City of Palos Heights Recreation Committee met Nov. 8.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Key called the regular meeting of the Recreation Committee to order at 7:03 p.m. at the Palos Heights City Hall, 7607 W. College Drive. In attendance were Chairman Key, Alderman Bylut, Alderman Clifford, Alderman Begley, Director of Parks and Recreation Matt Fairbanks, Lake Katherine Director Gareth Blakesley, Ahlise Coyne, Linda Schiappa and recording secretary Morgan Pukula.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Key moved to approve the minutes of the October 11, 2022 meeting as written, seconded by Alderman Clifford. On a voice note, the motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Linda had concerns about the landscaping that was to be completed in front of Ahlise Coyne’s house by the new Dream Big park in Misty Meadows. Ahlise expressed her frustration with the privacy, living fence. She stated her privacy and safety are at risk because of the public crossing onto her property because of the lack of trees and bushes that were promised to her. Discussion was had about the new berms that are to be planted and Alderman Key and Matt have scheduled a meeting with Ahlise to ensure this landscaping would be to her desired height and density for maximum security and privacy.
LAKE KATHERINE REPORT
Gareth Blakesley provided the Lake Katherine update:
∙ We hosted Lunar Night Hike and had 20 people sign up for the walk where we saw the full moon, walked to the children forest and learned about constellations.
∙ Liaised with Palos Area Chamber in regards to their majestic 5k and 10k races being held on December 3rd.
∙ Our Monday morning volunteer group have been clearing the back of the waterfall of brush and buckthorn.
∙ We attended the Chicago wilderness congress conference for those who work in the natural areas within the Chicago region. This was the first event in a few years due to the pandemic.
∙ We finished tree planting and mulching for the season at the end October. ∙ We held our Halloween night hike with approximately 60 people in attendance. We walked around the lake and learned about crypto-zoological animals and their real life counterparts.
∙ We held out Harvest Hayride which included 2 full sessions around the lake, fishing with a fire and pumpkin painting.
∙ Our last fishing day of the season had 18 people attend.
∙ Our Oaktober event, despite the cool day, had approximately 500 people attend. We had hayrides, a beer tent, scarecrow making and an oak tree giveaway.
∙ In regards to the avian flu, we have not had any new deaths since 10/01/2022 ∙ Education: We held 6 field trips on fall and animal adaptations, 3 scout groups learned about animal habitats and hiking. There were 3 Junior Explorer’s programs on oaks and acorns. Nature tots had 3 sessions all about pumpkins. There were 2 after school programs on pumpkins, one on owls. The Junior Explorer’s also had 3 sessions on seeds and seed dispersal. Finally, the Lille Explorers had 3 sessions about spiders.
PARKS & RECREATION REPORT
Director of Parks and Recreation Matt Fairbanks, provided the Parks & Recreation update:
∙ Orchard Park: As noted at the July meeting, staff received an email that the Parks and Recreation Department was awarded an OSLAD grant for the 2022 grant cycle in the amount of $282,100 for the Orchard Park development. This month the grant agreement was sent to staff and approved through City Council with the Mayor signature at the 10/4 City Council meeting. Staff received the fully signed and executed agreement last week. The next step will be to hire a landscape architect and begin construction documents and BID paperwork. We hope to go to BID in January 2023 if not sooner.
∙ Upcoming events
o Touch-a-Truck and Treat- The Recreation Department offered its annual Touch a Truck and Treat event on Thursday, October 27th in the pool parking lot. This event was held 5-8PM with the sensory free area from 5- 5:45PM. A variety of trucks and vendors came out to the event. There was approximately 700-800 people in attendance throughout the night
o Winter Market- Winter Market dates are this Saturday, 11/12 from 8 am-12 pm and Friday, 12/9 from 4 pm-8 pm and Saturday, 12/10 from 8 am-12 pm at the Recreation Center. Additional information is posted on the Recreation Website and Facebook. We are close to having all vendor spots reserved for all three dates of the market.
o Veterans Day Breakfast- On Thursday, 11/10 from 9-10:30am the parks and recreation department will host its annual free Veteran’s Day Breakfast. This event is sold out and completely booked. The event will include the breakfast, entertainment by the ByGone Gals.
o Turkey Shoot- On Friday, 11/18 at 6pm & 7:30pm the Parks and Recreation Department’s annual turkey shoot will take place. Participants between the ages of 4 and 12 and their “parent of choice” will compete in a basketball free throw shooting contest. Boys and girls will compete together in the following divisions: 4 years old, 5-6 & 7-8, 9-10, and 11-12. The 4 years old and 5-6 years old division will compete at 6:00PM, Friday, November 18th. Check in will be at 5:30pm. The 7-8, 9-10, and 11-12 years old division will also compete at 7:30pm, Friday, November 18th. Check in will begin at 7:00pm. The winning team in each division will win a Thanksgiving Turkey.
o Gooble Wooble Run- On the following day (Saturday) at 9 am (1-4 yr.) and 9:30 am (5-9yr) will compete in this annual kids’ race. Based on their age, participants will compete in a foot race at the Recreation Center. All participants receive a medal, ages 1-4 receive a special gift and ages 5-9 will receive a shirt.
o Kris Kringle Market- The Recreation Department and the KKM committee have been working together to collect and process payments from vendors for the December event. There have been fifty applicants thus far. The Recreation Department is coordinating all information as it relates to the marketing campaign for “Holiday in the Heights”. The Kris Kringle Committee asked the Recreation Department to secure some sponsors to help offset the cost of the event. The contacts which have been contacted are Joe’s Italian Villa, Aurelio’s, Medula/Chiro One, Palos Health/Northwestern and Clearwave.
∙ 2023 OSLAD Application: (No new update) There has not been an announced date for those who will be awarded the grant, however historically it has been during the spring months.
∙ Veterans Playlot: Staff received word last week the playground equipment was shipped and rec’d by PW. Joe has been in contact with PW in coordinating installation. It was communicated to us by PW that the lengthening of the mulch area and the re-organizing of equipment and installation of new playground equipment will most likely occur during December, weather permitting.
∙ Power Softball Storage: Power Softball has made a request (attached to your packet as item #O) to use a parking spot in the pool parking lot as a location for a new storage container. This container is similar to a storage POD and will be located where the current trailer is parked. The trailer was originally purchased by the city and will be returned for City use.
∙ Facility and Pool Fees
o FACILITY RENTAL FEES
Staff has conducted research to compare the City of Palos Heights Parks and Recreation facility rental rates to local and similar park district and recreation departments. In comparison to 10 other agencies, the City of Palos Heights has some of the lowest prices for public room rentals.
We feel the quality of our facility, the location of the facility, and the rising costs of staffing and supplies justifies an update to our current pricing structure to be in line to with what the market is charging. For 2023 we are requesting to only increase the room rental rates for Non-Residents. The proposed rooms with a fee adjustment are classrooms and the Orchard Room’s Sunday-Friday fees. No rate changes are requested for Saturday’s or Holidays in the Orchard Room, or gym rental fees.
The new rate being proposed would be charged to new user groups, single event rentals, and Homeowner Associations. We have a few groups (Senior Club, churches, etc.) which rent weekly throughout the year and we will keep those rates the same.
o SWIM POOL SEASON PASS AND DAILY FEES
Swimming pool fees pass fees were slightly increased in 2022. As we enter 2023 the market has evolved and our expenditures between supplies and wages continue to increase due external forces. Minimum wage in 2023 will be increased to $13 per hour. To attract a large pool of talented employees needed to operate a successful and safe pool wages, we need to be flexible and pay above this rate. Minimum wage will continue to increase by $1 per hour until $15 per hour is the standard minimum wage in Illinois over the next couple of years.
Our current daily fee for the pool was last increased in 2020. Since this time the pools that surround our community have raised their daily fee significantly. We request to raise the resident daily pass by $1 and the NR daily pass by $3. The modest increase will keep our pool in line with what the market in the Chicago Suburbs is currently charging. We are requesting a small fee adjustment for the 2023 season to help cover operating costs. Attached you will find chart of the proposed fee for season passes and daily passes. For 2023 we are not requesting any season pass increase for senior citizens.
NEW BUSINESS
∙ Request for motion to approve the 2022 Holiday and the 2023 Calendar hours of operation at the Recreation Center.
Chairman Key motioned to approve the 2022 Holiday and 2023 Calendar hours of operation of the Recreation Center, seconded by Alderman Clifford. On a voice note, the motion passed unanimously. - AGENDA
∙ Request for motion to approve agreement from JSD Landscape in the amount of $50,000 for Design Development, Construction Plans, Specifications and Bid Proposal, Permitting, Bidding, Construction Observation and Grant
Administration work to be completed for the Orchard Park project.
Chairman Key motioned to approve agreement from JSD Landscape in the amount of 50,000 for Design Development Construction Plans, Specifications and Bid Proposal, Permitting, Bidding, Construction Observation and Grant Administration work for Orchard Park, seconded by Alderman Clifford. On a voice note, the motion passed unanimously. - AGENDA
∙ Request for motion to approve final payment (6th) to George’s Landscape in the amount of $4,205.00 for work completed on the interpretive signage at the Misty Meadows Park Project.
Chairman Key motioned to approve the final payment of $4,205.00 for signage at Misty Meadows Park project, seconded by Alderman Clifford. On a voice note, the motion passed unanimously. - AGENDA
∙ Request for motion to approve payment to Upland Design in the amount of $15,857.35 for work completed on the OSLAD application and submission for the Phase 1 Pool project.
Chairman Key motioned to approve payment to Upland Design in the amount of $15,857.35 for work completed for the OSLAD application and Phase 1 of the pool project, seconded by Alderman Bylut. On a voice note, the motion passed unanimously. – AGENDA
∙ Motion to approve payment to Williams and Associate Architects in the amount of $6,548.58 for the Phase 1 Pool project Conceptual Design and project cost estimation service
Chairman Key motioned to approve payment to the Williams and Associate Architects in the amount of $6,548.58 for Phase 1 Pool project, seconded by Alderman Bylut. On a voice note, the motion passed unanimously. – AGENDA
∙ Motion to approve proposed 2023 Facility Rental and Pool membership and pass fees
Chairman Key motioned to approve the proposed 2023 Facility Rental and Pool membership and pass fees, seconded by Alderman Bylut. On a voice note, the motion passed unanimously. – AGENDA
∙ Motion to approve payment to Palos Baseball Organization in the amount of $15,000.00 for reimbursement of materials and work on Pony field lighting replacement.
Chairman Key motioned to approve payment to Palos Baseball Organization in the amount of $15,000.00 for reimbursement of materials and work on Pony field lighting
replacement, seconded by Alderman Bylut. On a voice note, the motion passed unanimously. – AGENDA
OLD BUSINESS
Staff Update:
On Monday, October 24th Claudia Lowisz was hired as our Administration Support Supervisor. She’ll be responsible for overall office management, supply inventory, registration and oversight of front desk operations. Claudia is a resident of Palos Heights. Her first day will be next Monday, November 14th.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Chairman Key moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Alderman Clifford. All in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m.
https://palosheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11082022-757
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