HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 1985 (P2)Lighthouse Advisory Committee Meeting
July 30, 1985
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Eleanor Boynton, Brigitte Anderson, Gayle Wells,
Mike Darling, Ted Bates, Mary Sores
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Abby Cartwright Ald. Marjorie Collins
STAFF PRESENT: Vito W. DiCanio, Fred Gullen, Ken Wenzel, Lynn Needham
Ted Bates opened the meeting by defining the different areas of jurisdiction on
the Lighthouse property. The Lighthouse Park District maintains the South
border, South of the new Lighthouse addition, and the Northeast Park.
Question: Does this include front and back lawns of Lighthouse Park? The
Garden Club maintains the area around the grotto pond and the wildflower
collection around the base of the Lighthouse. The £EA maintains the gardens
South and West of the Greenhouse and the plantings near the Fog House. The
City of Evanston maintains the grounds around the Art Center and the park area
North of the Arts Center.
The discussion was then directed to the representatives of each group. The
first to speak was Brigitte Anderson who represented the Garden Club. She
explained that the Garden Club had purchased some trees and shrubs through the
City which were planted by the North side of the runway. They had also
planted some sumacs in the turn -around and ferns were put in the top of
the wall near the waterfall. A comment was made that perhaps these areas could
be better maintained, Ms Anderson claimed that this was because the Garden
Club didn't work in the summer. She then mentioned the possibility of the
Garden Club working out a summer schedule, which could be discussed by her
club.
Ken Wenzel, who represented the E.E.A. was the next to speak. He stated that
his organization was still reevaluating the Greenhouse restoration. The .
discussion was then focused on the funding for the horticultural intern who
could maintain the E.E.A.'s grounds. Money to pay the intern for a 3-4 month
period during the summer, approximately 3,000 dollars, had been provided by
the Junior Leaque. Without this money the E.E.A. is unable to provide funds
for an intern. Wenzel stated that money given to the E.E.A. .iill be used to
restore the Greenhouse. Greenhouse classes will be developed so the Greenhouse
can be self-supporting. It was also brought up that the E.E.A. was conducting
the Lighthouse tours at a cost to them of approximately 1,000 dollars per
year for the tour guides. The E.E.A.'s operating budget was then discussed
and the Lighthouse Board asked for a list of budget operations related to
Lighthouse Park programs.
Gayle Wells, who represented the Arts Center, stated that the Arts Center did
not maintain any of the grounds because of a lack of funds.
Bill DiCanio, who represented the City's Park Department, was the next to
address the committee. He presented a proposal in which the City would mow
Northeast Park and the two parcels either side of the Ridge/Lincoln
intersection along with the grounds of the Arts Center which they presently
maintain. In return the Lighthouse Park District would be responsible for
all other grounds maintenance, except prunning, on the total Lighthouse complex.
This maintenance would include: spading all shrub beds as needed, daily
litter pick-up, weeding as necessary, cleaning the small rock pond, and
edging around all appropriate areas. It was also proposed that the Lighthouse
Park District might employ General Assistance workers to help with this
maintenance.
The meeting also brought up a few items which were of concern to the
represented groups. These were: The uncontrolled growth of wild grape vines,
the litter and water pumping from the vending trucks, and the unsightly
porch area on the North side of the Arts Center. It was also agreed that the
City wi11 provide one half the amount of money to replace the fence on the
South end of Lighthouse Beach if the surrounding community provides the other
half. The City also proposed to remove the fencing between the Northeast
property and the Arts Center. It was agreed that this would be discussed at
the next Board meeting.