Present: John Davidson (Park Supervisor), Jason Zaffaroni (Part-time Physical Instructor), Tim Kolecke (President & Website), Richard Tilley (Treasurer), Doug Wood (Secretary and Garden Club Coordinator), Denise Browning (WPAC & WPGarden), Adam Housley (Dog Park Coordinator), Sam Anderson (Missio Dei Chicago), John Shirk (Urban Encounter and Wicker Mic), Elaine Coorens (OurUrbanTimes), Tyler Culligan (Magic Boat), Ryan Jackson (Softball)
- Minutes – Doug Wood – April Minutes were read and approved.
- Treasurer’s Report – Richard Tilley- Report Submitted. It was noted that there was increased activity due to WPAC summer events.
- Committee Reports
Dog Park Committee – Adam Housley – The Dog Park Committee is held a cleaning day to coincide with the Big Mulch on Saturday, April 30. The committee funded new pea gravel and it was installed. Adam thanked his regular volunteers and the volunteers from Green Heart. He said it all was finished in record time. He stated that the dead tree had not been addressed; Doug Wood said he’d contact and remind Adam Schwerner and his arborists to have it removed.
Web Site Committee – Tim Kolecke – Tim reported on Web site updates, hits, links to events, and partner’s pages. He asked all to submit pictures.
Softball Committee – Ryan Jackson – Softball has begun and there were about 175-200 people who attended. The lockbox lock is now fixed and they are able to use the box.
Gardens and Landscape Committee – Doug Wood, Denise Browning –The annual Plant Sale and Workshops Fundraiser will be held on Saturday/Sunday, May 7, 8 from 10-4 on the West side of the field house – inside the gym, if raining. Doug reported on the success of big Mulch Day and La Vida Verde lectures. All mulching was finished in record time and volunteers racked all turf grass on the west and south sides of the park. Gardening continues on Saturdays from 10am-1pm and has been well attended by volunteers.
- Group Discussion on Park Events for 2011 – Doug Wood Coordinator – Events Planning Committee
Doug Wood reported that all permits were submitted (Magic Boat, Wicker Mic, and Children’s Carnival). A vending permit was submitted for Magic Boat to sell coloring books and pins to help support the costs of their performances. All sales would be conducted by Park District approved volunteers and deposited into the WPAC account, earmarked for the Magic Boat. Receipts will be submitted and reimbursed. In addition, he worked with Darlene Washington, Park District Coordinator of Volunteers to hand deliver all volunteer applications to speed the process. She is backlogged for months. We thank her for this assistance. In addition, he handed out a flyer to announce the events and stated that all local media have been given the dates and details of all events.
- Carnival & BooPalooza – Sam Anderson Sam Anderson gave an update. Missio Dei has secured a photographer and videographer for the events. For BooPalooza, he has secured 100-150 pumpkins and is working on the feasibility of a hayride. He suggested including the Costumed Dogs into the event this year. He is working on fundraising efforts; Doug Wood agreed to pick up any checks and deposit them until he passes volunteer training protocols. He has recruited about 60 volunteers for the event. Doug agreed to contact local businesses and organizations to host information distribution and activities at tables.
- Magic Boat – Tyler Culligan Tyler reported that all is ready for the upcoming weekend’s first Performance – Sunday, May 8 at 11am. He discussed the boat stage designs and invited all to attend. All performers have successfully completed volunteer training and Park Services is to complete the event and the sales permits by Friday, before the event.
- Movies – Tim Kolecke Three movies – one each month – 3rd Monday of each month – have been confirmed and funds raised to cover the $3,000 cost. The advisory council has funded $500 – one half of one movie and Alderman Moreno has committed funds for the other half of the movie ($500). Doug Wood has submitted an invoice to the alderman – no response to date. Movies are: Monday, June 20 – Despicable Me (sponsored by 1st Ward Alderman Moreno, & Wicker Park Advisory Council), Monday, July 18 – Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (sponsored by The Wormhole Coffee), Monday, August 15 – Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (sponsored by The Wormhole Coffee. We will receive one banner that lists all three movies and sponsors. POPCORN: According to Tim and John Davidson, the Movies in the Park should be able to provide ample popcorn, so, the advisory council does not need to budget funding for this item.
- Wicker Mic –John Shirk John Shirk reported that all is ready to go for the first performance to be held the last Friday of May. All permits are approved. Church in the City has created a poster and are promoting on Facebook and other sources. Doug is promoting through neighborhood media.
- Food Sales at Summer Events Doug reported that Movies in the Parks Staff said we could sell Pepsi product beverages at the movies to benefit the advisory council. Also, he said he was wiling to submit permits for sales at other events. Scott Venable and Tim Kolecke volunteered to be in charge of obtaining the beverages, coolers, storage locations, and arranging volunteers to sell them. All who sell beverages must have undergone volunteer procedures with the Park District. Scott’s volunteer status is approved; Tim’s is pending. They will be ready for the first movie in June.
- Report on Green Music Fest
- Meeting with Alderman – Tim Kolecke, Elaine Coorens, Denise Browning, Doug Wood – Reported that the producers were still working on the list of requests given. We will request another meeting to discuss their progress on the list.
- Children’s Event – WPPA – No report – Group Absent – John Davidson was asked if he had an update – he said the WPPA has not been discussing details with him.
- Staff Reports – John Davidson (Park Supervisor) and Jason Zaffaroni (Part –time Physical Instructor), Cynthia Rosario – Absent
Jason Zaffaroni discussed the Park Kids program, in-house 5 on 5 Soccer leagues, regional sports (3 on 3 Soccer; 5 on 5 Soccer; Pitch, Hit, & Run) and Cubs Care Instructional Baseball (began in late April). He noted that all these programs were well attended and doing exceptionally well. In addition, he noted that Junior Jazzercise was getting ready for the Kid’s Fest during the Green Music Festival.
John Davidson reported that Summer Camp is SOLD OUT, discussed Summer Camp Financial Assistance Program, the Teen Scene, Special Events, and recent service repairs. The Teen Night is hosted once a month during the school year at different field houses through out Area 2 of the Central Region. The event topics for May and June are set but their dates are TBD (May-Conceptual Field House Design Model Making Workshop at Humboldt Park Boathouse; June-Sailing on Lake Michigan – Chicago park District Sailing Program). John reported that Mr. Hippidy Hop (sp.Hippity) was held on Saturday, April 23 with 225 children and parents in attendance. He stated that the fountain would be painted the first week of May and turned on early the following week. He suggested the garden club find something to cover the gym floors during the May 7-8 plant sale. (Doug Wood will contact Patrick Levar, Head of Trades, for a long-term solution for covering the floor for all upcoming events in the gym).
- New Business – None.
Adjourned at 8:20 pm