonfly and Damselfly walk, July 21, Golden Oldies, July 24 Fishing Day, July 29, Herb Garden event, August 6, overnight family camp out.

PARKS & RECREATION REPORT

Director of Parks and Recreation Matt Fairbanks, provided the Parks & Recreation update:

∙ Misty Meadows- The sports theme was voted on at the Community meeting. An online survey was also posted the day after the meeting. The feedback that has been given from the RAB Committee was that the City should consider gender equity. Director Fairbanks, Mrs. Coyne, and Lori from JSD met last week to discuss landscape design instead of fencing along the front of the park. Director Fairbanks presented the thoughts from RAB and Mrs. Coyne and is waiting to hear back from JSD with an updated design.

∙ Pool- Since the pool has opened on June 5, there have been 9,600 people in attendance. The total walk-up revenue is $33,200.00, with us budgeting $60,000.00. This revenue also includes the first five days of a reduced COVID Capacity. To date, 412 pool passes have been sold, compared to 530 in 2019. Total revenue of $78,565.00 in passes sold, while $44,750.00 was budgeted. We have also brought in $20,769.50 in swim lessons compared to the $10,000.00 budgeted. Concession sale revenue is $15,066.20 and $15,000.00 was budgeted. The current revenue is $40,000.

∙ Orchard Park/OSLAD- In June, it was announced IDNR would release an OSLAD grant cycle for 2022. Applications become available on July 15 and are only open until September 1. Director Fairbanks spoke with Maria from Upland Design, who was awarded the landscape architecture for the park, to see if we could get an application done in the time frame. She feels the timeline is tight but thought it could get done. Maria put together a timeline for submission, and Director Fairbanks presented it to Alderman Key and Mayor Straz. Both agreed that we should apply for the grant.

The initial discussion regarding the park's design would be a walking path, recreation play features (but not necessarily a playground), some educational components, a spray pad, rain garden, additional parking, and a shelter. There are ten different types of components which are required for the OSLAD grant. The first engagement meeting will be scheduled for Wednesday, July 21, or Thursday, the 22 either onsite or at the Recreation Center. Alderman Key suggested that the Feldner Court Homeowners Association is aware of the meeting. A follow-up meeting will need to be held the week after the first meeting, and it will be held on Wednesday, July 28. The entire redevelopment for Orchard Park is a multi-phase project, with the barn/garage being the second stage once the state PARC grant is available.

∙ CAPRA- Staff continues to work on completing their assigned standards. To date, staff has 111 of 154 total standards completed or near completion. Of these 154 standards, 36 are considered fundamental and must be completed. Staff currently have 23 of these 36 completed or near completion. Director Fairbanks met with Jeannine Kacmar from the Palos Heights Library to see how she could help with some historical and cultural standards.

NEW BUSINESS

a. Motion to approve Seal-Rite payment in the amount not to exceed $10,000 for spot asphalt, seal coating, and re-lining the bike lanes of the Cal-Sag trail from the Lake Katherine parking lot west to the Chicago Christian High School Crosswalk.

Alderman Key motioned to approve Seal-Rite payment in the amount not to exceed $10,000 for spot asphalt, seal coating, and re-lining the bike lanes of the Cal-Sag trail from the Lake Katherine parking lot west to the Chicago Christian High School Crosswalk. Alderman Bylut seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously. - AGENDA

OLD BUSINESS

a. Bike Rack Update- Alderman Begley presented again at the Buildings and Grounds committee meeting. The discussion was to request bike racks at the Pool, Municipal Parking Lot, and Lake Katherine's west end. The committee agreed to the bike rack at the west end of Lake Katherine but stated that there wasn’t a good location at the Municipal Parking Lot or the Pool. Director Fairbanks presented the idea that RAB creates a sub-committee to solicit businesses. Denise Hyker and Gayle Greenwald agreed to lead the sub-committee. RAB members suggested putting the bike racks on the sides of the company instead of behind. Director Fairbanks asked the Recreation Committee who will be funding the bike racks. The committee suggested Building and Grounds will be supporting them.

b. RAB Member Recruitment- Director Fairbanks put together an updated job description, job application, and press release. He also created an internal timeline. RAB committee members suggested instead of a resume, add a “bio-sketch” to the application because some may not have an up-to-date resume. The goal is to have the two seats filled by the September RAB meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Chairman Key moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Alderman Bylut. All in favor.

Meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.

https://palosheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07132021-525