Board of Park Commissioners

City of Hobart Board of Park Commissioners Minutes September 14, 2014 Call to Order: Mr. Ehrhardt called the meeting to order at 5pm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Ms. Mandon took roll call. The following Commissioners were present: Mr. Ehrhardt, Mr. Spain, Mrs. Sills, and Mrs. Liss. Also present were the School Board representative Mr. Rogers, Councilman Mendez, Park Superintendent Mr. Mitchell, and Park Board Secretary Ms. Mandon. Mr. Ehrhardt called for a moment of silence to honor the Mayor’s passing of his mother and father. Approval of Agenda: Mrs. Sills made a motion to approve the agenda as presented, seconded by Mr. Spain. All aye, motion carried. (4-0) Approval of Minutes: Mr. Spain motions to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Mrs. Liss seconds. All aye, motion carried. (4-0) Approval of Register of Claims: Mrs. Sills made a motion to accept the register of claims as presented, seconded by Mrs. Liss. All aye, motion carried. (4-0) Correspondence: None Superintendent’s Report: Mr. Mitchell stated that it is the end of summer so our season is slowing down. The Lakefront Festival was a success with the highlight being the Cardboard Regatta in its 3rd year. Next year we will have to move it west towards the Community Center to make room for more participants. Mr. Ehrhardt stated that the Cardboard Boat race is something you must see to believe. He spent a lot of time at the Festival this year and it was a lot of fun. September 3rd was the last market. It was a great market season with great weather and turnout. The pool closed August 16th with high numbers and a great season. The lifeguards did a great job this year and they are excited to come back. Phase I of the shoreline stabilization Project is 99% complete. The Parks Department will start its part in planting the plants tomorrow. Phase II will incorporate the new ADA Kayak/Boat dock, a fishing pier, and sidewalks with lights along them. September 19th is the Brews and Blues Festival if you still need to get tickets. January will begin discussion on re-opening Robinson Lake for swimming. The plan will be put together in regards to budget. It would likely be open longer due to no cost of chemicals etc. October 24th is the Downtown Trick or Treat Event but it is in Festival Park instead this year due to downtown construction. The Boat Races were this weekend. Mrs. Sills asked if there were a lot of out of towners again at the boat races. Nicole Lopez said yes they came from France again. This year there were 85 boaters. Mr. Mendez said he spent 3 days with the Boy Scouts. He stated there was one complaint while he was down there and that was the tripping hazard of the bricks. Mr. Mitchell stated that he is well aware of this bad situation and it must be resolved. The bricks have sunk greatly. This is a very expensive issue that we are looking for grant money help with. Some discussion ensued. Plan Commission Report: Mr. Spain stated that the Plan Commission meeting last week entailed the developer of the Old Prudential building on 10th Street rezoning. It is projected to become a senior housing development. Council Report: Mr. Mendez stated that he is already getting calls in regards to the senior housing. School Board Report: Mr. Rogers reported that the school board meeting was changed because of the annual Taste of Autumn event at the Avalon. Old Business: None. New Business: Mr. Fulton addressed the board on behalf of the Kiwanis. He discussed the playground at Fred Rose 8th St. playground that they sponsored. It is in disrepair and needs to be updated. The Kiwanis would like to work with the Parks Department and put together a budget in regards to updating the playground equipment. Mr. Ehrhardt asked Mr. Mitchell to take a look at the park and work together to get it updated. Mrs. O’Brien addressed the board in regards to the Fred Rose Lakeshore Park being a high quality plant zone. Everything is being mowed off. Mrs. Sills asked if this was a repeat slideshow she was showing and Mrs. O’Brien said yes but it is still important. Mr. Ehrhardt said that he went out to the park and it looked great, he wants it on the record that he does not see the destruction. Mrs. Sills said Mr. Mitchell is not maliciously mowing to hurt nature. Mr. Mitchell said he is mowing 1 width of the mowing deck which is about 6 feet wide. Mr. Brian Bruce contacted the Parks and said thank you for mowing so that he can walk his dog without issue. Some discussion ensued. Jennifer Woronecki-Ellis addressed the board in regards to sharing opportunities about invasive species control. The DNR contact Derek Nimitz has grants to help maintain invasive species. Mrs. Debonis addressed the board also in regards to the wetland mitigation project she was a part of during the HIDEC project. They had to do 2 sites in order to get the seawall permit. Some discussion ensued. Announcements: Nicole Lopez, Hobart Events Coordinator, addressed the board in regards to the boat races. During the week of the boat races, there were 4 campers in Rugby Field Parking lot. They set up without permission. Mrs. Lopez asked that we keep this in mind for next year and give the campers a designated area to camp. Adjournment: Mrs. Sills made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Spain. All aye, motion carried. (4-0) ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________