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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-25-03 Parks, Recreation, Cutural Arts & Entertainment e ..4 ( ommtttin deport Darks, Itttrtation, Cultural arts aub QEntert ftnment tommittt The August 25,2003 meeting of the Parks,Recreation, Cultural Arts and Entertainment Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Sean Coleman at 5:17 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Aranowski, Kelly, Pfeifer, Varner, White, Coleman, Kirsits and Kuspa; Park Superintendent Phil St. Clair, Concessions Manager Matthew Moyer, Terry Bland of the oulah tribunt and Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand. Council Member Coleman noted that the meeting had been called to provide information on the upcoming hearings on the Park Master Plan. Phil St. Clair stated that Matthew Moyer will be the Project Manager for this project. They are currently in the process of asking for public input on the proposed 2004 Master Plan which will be a five (5) year plan. He noted that the current Park Master Plan expires at the end of this year. There are many state and federal funds which require a Park Master Plan to be in place in order to qualify, as well as having this requirement by the Department of Natural Resources. It is proposed that a meeting be held in each of the six (6) Councilmanic Districts in order to provide multiple opportunities for input. Matthew Moyer then provided a one-page handout dated August 21, 2003 to the Committee (copy attached). He stated that they are hoping to have an Executive Summary in place by the middle of October 2003 which summarizes the input received at each of the six (6) meetings. Information will be provided at each meeting and certain stakeholders have been invited to attend. Council Member Kuspa inquired about the type of notice would be used of these upcoming meetings. Council Member Kuspa suggested that each of the major churches and parishes be contacted by the City so that they could place the meeting times and places in their bulletins. Mr. Moyer stated that there would be a mailing as well as telephone calls made. There will be an advertisement in the*QUO 1Erribunt and the meeting dates and places will be posted on the City's website. Mr. Moyer noted that a survey will be made available at public access sites such as the neighborhood centers also. He stated that he would follow-up on Council Member Kuspa's recommendation. Council Member Kirsits inquired whether there would be input from the general public and in particular answers to questions which they may have, noting that he was recently"verbally beaten up"at a neighborhood picnic on several park issues. Council President White inquired how information would be reported back to the public and to those who voiced particular concerns about the parks. Council President White also inquired whether the City Plan model would be used. Mr. Moyer stated that once the survey is completed that they would need 3-6 weeks to compile the results and then make it available on the City's website and the Council. He further noted that this information would be interfaced with the City Plan. Council Member Pfeifer inquired whether all of the city parks would have improvements. i t Parks,Recreation,Cultural Arts arid Entertainment Committee August 25, 2003 Page 2 Mr. St. Clair stated that they would do"the best that they can in the seventy(70) City Parks". He noted that their philosophy would be to do the best they can for the entire community. Council Member Pfeifer suggested that the current Park Master Plan which is to expire at the end of this year should be summarized with regard to goals which have been achieved and those which have not and an explanation of why not. She noted that it is important to know what accomplishments have been made, otherwise many neighbors believe that they are wasting their time. She further suggested that throughout the process of identifying accomplishments and areas which need to be addressed that everyone should be respectful and reasonable to each other. Council Member Coleman noted that he has one (1) copy of the Parks Master Plan Update from 1999 which he would make available to the Council. He noted that within it a listing of items accomplished and not accomplished is included. Council Member Pfeifer suggested that the listing in the 1999 Park Master Plan Update be updated to the present so that this information could be used as a handout at each of the upcoming meetings. She further suggested that a bullet-point format would be helpful of such items. Mr. St. Clair stated that he would double-check to see if a copy of the Parks Master Plan Update of 1999 was filed with the Office of the City Clerk,and if not would file a copy. The six(6) meetings will be held at 6: 30 p.m.,and are as follows: Wednesday, September 3, 2003 6th District Rum Village Nature Center Thursday, September 4, 2003 2nd District Charles Black Recreation Center Thursday, September 11, 2003 5th District O'Brien Recreation Center Monday, September 15, 2003 1st District Pinhook Pavilion Tuesday, September 16,2003 3rd District Potawatomi Zoo Education Room Wednesday, September 24, 2003 4th District Howard Park Senior Center Mr. St. Clair stated that they would bring maps to each of these meetings showing the City Parks and their locations within each Councilmanic Districts. Council Member Coleman thanked everyone for coming. There being no further business to come before the Committee,Council Member Coleman adjourned the meeting at 5:31 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Sean Coleman, Chairperson Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts and Entertainment Committee KCF:kmf Attachment cc: Park Superintendent