Wicker Park Advisory Council

Minutes – WPAC – January 2023 Meeting

WPAC January 12, 2023 Meeting

Minutes Approved at the February 9 WPAC Meeting: Mike Payette moved that the minutes of the January 12,2023 meeting as presented by John Shirk, and attached to the agenda of February 9 meeting be approved. Elaine Coorens seconded the motion. All members of the Council voted yea; there were no nays.

Attended January 12 Meeting: Keith Jones (Park Supervisor), Farah Tunks (Chicago Park District Central Region Director), Maria Stone (Chicago Park District Community Relations Manager), Adam Housley (WPAC President), Mike Payette (WPAC Vice-President), Denise Browning (WPAC Treasurer), John Shirk (WPAC Wicker MIC), Leah Root (WPAC Fundraising), Grant Drutchas (Dog Park Renovation Committee), Kristin Drutchas (Dog Park Renovation Committee), Patricia Linnerud, Millie Rivera (Studio 719), Char Sandstrom, Elaine Coorens, Susan Fontana (WPAC Events), Mary Tamminga, Michael Schorsch

  1. Introductions: Adam Housley asked all the attendees to introduce themselves. Susan Fontana then read the WPAC’s Mission Statement from the WPAC By-Laws. NOTE: At the January 12th Meeting, We agreed to deviate from the By-laws and change the schedule from nominate board positions and vote in January to Nominate in January & February and Vote in March. Due to the impact of Covid-19 on in-person meetings – we want to give people time to nominate individuals to roles on the board and meet the 2-meeting attendance to be elected.
  2. Supervisor Report Submitted by Keith Jones, Park Supervisor– January 12, 2023
      1. Winter Camp – full – 2 weeks over the CPS break at Wicker for ages 6-12.
      2. Programs
        1. Early childhood- all going and some filled- see the winter schedule
        2. Adult’s- workout class has 8. Theatre partnership class cancelled by the partner.
        3. Partnerships and Saturday programs- Youth Art Studio- classes filled
          1. 2 sessions – 9am & 10am classes
          2. Kids Create Studio- partner
        4. Park Kids – after school program 40- full.
        5. Teen club –recruiting for the program- 1 day a week after school
          1. We are always actively recruiting.
        6. Other programs just not listed
        7. Archery for the Park Kids – taught by the Supervisor – for ages 10-12
      3. Spring programs – inputting currently
      4. Seasonal sport teams and pics– on the board in the lobby of Wicker Park & TV video.
        1. Cross country- 8-10 girls – 1 who was 2nd place at Region meet and Citywide meet
        2. Flag Football – Region champs 8-10 & 2nd place at the Citywide tournament- banner hanging in the fieldhouse for the Region Championship- coach- Supervisor
        3. Winter sports- upcoming
        4. New uniforms- head to toe with socks, shirts (long sleeve & short) and shorts
      5. Video –marketing video of the programs over the last year and a half- done by the Supervisor
      6. Boxing Show– tentatively planned for July 6 @ Wicker Park. 2022 show had a huge turnout.
  1. 2023 Events: The proposed 2023 Events and the proposed budget were discussed. All approved the events as submitted, to use the funds as submitted, and to conduct fundraising to obtain funds needed for the events. All approved that Leah & Denise will submit the Permits, Site Plans and Activity Request Forms. The funding allocated to them are:
    • MULCH DAY & Dog Park Cleaning – Saturday, April 29 @9am-2pm – Pending Confirmation with Parris Equipment from Landscaping coordinated with Parris, Field House requested open from 8am-2pm
    • PLANT SALE FUNDRAISER – Saturday, May 13 at 10am-6pm (Rain Date – May 14 Same Time) Trades – 35- 6ft tables and chairs arrive Thursday, May 11 – Field house extended hours
    • YOGA IN THE PARK – All Tues. June, July, August – 6:30pm-730pm – Zen Yoga Garage & Eb & Flow Yoga Studios Confirmed. (Allocated – $1,800) Inside Field House Gym if Raining.
    • DRAWING Art Class in the Park – All Mondays in June, July August 6pm-7:30pm 20 chairs – 2 tables -RAIN? in center room if raining
    • MOVIES IN THE PARK – June, July, August – 3 or 4 Movies on Thursdays – working on 3rd Thursdays 6 tables, 20 chairs – field house extended hours (Allocated – $3,000 for paying Park District in February – Funds will be reimbursed with Sponsor funds)
    • WICKER MIC – 3rd Fridays June16, July 21, and August 18 from 6pm – 9pm 3 tables, 12 chairs, electric, extension cords inside if raining Allocated $1,200 – 1⁄2 of project cost.
    • CLASSICAL MUSIC SERIES – Sundays at 11am -3 or more String Quartet Concerts, Big Band, or Other Music Groups – Dates – TBD Allocated $1,000 – 1/6 of cash costs – remainder from grants and sponsors.
    • BOO-PALOOZA – Saturday, October 21– 10am-2pm; Rain date October 22 – All funds from sponsors.

 

  1. NOMINATED: Slate of Officers & Committees:
    • President – John Shirk
    • Vice-President – Grant Drutchas (Pending confirmation)
    • Secretary – Not determined at the Meeting
    • Treasurer – Elaine Coorens
    • Committee Chair – Leah Root & Denise Browning- Communications with Park District Staff for Permits, Partnerships, Trades, etc
    • Committee Chair – Denise Browning –Communication Liasson with IRS and State – Submits Yearly Reports-Taxes
    • Committee Chair – Kristin Drutchas – Dog Park Cleaning and Communications- Repair Needs – Adam Housley Resigned from this Role.
    • Committee Chair – Kristin & Grant Drutchas -Renovation Dog Park – Lead Design and Fundraising Initiatives
    • Committee Chair – Doug Wood, Leah Root, Mike Runkle – Fundraising for Events – No one handles cash.
    • Committee Chair – John Shirk, Susan Fontana, Doug Wood – Programming & Events
    • Committee Chair Wicker MIC – John Shirk
    • Committee Chair Yoga – Denise Browning
    • Committee Chair Music Series – Mike Payette
    • Committee Chair Plant Sale & Gardens – Denise Browning

ADJOURNED at 7:45 PM