Horner Park Advisory Council
Meeting Minutes
President Peter Schlossman called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM; the meeting was at Ravenswood Manor Park. A quorum was determined to be present.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the 6/2/11 meeting were approved unanimously, pending changes.
Report of the Treasurer
Chase Checking: $5,287.96
Chase Savings: $5,125.94
MB Checking: $11,128.35
Paypal: $770.61
Total: $22,312.86
All accounts are consistent with Quickbooks records and bank statements. Report of the treasurer was approved.
Garden Committee
No Report.
Concert Committee
John O’Connell reported that all expenses and receipts have been submitted. The concerts are well underway and have been well attended.
Dog Friendly Area
Kate reported, via email to Peter, that she is working with Tom on reaching the baseball organization about the survey. The survey has been posted to Survey Monkey. Twenty nine surveys have been received to date.
Park Briefs
Horner
Cheryl Williamson was very pleased with the party. Tom has bills from the event which will be paid by HPAC.
An email was sent about trash at the playground. Tom responded immediately. The problem is that garbage cans cannot be put anywhere, they must be on drivable paths.
An issue was raised about the expansion of the vendor stand at the north end of the park. Peter will talk to Tom.
Ravenswood Manor
A campaign to replace 8 trees is well underway:
John O’Connell applied for, and received, $1000, but matching funds must be raised. Alderman Mell will be asked for a contribution and donations from the community will be solicited via email. The concept is that the tree planting will be a community event – volunteers will dig the holes and plant the trees, rather than hiring a service to perform these tasks. By doing it this way, entire families can participate, showcasing both the park and HPAC. John will also work with the forestry, utilities, and CPD to resolve any potential problems.
Peter is working on the issue of the bulletin board.
Jacob
No Report.
Buffalo Park
There is a large branch down at the park. Peter will talk to Tom.
John O’Connell and Suzanne Davenport were thanked for their work at Buffalo Gardens. Their efforts are appreciated by all.
Sunken Garden
Kathy Trainor provided a map, showing the locations of the nine trees that have died. Kathy and Nancy Chambers requested replacement of a few trees while they work on a long term plan for the park, with completion planned for their centennial celebration in 2014. Peter and John O’Connell will arrange a meeting with CPD in the next 1-2 months. Kathy volunteered to be the contact on this issue. She will speak to the alderman about the issue as well.
Nancy reported that she contacted Tom about graffiti on the benches. He cleaned the benches, but they still need painting.
Nancy reported that she contacted Tom about a bench that was damaged by a tree. Tom said that he would talk to the carpenter.
Nancy also expressed that the light was now working. It had not been working for quite some time.
New Business
Bill Eyring from the Center for Neighborhood Technology came to discuss his organization. They have studied the flooding problem for 10 years, and have developed an ecologically based solution to basement flooding problems.
Their goal is to have six areas within Chicago, with around 100 homeowners per area, who would like to have their flooding problem analyzed. Their solutions include redirecting rain water run-off from roofs and using plants, usually native plants, that can handle both water and drought conditions. They cannot provide financial support, but they offer their expertise, and obtain wholesale prices. They have Bill Eyring from the Center for Neighborhood Technology came to discuss his organization. They have studied the flooding problem for 10 years, and have developed an ecologically based solution to basement flooding problems.
Their goal of their program, The Good Neighbor Challenge, is to have six areas within Chicago, with around 100 homeowners per area, who would like to have their flooding problem analyzed. Their solutions include redirecting rain water run-off run programs at Rogers Park and Wilmette. Bill is looking for contacts in the area and private homes for demonstrations.
John O’Connell was thanked for his work on the CPD liability policy. HPAC will no longer need a liability. Additionally, no permits will be needed for events with fewer than 500 people.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM.
Attendance Roster:
Peter Schlossman, President; Larry Brown, Vice President; Kevin Anderson –Treasurer; Lisa Cleveland, Co Secretary ; John Bernbom, Co-Secretary; John O’Connell; Alan Mueller; Kathleen Trainor, Bill Eyring, Nancy Chambers.
Respectfully submitted: Lisa Cleveland, Co-Secretary
