City of Collinsville Park and Recreation Advisory Commission met July 19.
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
A. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Caughran called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: Bronnbauer, Colon, Gary, Gottschalk, and Nagel
Absent: Rehg and Seaton
Also present: Director of Parks and Recreation Kimberly Caughran; Superintendent of Parks and Open Spaces Jared Chestnut, Superintendent of Willoughby Farm Carol Frerker, Superintendent of Aquatics Jessica Wiedman and Erik Illies.
C. SPEAKERS FROM THE FLOOR
D. DISCUSSION
Competitive Pool Addition to the Aqua Park: This item was requested by Bronnbauer. Bronnbauer began the discussion by asking what her team needs to do to show investment and that she would like to see it on the City Council agenda eventually. Bronnbauer reported that the swim team could easily have 50+ more members if they had the space for it. She continued by stating that the club would love to host South Western Illinois Swim Association (SWISA) meets and need at least a five lane pool to make that possible. She reported that there is a lot of money to be made when hosting a meet.
Caughran reported that the next step on the City’s side would be to conduct a feasibility study. Additional programming with such a pool would include triathlon, adult programs, potential for a dive team and paddle board yoga. Caughran noted that a competition pool was ranked high in the Park and Open Space Plan.
E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. A motion was made by Bronnbauer, seconded by Nagel to approve the minutes of the May 17, 2022, meeting. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5
Nay: 0
Absent: 2
Abstain: 0
F. NEW BUSINESS
a. Updated Tree Ordinance Review: Caughran gave an overview of the proposed new tree ordinance. Deputy City Manager, Derek Jackson was unable to attend the meeting, but sent some important information via Caughran. He noted that the ordinance has not been updated since 2005, a time when CARD was still in operation and all trees that the City was responsible for were called street trees. In addition to PRAC, CAB and the Cool Cities Committee will be reviewing the ordinance. This is all done in an effort to help gain Tree City USA status again.
Caughran reiterated that the ordinance only reference public trees. She continued that any feedback is welcome today but can also be emailed at a later time. Many species were discussed as preferred trees as well as those to avoid.
b. Kickball Tournant Proposal: Caughran reported that with neither Kristen Siebert or David Seaton in attendance, this item would be saved for another meeting. Siebert summarized option in her report which include: starting with a themed tournament on a Friday or Saturday and growing it into a 8-10 week weeknight league.
G. OLD BUSINESS
H. STAFF REPORT
a. Frerker began her report discussing the tree survey that she has been working on with GIS. She reported that the tree memorial ceremony took place at the farm and it was a really nice day. Urban Ecology is picking up. She reported that 4H Club is the best program. Lots of stormwater improvements are happening to mitigate storm water damage and increase biodiversity.
b. Wiedman reported that she is about halfway through the waterpark season with only minor issues. She reported that numbers are at or above where they have been in the past. Programs are coming to an end with the end of July. Staff will begin going back to school soon so staffing levels will be more difficult.
c. Chestnut began his report by piggybacking on Frerker’s report with the tree survey and stormwater projects in the parks. He stated that the shelters should begin construction at the end of the week. He reported that a lot of trees are scheduled to come out of Woodland Park soon. The trees have been deems problematic and pose a risk to those visiting the park. He stated that there is still a lot more work to do on the ponds. He rounded out his report stating that interviews will be conducted later this week to fill some full time positions in parks maintenance.
d. Caughran gave the prepared report from Jed Robbins:
The COLLINSVILLE SENIOR SHUTTLE just wrapped up its 2022 Fiscal Year. From July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022, the City provided 6,677 trips (up from 3,833 total trips during FY21, which was lower due to the pandemic) to eligible riders. Of those 6,677 rides, 5,736 were for seniors and 941 were for ADA riders under the age of 55. There were 3,510 trips for personal services, 2,030 trips for nutritional services, 331 trips for social/recreational services and 806 trips for medical services. During FY22, we provided rides to 156 unduplicated residents (135 seniors and 21 ADA-eligible riders). Just shy of 100 new riders registered for the Collinsville Senior Shuttle during FY22.
As shared in the Collinsville Faith in Action’s recent Sharing the Caring newsletter, one Shuttle rider expressed how he appreciates the Collinsville Senior Shuttle. He said that “I head to the grocery store, and those drivers even help me carry heavy bags of groceries to my door. I like meeting friends over at Spring Garden [restaurant] and can take the Shuttle over there.”
Another great example of how the Collinsville Senior Shuttle benefits riders is how Doris, 91-year-old rider, and Marie, 101-year-old rider, both use the Senior Shuttle to go to their hair appointments almost every Friday morning. Whether it be trips to the grocery store to stock up on food, trips to a restaurant to socialize with friends or trips to the beauty salon to get their hair done, the Collinsville Senior Shuttle provides riders the means to stay independent while staying connected to the community.
2022 IS COLLINSVILLE’S 150TH BIRTHDAY! To celebrate the occasion, members of the community have been searching around the City for giant, decorated Sesquicentennial candles as part of COLLINSVILLE’S 150TH BIRTHDAY CANDLES HUNT. The candles were either sponsored/decorated by businesses, decorated by Parks staff members, or painted by volunteers. Participants are encouraged to take “Selfies” in front of any 10 candles, then post their 10 selfies to Facebook or Instagram using #Collinsville150 by July 31st to be entered into a drawing for a prize basket that includes over $150 worth of gift cards to area businesses. We’ll be starting another activity with the Sesquicentennial Candles in mid-August. Stay tuned for all of the details about that upcoming program!
ALL ABOARD PLAYTIME will resume meeting again on Tuesday mornings starting on August 23rd – after Camp Kahok wraps up for the summer – at the Collinsville Activity Center. There are over 750 train pieces for conductors (up to five-years-old) to play with.
PAVILION RENTALS have been steady, and ACTIVITY CENTER ROOM RENTALS remain steady at an average of two per weekend.
e. Caughran gave Siebert’s report. She noted that camp is serving an average of 75 campers per day and has been going on weekly field trips including the Forest Park Nature Playscape. The buses provided by Forest Park Forever, even though we had to shorten the trip due to heat, it seemed to be the most well received field trip. The camp attends the Aqua Park three days per week with pizza and entertainment on Fridays.
Tunes at Blum is scheduled for September 7th, 14th, and 28th and will have its webpage set up. Sponsors are still needed. Two of the three bands are booked so far.
Siebert is working on Christmas at Collins House. The parade is scheduled for December 3rd and will have its webpage up soon as well with the parade applications. She also noted that Santa and Mrs. Claus have confirmed.
Bronnbauer commented on the Candle program and asked to get in touch with Jed to coordinate candle sales with the Italian Fest Parade.
f. Caughran gave a quick report. She began with the stormwater issues at the farm and Woodland Park as well as the terrible condition of the lakes in Woodland and Schnucks Parks. She said that a joint meeting is scheduled for the following day to take an overall look at each of the sites in coordination with the Citywide efforts to mitigate stormwater. She continued by talking about the joint effort with Public Works and Community Development to create a trail plan.
She reported that two maintenance position and the facilities maintenance position interviews will take place later this week. She continues to report that staff is looking to replace the outdated maintenance shop and will be visiting O’Fallon’s facility to get ideas.
She continued that the IDNR will be partnering with the department to host free fishing workshops in the end of July and early August. They will also be stocking the lakes with hybrid bluegill free of cost.
Caughran reported that the Sports Complex Feasibility Study is still ongoing and not ready to present yet. She reported on the movies that have been shown throughout the community this summer. She also reported that the fireworks celebration was successful, and plans are underway for the 2023 celebration.
I. COMMENTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS
Bronnbauer commented on the improvement at the CAP concession stand since the beginning of the season. Gottschalk asked if the shuttle really served 156 for over 6,000 rides. Bronnbauer asked if the shelters are currently selling out. Chestnut reported that they are booked every weekend. Colon asked if rental charges will change with the new shelters. Caughran responded that they will increase and potentially have a complete overhaul as the new shelters become available for rental. Caughran also mentioned that a parks curfew ordinance will be going before the City Council to specify hours for the parks. Colon complimented Bobbie Sue Hill and what a gem she is to have as part of our staff. The Commission members complimented the 4H program as well.
J. ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA
K. ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Nagel, seconded by Bronnbauer to adjourn the meeting at 6:59 pm.
Aye: 5
Nay: 0
Absent: 2
Abstain: 0
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