Minutes- WPAC – Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 6:30pm – 7:45pm
++MONTHLY MEETINGS – 2nd Thursday -6:30pm-7:45pm – Field House
Meeting Attendance:
Aria Aria
Elaine Coorens
Kristin Drutchas
Grant Drutchas
Terry Enright
Susan Fontana
Colby Ganz
Kit Graham
Michaela Hyams
Bridget Jackson
Keith Jones
Raquel Maldonado
Marco Mendez
Mike Payette
Mike Runkle
John Shirk
Mary Tamminga
Call to order at 6:34pm
1. INTRODUCTIONS: John Shirk
2. Approve January Minutes: John Shirk
WPAC Meeting December Jan 11, 2024 minutes were distributed. John Shirk asked if there were any questions/ requests for modification- there were none. Mike Payette moved to approve minutes; Elaine 2nd; they were unanimously accepted as written. The minutes will be given to the Park Staff to be posted in the Field House and uploaded to https://wickerpark.org/meeting-minutes/.
3. Park Supervisor’s Report: Keith Jones
Keith mentioned that Sunday afternoons concert series would be problematic for staffing restrooms. 4 to 6 was not possible. 11 am or noon start time is doable. Farmers Market closes at 2, and teardown from vendors would be disruptive. Raquel Maldonado mentioned that she was trying to staff restrooms – July will continue to be a challenge. May need to exclude July dates for concert series.
4. Bucktown Library Update: Mike Runkle
via Chloe Waryan, Librarian
- Our seed library is currently accepting seed donations for the spring. A seed library is a container where neighbors can bring extra seeds to donate, or take extra seeds for their own garden. You can access the seed library anytime the library is open. It is located by our new book section. Please donate your leftover seeds!
- We have a clothing swap for adult-sized clothing on Saturday afternoon. Please spread the word! Flyer of all our February programs is attached.
- Early voting will be held at several CPL locations including Bucktown Branch from Tuesday March 5 to election day. More information can be found at the Chicago Board of Elections website. You may vote at any early voting site, no matter where you live in the city.
5. Treasurer’s Report: Elaine Coorens
- WPAC ended 2023 with a balance of $15,922.29
- During January 2024, $97.52 was deposited via the PayPal account, all deposits totalled $292.89
- Balance in the checking account was $15,726.92 at the end of January.
- As of Feb 8, 2024, the balance is $5,234.32 due to distribution of Boo Palooza 2023 funds to: Chicago Parks Foundation–Dog Park for $1,566 and the Wicker Park Garden Club for $8,926.60
- President John Shirk and Elaine Coorens spoke with Emily Beach (Chicago Park Foundation), to further inquire about establishing a fiscal partnership with the Foundation
- In response to our questions Emily and Willa Lang (Head of the Foundation) are suggesting a follow up call next week
- Even if we partner with the Foundation, WPAC would continue to maintain our own 501C3 status
6. Communication Committee Resolution: Kit Graham
The plan is to update the website to create separate space for events, news, and other information. Nothing will be removed, but information will be reorganized. There was discussion regarding an updated logo. The intention is to use a similar logo that incorporates a green leaf and a single font style. This gives WPAC an updated look without creating brand confusion. A new logo with a higher resolution opens the opportunity to use it to create product incentives for donations. Kit has worked with Kristin on the Dog Park sections of the website and can work with individuals on sections they are involved with.
Mike Payette motioned to empower Kit Graham to revamp website, streamline branding, and work on donation strategies. Kristin Drutchas 2nd. Approved unanimously.
7. Programming and Events Committee Update: Susan Fontana & Michaela Hyams
Confirmed Event Dates
Primary Day March 19
Earth Day (Mulch & Dog Park Clean Up) April 27
Wicker Mic June 14, July 12, and August 9
Boo/Barkpalooza October 19
Election Day November 5
General
- Susan attended DFA event, CAPS meeting, and WPC meetings and shared confirmed event dates/requested volunteers
Primary Election – March 19
- ARF Form Submitted
- Stan’s Donuts will donate Donuts & Coffee
Earth Day (Mulch Day Dog Park Clean Up) – April 27, 9:00 am-3:00 pm
- ARF Form Submitted
- Keith is lining up equipment
- Stan’s Donuts will supply Donuts and Coffee, Amy Shirk will do a hospitality room
- Volunteer groups
- Contacted 3 high schools (Curie, Schurz, Josephinum), all are optimistic they can recruit student volunteers
- Grace Community Church in Goshen, Indiana is working on sending a group, they have participated in the past
- Contacted Mark Sheeran at F3, they are working on a group
Susan Fontana requested Earth Day T-Shirts – Raquel indicated that t-shirts are no longer available. – Susan also asked for volunteers.
Wicker Mic – June 14, July 12, August 9
- ARF Form Submitted
- Contacted Livin’ Live Management to run sound
Movies in the Park at Wicker – Dates Tentative- 3rd Thursdays with 4th Thursdays (June-August) as back up
- Forms submitted, waiting for confirmation.
Yoga in the Park (Michaela)
- Reached out to local yoga studios, including the yoga studios who participated in 2023 (Eb and Flow and Zen Yoga Garage) regarding summer yoga and possibly expanding the program indoors over fall/winter
- Four studios so far have expressed interest in participating:
- Eb and Flow
- Zen Yoga Garage
- Chi Yoga Shack
- Moksha
- Speaking to studios regarding donating instructor time at free or reduced rate
Concert Series (Mike R.)
- Based on talent fees, continue to re-evaluate which talent WPAC may be able to support/ afford
- Based on volunteer bandwidth, continue to re-evaluate what WPAC may be able to support (tent that we don’t own) & risers set up
- Considering that the concert series occupies what is considered prime real estate for farmers market, factoring in SSA #33 & vendors, we’re speculating relocating the concert stage (and viable seating area) that might be more conducive to “picnicking” in the park
- Multiple meetings with Big Star (across the street) who may wish to sponsor the event absorb some/ much of the “heavy lifting” – aka, assisting with talent procurement, set-up, and sponsorship dollars.
Senior Programming (Kristin)
- New 2024 program
- Likely a once a month day time event when the Field House’s middle room is available
- The manager at Stan’s Donuts said she would plan to attend and bring donuts and coffee
Keith Mentioned that 6 time a year might be too frequent based on staffing bandwidth.
Marco Mendez (works with local State Representative Evia, Dina Delgado) mentioned that they host a bingo event at St. Aloysius Church – he mentioned that they may be interested in sponsoring the event.
Boo-Palooza – October 19
- Reached out to high schools (Curie, Schurz, and Josephinum) to save the date
- Contacted Midwest Costumers with a Cause to save the date
- Emailed Pritztker about using their parking lot, Dr. Reese said the lot should be available to us
Election – November 5
- ARF Form Submitted
- Stan’s will donate donuts and coffee
8. Dog Park Update: Kristin Drutchas
9. By Laws Revision: Grant Drutchas
10. PAC Conference/Volunteer Approval: John Shirk
11. New Business
ADJOURN – 7:19pm: Mike Runkle moved to adjourn; Aria Bernardi 2nd; unanimously adjourned.