Horner Park Advisory Council
Meeting Minutes
Larry Brown – President, presiding, called the meeting to order at 7:45 PM. Kevin Anderson acted as Secretary for this meeting. See roster below for attendance.
Previous Minutes: The minutes of the June 2009 meeting were approved.
Treasurer’s Report: T.J. Kosmider reported that the account balances are $13,385.90 in checking and $7,444.70 in savings. There is $276.16 in the PayPal account. Chase refused a check from Rockwell’s Grill for no reason. Payments for maintenance work on the sound system are expected.
Council Business: See below.
Announcements: In August, Horner Park will host a community soccer clinic for 6-14 year olds put on by the Chicago Fire. Owing to budget cutbacks, the park will be losing Mike for two days per week in the fall, but will be able to keep his top classes. About 80 classes are expected this fall. Prices have been raised, but some of the classes have been made longer so they will be a better value. Indoor cornhole may be coming, and a sponsor is being pursued.
Concert Committee: The season is in to its fourth week and going smoothly. There are two or three artist checks outstanding. A motion for John O’Connell to spend up to $40 for flowers for Diane Stutcliffe in appreciation of her support in storing the sets and stage passed unanimously.
Garden Committee: Susie Novak has been working approximately 9-10 hrs/week. She has received donated flowers and plants from the community. With the concert season underway there are no immediate plans for moving the Manor Park planter. Susie and Anna Rozmin did planting in Buffalo Park in advance of the celebration and needs to submit receipts for the plants. Susie will look at the Horner Park front walk garden to see if it needs thinning to keep the plants from crowding the path.
Web Site: MailChimp email blasts are being sent to promote the concerts.
Volunteer Committee: No report
Park Briefs:
Horner Park: Larry Brown had a conversation with State Senator Cullerton about funding for the underbridge connector project, and came away with hopes that it will get fully funded and underway in 2011.
Tom McManamon is planning a meeting next week with representatives from the Horner Park West Neighborhood Association regarding a possible evening event in the park that would use the ballfield lights. The event is expected to bring in approximately $10,000 for the park.
The Horner Park Baseball Association (HPBA) : The HPBA season is more than halfway done. There are 425 regular players and 98% are paid in full, including uniforms. The remaining 2% are on payment plans through the end of the year, and are being asked for a commitment to volunteer. Several fundraising events have been held and they are meeting their goals. More are planned, including an end-of-season raffle.
HPBA have met their goal of procuring six Joboxes to be donated to the park. The Lane Tech boosters, among others, helped in funding this. HPAC’s $300 contribution is awaiting matching funds expected from the men’s softball league. The SB1 infield was improved with Pro’s Choice red dirt mix and now it drains great. Verdell has been working to improve the dragging of the fields.
HPBA are still working with their accountant on getting statements, but do have an interim unsigned one. Their net for the season, after prizes, is approximately $50,000. Their next to QSP/World’s Finest of $5000 will be due soon; they estimate they have $84,300 cash on hand and so will be able to make it.
Tom McManamon says Horner Park is extremely happy with HPBA in all aspects. There has been only one complaint this season, which is a big improvement over the approximately one hundred complaints he received during his first two seasons here at Horner Park.
Ravenswood Manor Park: Susie reports there is a loose board in the ramp into the park. The kiosk’s window frame needs repair, and Larry Brown will investigate having a maintenance guy do the work. Graffiti has been reported on the playground ledge.
Jacob Park: A public meeting was held about possibly Jacob Playlot expansion onto the CTA property. A GRO subcommittee is working on producing a concert in the park. There have been complaints about the tree planting in the park.
Buffalo Park: No report.
Sunken Garden Park: No report.
Other business: A neighboring civic organization is interested in staging concerts in Ronan Park, and has asked for HPAC help. A motion that John O’Connell draft a response to be reviewed by the Executive Committee was passed unanimously.
Flagpole Project: Reid has submitted a letter of intent to proceed with the project with expected completion by the end of summer. A motion that HPAC communicate with the Ceriale family to get a written endorsement passed unanimously. Tom McManamon will secure the signed endorsement letter and push the project through the approval process, with a goal of hearing back by mid August. Of the options that Reid submitted, all except for #3 can go to a height of 40ft. The community service component of the project will involve preparing the site for the memorial stone and spreading the gravel.
Vegetable Garden:. The group has printed up buttons to solicit donations, and continues to pursue other fundraising options. Park District approval for the site is pending. The gardeners are sponsoring a Chicago Conservation Corp (C3) compost bin and rain barrel distribution event on Sunday, July 26th.
New Business: A local business requested a letter of support to be submitted to the city’s liquor commission. The Executive Committee determined that such a letter is not in HPAC’s purview.
The meeting adjourned at 9:14 PM
The next regular HPAC meeting will be held Monday, September 14 at 7:00 PM at Horner Park. There is no regular meeting in August, and the customary first Monday falls on Labor Day.
Respectfully submitted: Kevin Anderson
Roster of those in Attendance: Larry Brown, President; John Lyman, Vice President; Kevin Anderson, Co-Secretary; Peter Schlossman, Co-Secretary; T.J. Kosmider, Treasurer; Tom McManamon – CPD; John O’Connell, Susie Novak, John Bernbom, Eilleen Berganos, Allan Mueller, Michael Holm, Reid Cleveland, Lisa Cleveland, Tom Kosinski, Les Kniskern
