Board of Park Commissioners

City of Hobart Board of Park Commissioners Minutes Meeting of March 10, 2014 Call to Order: Mrs. Sills called the meeting to order at 6:00pm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The following Commissioners were present: Mrs. Sills, Mrs. Liss, and Mr. Spain. Also present were the School Board Representative Mike Rogers, Park Superintendent Mr. Mitchell and Park Board Secretary Julie Mandon. Mr. Ehrhardt and Mr. Maggio were absent. Mr. Jason Spain was introduced as the new Park Board member and Mrs. Sills motioned to approve his addition. Mrs. Liss seconds the motion and the motion passes, all in favor (2-0) Approval of Agenda: Mrs. Liss made a motion to approve the agenda as presented, seconded by Mr. Spain. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) The Mayor announced that he had a special presentation for Mr. John Hevel. He wished to acknowledge his time and commitment to the city and thank him for always giving back. The Mayor stated that he has a deep appreciation for Mr. Hevel’s many years of service and wanted to present a plaque to him. The Mayor said that Mr. Hevel was a part of many strategic projects for the Parks Department from the new Community Center to the bike trail. John Hevel thanked the Mayor and stated that the P in Parks is for the people and he has watched the parks come a very long way in his time of service for the Park Board. Approval of Minutes: Mrs. Liss motions to approve the minutes from February as presented, seconded by Mrs. Sills. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Approval of Register of Claims: Mr. Mitchell adds that there is a correction to be made to the gasoline charge; it is supposed to be $1,086.04. Mrs. Liss made a motion to accept the register of claims for February as presented, seconded by Mr. Spain. All aye, motion carried. (3- 0) Correspondence: None Superintendent’s Report: Mr. Mitchell reported that the updates for Robinson Lake are in progress with new rules signs, tables and benches. The Community Garden is already halfway sold and that it is still early. Mr. Mitchell announced that there will be extended hours Tuesday night until 6pm and Saturdays 10-2pm beginning March 18th. The old Jaycees building is in the process of being demolished by the Parks Department. Mr. Mitchell stated that a few groups have approached him in regards to full day rentals of parks. He suggests fees be placed on all day rentals of the parks - $100 a day and $150 a day with electricity. Also, $10 per picnic table above the original 6 provided. Mrs. Liss asked what the fees are currently for shelters and Mr. Mitchell answered that it is $25 for 2 hours and $50 for non-Hobart residents. Mrs. Liss motions for the park fees to be adopted, seconded by Mr. Spain. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Plan Commission Report: Mr. Spain reported very quick meeting with no motions, there is nothing to report. Council Report: None - Mr. Maggio was absent. School Board Report: Mr. Rogers reported that the school is putting on Spring Fest at HHS. It is a fun school event with a silent auction on Friday 5-9pm and also spring break is coming up, hopefully with no snow. Old Business: None New Business: Michelle Duca with Kibble Kitchen discussed her plan for the 3rd Annual Paws for Homeless Animals Day in the new location of Festival Park in Hobart. The first year of the event they had 19 vendors and the second year grew to 55 vendors. Kibble Kitchen offers pet food and supplies along with low cost spay and neuter options to people that need help with providing. The Paws for Homeless Animals Day will be held August 23rd 11-5pm in Festival Park. Mr. Mitchell said that the group is very organized and it sounds like a great event. Michelle Duca included the insurance policy in the packet that she handed out. Mrs. Sills asked about animals being at the event and Mrs. Duca stated that yes they will be in attendance but there will be people policing the area making sure dogs are on leashes and they are picked up after. Mr. Spain asked about signage and Mrs. Duca replied that there will be signage for rules and that most people that attend this event with their pet are very responsible. Mr. Spain motions to approve the event and Mrs. Liss seconds. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Jim Pavelka represents the Hobart Community Band and requested that they be able to have a concert and cake walk July 2nd in the bandshell. Mr. Pavelka stated that it was difficult for his older crowd to get to the concert with the market going on. Mrs. Sills stated that she does not like the idea of people driving on the lawn. Mrs. Liss motions to approve the request, Mr. Spain seconds. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Virginia Curtis represents the City Improvement Committee and she wishes to move the senior citizen’s concerts to Tuesday nights in June, July and maybe August. Virginia stated that the park just took over their concerts even though the bandshell was built for senior citizens to enjoy and the Rusty Pipes installed the acoustic ceiling. Raeann Trakas addressed the crowd and explained that she spoke to other members Bob Green and Ken West and the explained that the group was done with the concerts as of 2014 and they asked Special Events department to take over the concerts on Thursdays. Mrs. Sills asked Mr. Mitchell’s thoughts and he explained that the market had to expand and asked Mrs. Curtis’ group to join us in this. He also stated that the park and concerts are not just for seniors, but for everyone to enjoy. Mrs. Curtis said that many seniors complained about the crowds and parking but are too handicap to ride on the provided golf carts. Mrs. Trakas stated that the Mayor’s stance is that he just doesn’t know what committee Mrs. Curtis has to help run the concerts. Mrs. Sills suggested that this issue be tabled until we know what committee is going to be running this in detail with a plan. Denarie Kane spoke about the Festival Park Alternate #4 in regards to the $43,036 total contribution from the Parks Department. Mrs. Sills asked Mr. Mitchell what his thoughts were in regards to adding safety to the crossing in the park. Mr. Mitchell also asked Denarie Kane if the Parks Department themselves can landscape the sign planter and save about $4,500. Denarie said she would rather not let the Parks do it in order to keep uniformity. Mrs. Liss motions to reconfirm the pledge of $43,036, Mr. Spain seconds. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Ms. Mandon announced that the Parks Department has the contracts for the Lakefront Festival entertainment and we would like them approved so that we can move forward in scheduling. Mrs. Liss motions to approve the contracts, Mr. Spain seconds. All aye, motion carries. (3-0) Pat Wilmore from the Friends of Robinson Lake wanted to thank the Park Department on their hard work. Mrs. Wilmore handed out a few articles regarding neighboring cities and their improvements. She also announced that Friends of Robinson meet the 1st Tuesday of every month in Krull Tower. Tiffany Nobles spoke on behalf of the Jaycees in regards to the Jaycees Fest and the new location of the Rugby Field. She explained that she does have the insurance policy and is working with Modern Midway for the carnival. Mrs. Nobles provided handouts of the plan and copies of insurance. Mr. Mitchell stated that they have sat down and worked on logistics of their plan and it seems like a good, positive event. Mrs. Liss motions to accept the plan and event, Mr. Spain seconds. All aye, motion carries. (3-0) Announcements: Nicole Maggio states that Friends of Robinson Lake plan on hosting the Super Hero Race August 23rd at 7 or 8am. It was suggested to her to bring a plan back next month. Friends of Robinson Lake announced that their tree giveaway will be April 12th, the fishing tournament will be June 7th, and the paddling event will be August 10th. They requested permission to put up their banners advertising and Mr. Mitchell said yes. Adjournment: Mr. Spain made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Liss. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) The meeting adjourned at 7:20pm. ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________