Horner Park Advisory Council
Meeting Minutes
Larry Brown, as President, presiding, called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM. Peter Schlossman acted as Secretary for this meeting. See roster below for attendance.
Previous Minutes: The minutes of the September 2008 meeting were approved with one amendment.
Treasurer’s Report: The account balances are $3,719.01 in checking and $13,439.93 in savings. The Concert Series operated at a $1,095 loss including repair of the speakers. A check for gym floor mats will be issued to Palos Sports. An Annual Report on HPAC finances was filed with the Secretary of State.
Council Business: The board voted on the slate of candidates for officer positions as nominated at last month’s meeting. Officer positions as follows: Larry Brown – President, John Lyman – Vice President, T.J. Kosmider – Treasurer, Kevin Anderson and Peter Schlossman – Co-Secretary were unanimously approved.
Announcements: Larry Brown attended a 33rd and 47th Ward meeting about a proposed underpass at Addison. The funding for the project is projected to come from the Midway airport lease deal. The plan is to cross Addison on the east side of the bridge and then travel north on the west side. Larry Brown stated his concerns for building an underpass at Irving Park Road due to safety issues with pedestrians crossing west of the bridge. Irving Park Road is a state road so funding for an underpass is tied to state funds. Rahm Emanuel has appropriated funding for the Irving Park Road underpass, but no further communications regarding that project have been heard. HPAC will ask local state representatives regarding the status of that project.
Concert Committee: No report. A meeting will be held in January.
Garden Committee: Susie Novak will work until about Oct. 15. The fence surrounding the grasses in front of the main fieldhouse is damaged in places and in need of repair. Susie picked up donated plants and will plant bulbs at the end of the month.
Web Site: The PayPal link was disabled recently and re-enabled by John Lyman. Michael Holm needs to grant access to the HPAC officers so they can control the website.
Volunteer Committee: No report.
Park Briefs:
Horner Park: The softball tournament was a success. This was its first year. Nine teams played and it netted $175. A motion was made that income from that event may be used at Tom McManamon’s discretion for this year’s Halloween events. The motion was seconded, voted on and passed. Next year’s goal is to increase the number of teams and the income.
This year’s pumpkin patch brought in $4,500 for the CPD. There was less attendance than in past years possibly due to the early date. Chicago Cares and Lane Tech provided an ample amount of volunteers for the event.
The ballfields are generally in good shape. Some infields are in need of maintenance due to erosion from rainstorms. The new backstops are being damaged from misuse. Tom McManamon has, and will continue to advise teams regarding maintenance of the facilities, and rules of use.
Horner Park Baseball Association recently elected a new board which is mostly made up of reelected board members. HPBA elected Dean Hansen as both their president and treasurer. HPBA is not in good standing with the State of Illinois. John Lyman remarked that recent events at HPBA have created a negative perception of Horner Park in the community. HPAC will send inquiries regarding HPBA to Tom McManamon who will meet with HPBA in the near future.
A baseball clinic is being planned again this year. It may take place during the winter school break.
A broken water fountain was repaired the west side of the park.
Paving is being completed in the parking lot.
Kitty Gale will be leaving CPD at the end of October. No announcement yet from CPD on her replacement. HPAC would like to appropriately express their appreciation to her in the future.
Ravenswood Manor Park: Plexiglas for the kiosk needs to be replaced. Vandals tagged the pergola with graffiti – repainting or staining is required. The grapevine fence needs to be repaired. HPAC requested that the diamond planter be relocated into the center lawn area.
Jacob Park: Larry Brown talked to Robert Rawls who is working on getting the fence area cleaned up.
Buffalo Park: Two checks for $10,000 were delivered to Tim King’s secretary at Chicago Park District. A letter of acknowledgement was requested, but has not been delivered yet. CPD has indicated to HPAC that the project will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2008.
Sunken Garden Park: Joe Parisi will look into tree removal at the parkway. Tree replacement can take many more months.
Other business: HPAC to consider recognition and informational signage for HPAC in the parks. Tom McManamon will look into enlisting the wood shop and/or kids art programs to produce something appropriate.
New Business: See above.
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM
The next regular HPAC meeting will be held Monday Nov. 3 at 7:00 PM at Horner Park.
Respectfully submitted: Peter Schlossman
Roster of those in Attendance: Larry Brown, President; John Lyman, Vice President/Co-Treasurer; Thadeus Kosmider, Co-Treasurer; Peter Schlossman, Co-Secretary; Kevin Anderson, Co-Secretary; Tom McManamon, CPD; John O’Connell, Alan Mueller, Susie Novak.
