ATTENDED: Clare Rodriguez (Park Supervisor), Scott Venable (Vice-President & Mosaic Church), Richard Tilley (WPAC Treasurer), Doug Wood (WPAC Secretary), Denise Browning (Former WPAC President & WPGarden), Susan Fontana (Former WPAC President & WPGarden), Elaine Coorens (Our Urban Times), Mike Payette (WPAC Security Committee), Tim Kolecke (Website and Movie Series), Joe Sawicki (softball), Brian Bullington (Learnapalooza)
- April Minutes were read and approved.
- Budget Report given by Richard Tilley. In addition, Richard and WPAC elected officials received an email from Pay Pal that $100 was donated by the DNA film company that worked in the Park on Friday, May 2. The donation was to be applied to 2014 Summer Events Marketing. These funds were negotiated by Doug Wood who spoke with Park District staff to accommodate the film crew’s interaction with the mulch piles. Tim will transfer to WPAC account.
- Park District Report – Clare Rodriguez, Park Supervisor – Clare reported that Summer Camp is sold out except for 2-3 slots for teen program. Adam Pena, Part Time Physical Instructor will work with teen programming and will develop more teen programming for fall. The fountain electric was tested – all working. Not sure when fountain will be painted, when rust retardant will be painted on metal, and fountain turned on.
- Dog Park – Adam Housley absent. Reported via email that dog park was cleaned on Saturday, May 3 during the Big Mulch Day; the power washer was used and worked very well.
- Website & Movies – Tim Kolecke reported that he is waiting to receive and upload summer events. He reported that the movies will be screened on Thursdays, June 26, July 17 and August 7 at Dusk. The series entitled The Summer of Earl Jones was funded by The Wormhole Coffee will present 3 movies: Dr. Strangelove (6-26), The Sandlot (7-17), The Hunt for Red October (8-7).
- Softball – Joe Sawicki reported that the summer season began on Sunday, May 4 with 10 teams in play. The players will just play on Sundays from 10am – 4pm through August 2014. He said that people would be notified to not use pop up tents during the games.
PARTNERED EVENTS REPORTS – No Partnerships or Permits approved other than Music (Permit only-No Partnership)
- Big Mulch Day – Doug Wood reported that the day brought almost 55 volunteers with huge support from Urban Encounter’s out of town crew, Mosaic Church, WPAC, WPGarden, and some high school students. DePaul students did not appear.
- Plant Sale – Denise Browning, Richard Tilley, and Susan Fontana reported that the plant sale would be held on Saturday, May 10 and 11 with about 45 volunteers from all over the city. They are excited by the plant choices this year; volunteers will assist patrons in understanding plant combinations, plant needs, and help the patrons choose the best plants for their gardens. Herbs, vegetables, annuals and perennials will be sold.
- Music, Yoga, Hooping, Green Resource Fair, Wicker Mic, Garden Tending – Advisory Council Members addressed these events – all are under way – no word on permits or partnerships for those applied.
- ‘Care’-a-oke! – Scott Venable described event – it is coming along well and should be a lot of fun and raise money for the Advisory Council to donate as scholarships to children to attend an away camp.
- Learnapalooza – Brian Bullington reported that Learnapalooza will be larger and even more varied this year with numerous teachers offering classes in all disciplines.
- Friday Teens – Series will end at end of school year and resume in the fall.
- Press – Elaine Coorens is working on stories for the summer events and will continue to post them.
- Update – Farmer’s Market – Nothing is finalized but in progress.
- Update – Security, Cameras, Weekly and Weekend Security – No report.
- Update on Support for Park During Festivals – No report and no response from Alderman Moreno as requested. A group will go to speak with Alderman Moreno at his next Ward Night.
Adjourn – 8:45 pm