Horner Park Advisory Council
Meeting Minutes
Anne Rozmin, as president, called the meeting to order at 7:40p.m., Larry Brown acted as secretary for this meeting.
Previous Month’s Minutes: The February minutes were presented by Jerry Giese. Laurene von Klan moved for a revision in the Chicago Riverbank Improvement section. Several spelling errors were pointed out and Alan Mueller moved to accept the minutes with these corrections, and was seconded by Larry Brown. The acceptance was unanimous.
Treasurer’s Report: Anne Rozmin in Elaine Taylor’s absence, delivered the Treasurer’s report. The balances are as follows:
- Checking Account: $ 2609.21
- Savings Account: 1917.46
- Buffalo Park Mon. CD’s 2190.66
- Totals $ 6717.33
Announcements: The Lerner Paper ran a picture of the Horner Park’s Valentines Day Dance on the front page. Horner Park Summer Camp registration will be held on Saturday April 6th at 9:00am. A date of Saturday, March 23rd was set for the Horner Park Memorial Garden cleanup. Saturday, April 20th has been chosen for an Earth Day clean up at Manor Park. A motion was passed to have Nic Acciari coordinate the days activities with HPAC and RMIA. Nic will provide a BBQ grill for those who participate in this clean up. Bring your cleaning tools and something to cook. For anyone interested in working at Horner Park please contact the Horner Park Fieldhouse at 312-742-7572.
Horner Park Advisory Council Business: Anne Rozmin as President, passed out copies and explained certain HPAC bylaws. The three main areas focused on were voting rights, council meeting time limits and governing rules. Anne urged all who are members or want to be to familiarize themselves with the bylaws. An application for the annual Seed Grant Program offered by Friends of the Parks was presented. Laurene von Klan volunteered to apply for grant money for the Chicago Riverbank Improvement Project. Nic Acciari opened a discussion proposing that the council consider sponsoring a Horner Park Baseball Association (HPBA) baseball team. Jerry Giese moved to table the discussion until further information can be obtained for next months meeting, as there was agreement that this was a worthy idea. Susie Novak seconded and the motion passed unanimously. A letter to Alderman Mell, commending Chuck Lomanto’s efforts on snow removal was presented, as it had been mailed recently.
Garden Committee: no report
Concert Committee: Larry Brown reported that the Summer Concert Committee agreed upon a working budget of $ 6,000.00. The individual and business mailings should go out by the beginning of April. The concert schedule will be as follows:
- June 16- Jose Valdez and the Mambo All-Stars
- June 30- Natural Causes/Thursday’s Child
- July 14- Bopology, sponsored by the Manor Garden Club
- July 28- Cooper Nelson/Taiko Drummers
- August- 11- Manor Bash featuring Blues and Jazz
- August 18- Our own Susan Urban and Strong Voices
- August 25- Neighborhood Talent Show
Park Briefs: Report was presented by Anne Rozmin in place of Marc Hebert, who had an emergency.
Horner Park: No Report
Ravenswood Manor Park: Brian Basler, President of the RMIA, presented the council with a plan to replant the grass area in front of the Pergola. The RMIA is willing to provide the financing for this project. Preliminary figures are approximately $ 1,500.00 for grading, fertilizing and the planting of the new grass. Mike Emerson suggested before sodding to consider a product called grass pave. Mike felt that this product would better serve the area’s high traffic. Larry Hodak suggested that the RMIA should first consider replanting of the parkway grasses that are in poor condition. Jerry Giese made motion to have HPAC work with the RMIA to see this plan come to fruition. Larry Brown seconded and motion was passed unanimously.
Buffalo Park: Anne Rozmin presented a Martha Stewart Living magazine, which had a picture of a Jens Jensen council ring. This was shown as a representation of Larry Hodak’s plan for the Jens Jensen council ring that we are currently pursuing.
Horner Park Riverbank Initiative: A letter from Pete Leki, of Riverbank Neighbors, was presented to the council. Pete’s letter expressed concern over the possible loss of trees on the riverbank and is asking the council to consider a “more low tech” approach, creating hand made , unique planting spaces. The council is in agreement that these concerns have already been addressed. The plan already calls for a keen sensitivity towards the removal of existing trees. Mike Emerson then presented the Tree Survey which shows specifically the type, size and condition of each tree within the project area. Laurene von Klan and Larry Hodak were pleased with the number of trees on the survey that were marked to be saved. Mike reiterated that the VOA plan does not call for the “steam rolling” of the riverbank. The council agreed on a plan to reach out to our political resources so as to keep the project moving forward. Mike Emerson and Anne Rozmin were urged to meet with the Chicago Park District’s Landscape department ASAP.
Adjournment: Anne Rozmin thanked all those in attendance and the meeting was adjourned at 9:40p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Larry Brown
Roster of those in attendance: Anne Rozmin, President; Mike Emerson; Nic Acciari, Vice President; Larry Brown, Co-secretary; Susie Novak; Jerry Giese, Co-secretary Alan Mueller; Laurene von Klan (FOCR); Larry Hodak.
