City of Chester Parks & Recreation Committee met July 21.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
Call to order - 6:02 pm by Patti Carter
Roll Call -
● Present: Travis Lott, Sam Higgerson, Sarah Dillman, Danielle Conway, Patti Carter, Alderman Ray Allison.
● Absent: Billy Belton, JD Maes, John Reith, Sarah Roth, Emily Belton
● Late Arrival: Colette Powley at 6:10 pm and Terri Hirte at 6:40 pm.
Pledge of Allegiance
June Minutes - Sam Higgerson motion to approve, Travis Lott to second, all in favor.
Public Comment - None
Alderman Report -
● Patti Carter stated that her and Alderman JD Maes met to discuss numbers for the 1, 3, and 5 year strategic plans. JD Maes will report back.
Recreation Report -
● Patti Carter stated that the 2021 baseball/softball league wrapped things up the previous weekend.
Park Superintendent Report -
● Billy Belton was not present, but Patti Carter stated no issues that she was aware of at the time.
Project Reports -
● Bicycle Park - No change, still discussing a layout.
● Pedal Path - Discussed the expenses for sealing the path and concluded that the best and most cost effective plan moving forward would be to have park maintenance members to obtain materials and perform the sealing.
● Home “Tweet” Home - No change.
● Wildlife Vegetation and Flowering Areas - Travis Lott stated that he is in the process of setting up a walkthrough with the local 4H club to get a plan together for caretaking.
Committee Assignments -
● Recreation Ball - Patti Carter stated that a committee made up of board members and outside volunteers will be appointed closer to next season. This committee will specifically direct the ball program.
● Farmers Market - Patti stated that there are 14 current vendors. Some issues between vendors have been made known and are being handled accordingly. It was discussed that the gazebo may be a better location for the market after it is finished. Further discussion at a later date.
● Eclipse 2024 - No change. Will discuss more as it gets closer to the date.
Old Business -
● Fall Festival -
- Board members stated that the Fall Festival will be held in the region of Church, Light, Servant, and Swanwick Streets. Certain areas of the roads will be appropriately blocked off to allow safe areas for festival goers. Appointed areas will be available for vendor and staff parking. St Mary’s Church parking lot will be cleared and accessible for church on Saturday evening and Sunday morning.
- “Brady Amusements'' will be providing the main carnival type rides. It was discussed that the adolescent/adult rides would go down in “the bowl” and the kiddie rides and bouncy houses would go up at the top to allow easier access for small children and their families. A permanent layout will be made once the carnival president can meet and see the area.
- $4,350 has been donated in sponsorships so far. More general sponsorships are needed to cover costs of Fireworks, Talent Show, etc. Board members will work on a list and contact other local businesses willing to help out. Sponsorship thus far:
● The Chester Eagles, Ace Hardware, Plumbing Solutions Inc, Roziers, The Law Offices of Fisher/Kerkhover/Coffey/Gremmels, Bensons, and Knight Hawk Coal have each sponsored “Golden Pumpkin” spots to be used towards the Kid Zone.
● State Farm (Paul Gentry), Buena Vista National Bank, Chester National Bank, The County Journal, and Salon Serenity have each sponsored “Silver Gourd” spots.
● Other sponsors include Victors MediCenter Pharmacy, Chester Animal Hospital, Chester Memorial Hospital, Teri and Darrel Crum.
● First Baptist Church of Chester donated $800 to the bouncy houses and inflatables for the children.
● JT Blankenship sponsored $500 towards Silly Jilly Balloon Artist.
● Employees of Gilster-Mary Lee will be sponsoring the Children’s Petting Zoo.
● O’Reilly’s Auto Parts will sponsor prizes for the drag races.
- Currently waiting on approval from “King Features Syndicate” to use certain Popeye characters for Fall Festival advertising.
“Print Worx” will be manufacturing apparel for the Fall Festival. Certain items discussed: Long sleeve and short sleeve t-shirts, hoodies, koozies, keychain bottle openers.
Ads will be featured in the “Herald Tribune” , “County Journal”and awareness of the Festival promoted on social media.
- Food stands and concession spots are $35 for premium and $25 for general.
● Current concessions: KC Hall, Regina B’s Sweet Treats and Eats, Benson’s, St. John’s, St. Mary’s, COSLHS, Aunt Nette’s Kettle Corn, Gilligan’s Sweet Treats, Chester Stingers.
● Pepsi products only to be used. There will be a central stand of water, soda, tea, and gatorade.
- Chester’s Got Talent and Variety Show
● 10 contestant spots available, ages 5 and up.
● 3 judges needed (Sam Higgerson, Mayor?, Mrs. Meyer?)
● 1 host needed (Mike Lochhead referred. Patti Carter will reach out.)
● Outdoor stage will be available and the VFW will be available for a rainy day back up.
● Audio is needed. Patti Carter advised she would reach out to JD Maes regarding equipment.
● Lighting needed. Fire Department? Patti will reach out to Chief Bert.
● Danielle Conway advised to have registration forms and fliers out by the beginning of August. Waiver form also needed.
● 1st prize - $200, 2nd prize - $100, 3rd prize - $50
- It was decided that the Lil Mr. and Miss Contest will not be a part of this year's Festival but will hopefully be part of future festivals.
- Parade
● Scott Rust from the Coulterville Holiday Light Display will be providing some characters for the parade and “meet and greet” at the KC hall following the parade. Christie Brace from the Boy Scouts advised she would have local scouts available to become the characters.
● Local high school bands will be invited to participate. Patti Carter and Terri Hirte will send out letters to notify. The first 4 bands to sign up will receive $250.
● Fire Departments and First Responders will be invited to participate in the parade.
● Local businesses are encouraged to enter and decorate floats for judging. Float/parade theme? Prize for best float?
● Louie for STL Blues was suggested. Danielle Conway will reach out.
- Statue Unveiling time moved to 11am.
- Petting Zoo, Touch a Truck, Heroes for Kids, Arch Helicopter, Silly Jilly Balloon Artist, Strolling Magician all available for other children's events.
- A “Teen Street Dance” will be held with music by “Good Times Mobile DJ”. Town police officers will oversee the dance.
- 3 bands will take part in the festival. Friday evening will feature “The OG’s” which centers around classic rock music. Saturday afternoon will be old time country and bluegrass music by the “Rowdy Wranglers String Band”, and Saturday evening will be headlined by “Sojourn Rocs”, bringing classic rock and country covers from the 60’s - 90’s as well as today's hits.
- Sarah Dillman will be looking into a covered wagon for the Chuckwagon Dinner.
- The Fireworks Display will be performed by “Falling Skies Pyrotechnics”. They will set up at the Evergreen Cemetery, away from crowds.
- St. Mary’s PTO will be hosting a car show. This will be set up at Cole Park.
- St. Mary’s PTO will host the Turkey Trot.
- 50/50 raffle tickets will be available for sale prior to the festival to raise money for other festival events. Local business incentives for most raffles sold?
- Armbands for rides should be available all 3 days or tickets available for purchase. 1 ticket per ride.
- The Mayor will assign people to provide security.
New Business - None
Unfinished Business -
● Strategic Plan - As stated prior, JD Maes will be reporting back with budget numbers.
● Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Proposal - Budget proposal has been approved.
Any other business - None
Meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm - Colette Powley motioned, Travis Lott seconded, all in favor.
http://www.chesterill.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/July-2021-Minutes-2.pdf
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