Board of Park Commissioners

Board of Park Commissioners Meeting Minutes of December 9, 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, Mr. Kara and Mrs. Sills. Also present: School Board Representative Mr. Rogers, Park Board Secretary Ms. Montes, and Park Director Mrs. Goodpaster. Absent Common Council representative Mr. Huddlestun Approval of Agenda: Motion by Mr. Wengel to approve the agenda as presented, seconded by Mrs. Sills. All aye, motion carried. (4-0) Approval of Minutes: Motion by Mrs. Sills, seconded by Mr.Wengel to accept the minutes as presented with corrections. All aye, motion carried. (4-0) Approval of Register of Claims: Mrs. Galka questioned an invoice for Pet Waste Eliminator. There is a concern of over buying dog bags. Mrs. Goodpaster is thinking of ways to bring the cost down for dog bags by reaching out to the Community and having them help by recycling plastic bags. It’s something that has been discussed within the office and we are still figuring out a system where we are not purchasing as many dog bags. Mr. Wengel questioned an invoice for Walsh & Kelly for $4,716.75. Mrs. Goodpaster explained that the invoice is for the Barrington park ADA sidewalk that goes to the shelter and playground. Motion by Mr. Wengel, seconded by Mr. Kara to accept the register of claims as amended. All aye, motion carried. (4-0) Approval of bond proceeds claim list: Mrs. Goodpaster went though the bond proceeds claim list. She explained that the Emily Silich playground came in but the bill came in late so it was put onto the December’s bond proceeds. BF&S invoice is for the design improvements for the pool and the Lakefront walkway inspections. The other six invoices from Play & Park Structure are for the playgrounds that were purchased. Playground installation will be in spring and a RFP will be put together for the installation. Mrs. Goodpaster also mentioned that we will be under the original bond proceeds of 500,000 and that’s including installation. Also Park staff will be installing a couple of the playgrounds as certified playground inspectors, which will save money. Motion by Mr. Wengel, seconded by Mrs. Sills to approve the bond proceeds. All aye, motioned carried. (4-0) Correspondence: Mrs. Goodpaster reported Attorney Anthony DeBonis is retiring as City Attorney at the end of 2019. The City of Hobart is welcoming Heather McCarthy as the new City Attorney beginning 1/1/2020. Her salary will paid be within departments. Parks will pay a fee of $3,500 yearly. Heather and her Administrative Assistant Marisa Turner will have an office on the 2nd floor of the PCC building. Director Report: Mrs. Goodpaster reported that tree lighting took place Friday December 6th. This year it took place down town and it went really well. There was a golf cart parade which was a hit. We are planning for even things next year. The Hobart Art Theater had a sold out show which also was a great turn out for downtown businesses. Wednesday, December 11th Parks Department is hosting an ornament making night at the Community Center from 6-8pm and the cost will be $5.00. Monday, December 16th we are having a cookie bake off. We are also doing a scavenger hunt downtown and the winner gets a free ornament. We are trying to get the community more involved with some fun activities. Plan Commission Report: Nothing to report under Plan Commission. Common Council Report: Nothing to report under Common Council School Board Report: Hobart High School had a tragic event in regards to a student that passed away; he was a good student and an athlete. Keep his friends and family in prayers. Hobart Football/Brickyard stadium hosted the America’s Crossroads Bowl; this was the first time ever a bowl game was played in the Hoosier State. They visited the elementary schools and were such a great role models for the kids. Congratulations to the Boys and Girls swimming and diving team for bringing in double wins, also congratulation to the wrestling team for winning their first tournament. The Hobart High School Aquatorium is in the home stretch of completion. The Veterans Elementary at Mundell is on schedule and is moving right along and the school opening will take place next August 2020. Old Business: Nothing to report under old business New Business: Mrs. Goodpaster stated that in looking at the inventory of the vehicles that Parks currently have she noticed some are in good shape and some are not. As she mentioned in the past she was looking into purchasing new vehicles for the department. She partnered with Johnny at the City garage and the thought was to purchase GMC Vehicle through a grant program. That wouldn’t have happen till next year 2020 and it would have been more expensive. However, Johnny called Mrs. Goodpaster and proposed two great deals for two 2020 F-250 4x4 at a great price of $29,743.00. The trucks are originally worth $43,380.00 or more. She feels this is a great deal and has enough money in the budget to purchase two new vehicles this year. The Park Department is in great need of new trucks. Motion by Mrs. Sill, seconded by Mr. Wengel to accept proposal from Lake Shore Ford and allow purchase of two trucks. All aye, motioned carried. (4-0) Joe Larson was present and came to represent the Hobart Boys and Girls Scouts. He was a former Boy Scouts master for 35 years himself. He came representing the Hobart Boys and Girls Scout Cabin as a concerned citizen. His concerns are damage inside and outside the Scout Cabin: no hand rails going up the building, no motion lights, exposed wiring, water inside cabin, logs that are rotten, damage in the bathroom, the gutters are bad and the roof needs to be replace. He informed the Board that the property is the Parks Department responsibility to maintain the building. It was deeded to the City for the sole use by the Boys Scouts in 1954. Joe stated that he has acquired full kitchen cabinets to the Scout Cabin at no cost to the Park Department. The Scouts are taking down the old cabinets and putting the new donated cabinets up. Mrs. Goodpaster mentioned that Mayor and herself had offer to waive the Community Center fees to the Boys and Girls Scouts to do any fundraisers so that it can be put back into the building; no one has reached out. She also used the example of Pennsy Depot. She explained that that building was deeded to them as well, however they take care of any major repairs themselves and they are doing the fundraiser for it. The Soccer Club also has built their new building and also maintains that property. Mrs. Goodpaster would love to get together with the Scouts and find ways to come up with a fundraiser so they can put back into that building. There was discussion held in regards for solutions to the Scout Cabin. In conclusion Mrs. Goodpaster supports the Scouts because there are many families that benefit from it. She wants to meet with all the Scouts leaders and come up with a prioritized list of all repairs and the cost so that together they can collaborate and raise the money needed to put back into the building. Sandy O’Brien was present and explained stewardship of the park natural areas. She passed out documentations of Fred Rose natural area, power point presentation and notes. She stated that high quality natural area exits at Fred Rose Park, and to a lesser extent at Robinson Lake, the old Gilliana now Pleak Park and adjacent Pavese Park. These have all been managed for invasive species and controlled burns in the past and had been improving in quality and biodiversity until the unfortunate hiatus. No Controlled burns have been done at Fred Rose Park since spring 2014, at Robinson Lake since spring 2015, at Gilliana/Pleak since spring 2016. Invasive species work ceased completely after it became an issue in 2017. She stated that natural areas require a minimum amount of stewardship to stay healthy and safe for people, and they haven’t been getting it. There was a discussion held in regards to control burning. Mrs. Goodpaster is all for control burns but doing it the right way. It’s an easier management practice to do. This is something that she can work with Sandy and come up with a plan that will meet the needs to the natural areas. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Nothing to report under announcements ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn by Mr. Wengel, seconded by Mr. Kara. All aye, motion carried. (4-0) ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________