Wicker Park Advisory Council

Wicker Park Advisory Council Meeting Minutes

ATTENDED: Dan Puente (Chicago Park District Wicker Park Supervisor), Tim Kolecke (President WPAC), Richard Tilley (WPAC Treasurer), Doug Wood (WPAC Secretary), Denise Browning (Former WPAC President & WPGarden), Susan Fontana (Former WPAC President and WPGarden), Adam Housley (Dog Park), John Shirk (Wicker Mic & Urban Encounter), Elaine Coorens (Our Urban Times), Lauren Krebs

  1. Minutes from May 2012 – Read, Revised & Approved – Doug Wood
  2. Treasurer’s Report – Richard Tilley – Submitted Report of Amounts in General Fund, Music/Puppet Account, Festival Support Fund, Dog Park Fund. The general fund balance has a deficit; the amount is to be elucidated soon. The amount of the deficit is around $1,000. The group discussed options of how to raise these funds.
  3. Park District Report – Dan Puente (Programming, work orders, New Initiatives) Dan discussed the summer camp and said it was going very well. He talked about a new teen basketball group that runs from early July – August 17 (ages 13-15) team taught with Scott Venable and the Mosaic Church. The Saturday children’s sports classes are filled and going well; they are taught by Dan and other staff. He is also working on more adult programming and discussed several rental options for adult sports.
  4. Dog Park Committee – Adam Housley – We do not have any more details on the Poo-Free Group. The negotiations on the signs and bulletin board for the dog park are moving very slowly. He will set a date for fall cleaning. He mentioned the option of partnering with the Advisory Council to do a combined fundraiser for both the Dog Park and the WPAC. This would occur at a bar.
  5. Softball – Ryan Jackson – ABSENT.
  6. Website – Tim Kolecke – Tim did regular updates and visits were up as well as FACE Book and TWITTER.
  7. Teen Group & Mosaic Church Volunteer Support – Scott Venable – ABSENT.
  8. Landscape – Doug Wood & Denise Browning – Gardeners have been regular on Saturdays. Rail riders, their dogs, and other homeless have damaged several sections of the garden.
  9. Festival Updates: Fences will be constructed around gardens and trees for the Wicker Park Fest on Thursday July 26 and remove them on Monday, July 30. In addition, two toilets will be installed in the parking lot for the weekend and we will have four S3 Security Guards on Saturday and Sunday, July 28 and 29. The WPB SSA paid for this support.
  10. Security Cameras, Signs, Waste Management, Soccer Permit: We have reported with photos all vandalism to the Park District and aldermen so that the Camera’s tapes can be viewed to elucidate the identities of the vandals. No response. Volunteers have cleaned graffiti; Park District preservation crew has cleaned graffiti on the fountain. We have a landscaper who does well with the trash, assisted by volunteers. Doug submitted a document for suggestions to cut down on vandalism and overnight campers: hire 2 security guards from 11pm – 7am on Thursday-Sunday for one month; develop a protocol for Park District and 14th District Police to respond to reports of vandalism and then to view the tapes; request to change work dates of guard from 12 months to 6 with more hours per week; have park staff and volunteers walk the ground regularly during day time hours.
  11. Events: Overview – Permits, Partnerships, Promotions & Fundraising – Doug Wood The permit for Lulu Lemon Yoga was finalized on Mon. July 9; the first class was Tuesday, July 10. No paper work has been received on the permit or the partnership. All other partnerships for all events are still pending with NO PARTNERSHIPS confirmed.
  12. Magic Boat Puppet Theater – Tyler Culligan, Jake Moore – Absent – out of town. Doug reported that performances are going well. The second special collaboration performance was held on Sunday, July 1 with a focus on the composer Boccherini and his music. The Culture Lady (Elaine Coorens) taught the children about Chicago History, Dance to Evolve taught a dance to the music, and Easel Art Studio led the children in creating a banner depicting Boccherini’s music.
  13. Classical Music Series & Garden Tours – Doug Wood reported that the second performance on Sunday, July 8 was very well attended. S3 provided a security guard for 4 hours. Symphony Sounds String Quartet performed. Reviews of both concerts at www.OurUrbanTimes.com
  14. Movies in the Park – Tim Kolecke – All ready to go for E.T. on July 11. We will sell snow cones and water again. Great turn out at the June Movie.
  15. Wicker Mic –John Shirk – All ready to go for the July 27th performance – great responses from public at the June Event.
  16. Boo – Palooza – Doug Wood, Tim Kolecke – Detailed Planning begins in August.

ADJOURN