South Cook News

City of Palos Heights Recreation Committee met Aug. 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 7:00 p.m. at the Palos Heights City Hall, 7607 W. College Drive. In attendance were Chairman Key, Alderman Clifford, and Alderman Begley. Also present were Director of Parks and Recreation Matt Fairbanks, Lake Katherine Director Gareth Blakesley, City Clerk, Shannon Harvey.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Chairman Key motioned to approve the minutes of the July 9, 2024, meeting, seconded by Alderman Begley. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

LAKE KATHERINE REPORT

Lake Katherine Gareth Blakesley reported the following events that took place in July at Lake Katherine:

• Hosted suburban educator Round table, with 15 attendees from non-formal educational institutions around the suburbs.

• Monthly fishing day had 29 attendees.

• Morning guided canoe kayak tour with 10 participants

• Overnight Family camp out attended by seven families in the children’s forest with evening hikes and education tables.

• Sunset sonata had 40 attendees in which a movie was played for attendees.

• Evening canoe kayak tour had 20 attendees.

• Trailhead parking construction in full swing with minimal impact on daily operations

• Green team meeting

• Interviewed candidates and made offer to new fundraiser who will begin on September 3rd.

• Annual volunteer BBQ appreciation was held for over 60 volunteers who enjoyed games and food.

• Channel 4 filming on the Trailhead Parking lot construction Education

• Eight Field Trips where students learned about insects, worms, and animal groups.

• Five Scout Groups programs where Scouts kayaked, did nature art, eco camping and heard from a public speaker relating to water quality.

• Nature Hour relating fish in partnership with Palos Heights Public Library

• Girl Scout event, in partnership with The Do-Good Movement. Involved 50+ scouts who kayaked, took guided hikes, and practiced yoga.

• Animal Care meeting with education and animal care staff

• Meeting with Pat about Green Team involvement at Farmer’s Market

• Meeting with Girl Scout Troop Silver Award

• Fall Guide and programs released.

• Partnership meeting with Evergreen Park Youth Department

• Evergreen Park Youth Department kayaking event.

• Nature Tots – 3 sessions Camping, 3 sessions Dinos

• Little Explorers – 3 sessions Senses Hike, 1 session Herons

• Summer Explorers – 2 sessions Along the Shore (macroinvertebrate dipping), 2 sessions Campfire Cooking, 2 sessions Mud program, 2 sessions Tom Sawyer Fishing

• Nature Sprouts Camp (4-6yr old) – Art In Nature, Dinosaur Camp

• Nature Buddies Camp (7-9yr old) – Nature Adventures, Excavation Camp

• Nature Friends Camp (8-12yr old) – Habitat Discovery, S.T.E.A.M camp, Outdoor Skills/Adventure Camp

• Education volunteer tabling about turtles – over 105 people visited.

• CivicRec meeting

• Meeting with director of curriculum and instruction for SD104

Upcoming up events

• Business after hours will take place on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at 5:00 PM at the Lake Kather Clubhouse i the lk clubhouse at 5pm

Alderman Begley asked if a new sign is being erected. It is not but will be in coming year due to name change.

Alderman Begley asked further about the potential candidate for the fundraising position. Gareth explained that 60 resumes were submitted for this position.

PARKS AND RECREATION REPORT

Director of Parks and Recreation Matt Fairbanks gave the July recreation report:

• Pool Phase 1 Update: Williams Architect, Simpson Construction, Morris Engineering and Palos Staff will meet weekly. The permits have been submitted to IDPH and 90% were approved. IDPH is asking for a double glass door instead of an overhead door. They are just waiting for the signed permits to be returned. Matt reached out to Splashtacular to discuss the new pool slide to confirm process is on time and moving along in time for installation prior to opening the pool next year. Frank Giordano informed all companies involved that all sub-contractors must be registered with the Pool. Finally, demolition is scheduled to begin the week of August 19, 2024. Alderman Begley suggested we communicate to the residents via social media regarding the pool updates and demolition project.

• Orchard Park Update: A soft opening took place the week of July 15, 2024. Every day the Park has been opened there have been families enjoying the splash pad. More than 70 people attended the grand opening, where Mayor Straz, Alderman Key and Matt Fairbanks all spoke. The Park is open 11-7 Monday through Friday and 9-5 on the weekend. The Park will be closed at end of September or early October. Alderman Key noted how wonderful the opening of Orchid Park was great for the community. Alderman Key further noted that permanent fence will be placed around the splash pad and that the weed issue will be addressed. Matt informed the committee that two residents emailed about the opining of the park to the sidewalk. Matt noted that it was never the intention and based on the consultant’s opinion there was enough space that a gate was not needed but can be further addressed later.

• Summer Camp: Summer Session 183 attendants with multiple fields trips, pool visits and walking to lunch. Alderman Begley informed Matt that she heard wonderful things about the camp. Everyone agreed that Kara Case did a great job.

• Pre-School: Two 4-year-old enrolled in the full day option, 9 in half day option, 10 in half day morning and 7 in half day afternoon. This is almost full and classes begin in beginning in early September.

• Theatre Camp: The summer theater camp ended Friday, August 2nd. He also noted that the fall

musical theatre and dance will not have a show, due to personal emergencies with staff. Instead, there will be more instructional programs without a production. Matt hopes that a return to the performances in the winter/spring brochure.

• My First T0ball and Coach Pitch League – 153 participants with games starting August 8th and August 10th.

• Farmers Market- National Farmers Market week was celebrated August 7th. Farmers Market will run through October.

• Fall Play book is online.

• Pool Update: Great season with 11,000 visits. In July we only closed one due to weather. Daily revenues are at or above 2023 amounts. The program for residents to take advantage of on Friday was successful with 125 resident who took advantage of that in July.

NEW BUSINESS

a) Chairman Key motioned to approve payment to approve payment application #4 to Hacienda Landscaping in the amount of $133,059.42 for construction work completed for the Orchard Park Project., seconded by Alderman Clifford. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

Alderman Clifford later asked if the seed was standard, because of the overgrown weeds. Matt explained that it was but there is a one-year warranty on all landscaping.

b) Chairman Key motioned to approve Motion to approve payment #2 to Splashtacular LLC. in the amount of $41,260.00 for waterslide design, materials, freight, and installation labor supervision as part of the pool project, seconded by Alderman Begley. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

c) Chairman Key motioned to approve payment to Airy’s Inc. in the amount of $5,212.51 for an emergency water pipe repair for the pool, seconded by Alderman Begley. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

d) Matt Fairbanks explained Emergency Repair was critical because a 6-inch water pipe at the pool that delivers water from pump to filter broke. Given to the urgency of the situation, we had to contact a repair vendor to repair, and it was corrected before the pool opened.

e) Chairman Key motioned to approve $47,770.00 for the first installment of the 2024-25 membership contribution to the Southwest Special Recreation Association (SWSRA), seconded by Alderman Key. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS

Alderman Begley asked if the Schofield Park is in good condition relating to the landscaping.

Alderman Begley also asked about the bocce ball court at Palmer Park and Matt Fairbanks said he will have that repaired. Alderman Begley further asked if the pickle ball court have been painted and Matt confirmed.

Alderman Clifford informed the committee that road construction will take place on Patriot Drive.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m.

https://palosheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09102024-1059