MINUTES OF THE RECREATION COMMITTEE
CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE – CHAMBER ROOM
February 1, 2012 6:30 PM

1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

Meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm. Upon roll call the following were present:

Jim Jasinski, Chairman

Sean McDermott, Alderman

Bob Pondelicek, Alderman

Members Absent:

None

Also present:

Karen Michalczyk, Alderman

Scott Musillami, Alderman

Sharon Sweeney, City Clerk

Sharon Peterson, Assistant City Administrator

Bryan Swanson, Community Development Planner

Steve Norman, ESDA Director

John Zimmermann, City Attorney

Katie Goggin, Designer Event Chicago

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – December 6, 2011 – upon motion made, the minutes were approved.

2. DISCUSSION ON 2012 SUMMER CONCERT SERIES AND SPONSORSHIPS.

Katie Goggin from Designer Event Chicago was in attendance to present her ideas for the sponsorship packet for 2012. Ms. Goggin worked with the Assistant City Administrator on three sponsorship levels; Presenting Sponsor, Concert Sponsor, and Friend of Countryside Sponsor. The Committee was in favor of the three levels and directed staff to work on the 2012 packet. Ms. Goggin also presented the concert theme for 2012, Music Throughout the Ages. The Committee was in support of the theme as well.

3. CONTINUED DISCUSSION ON TREE CITY USA PROGRAM.

At the last Recreation Committee meeting, Ms. Peterson was directed to have the City Attorney draft a Tree Care Ordinance to be presented at the next Recreation Committee meeting. This draft ordinance was attached for the Committee to review. After discussion, this item was referred to the City Council meeting for final approval at the February 8, 2012 meeting.

4. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION ON FINAL NON-MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION PLAN.

Assistant City Administrator presented the final Non-Motorized Transportation Plan to the Committee. After discussion, this item was referred to the City Council meeting for final approval at the February 8, 2012 meeting.

5. DISCUSSION ON GATEWAY SPECIAL RECREATION ASSOCIATION AND COUNTRYSIDE RESIDENTS.

Assistant City Administrator Peterson presented an option for residents who participate in Gateway Special Recreation Association, but cannot afford to pay the non-resident fee upfront and then wait for reimbursement. The City could pay the difference upfront, but pay the difference directly to Gateway in a form of a check. After discussion Ms. Peterson was directed to draft a policy outlining the procedure. This will be presented at the next meeting.

6. DISCUSSION ON 2012 BANNER PROGRAM.

Chairman Jasinski reviewed the current banner program that the City has had with Infinity Signs and Graphics since 2010. In the fall of 2011, it was suggested that for 2012, the City go out to bid for this program. It was staff’s recommendation to continue the banner program as it has been since 2010. After discussion, it was recommended that the City go out to bid for the banner program for 2012. This item was referred to the February 8, 2012 City Council meeting for final approval.

7. DISCUSSION ON COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH LETTERS TO SANTA PROGRAM.

Staff presented the costs associated with the Letters to Santa program. A total of 2800 flyers are mailed to residents. The flyers include the announcement for the Children’s Christmas Party, and the Letters to Santa form. Of the 2800 mailings sent out, 52 children participated in the Letter’s to Santa program; in 2010, 60 children participated, and in 2009, 60 children also participated. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Committee to discontinue this program.

8. RECREATION PROGRAMMING UPDATE.

Assistant City Administrator Peterson presented a spread sheet on the recreation programs from the fall of 2008 to the spring of 2012. The Committee discussed the classes offered and the amounts of classes that are being cancelled each session. Currently the class minimum is 10. It was the consensus of the Committee to keep the class minimum at 10. After discussion, it was determined that the basketball and dodge ball classes would no longer be offered, and that floor hockey would take its place. The sports classes for children grades 3 – 5 would also no longer be offered, due to the fact that they have been cancelled each session.

9. DISCUSSION ON YMCA SUMMER CAMP CONTRACT.

The YMCA would once again like to use Countryside Park for its summer camp. Staff is recommending an $800 fee, similar to what the City charged the YMCA last year. This item was referred to the February 8, 2012 City Council meeting for final approval.

10. OTHER COMMITTEE BUSINESS.

None.

11. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further recreation business, the meeting adjourned at 7:15 pm.

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Dated James Jasinski, Chair