Wicker Park Advisory Council Meeting Minutes

Present: 1st Ward Alderman Joe Moreno, John Davidson (Park Supervisor), Denise Browning (WPAC-Co-President), Susan Fontana (WPAC – Co-President), Richard Tilley (WPAC Treasurer), Doug Wood (WPAC – Secretary and Garden Club), Tim Kolecke (Website), Ryan Jackson (Softball), John Shirk (Urban Encounter), Adam Housley (Dog Park)

  1. Minutes – Doug Wood – June Minutes were read and approved.
  2. Treasurer’s Report – Richard Tilley submitted report.
  3. Committee Reports
    • Dog Park Committee – Adam Housley – The committee will purchase and install pea gravel within the next few weeks. Adam will check out power washer and use to clean dog park.
    • Web Site Committee – Tim Kolecke – Twitter has 70 followers. Visits to the site are up 61%. He will update site with upcoming events – eg. Movie, open mic, fall schedule and registration times.
    • Softball Committee – Ryan Jackson – All is going well.
    • WPPA (Wicker Park Parent’s Association) report to the WPAC
    • WPPA Music Concert – Clintina Taylor – Absent – No Report Submitted
    • WPPA Scholarship Fund – Toni Anderson – Absent – No Report Submitted
    • Park Programming Survey – Toni Anderson – Absent – No Report Submitted
    • Open Mic – John Shirk (Urban Encounter – Reported) & Nathan Tubbs (Church in the City – Absent)
      There will be an Open mic before the Movie in the Park – Wednesday, July 28 and in August-date to be determined. John Shirk gave John Davidson the partnership letter, waiver, permit application and insurance information. John said that John Davidson was excited about the event and would set things in motion within the park district. He submitted the expense sheet from the first Wicker Mic in May. The total cost was $810. If the park district approves the partnership as we suggested for the second event, it will save $360 in permit fees, $100 for power, since the second event would not need to use a generator. Those two savings alone would more than cut the cost in half. We should also be able to save money on the sound system. John Davidson will donate his sound system for the event. Nate is preparing flyer and Doug is assisting with promotions including the WPA, WPBT Chamber, Our Urban Times and Pipeline media and newsletters. John also reported that he is working with a group that will receive 300 bikes to be repaired, decorated, and then distributed to children. The Advisory Council suggested he contact West Town Bikes and Brandon Antoniewicz to obtain technical assistance and volunteers.
    • Gardens and Landscape Committee (WPGarden and WPAC Landscape) – Doug Wood
      Doug distributed the WPGarden activities for the 2010-2011 season including lectures, workshops, special events, programs for children, and the annual plant sale. Green Table at the Farmer’s Market resumes with new materials from Department of the Environment, Parkways Foundation, and a Year in Humboldt Park – Dina Petrakis Exhibit at the Boat House – SSA, Chamber, FOTP. He noted that the Fountain Do Not Wade signs have been stolen. They are posted at 4 locations. Eight were posted 1 is remaining – will replace. The group is recruiting volunteers for the Wicker Park Fest July 31 and August 1st. The volunteers will be ‘extra eyes’ for security and call 911 if trouble arises. Alderman Moreno is providing jackets for the volunteers. The park district will install fences to protect the gardens. The group requested park and city security to be in the park.
  4. Staff Reports – John Davidson reported on the summer camp-120 students at two campuses (Wicker and Pritzker). He reported on the Urban Campers at Northerly Island, the concert series briefly, Under Illinois Skies, Movie in the Park, Open Mic, and the upcoming 1st Budget Hearing at Humboldt Park for Central Region Area 2. He stated the gym will be revamped the 1st week of September and the Roof worked on the 2nd week of August.
  5. Alderman Joe Moreno listened to all the reports, asked individuals questions during their reports, and gathered information on our interests and concerns. He then assured us that he would be supportive to us in our goal of involving all the community groups and his office in our efforts to develop Wicker Park. The Council addressed security again – we stated to Alderman Moreno that it was paramount to maintain the integrity of the gifts given by the community – in order to – continue to obtain more gifts from our community members.
  6. Denise reported on Grant Park Music Festival concert on Friday, July 16 at 6:30 pm in the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. This concert is being performed in honor of Chicago Park District employees and volunteers. Information was sent by Dana Andrews – all volunteers are invited and will be granted free admission.
  7. It was requested that the park picnic tables be repaired.
  8. It was requested that Park Staff meet with the Senior High Rise Staff to determine types of programming that could be offered in the park that would interest the residents.
  9. John Davidson was asked about his requests for capital improvements for the park. He said he’d like the entry hall and kitchen remodeled.