Board of Park Commissioners

City of Hobart Board of Park Commissioners Minutes November 14th, 2016 Call to Order: Mrs. Liss called the meeting to order at 5pm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Ms. Mandon took roll call. The following Commissioners were present: Mr. Spain, Mrs. Liss, and Mrs. Sills. Also present were Park Board Secretary Ms. Mandon, Park Board Superintendent John Mitchell, and Council Representative Mr. Herzog. School Board representative Mr. Rogers and Mr. Ehrhardt were not in attendance. Approval of Agenda: The Maintenance Management plan was added to the agenda under old business. Mr. Spain made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Mrs. Sills. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Approval of Minutes: Mrs. Sills motioned to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Mr. Spain. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Approval of Register of Claims: Mrs. Sills made a motion to approve the register of claims, seconded by Mr. Spain. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Correspondence: Ms. Mandon read a letter drafted from park employee Mr. Ellenberger. The letter stated an occurrence where Mrs. O’Brien approached him with inappropriate work questions at his own Grandmother’s funeral. This employee was instructed to get this disturbance out in a letter to be read on the record. The Mayor stated that it was brought to his attention and the Superintendent wanted to handle it on his own. The Mayor did not think that was a good idea and said to put it into writing and make the board aware. Mr. Mitchell said he does not want his employees put in these situations. Mr. Ellenberger was very close with his Grandmother and he was deeply disturbed by Mrs. O’Brien’s harsh behavior. Mrs. Liss read an email from Mr. Ehrhardt that stated he had looked over the Management Plan written by the Parks Department. He agreed with it and thought it was well written encompassing all parks. Superintendent’s Report: Mr. Mitchell stated that the Watts family donated $3,000 in memory of Mr. Chuck Watts that passed away. They wanted a shelter built in Hansen Park where he took his grandchildren. Mr. Mitchell said the shelter is finished and the plaque will be added soon. Fred Rose is almost complete but the stumps need to be ground down more so they are not a safety hazard. S&L Environmental group was contacted in regards to proper seeding and repair. The Halloween event was a huge success and Mr. Mitchell thanked Mrs. Lopez for a great event. Mrs. Goodpaster was consulted in regards to removing the pine trees in Festival Park. There are about 30 of them that are dying and have issues. 20-25 shade trees will be planted in their place. Mr. Mitchell thought the maintenance plan was very well written and took into consideration input from Park employees and people’s correspondence. The Christmas tree lighting event is December 2nd in Festival Park 6-8pm. Mr. Mitchell said he went to Mr. Ellenberger’s Grandmother’s funeral. Nobody deserves to be bothered and harassed at a loved ones funeral. Mr. Mitchell stated that enough is enough and he will always defend his people. Mr. Ellenberger took courage to write this letter and he expects an apology written back. Mrs. Liss asked if the trees would be removed before the tree lightning and Mr. Mitchell stated that he is waiting on Public Works help with equipment. Plan Commission Report: Mr. Spain stated that there was nothing to report. Council Report: Mr. Herzog stated that there was an ordinance meeting that discussed burning in the city again. He also said great work on the Halloween event, it was a class act. He wished everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving. School Board Report: Mr. Rogers stated that there were 3 school board members voted in unopposed so they will be there four more years. Saturday begins basketball season and everyone have a Happy Thanksgiving! Old Business: Mrs. Sills stated that the Parks Department did an excellent job on the Maintenance Plan and she did not see any changes to be made. Mr. Spain thought there was good compromise and he had no issues with it. Mrs. Liss said there was a lot of input and it was a well written plan with all of the parks in one place. Mr. Mitchell wanted to thank the Mayor for hiring Mrs. Goodpaster. It has taken a huge burden off of him with having to maintain so much green space and areas for proper plants and trees. Mrs. Liss stated that this plan will be looked over annually and it is a living document making changes as necessary. Mr. Spain made a motion to approve the new Park Maintenance Plan, Mrs. Sills seconded. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) New Business: Ms. Mandon presented the board with copies of the proposed rate increases for park rentals effective January 1st. She explained that there will be resident and non-resident prices for all rentals now, not just the parks. Mrs. Sills made a motion to approve the new 2017 rental rates for the Parks, seconded by Mr. Spain. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Announcements: Mr. Anderson from the Hobart Jaycees requested the board to grant him permission to use the Rugby field for their annual Christmas tree sale. This event funds their underprivileged children shopping spree for their holiday party. Some discussion ensued. Mrs. Liss asked that Mr. Anderson get with Mr. Mitchell and organize a plan for set-up so there is no conflict. Mr. Spain made a motion to approve the Jaycees Christmas Tree Sale in the Rugby field, seconded by Mrs. Sills. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) Mr. Woronecki approached the board and said the letter from Mr. Ellenberger should have been kept private and personal not inappropriately read at the board meeting. Some discussion ensued. Mrs. Dixon approached the board and asked about the Fred Rose seeding update. Mr. Mitchell stated that the stumps need to be ground down more and the ground will be disturbed again so he cannot seed yet. Some discussion ensued. Mr. Woronecki again approached the board and asked why the contractor was not responsible for the damage and new seed purchases. Some discussion ensued. Mrs. O’Brien addressed the board and said that she is just shocked that Mr. Mitchell would use Mr. Ellenberger like this. She said you must consider the motives, and there are two sides to every story. Adjournment: Mrs. Liss announced to save the date for the Park Master Plan workshop on November 29th. Mrs. Sills made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Spain. All aye, motion carried. (3-0) ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________