ATTENDED: Clare Rodriguez (Chicago Park District Wicker Park Supervisor), Adam Housley (WPAC President), Scott Venable (WPAC Vice-President), Doug Wood (WPAC Secretary), Denise Browning (Former WPAC President and WPGarden), Susan Fontana (Former WPAC President and WPGarden), Mike Payette (WPAC Security Committee Chairman), Elaine Coorens (Our Urban Times), Joe Sawicki (Softball Teams), John Shirk (Urban Encounter and Wicker Mic)
- MINUTES Submitted by Doug Wood: Review Minutes from March General Meeting, March Ice Rink Meeting, Corrected February Security Meeting Obtained by Mike Payette Inquiry. All Minutes Approved.
- TREASURER’S REPORT – Elaine Coorens for Richard Tilley
- PARK DISTRICT REPORT – Clare Rodriguez, Park Supervisor
- New employees have been hired: Jordan Richardson (Part-Time Physical Instructor – 20hrs/week); Nickalas Sanford (Part-Time Physical Instructor – 25hrs/week); Matu Lewis (Part-Time attendant).
- Registration for Summer Programs – On-line April 14 and in-park on April 18.
- Special Programs presented by Park District – Central Region Human Trafficking Awareness Walkathon on Saturday, June 13 – walk begins at Smith and travels to Commercial Park and ends at Wicker Park. Also, Vaudeville Nights will be presented on Thursday, August 6, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. on the South Lawn.
- The Park will open on Sundays on June 7.
- A portable toilet will be installed in the park the 1st of May and be unlocked on Fridays at 9am and stay open until Mondays at 9am.
- Clare noted that security was called numerous times to remove drunks, etc. She would like to see a point person appointed by the 14th for her to contact.
- The sex offender is back and all would like action to be taken to keep him out of the park.
- MIDNIGHT CIRCUS IN THE PARKS (MCIP) – Wicker – September 19 and 20 at 2pm and 5pm Daily – $15/person
- Doug Wood had received information about the Midnight Circus in the Parks from Jeff Jenkins, MCIP. Both Alderman Moreno and the MCIP team contacted him one week prior to this meeting. Doug Wood requested they attend, but, they could not and sent basic information.
- The Group discussed the program and what support it would take from our current advisory council production team for our 2015 series of events.
- It was resolved that since every WPAC member was committed to numerous events that were planned in our January meeting – that they could only serve as day of event support.
- It was resolved that we would look for these key people for the MCIP: An Ad sales committee, A Concessions Committee, a Coordinator of Volunteers, a Day of Event Coordinator, an Oversight Coordinator for all Committees.
- COMMITTEE REPORTS
- Outreach – 2015 PAC Conference – Adam Housley, Denise Browning, Susan Fontana, Elaine Coorens, Mike Payette, Doug Wood attended the conference and gave it a good review. A New All Parks Advisory Committee was formed: Wicker, Humboldt, Haas, Dunbar Park, Hamlin Park, Horner Park, Indian Boundary, Jackson Park, Ping Tom Park and Sherman Park.
- Dog Park – Adam Housley reported that Dog Park Cleaning will take place on Big Mulch Day
- Softball – Joe Sawicki reported that the season was on schedule and everyone was looking forward to the new year.
- Security – Mike Payette said that he will attend the CAPS meeting to determine what will be done to fill vacant positions. In addition he reported that he’d like to elucidate response/solutions to who will view the cameras and what is the procedure to request they be viewed to monitor various acts of vandalism, why the in-field house monitor was removed from the plan, who will clear the park at 11pm and visit the park regularly between 11pm and 6am.
- Website – Tim Kolecke – Not Present – Doug will continue to submit all info on 2015 programs and work with Tim to have it all updated.
- Landscape – Denise Browning & Susan Fontana & Richard Tilley reported that the gardens are well underway.
- Events/Programming/Partnerships/Permits/Fundraising/Marketing – Doug Wood – A short discussion about updates on permits, etc. Not much time to discuss.
- ELECTION: The WPAC made and motion and seconded it that all current officers serve one more 2 years term – approved by vote.
ADJOURN: 8:30pm