Horner Park Advisory Council
The meeting was called to order at 7:08 pm by President Peter Schlossman.
The meeting was at the Horner Park Field House and a quorum was determined to be present.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the February 2013 meeting were approved, pending wording changes about an environmental study in the dog friendly area.
Report of the Treasurer
MB checking 6,056.75
MB savings 14,864.82
Paypal 934.68
Total 21,856.25
The Quickbooks account reconciles with the bank statements.
Kevin asked officers to sign the new cards for the bank account.
Insurance needs to be renewed. The premium is $450 for the officers. Peter has completed the paperwork. John O’Connell made a motion that HPAC pay for the insurance. The vote in favor was unanimous.
Dog Friendly Area (DFA)
There was discussion about the need for an Environmental Impact Study to determine the long-term effects a dog area may have on the trees. Erica explained that impact on the environment will be an important consideration but that a formal Environmental Impact Assessment would be expensive and is not required by the Park District as part of the Guidelines for establishing a dog friendly area. Therefore, it is not likely something the committee will have done. The petition drives were cancelled in February due to the weather but the DFAC continued taking usage surveys. Each month the DFAC will re-post signage around the neighborhood containing information about the dog friendly area proposal. Another $250 was donated online. There was discussion about how to reach the DFAC to sign the petition for those who may not have been at home during the canvas. Erica will add information on the website that people can email the DFAC or come to a monthly HPAC meeting. Erica is also going to attend John Friedman’s meeting with community members which occurs on the 3rd Wednesday in May. There was some discussion about what would be done with the money if the dog park is never built. The money given so far can be used to pay for the campaign.
River Project
Peter contacted Nicole Roach. The Army Corp of Engineers has plans but that are still under internal review. There is no funding in place t this time.
Website Committee – No Report
Garden Committee
John is applying for the hydrant permits from Water Dept. for Sunken Gardens Park, Buffalo Park, Ravenswood Manor Park, and Jacob Park.
Concert Committee
John has printed over 500 letters for the campaign for the concert pamphlet; the letters will be sent to business and past subscribers. The flyers explaining the concert series should be available this week. John has an area map will assign officers to specific sections to distribute flyers.
The concert series has been scheduled. The opening night is June 14 featuring the Slate Band. There are 5 other Friday night concerts. There will be 2 Saturday nights of Shakespeare and one piano recital on a Sunday afternoon.
Tom will work with Peter regarding the contract between Horner Park and HPAC regarding the concerts.
Park Briefs
Buffalo Park – No Report
Sunken Gardens– No Report
Ravenswood Manor Park
There is a missing screw on the tire swing. Tom made the repair. John reported that the light that was out has been replaced. Sarah reported an increase in graffiti. Tom advised that someone call 311 because they will respond quickly, especially in a park.
Jacob Park
Peter spoke with Nate Hucheson. Bids are due at the end of the month.
Horner Park
Cheerleading and Young Scientist are new on the schedule are new and are doing well. Pilates on Friday morning is available. The Deaf and Hard of Hearing program has seen improvement.
The Football coach at Gorden Tech has agreed to offer a free football clinic to 6th and 7th graders during the Spring. The clinic will be offered on Sunday afternoons.
Tom met with area high schools regarding baseball, River Day, and Earth Day.
Tom has ordered a free movie to be shown in Horner Park this summer. The movie is Selena.
Tom is putting together day camps for the summer, including a new Teen camp, a new Deaf and Hard of Hearing Camp, a new pre-school Camp, and a new day camp for 3 and 4 year olds.
The position for the Woodcraft instructor has been posted.
The Valentines Dance went very well. There were about 110 people at $5/person. Tom thanked HPAC for their support.
Tom has asked for $150 for the Doggie Egg Hunt. John made a motion to advance the money. The approval vote was unanimous.
New Business
Doggie Egg Hunt – March 30
River Day – May 11
Avon Breast Cancer Walk – May 31 to June 2
Peter raised the issue of supporting an effort to prevent further privatization. There was not enough time to adequately address this issue.
Kite Project
Whitney Richardson described her non-profit organization, The Kite Collective. She is looking for a location for a kite machine. Tom suggested that she talk to him regarding the procedure to work within the park system. Many expressed support for having this activity at Horner Park.
Emerald Ash Borer
John Friedmann presented a slide show on the Emerald Ash Borer, which has the potential to kill 95% of the Ash trees in the area. John encouraged neighborhoods to contact NABB (Neighbors Against Bad Bugs) to tag Ash trees. For the forestry department, treatment is $56/tree which lasts for 3 years. To them to cut down and replace a tree costs $1100.
Peter has contacted Barb Wood regarding an effort to save trees at Horner Park.
Community groups can tag trees, but need permission of the alderman to actually post tags on the trees. Peter is going to contact Theresa Hicks to see if she is interested to championing this effort. Tom will find out what the park district plans are for the 20 Ash trees in Horner Park.
The meeting adjourned at 9:25.
Attendance:
Peter Schlossman – President
Kevin Anderson – Treasurer
Sarah Reiser – HPAC Co-Secretary, Concert committee, Ravenswood Manor Park steward
Lisa Cleveland – Co-Secretary
Tom McManamon – Horner Park Supervisor
John O’Connell – Head of HPAC Concert Series Committee, Friends of the Parks Representative
Erica Beutler – Head of the Dog Friendly Area Project
Whitney Richardson – The Kite Committee
John Friedmann – Horner Park Neighbor
Respectfully submitted: Lisa Cleveland, Co-Secretary
