Sangamon Sun

Village of Chatham Property and Recreation Committee met March 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

A. Call to Order

Chairman Rollo Saucier called the meeting to order at 6:01 pm.

1. Pledge of Allegiance

2. Roll Call

Present: Chairman Rollo Saucier; Peggy Windisch; Lisa Smith, Dewey Detmers, Craig Olson

Absent: Paul Marconi

Others Present: Dustin Patterson – General Foreman Water and Parks; Village Clerk Dan Holden

3. Public Comments – there were no public comments

B. Consent Agenda

1. Approval of Minutes from the January 10, 2022 PPRC meeting

A motion was made by Dewey Detmers to place the meeting minutes on the table for discussion. The motion was seconded by Lisa Smith. By a unanimous voice vote of the members present, the motion passed.

C. Old Business

1. Current/proposed park maintenance projects

Dustin Patterson provided insight into the recently posted Request for Proposal regarding new playground equipment and repairing other playground equipment. The RFP deadline recently passed. The bid was not to exceed $128,000 and there needed to be a 5 year warranty on the equipment.

Gary Johnson and Jim Edison with All Pro Recreation and Dale Schaffenacker with Molanda were present and provided overviews of their respective RFP submissions.

2. Nature Reserve

Zach Burtle was present and provided insight on the potential Nature Reserve moving forward off of South Main near the Village Garages. There was discussion regarding water retention and Village Budgets.

3. Consideration for Renaming West Side Park

There was little discussion because there does not seem to be an overwhelming desire to rename the park.

4. West Side Dog Park Progress

There was general discussion about the progress of the park. Fertilization was put down and the desire is to wait as long as possible to open in order to let the grass grow and develop. It was agreed that May 14, 2022 would be the opening day for the Dog Park.

D. New Business

1. Review Bid proposals for new grant funded playground equipment

Considerable discussion amongst the Commission members regarding the submitted proposals. Various questions occurred. Dustin Patterson requested that any specific questions be sent to him by noon on Tuesday, March 15. Dustin will reach out to Village Attorney Greg Moredock for guidance on how to proceed regarding questions so that the integrity of the RFP process is not compromised.

2. Discuss Dog Park Opening date options

As noted above, it was agreed that the new Dog Park will open on May, 14, 2022.

3. Thoughts about future area uses for the space previously occupied by the gazebo

The gazebo in the Village Square blew over during a recent wind storm. General discussion. There was no direction provided on what, or even if, anything should be put in that location. A new gazebo would cost money.

E. Meeting Dates

1. Public Properties & Recreation Commission Meeting Municipal Hall, May 9, 2022 – 6:00 pm

F. Closed Session

There was no Closed Session during this meeting

G. Closing

1. Adjournment

Lisa Smith made a motion to adjourn. This motion was seconded by Craig Olson. By an affirmative voice vote of the members present, the meeting adjourned at 7:48 pm.