Board of Park Commissioners

City of Hobart Board of Park Commissioners Minutes Meeting of June 9, 2014 Call to Order: Mrs. Sills called the meeting to order at 6:03pm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The following Commissioners were present: Mrs. Liss, Mr. Spain, and Mrs. Sills. Also present were the School Board Representative Mr. Rogers, Council Representative Mr. Maggio, Park Superintendent Mr. Mitchell, and Park Board Secretary Julie Mandon. Approval of Agenda: Mr. Spain made a motion to approve the agenda as presented, seconded by Mrs. Liss. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Approval of Minutes: Mrs. Liss motions to approve the minutes from April as presented, seconded by Mr. Spain. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Approval of Register of Claims: Miss Mandon stated that she had 3 late adds to the bills for Van Manen gasoline $1,552.84, a reimbursement to Mr. Mitchell $57.94, and the sound system Bowman Electronics $3031.26 for a total of $4642.04. Mr. Spain made a motion to accept the register of claims for May as presented, seconded by Mrs. Liss. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Correspondence: None Superintendent’s Report: Mr. Mitchell stated that the Hobart Pool opened Saturday with a great crowd. The Oak Savannah Trail project is in full swing with the bike trail path and the bathroom shelter building making progress. Mr. Mitchell stated that most of the bike trail belongs to the Lake County Parks and he has reached out to them but no return phone calls. Mr. Mitchell asked for them to give the Parks Department a key so that we can help maintain the trail. A man in the audience stated that there is a meeting with Ted Bilski on June 23 to discuss this matter and they want the city to take it over. Mr. Mitchell says that the Old Ridge Rd entryway is almost complete. It looks great and it is doing a great job slowing traffic down. The Community Garden plots have been sold out for 3 months and Mr. Mitchell is looking to add 8- 12 more plots next year. The Parks Department employees are doing a great job but are a little behind due to the rain. Mr. Mitchell said he wanted to turn it over to Raeann Trakas as she wanted to thank the Parks Department and their hard work. Mrs. Trakas stated that here were roughly 2000 people at the first Summer Market for the Navy Band and everyone did a great job. Brews on the Lake was added this year along with many more picnic tables. Tiki Tom Toms and the Pineapple Band is this upcoming week with a Frozen sing a long movie for kid’s night. There was question from the audience asking if there were even any Thursday concerts or just the Tuesday concerts in the Hobart Middle School as there were confusing rumors. Mr. Mitchell said the Parks and Special Events are reaching out to all audiences and there are concerts every Thursday, it is just a rumor that they were cancelled. Plan Commission Report: Mr. Spain stated that at the last meeting Northwind Parkway was re-zoned and the Plan Commission approved 2 parking lots at St. Mary’s and Midwest Service. Council Report: Mr. Maggio had nothing to report. School Board Report: Mr. Rogers discussed the school’s lunch program going very well and that the graduating class was 250. Old Business: The Superhero race is tabled until next month. Mr. Maggio said that they paid for their insurance but they are waiting on the paperwork still. New Business: Maggie Byrne presented the NWIPA event at Robinson Lake. The tentative dates are June 22nd 9am – noon, July 13th 9-noon, and August 3rd 9-noon. Mr. Spain questioned whether or not they listed City of Hobart as secondary on insurance and if all of the safety equipment is included. Ms. Byrne explained that yes insurance is correct and safety equipment is included. Mr. Spain motions to approve contingent on the dates being available and insurance is correct. All aye, motion carries. (3-0) Phil Gralik spoke on the Oak Savannah Trail Project. He stated that they are making steady progress on the new pavilion but there were some changes that needed to be made. The project will go straight down Indiana St. now instead of the original path. There were problems found in construction if the original path was kept which would have cost much more money and time to finish. There is a change order for an extension of time on the start date with an end of November completion. Mrs. Liss made a motion to approve the change order and Mr. Spain seconds. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) There also was an addendum to SEH inspection contract but Mr. Spain said he cannot vote on this matter as he works for SEH and Mr. Ehrhardt is not in attendance. It must be tabled until next month. The Hobart Assembly of God requested to hold Vacation Bible School in Festival Park Sunday evenings 5-7pm July – August. There will be songs, stories, and activities for children. Mrs. Liss asked how many people were projected to attend and was answered with about 100 people estimated. Mrs. Liss moves to approve the event and Mr. Spain seconds. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) The Lake County Diver Supply located on Main St. downtown Hobart requested to bring kayak and stand up paddle board rentals to Lake George. There will be no additional cost to the city. The Diver Supply representative, John, explained that safety is the main issue in this venture. The Diver Supply store has been in the community for 30 years operating water rescue classes and supplying necessary equipment for the police and dive rescue groups in the area. The Diver Supply staff said that they have the resources, knowledge and training to provide the City of Hobart a successful and safe opportunity to utilize Lake George and generate business in the downtown area. John presented a slide show for the board to explain the opportunity and stress the specialization in public safety and water rescue. Ron Kurth, another representative from the Diver Supply store has been doing water and aquatic safety since 1969. He stated that the perception of Lake George having dirty water must be changed. This rental opportunity will help marketing and promoting of the downtown area. Mr. Spain stated that he felt it was a fantastic idea to bring economic development and people into our downtown. John stated again that safety is the main topic for the Diver Supply Company and there are endless opportunities in doing this rental venture. Mr. Mitchell stated that the Parks Department has been looking for a vendor like this for a while but was unsuccessful in finding one. John Brezac stated from the audience that this is quite a unique opportunity to offer our city residents and the only thing that needs addressed is the legalities through the attorneys. Mrs. Sills motions to direct Mr. Mitchell to enter into agreement with Lake County Diver Supply and Mrs. Liss seconds. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Mrs. Liss said she would like to take the opportunity to introduce the board to the audience. Announcements: Sandy O’Brian from Friend’s of Robinson Lake stated that she is very appreciative of the Parks Department handling improvements at Robinson Lake. The benches, roof, signs, mowing are all improvements that have been completed. The Friend’s of Robinson have been raising money and would like to present the Parks Department with a check for $2,500. Mr. Mitchell thanked Mrs. O’Brian for the generous donation. Mrs. O’Brian announced that they are hosting a rummage sale in July and the Superhero 5k Race August 23rd as fundraisers to raise more money. Mrs. Zoladz from the audience stood to ask about any plans to fix the sunken bricks? Mr. Mitchell said that the Parks Department is aware of the issue and it is an issue every spring with the washout of sand occurring underneath the bricks. Mr. Mitchell said that it is in need of serious repair but we will need to find maybe grant money of some type to solve the problem. A man in the audience wanted to know if the memorial bricks were replaced when the dam was redone. Mr. Mitchell stated they were all replaced between the Chase Bank and the Clocktower. A man in the audience addressed the board in regards to the entrance of the Community Center approach into the neighborhood. It is now used too much and as a cut through driving too fast. Mr. Mitchell stated that was really only an issue during the construction on Old Ridge and shouldn’t be a problem now. Mrs. Liss announced that she will be on vacation next month for the meeting. Joe Zajac addressed the board in regards to the skate park being in terrible shape. He has built ramps before and is willing to help with the labor and design. Mr. Mitchell said he will be in contact with him to sit down and discuss the project. Adjournment: Mrs. Liss made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Spain. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________