July 22, 2015 Park Board Meeting

Two visitors spoke at the Park Board Meeting. The complete minutes are attached below.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS 

Stormwater Management Discussion

Executive Director Rogers disseminated to the board a copy of the City of Elmhurst Public Works and Building Committee's memo addressed to the City Council "recommending that the extension of the Park District use of the City garage be extended to 2108" to further an intergovernmental agreement allowing the use of Golden Meadows and York Commons parks for stormwater detention.  Alderman Honquest amended the recommendation to include other parks (East End, Crestview, Wild Meadows Trace/Pioneer) and the City Council approved the recommendation with the amendment. As the Park District has not vetted the other park sites for stormwater detention, the subcommittee recommended that the other parks not be included, at this time, in the initial intergovernmental agreement (IGA) and the other park sites be negotiated separately for a final IGA to encompass all considered components.  Commissioner Graf stated that the use of a pilot park site allows the District to preview and analyze the effects of stormwater detention thus preserving green space in a landlocked area such as Elmhurst. Rogers added that the Park Board defer the consideration of recreational uses in the York Commons Park detention basin to review how it operates as a 5-year rain-event detention basin.  Rogers informed the board that the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will be consulted to advise on restrictions for the other parks (East End, Crestview, and Wild Meadows Trace) as the District received grant funds from IDNR to acquire those properties as well as to learn potential phase-in conversion options.  The City agreed to include a “Whereas” clause committing to accomplishing recommendations within their flooding plan for the remainder of the Southwest Study Area.  Both the City Manager and Executive Director Rogers will continue to examine the terms of an IGA draft after further discussions commence.  The next public stormwater management meeting will be held on July 23, 2015 at City Hall.