Board of Park Commissioners

Board of Park Commissioners Meeting Minutes of April 8, 2019 Call to Order: Mrs. Galka called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. followed by the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call: Commissioners in attendance: Mrs. Galka, Mr. Wengel, Mrs. Sills, and Mr. Kara. Also present: School Board Representative Mr. Rogers, Common Council representative Mr. Huddlestun, Park Board Secretary Ms. Montes, and Park Director Mrs. Goodpaster. Approval of Agenda: Motion by Mr. Wengel to approve the agenda as presented, seconded by Mr. Kara. All aye, motion carried. (4-0) Approval of Minutes: Motion by Mr. Kara to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Mr. Wengel. All aye, motion carried. (4-0) Approval of Register of Claims: Mrs. Sills questioned claims for the Allied Benefit. Mrs. Goodpaster stated that Allied benefit is for full time employee health insurance. Motion by Mr. Wengel to accept the register of claims as presented, seconded by Mrs. Sills. All aye, motion carried. (4-0) Correspondence: Nothing under correspondence Director Report: Mrs. Goodpaster mentioned that the Lakefront final walk through will be April 18th. There is no set time but as soon as she is knows of a time she will report back to all Commissioners. This will be the final walk through to over every detail and to make sure everything is done accordingly to the contract before the project closes. Chasing dream ribbon cutting took place at Festival Park. The Chasing Dreams Scouts Troops now have a planter box in which they will be educated on flowers, how to plant flowers and also maintain it throughout the season. Brickie Bowel is almost ready for the Country Jam; there is just a small amount of painting to do. The Park Department is partnering up again with Comcast Cares. We will be working with them Saturday May 4th at 9:00 am at Brickie Bowl. Employees will donate their time and everyone else who wants to come out and help is welcome. Lunch will be provided for everyone. The plan is to paint the old concession stand and stain the benches at no cost to the Parks Department. Community Clean-Up will take place April 27th from 9 am till noon. The Park Department will provide lunch for everyone. We will start at Festival Park and work our way around to different locations. We are going to be focusing on garbage clean up. Mrs. Goodpaster also mentioned that Parks will be partnering up with the Kiwanis Club for their Dueling Pianos Fundraiser and they will be donating some of their proceeds to the Parks Department. It will take place at the Art Theater May, 10th from 7 to 9 pm. Part of their profit will be going into a project for a park. Plan Commission Report: Mrs. Galka reported that the Cressmoor development is moving forward. Common Council Report: Mr. Huddlestun reported that early voting starts April 9, 2019. He also noted that the code enforcement is out in full force, so any complaints can be made by contacting Sgt. Ron Russo. School Board Report: Mr. Rogers reported that spring sports have begun. He also mentioned that any help needed to contact the high school principle to get students to do community service. Old Business: Nothing to report under old business New Business: Christy Hall presented for the Hobart Jaycees in need of approval in regards to the Easter Egg Hunt April 13th at Hillman Park from 12-2 pm, Jaycees Fest June 28th -July 3rd at Brickie Bowl and Jaycees Mud Volleyball August 3rd - 4th at Hillman Park. Christy provided proof of insurance policy and the layouts for the events. Mrs. Goodpaster confirmed that everything was ready to go and all forms have been submitted to the Parks Department. Motion by Mrs. Sills to approve the three events that the Hobart Jaycees has presented, seconded by Mr. Kara. All aye, motioned carried. (4-0) Mrs. Goodpaster reported that she would like to establish a mission statement for the Parks Department. She feels it’s important to identify the goals of the department and have a clear statement on its intentions. Mrs. Goodpaster presented the Board with a mission statement she found appropriate: It is the mission of Hobart Parks and Recreation Department, “To preserve, maintain, protect & improve a safe environment and enhance the quality of life for current and future generations.” Mrs. Goodpaster stated that she is open to any suggestions from the Board. Mrs. Galka asked if she can have more time to look at it and bring it back up in the following meeting. Mrs. Goodpaster has been working with The Hobart Soccer Club President, Luke Weinman on partnering to bring a Futsal Court to Hobart. Futsal Soccer is an exciting, fast-paced small football game that is widely played across the world. The surface, ball, and rules create an emphasis on improvisation, creativity, and techniques as well as ball control and passing in small spaces. It’s also a sport that involves all ages and can be played all year around. Luke Weinman is The Hobart Soccer Club President. Mr. Weinman has big ideas and would eventually like to see a Futsal Court added to the Hobart Soccer Clubs current location at Hillman Park. The Parks and the Hobart Soccer Club plan to work together to find the funding to make that a reality in the future, however, it is not currently in the Parks Department budget. Instead, Mrs. Goodpaster would like to repurpose two of the tennis courts at 8th Street location into two Futsal courts. This will still be leaving 3 tennis courts there allowing the Hobart Middle School to use it during tennis season. Mr. Weinman is able to create programming and run a Sunday evening league from 5-8 pm throughout the summer June and July. The Hobart Soccer Club has insurance and will add the Park department into their insurance policy. Not only does this allow for our youth to be involved in a quickly up and coming sport but also to bring in families from other communities to Hobart. The cost will be $25 dollars a kid. The Hobart Soccer club will pay to line up the courts, goals and referees. The only thing they are asking the Park department is to do is fill in the cracks inside the tennis courts and taking the tennis nets out. Mrs. Goodpaster believes the cost to fill in the cracks will be around 2,000. When all said and done, the tennis courts will be converted back into tennis courts. The Parks Department will not charge for rental the first year. Mrs. Goodpaster stated that she likes the idea of partnering up with Mr. Weinman because it is offering another recreational opportunity into the community. A discussion followed regarding the future goal for Futsal Court to Hobart. Mr. Weinman stated that Target has a big million dollar project, where they go around locations and fund Futsal Courts. He would love to see approach them and make Futsal a reality. Motion by Mrs. Sills to use the two tennis courts at Fred Rose Park for Futsal, Seconded by Mr. Wengel. All Aye, motion carried. (4-0) Mrs. Goodpaster reported that the Mayor and she have met with Mrs. O’Brien to discuss invasive species management and spraying in the parks. The invasive species management has been an ongoing topic brought to Park Board. Friends of Robinson and Fred Rose are interested in a more active management plan. Therefore, the City of Hobart Park Department has decided to have a partnership with EcoRealm LLC, with the objective of maintaining diverse native plant community and preventing the spread of invasive weeds. Sandy O’Brien will treat and remove the invasive plants at these two parks only. Sandy would be required to have open communication and the Parks Director approval of anything done on City Park Property. Mrs. Goodpaster feels that this helps to establish a better relationship between the friends groups and the department to meet a common goal. Mrs. Galka expressed her concern in regards to the spraying because of the people walking their dogs in the park. Sandy O’Brien addressed the council expressing that the spraying is seasonal and at her cost and she only sprays on areas normally away from where the people walk and bring their pets. Sandy also expressed that she is licensed and she is responsible to the state along with her own business insurance. Mrs. Goodpaster confirmed that nothing will be done without her supervision and coordination. She has plans on putting flags with signage around the areas that is sprayed. Mr. Kara suggested sending out notices to the public on sight when the spraying will take place. Mrs. Galka suggested consulting the City Attorney to make sure we are covered under the liability. Motion by Mr. Kara to engage Sandy O’Brien from EcoRealm to help manage the invasive species at Fred Rose Park and Robinson Lake pending consultation with City Attorney regarding City liability and with the condition that areas that are sprayed be marked and posted prior to spraying, seconded by Mr. Wengel. All aye, motioned carried. (4-0) There was a discussion followed in regards to the ability to expand communication into the use of technology with some type of electronic communication app where the community can stay in touch with the Parks and Events in Hobart. Mrs. Goodpaster presented pictures and two quotes for the removal of a tree at Brickie Bowl. This tree is dead and hangs over the track on the West end. With the upcoming Country Jam and other private rentals that are booked, we are at risk when the tree falls. The Parks is not able to do in-house due to its height. The bucket truck is not tall enough to safely remove the tree. Evans Tree Care provided a quote for the amount of $2,200 to take down and remove Maple tree. Ellenberger’s Maintenance SVC provided a quote for $1,200 for removal of split tree. The tree will be taken all the way down past the fence line and all logs and debris removed. Motion by Mr. Wengel to accept the tree removal from Ellenberger’s Maintenance at $1,200 dollars, Seconded by Mr. Kara. All aye, motioned carried. (4-0) ANNOUNCEMENTS: Free family fishing event at Hobart Robinson Lake Park Saturday, June 1st at 9am to noon. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Fishing gear is furnished by the DNR. Event is sponsored by Friends of Robinson Lake. It is a great event for people in the community to come out and learn about fishing and also enjoy all crafts and games provided for the children. No license is required and fishing gear will be provided. ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn by Mrs. Sills, seconded by Mr. Wengel. All aye, motion carried. 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