PARK DISTRICT OF HIGHLAND PARK BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MINUTES OF WORKSHOP MEETING FEBRUARY 9, 2016

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1 PARK DISTRICT OF HIGHLAND PARK BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS MINUTES OF WORKSHOP MEETING FEBRUARY 9, 2016 The Workshop Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners of the Park District of Highland Park, was held in the Multi-Purpose Room at the West Ridge Center, 636 Ridge Road, Highland Park, Illinois. The meeting was called to order at 6:10 p.m. by President Meyers. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Staff Present: Commissioner Bernstein, Commissioner Flores Weisskopf, Commissioner Kaplan, Vice President Ruttenberg, President Meyers Executive Director McElroy, Deputy Director of Operations Donahue, Director Curtis; Director Stumpf, Director Malartsik, Director Gogola, Director Rolle, Asst. Director Romes, IT Manager Johnson; Nick Meo, Manager; Rob Saunders, Manager of Golf Operations ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA President Meyers addressed questions and concerns that have been presented to the Park District after the City Highland Park Meeting on Monday, February Is The Park District Or The City Planning To Close Park Avenue Beach Or Restrict All Public Access To This Facility? No. This entire issue relates solely to whether and to what extent there will be trailered vehicles at Park Avenue Beach once the City closes the west road and puts up a gate and fence. Neither the City nor the Park District has announced any plans to restrict access for anyone other than with respect to trailered vehicles. 2. Does The Park District Agree With the City s Position That It Is Necessary To Close The West Road In Order To Protect The Water Treatment Plant? The City has not shared any of the security data with the Park District and thus we have no basis to form an opinion one way or the other regarding this issue. As matter of intergovernmental comity and cooperation, we have accepted the City s position on this issue, and have attempted to work around it to find a solution. That said, I was surprised to hear last night that the City s anticipated barrier will be a chain link fence, as I was expecting something more substantial. I was also very impressed with a number of the suggestions from the public as to alternatives that the City could consider that would provide security while still allowing public access. It is unquestionably the case that allowing public access to the West Road would immediately resolve the current boating

2 problem, and the Park District stands ready, willing, and able to work side-by-side with the side with the City to facilitate alternative security procedures that would not require closing the West Road. I hope the City will consider these alternatives. 3. Is The City Correct That There Is A Traffic Study That Shows That Two-Way Traffic Is Safe On The East Road At Park Avenue Beach? No. Although consulting engineers GeWalt Hamilton Associates, Inc. did develop and study 4 traffic options -- including 2-way traffic -- to allow vehicular access to both the boat launch and the yacht club while providing an increased level of security to the water treatment plant, this study did not conclude that providing two-way traffic on the East Road at Park Avenue Beach would be safe. To the contrary, this study concluded that on a safety scale of 0-5 (5 being the highest), these 4 traffic options rated no higher than a 2 for vehicle-to-pedestrian accidents, with an average score of only This study also concluded that these same four options rated no higher than a 3 for vehicle-to-vehicle accidents, with an average safety score of only 1.5. Based on this expert study, it does not appear that two-way traffic on the East Road is a safe alternative. 4. What Is Your Response To The City s Claim That This Is All The Park District s Problem And The City Has Nothing To Do With Boating? This is not a boating issue, it is a public safety issue. As the City acknowledged last night, the City owns the roads at Park Avenue Beach. The City s decision to close the West Road has put all Park Avenue Beach users at risk due to the resulting increase in vehicular and pedestrian proximity and congestion on the East Road. I wish it were the case that this was solely the Park District s problem because we could then fix it on our own. But as it turns out, because we do not own the land, or even have a lease, and cannot control the West Road, nor any of the other roads or security procedures around the water treatment plant, we will definitely need the City s help to solve this. Hopefully this should orient the comments. Commissioner Flores Weisskopf explained that due to the importance of the topic discussed and as a courtesy to those who could not attend the meeting, the meeting will be recorded and available on the live feed. OPEN TO PUBLIC TO ADDRESS BOARD The following spoke on the topic of Park Avenue Beach: Nelson Armour commented on the need for work to begin on a Master Plan. For City and Staff to work together towards a solution. Alan Cohen (Friends of Park Avenue Beach & North Shore Yacht Club (NSYC) member) discussed the mission and function of the NSYC and expressed the need for power boating. Neesa Sweet (Friends of Park Avenue Beach) expressed continued support for alternative solutions. Mary Curran commented on cooperation between the City and Park District and suggested that the City should not close the road. The City should share their security concerns. 2

3 Mark Dietzen (NYSC member) asked about the cost to widen the road and stated that there should be an option to provide safe recreational use of the ramp. Lawrence Dunlop stated that there are other solutions for security. Amy Bloom (High School Boaters) addressed the need for safety, the need to engage the City Council and the need for a Master Plan for Park Avenue. Jean Sogin discussed safety and the need for a resolution by the end of February. She addressed the issue of the boats that require the launch ramp. Danny Kahn suggested that there are other ways to provide safe access such as building a protected walkway or providing two-way traffic and suggested a shuttle. Councilman Blumberg addressing the Board and public, he stated his appreciation for the Park District s concern for safety. Councilman Blumberg stated that the closing of the west road is for security purposes for the water treatment plant. Councilman Blumberg recognizes the safety concerns that the PD has expressed. Councilman Blumberg reported that the City and the Park District have met to discuss the next steps. On Tuesday, February 16 this group will meet with the working group of boaters to discuss a safe and secure environment for boating. Billy Dieschbonig provided commentary on the water treatment plant security and he also suggested installing a blast wall. Ron Kallen addressed security around the water plant and asked for clarification on who owns the west road. Glenn McCarthy (resident of Elmhurst and Past Commodore of the Lake Michigan Racing Sailing Federation) Water safety on Lake Michigan. He also discussed the road being the jurisdiction of the City. Kelly Kramer - commented that the closing of the west road should not happen and we should not be giving in to these safety threats. Cheryl Steiger addressed how she and her family use Park Avenue for boating. And appreciates how Park Avenue enhances their quality of life. Susan Shenfeld requested that Park Avenue beach should be kept open to the public, create a master plan for PA, don not privatize the Park Avenue. CONCESSION SERVICES UPDATE Manager Meo reported that through the Request for Proposal process. The District received two proposals for concession services at Hidden Creek AquaPark, Rosewood Beach and Sunset Valley Golf Course. Proposals were received from two vendors Hel s Kitchen and Organic Life Holdings, LLC. Organic Life Holdings, LLC had been the vendor for the 2015 season. Hel s Kitchen had previously been used at Sunset Valley Golf Course. After reviewing each of the proposals and considering public feedback, Staff recommends entering into a one year lease agreement with Hel s Kitchen. Commissioner Bernstein concurred that Hel s Kitchen is very accommodating to the public and he is excited to have them back. Commissioner Bernstein also suggested to have Staff research having sit-down dinners provided by community restaurants in the Interpretive Center. President Meyers concurred with this suggestion and asked Staff to investigate and review the logistical concerns that may arise. Executive Director McElroy will report back to the Board. 3

4 There were other comments by Board members in regard to sensitivity for food allergies, pricing and possible discounts for residents. BOND UPDATE Director Curtis gave an update on the Bond Issuance process. On February 3 rd, Bob Lewis from PMA, Executive Director McElroy and Director Curtis participated in a bond ratings call with Moody s Investors Service. The presentation included discussion of the District s Board and management, debt structure, local economy, and district financial position. Director Curtis reported the discussion was very positive. On Thursday, February 11, Moody s will be sending their response regarding the rating. The Preliminary Official Statement s first draft has been reviewed by staff and Chapman & Cutler. Updates and comments were submitted and the second draft will be distributed during the week of February 8 th. The approval of the Parameters Ordinance will be presented to the Board at the February Board Meeting. REVIEW OF VOUCHERS Director Curtis presented the vouchers to the Board. There were no questions. PARKS FOUNDATION UPDATE Executive Director McElroy reported that the establishment of a Parks Foundation is one of the 2016 goals. The District has reached out to Donald Ortale, Executive Director of the National Association of Park Foundations (NAPF) to assist the District with the lengthy process. The foundation must first establish itself as a non-profit organization with the Illinois Secretary of State and complete IRS form for 501 C-3 Tax Exempt. This process will 3-12 months. The District will need to identify individuals to serve on an Inaugural Foundation Board. Ideal candidates would be people with strong ties to our District such as past commissioners or Resident Advisory Board members. More information on this important initiative will be provided as progress is made. Commissioner Flores Weisskopf said the Foundation will need a dedicated group of people to not only raise funds but are willing to help themselves. President Meyers asked about creating a Foundation Junior Board to give the community s younger people an opportunity to experience being on a Board. 4

5 CLOSED SESSION Motion was made by Vice President Ruttenberg, seconded by Commissioner Kaplan, to adjourn into Closed Session for discussion of Section 2(c)(1) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline of the District including legal counsel for the District; Section 2(c)5 the purchase or lease of real estate including discussion on whether a certain parcel of property should be acquired; Section 2(c)6 the setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the District; Section 2(c)8 security procedures and the use of personnel and equipment to respond to an actual, a threatened, or a reasonably potential danger to the safety of employees, students, staff, the public, or public property; Section 2(c)11 litigation against or on behalf of the District or where the District finds that an action is probable or imminent; Section 2(c)21 the discussion of minutes lawfully closed under the Act, whether for the purposes of approval of said minutes or for conducting the semi-annual review of the minutes as set forth in Section 2.06 of the Act; Section 2(c)29 for discussions between internal or external auditors and the Board. Meeting was adjourned into closed session at 8:26 p.m. Roll Call: Aye: Nay: Abstain: Absent: Commissioner Bernstein, Commissioner Flores Weisskopf, Commissioner Kaplan, Vice President Ruttenberg, President Meyers Motion carried. Meeting reconvened to Open Session at 9:27 p.m. ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, a motion was made by Commissioner Bernstein seconded by Commissioner Kaplan and approved by unanimous voice vote. The Board Meeting adjourned at 9:28 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Liza McElroy, Secretary 5