Horner Park Advisory Council
Meeting Minutes
Larry Brown, as Vice-President, presiding, called the meeting to order at 7:07 PM. Kevin Anderson acted as Secretary for this meeting. See roster below for attendance.
Previous Minutes: The minutes of the March 2009 meeting were approved unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report: T.J. Kosmider reported via email that the account balances are $8,665.41 in checking and $7,443.79 in savings. The HPAC books are reconciled with the Chase account balances. The Open Lands Grants P&L shows $72.05 available. The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program account has $694.79 available.
Council Business:
Announcements: Doggie Easter Egg Hunt was a great success with over 150 dogs and 300 people. The event went over budget by $94. A motion to cover the shortfall and co-sponsor the event next year passed unanimously.
Registrations for programs this session have been very good. Men’s basketball team registrations were down, allowing for a teen basketball night. The Sports Fest went well and with attendance of 300.
The Green and Growing Fair will be held on April 18th at Garfield Park; all are invited.
Concert Committee: The financial milestones are on schedule, as are the sponsorships and the bookings. MailChimp will be used to send an email blast later this month.
Garden Committee: Susie Novak resumes work in late April, and will need to coordinate payment with T.J..
Web Site: The website has been upgraded to a newer version of Joomla. The website could benefit from someone with graphics talents to improve the template. Michael Holm will host a website training meeting on April 20th at his house. Payment for the website and other on-line services should be moved over to the HPAC credit card.
John Bernbom volunteered to bring his digital projector for use at HPAC meetings.
Volunteer Committee: Earth Day is April 18 from 9 – noon. John O’Connell has lined-up captains for all the HPAC parks except for Buffalo Park, which will be under-construction. River Day is May 9.
Park Briefs:
Horner Park: It was noted that a couple of path lights are out, as are several lamps on the tower. Tom McManamon will also be changing the hours on the tennis court light timers.
The Park District is looking for money from advisory councils to buy the mix for the softball infields. It was noted that the Welles Park Advisory Council is now raising money for a watering system.
Horner Park Baseball Association tryouts went well. HPBA’s fundraiser raised about $10,000. HPBA has setup a 3-year payment plan with QSP. They have retained a CPA who is helping setup their Quickbooks. Skadden International is also providing help, pro bono. They have insurance. The have submitted their letter of intent to Tom McManamon for field access, including using the little field in the park near Target for 4-6 year olds. Sign-ups are on-target at 80-85%. Uniforms are scheduled for May 16. HPBA would like hear HPAC’s ideas for an opening day event, and would also like to have the Jazz Band.
A motion authorizing HPAC to contribute up to $300 for Joboxes providing softball contributes and equal or greater amount was passed unanimously.
The problem of dog feces was discussed, and the idea of having a meeting with the dog community was raised.
Ravenswood Manor Park: There is no date yet for moving the planter box. The sundial will be removed, rather than restored. The twig fence needs repair again.
Jacob Park: No report.
Buffalo Park: Several members met with park staff at the park to go over the state of the project. The placement of the stones to bring them more in-line with the designs is expected in the next 30 days.
Sunken Garden Park: Susie added plants to those planted behind the southwestern bench last Earth Day.
Other business: Tom McManomon to give HPAC the CPD guidelines for identity signage to be placed in various parks.
Flag Pole: Tom McManamon has been talking with Reid Cleveland, who is continuing work on the project.
New Business: Kevin Anderson introduced Sue Davenport and they discussed their goal of establishing a vegetable garden in Horner Park. They are working with the Park District, and will meet with Tom McManamon and have a community meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 9:09 PM
The next regular HPAC meeting will be held Monday, May 4 at 7:00 PM at Horner Park.
Respectfully submitted: Kevin Anderson
Roster of those in Attendance: John Lyman, Vice President; Larry Brown, President; Peter Schlossman, Co-Secretary; Kevin Anderson, Co-Secretary; Tom McManamon – CPD; Francisco Perez, Verdell Hunter, Eilleen Hunter, Luis Gonzalez, Victor Vivar, John O’Connell, Susie Novak, John Bernbom, Michael Holm, Sue Davenport
