Horner Park Advisory Council
DRAFT Minutes
November 4, 2013
The meeting was called to order at 7:10 pm by President Peter Schlossman. The meeting was held at the Horner Park Field House.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the October 2013 meeting were approved.
Report of the Treasurer
MB checking $6,558.04
MB savings $14,870.37
Paypal $1,251.03
Total $22,679.44
Quickbooks accounts reconcile with online financial institution statements.
Horner Park River Project
Tom M. distributed a printout of the USACE project web page. (attachment 1)
Peter S. reported: ILDNR & USACE have reported completing the final tree survey without turning up evidence of any heron’s nest. The project’s public comment period closed on Oct. 28, and the project is now waiting on permitting to proceed. Seems to be on target to break ground on February 14, 2014.
A Tribune editorial supporting the project was published on Oct 30 and is available online. (attachment 2) Its author interviewed John O. while researching the article. Online comments, letters, and phone calls in support are still helpful in pushing the project forward.
Dog Friendly Area (DFA)
Erica Beutler reported: DFAC has drafted a pledge agreement for the DFA project fundraising effort and is working on a tier system for giving to be published on the website. Please encourage friends and neighbors to donate. Erica made a request on behalf of the DFAC for HPAC to make a financial commitment supporting the project. Target fundraising goal to take to CPD for official bidding process to begin is $150K. The project needs large donors to jumpstart fundraising. DFAC is focused on identifying potential large contributors and is also brainstorming fundraising events. A discussion ensued concerning the approximately $10K outstanding from Buffalo Park development; Larry will inquire with CPD into accounting of these funds to determine availability. HPAC members expressed the desire to see the identification of other outside donors to the DFA project prior to committing to a financial pledge but will discuss further in a separate forum.
Park Briefs
Horner Park
Tom McManamon reported: Doggy Egg Hunt will be held in Horner Park on April 12, 2014.
Landscaping work around the monument has been completed. Crews removed hawthorn trees (not crabapples) and planted serviceberry bushes in their stead, as well as installing new pavers. The monument’s brass plaque still needs to be reinstalled.
Fall season sports are finishing up with final baseball games week of Nov 15.
The new woodshop is open and rolling, with classes/work sessions on Wed-Fri.
John F. reported broken benches on east side of park still to be removed. Tom will follow up.
John F. negotiated a lower price from the Tree Guru for Emerald Ash Borer tree treatment. Aldermen Pawar and Mell have committed $200 each to cover outstanding treatment expense, the remaining $423 to be paid by HPAC.
Jacob Playlot
Jacob Park playground is now open for use. CPD removed the leftover hardware that was found sticking out of the sandbox. Benches are yet to be painted and new signage installed. Tom will look into a kiosk for the park.
John reported that neighbors Ben Ranney and Nate Hutcheson have plans to meet with LaManda Joy of PGP on Friday 8:30 am at Jacob Park to discuss creating PGP community gardens extension in the adjacent lot. Tom would like to manage use of this CPD land, and will attend Friday’s meeting as well. He will also inquire with CPD to determine what development plans might be in the works (picnic tables, grass, etc.).
Ravenswood Manor Park
Benches fixed and painted, light repaired. New garbage bin. Thanks, Tom!
Buffalo Park
John reported: A small group of neighbors showed up to help plant two new memorial trees in the parkway at Buffalo Park: a catalpa on California and a linden on Manor. Permit fees were waived. John also got a permit to trim the pear trees in preparation for winter season, work outstanding.
Sunken Gardens – no report
Communications Committee
Sarah plans to schedule an evening training session for HPAC members to learn WordPress and Mailchimp sometime in the next couple of weeks.
Garden Committee – no report
Concert Committee
John O. will be calling a Concert Committee planning meeting, possibly for Nov 12.
The Ravenswood Manor Improvement Association is working on planning a Centennial Bash for June 28, 2014 in and around Ravenswood Manor Park. Food trucks are being considered. John suggested contributing to the hosting of this celebration to mark HPAC’s 25th anniversary.
Stewardship Committee
Earth Day will be on Saturday April 26, 2014 and marks 25 years of Friends of the Parks’ event observance.
Social Committee
HPAC’s holiday gathering was confirmed for Dec 2 at 7 pm to take place at Golden Crust Pizza, a great supporter of our concert series. HPAC business should be communicated ahead of time through email with necessary discussion and follow up to take place in person at the event.
The meeting adjourned at 8:59pm. Everyone is invited to join us for our holiday gathering on Dec 2, 2013 at 7:00 pm at Golden Crust Pizza, 4620 N. Kedzie!
Attendance:
Peter Schlossman – President
Kevin Anderson – Treasurer
Sarah Reiser – Co-Secretary
John O’Connell – Head of HPAC Concert Series Committee, Friends of the Parks Representative
John Friedmann – Save the Ash Tree Coalition
Erica Beutler, Dog Friendly Area (DFA) Committee Chair
Tom McManamon – Horner Park Supervisor
Patrick Monaghan
Amy Jahnke
Jerry Jaecks
Larry Hodak
Larry Brown
Respectfully submitted: Sarah Reiser, Co-Secretary
