Horner Park Advisory Council
Meeting Minutes
John Lyman, as Vice-President, presiding, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Peter Schlossman acted as Secretary for this meeting. See roster below for attendance.
Previous Minutes: The minutes of the December 2008 meeting were approved with amendments.
Treasurer’s Report: T.J. Kosmider (not in attendance) sent report via email. The account balances are $6,068.81 in checking and $8,442.87 in savings. The HPAC books are reconciled with the Chase account balances. Pending payments to Susie Novak and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program. Financial statements are also pending and will be presented at the Feb. meeting. Payments to Chicago Park District for the Buffalo Park project are complete.
Council Business: The bylaws revisions discussed in the spring of 2008 are not yet approved. CPD has not sent their guidelines for bylaws to advisory councils.
Announcements: 1st day of classes was the day of the meeting. 90% of classes are filled. Baseball clinic registrations are a little slow but post-holiday registrations are expected to pick up. The Valentine’s dance is scheduled for Feb. 6th. A co-recreational volleyball league is starting, and an indoor rowing event is also going to take place again this year.
Concert Committee: A meeting will be held in January 14. Ground Up Theater will be coming again to do Shakespeare in Ravenswood Manor Park. Another troupe is interested in doing plays in the park also.
Garden Committee: Susie Novak is interested in continuing as a gardener again this year. CPD sent her a letter. Susie suggested that 10-15 hours per week for a longer season would be better than more hours per week for a shorter period.
Web Site: No report.
Volunteer Committee: No report.
Park Briefs:
Horner Park: Tom McManamon met with the Horner Park Baseball Association to discuss recent events and changes within the organization. The past HPBA executive board is no longer allowed to be part of the new board. CPD would have revoked HPBA’s permits if this change had not taken place. Francisco Perez is the new HPBA president. The new executive board is made up of former board members. Dean will serve in an advisory capacity only and will not vote or handle money for HPBA. Francisco Perez distributed the names of the new board members and their positions, and the HPBA bylaws. Criminal charges and a civil suit are being undertaken by HPBA against the former treasurer accused of embezzling money last year. Ad books for the upcoming year are out. In addition there will be a raffle for raising funds this year. Uniform fees for the players are being lowered, and the number of games played will be cut by 4 or 5 this year. HPBA will be holding a fundraiser, an all star game and home run derby. Budgets for the events will be controlled so events will be run budget neutral or positive income. Paperwork for 501(c)3 status has been filed. Payment arrangements are being negotiated with HPBA’s past vendors who are owed money. Claims from other vendors with unpaid accounts are to be expected. An unpaid loan and money owed the Chocolate Co. are most of HPBA’s debt in addition to significant amount of accounts receivable. Tom McManamon is pleased with how things have started with the new board. Representatives from HBPA expressed willingness to attend HPAC board meetings, and would consider having a representative from HPAC on their board. The HBPA 2009 budget is roughly $264,000. HPAC will attend a future meeting with HPBA and continue dialogue with the organization, but will not take a position at this time on their current status or capacity to overcome significant issues.
An application for maintenance of the Henry Horner monument will be sent to the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. The monument should be looked at for possible repair work that may be necessary. Fence repair around the landscaped median is also needed.
Having a hardwired node for wireless access in the second floor multi-purpose room of the fieldhouse was discussed, and is desirable.
Ravenswood Manor Park: John O’Connell stated that the plexiglas used to replace the kiosk glazing may fall out when notices are posted, and the plexiglas used was not the same thickness as the previous glazing. Peter Schlossman stated that the glazing surround was not holding up when he replaced the glazing last fall. A hook should be installed so the glazed hatch can stay open for access instead of resting it on your head.
Jacob Park: Potential uses for the fenced-off CTA area should be considered so HPAC is prepared when this gets added to the park.
Buffalo Park: John O’Connell discussed the height of the seating stones, condition of the surface and the layout of the area with Chris Gent at CPD. Chris Gent said adjustments would be made when seasonal conditions permit. John O’Connell to follow up with CPD in the future.
Sunken Garden Park: HPAC should consider what strategic improvements should be made to the park. Some people advocate for this park to be a passive place and some advocate for more active uses.
Other business: A boy scout named Reid Cleveland is interested in the flagpole project for Horner Park for an eagle scout project.
The City of Chicago bought the Warner Candy property on the north side of Lawrence Ave.
There is a Friends of the Parks networking session Jan. 10. Seed grant applications for FOTP are due Feb. 13. Earth Day is April 18.
Tom will look into walkie talkies for the Park employees’ use.
A possible Jobox donation was discussed by the HPBA representatives. Eileen Berganos will follow up.
New Business: A dedication ceremony for the ball fields and a future networking event were briefly discussed.
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM
The next regular HPAC meeting will be held Monday Feb. 2 at 7:00 PM at Horner Park.
Respectfully submitted: Peter Schlossman
Roster of those in Attendance: John Lyman, Vice President/Co-Treasurer; Peter Schlossman, Co-Secretary; Kevin Anderson, Co-Secretary; Tom McManamon – CPD; Francisco Perez, Verdell Hunter, Eilleen Berganos – HPBA; Michael Holm, John O’Connell, Alan Mueller, Susie Novak.
