Board of Park Commissioners

City of Hobart Board of Park Commissioners Minutes March 9th, 2015 Meeting *AMENDED* Call to Order: Mrs. Liss called the meeting to order at 5pm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The following Commissioners were present: 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: One change was made to the agenda order, Hoosier Doggy hot dog stand item is moved up in the meeting to the old business section for timing purposes. Mr. Spain made a motion to approve the agenda as presented, seconded by Mrs. Sills. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Approval of Minutes: Mrs. Sills motions to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Mr. Spain seconds. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Approval of Register of Claims: Mrs. Liss questioned the amount for purchase of the new truck lease. Mrs. Sills questioned the purchase of the hanging baskets. Mr. Mitchell explained them both. Mr. Spain made a motion to accept the register of claims as presented, seconded by Mrs. Sills. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Correspondence: None Superintendent’s Report: Mr. Mitchell stated that he wanted to thank Ms. Mandon again for the grant work and the LARE grant work has begun. The Parks Department is able to do $10,000 in in-kind work towards the grant match. We were also awarded the Lake Michigan Coastal Program Grant to put in an ADA kayak/canoe launch and fishing pier with a 50/50 match. Mr. Mitchell stated that the Parks Department ordered new hanging baskets to help save on watering and are putting in 2 new bike racks at Pennsy Park and Robinson Lake. Mr. Mitchell also pointed out the need for a clean-up at Fred Rose Lakeshore where all of the old railroad ties and debris from the old bridge. Mr. Mitchell introduced the new Events Director Nicole Lopez and she will begin next week. Mr. Mendez wanted to commend Mr. Mitchell on the hard work. Mr. Rogers asked about the grant matching. Mr. Mitchell explained that the Coastal Grant will not pay for anything but the engineering, ADA kayak/canoe launch and the fishing pier. It will not pay for the sidewalks to connect into the neighborhood or any electrical etc. Mr. Mitchell stated that the current trees are undermining the shoreline and are hollowed out and dangerous. Plan Commission Report: Mr. Spain stated that the Plan Commission approved the Union St. Subdivision by the Carpenter’s Union and Mr. Meyers spoke in regards to the Neighborhood Spotlight. Council Report: Mr. Mendez stated that the Jaycees are young people who are doing good work in the community and he wanted to commend them. School Board Report: Mr. Rogers reported that the Spring Fest is on the 20th 3- 8pm. There will be a fish fry, silent auction, bouncies and games at the school. Old Business: Lori Gallagher with Hoosier Doggy came before the Park Board to renew her permit to sell at Pennsy Park this year again. She has been there for 11 years and now with the bike trail coming through, it should increase business. She requested a picnic table to be placed there. Mrs. Sills made a motion to renew the permit at the Pennsy Park location, Mr. Spain seconded. All Aye, motion carried. (3-0) Sandy O’Brien displayed a presentation on why it is not ethical to put a dog park at Fred Rose Lakeshore Park. Some discussion ensued. Mr. Mitchell asked Mrs. O’Brien how big the park is and if it is all natural there. Mrs. O’Brien said no, there is currently a playground there but her opinion is that it is not big enough for both. Mrs. Liss said thank you for the work and volunteering. Mrs. Liss asked to motion to table the location until the committee or public input can be considered with group sessions. Mr. Spain motions to table the dog park until the further discussion and group sessions are completed, Mrs. Sills seconds. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) New Business: Tiffany Nobles presented the Jaycees events to be approved by the Park Board. Jaycees Fest is to be June 25-28th and the Mud Volleyball Tournament is to be August 1-2nd. Mrs. Liss asked how the change of location went last year. Mrs. Nobles it is headed in the right direction. Mrs. Sills asked Mr. Mitchell about the clean up afterwards or any problems. Mr. Mitchell said that there were a few issues and communication needs to be increased. Mrs. Nobles said that this will take care of the clean-up as Jaycees this year. Mrs. Sills motioned to approve the Jaycees events at the Rugby Field for the summer of 2015, Mr. Spain seconded. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Ms. Mandon asked for a motion to approve the entertainment contracts for the summer. Mrs. Sills motions to approve the contracts, Mr. Spain seconds. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Christopher Meyers presented the Neighborhood Spotlight grant information. He explained that input is necessary including opportunities, threats, strengths and weaknesses for the designated area. Discussion ensued in regards to input from the Park Board members in regards to revitalizing the area and give it more of a sense of community. Announcements: Andy Gregory addressed the Park Board in regards to the dog park location. Mr. Gregory offered alternative locations and said there is a petition with 20 names on it but he left it at home. Some discussion ensued. Eric from the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association addressed the Park Board in regards to paddling events and wanted to get help identifying routes for a guide of Lake George and Deep River. Mr. Mitchell said that he can help with that. Adjournment: Mrs. Sills made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Spain. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________