Board of Park Commissioners

City of Hobart Board of Park Commissioners Minutes January 12th, 2014 Call to Order: Mr. Ehrhardt called the meeting to order at 5pm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The following Commissioners were present: Mr. Ehrhardt, Mr. Spain, Mrs. Sills, and Mrs. Liss. Also present were the School Board representative Mr. Rogers, Council Representative Mr. Mendez, Park Superintendent Mr. Mitchell, and Park Board Secretary Ms. Mandon. Approval of Agenda: Mr. Spain made a motion to approve the agenda as presented, seconded by Mrs. Liss. All aye, motion carried. (4-0) Approval of Minutes: Mrs. Liss motions to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Mrs. Sills seconds. All aye, motion carried. (4-0) Approval of Register of Claims: Mrs. Liss asked if there were any additions this month and Ms. Mandon said there were not. Mrs. Sills made a motion to accept the register of claims as presented, seconded by Mr. Spain All aye, motion carried. (4-0) Correspondence: None Superintendent’s Report: Mr. Mitchell stated that he wanted to update the board on some of the larger projects planned for 2015. He stated the Festival Park electric panels have not been touched in 20 years so they will be updated this year. Veteran’s Park had several requests to add electrical so that will be done as well as repairs to the shelters. Mr. Mitchell stated that the sidewalk on the lakefront is in bad shape and needs repair as soon as possible. Park equipment will be evaluated and replaced to keep everything up to date. Mrs. Liss asked about the sled hill progress and Mr. Mitchell said we are keeping the bathrooms open weekends also for the children. The parks are looking at ice rinks for the fall too. The rinks would be at the tennis courts where it is fenced in, there is a bathroom, there are lights, and parking. Plan Commission Report: Mr. Spain stated that the Plan Commission meeting for January was cancelled due to no business and bad weather. The February meeting coming up February 5th at 7pm, will have the comprehensive plan presented to the public. Council Report: Mr. Ehrhardt announced to welcome Mr. Mendez as the council representative to the Park Board. Mr. Mendez said he had no report this month but he had a suggestion about the dog park area. He suggested to put the dog park at the sanitation area where there are several acres. He also suggested the area off of Rt. 6 where the gun range is being built. Mr. Mitchell stated that there are no amenities like roads, parking, water etc. and cost would be high. School Board Report: Mr. Rogers reported that the school board elected him to be the park board representative again for 2015. Old Business: None New Business: Mr. Ehrhardt announced that appointments for this 2015 must be made for the Park Board representatives. Mr. Ehrhardt motions for Mr. Spain to be the Plan Commission Representative again. Mrs. Liss seconds, all aye and motion carries. (3-0) Mrs. Liss nominates Mr. Ehrhardt for Park Board President. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Mr. Ehrhardt nominates Mrs. Liss to stay Vice President of Park Board. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Mrs. Liss nominates Mrs. Sills to stay Park Board Secretary. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Mrs. O’Brien could not get the PowerPoint presentation to work so her topic will be tables for old business for next month’s meeting. Mrs. O’Brien wanted to thank the Parks Department for opening the gate for the DNR when the Christmas trees were delivered from Home Depot donations. They will help address the large erosion problem by contributing to the fish habitat in Robinson Lake. Announcements: Mrs. Liss announced that she attended the first Zumba class at the Community Center for only $5 at 6pm and it was great. Everyone should try to make it out if they can on Thursdays. Friends of Robinson Lake presented a hat and t-shirt to Mr. Mitchell as a thank you for his help at the park. A list of the group’s activities and donations for the year 2014 was distributed and they are looking forward to another great year. Mr. Schwochow addressed the board as a Hobart resident on 3rd ST. and as a past Park Board member. He said Chicago Parks has a 15 point rule system for their Dog Friendly Areas DFA’s. He said that the dog park is a great idea but in his opinion the best location for this would be Robinson Lake’s Northeast corner. Adjournment: Mrs. Sills made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Spain. All aye, motion carried. (4-0) ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________