Board of Park Commissioners

Meeting Minutes April 8, 2024 Call to Order: Mr. Such called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. followed by the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was open to the public and a call-in number for remote public participation. Roll Call: Commissioners in attendance: Mr. Such, Mr. Recio, Mr. Schultz, Ms. Grabczak, and Council Representative Mr. Rodriquez. Also present are Park Board Secretary Ms. Montes, and Park Director Mrs. Mandon. Absent School Board Representative Mrs. Hillan Approval of Agenda: Motion by Mr. Recio, seconded by Mr. Schultz to approve the agenda as presented. All aye, motion carried. (4-0) Approval of Minutes: Motion by Ms. Grabczak, seconded by Mr. Recio to accept the February 8, 2024 minutes as presented. All aye, motion carried. (4-0) Motion by Mr. Recio, seconded by Mr. Schultz to table the Hobart Football Booster Club Sponsorship for the next meeting. All aye, motion carried. (4-0) Approval of Register of Claims: Mr. Such and Mr. Recio questioned the sponsorship for the Hobart Football Booster Club. Mrs. Mandon stated that every year we sponsor a Brickie football player for $500. This football player is a lifeguard for the Parks Department and a great part-time worker. Mrs. Mandon mentioned that the sponsorship comes out of the Events line item, not Parks' budget. Mr. Such and Mr. Recio think the donation is excessive and we should reconsider a much lower donation due to our budget cut. They feel once we open this up to one team, we are setting ourselves up for other team sports to ask for the same donation. Mr. Schultz and Ms. Grabczak suggested tabling it for the next park meeting, and that Ms. Mrs. Mandon can email them with detailed information in regards to the sponsorship. Motion by Mr. Recio, seconded by Mr. Such to accept the register of claims. All aye, motion carried. (4-0) Since the meeting for March was canceled, there was a motion by Mr. Such to approve the register of claims, seconded by Ms. Grabczak to accept the March register of claims as presented. All aye, motion carried. (4-0) Correspondence: nothing under correspondence Director Report: Mrs. Mandon greeted the board at her first park board meeting. She mentioned that she is happy to hear that Pop Warner had a successful and great turnout as they hosted the first game at the Brickie Bowl for the first time. Pop Warner will now host their Pop Warner flag football at Brickie Bowl all through May, following their summer camp football camp from June 24th - 28th. They will also use Hillman Park to host the Mud Volleyball event on August 3rd & 4th. The new playground at the Hobart pool location will be getting service this week. Some bolts repairs and hardware are missing. They will tighten the turf and fix some holes in the turf. Mrs. Mandon stated that a package is being put together for the sidewalks and concrete for the benches around the new playground.  The park guys are working on getting ready for the season. The bathrooms will be open this month. We are now hiring part-time maintenance workers to help with the season. Mrs. Mandon mentioned that the back Gym got painted and we are also putting up wall pads as well. It was done in-house which saved a lot of money. We were also able to get new basketball rims and the backboards painted in the front gym. Mrs. Mandon stated that we were starting an adult basketball league beginning May 24th Fridays nights @ the PCC Gym. $425 each team. It’s a five-on-five court eight games and single elimination tourney. Sign-ups at the Parks Department or online. Mrs. Mandon reported that our first Easter Egg Hunt was a success. It was a great turn out and the kids had a great time. The plan is to build on that for next here and make it bigger and better. Mr. Such commented that he was present for the event and we did a fantastic job. Mrs. Mandon also announced the Trash or Treasure is coming up on April 27th, which is the city rummage sale. Following the Community Clean-up on May 11th, we moved it back this year because the plan is to maybe get planting done to beautify our city. Mrs. Mandon gave a heads-up on the need to purchase refrigerators for our storage coming soon. The ones we have no longer work and we need new ones for our summer markets, Lakefront festivals, and any other event that we do. Plan Commission Report: nothing under plan commission report Common Council Report: nothing under the Common Council report School Board Report: There is nothing to report under the school board Unfinished Business: Hobart Football Booster Club: This item will remain on the table as park board members want more information regarding the $500 donation for the Brickie Football Spring 2024 sponsorship. New Business: Tavern on the Lake Fest: The owner is not here tonight, but he wanted to get on the agenda for the next park board meeting. Mrs. Mandon gave brief information, the owner wants to do a festival at the back of his patio. He wants to expand onto his patio area and go towards the Lakefront. Citizens for Sustainable Hobart: Robin Gomez is part of a group based in Hobart that promotes sustainable living and environmental conservation in the local community. Their mission is to inspire and empower citizens to work together to create a more sustainable future for Hobart and the surrounding area. Mrs. Gomez discussed that they want to start a Farmers Market involving fresh produce and artisanal homemade goods with the focus being producer only. The group is still working on the logistics to be able to launch a successful Farmers Market. Ms. Mandon suggested that they would join our Summer Market Event. We already have the setup and the employees to work the market for garbage. She explains that every vendor pays a vendor fee. The Parks Department is already busy with their events so it only makes sense to join in the Summer Market event. Mrs. Gomez stated that she wanted to make the Farmers' Market an exclusive event and set it up by the Lakefront by the clock tower on a different day than the Summer Market. They are looking for fees to be waived and in return, they will recognize the Park Board and The City of Hobart as a sponsor of the Farmers Market. As they are still figuring out the logistics, the board suggested meeting with the parks director to see how this will impact the department and get the resources needed to get this event started. Along with coming back with a plan, layout, insurance, and a payment plan. Everyone is excited to see this event come together and create a sustainable future for Hobart. Friends of Robinson Lake Zeta Allen: Zeta Allen came forward with a donation check for $1,665.80 to cover the expense of three life rings they had suggested for Robinson Lake Park. The life rings are in the plans to be put up when we have dry ground. We thank Friends of Robinson for donating and making our park a better place. Mr. Allen came forward and stated that Friends of Robinson are happy to work with the Park Department and appreciate all the improvements done to the park. They are happy to see the extension of the parking lot and the new playground. Mr. Allen mentioned that they are doing another kayak raffle and once again all the proceeds go to benefit Hoabrt’s Robinson Lake Park. Tickets are also being sold at the Parks Department. Drawing will take place on July 25, 2024, @ 5:30 pm during the Summer Market. Tickets are $10.00 each and only 300 tickets will be sold. Mr. Allen stated that with the permission of the park, they are going to try to get a group that offers safety and training in kayak. Any cost will be covered by Friends of Robinson. Interagency Agreement for Dog Park: Ms. Clemens came forward and explained that the dog park is on the property of Lift Station and multiple different departments are going to take the state in it. The Lift Station will still operate out there and the dog park will remain city property but will be maintained by the park department as far as the garage, mowing, and other maintenance that the park would need. Motion by Ms. Grabczak, seconded by Mr. Recio to accept the Interagency Agreement for the Dog Park. All aye, motion carried. (4-0) Hobart Hillman Park Baseball Field Wood Pole Replacement: Mrs. Mandon reported that all the poles at Hillman Baseball Field are in pretty bad shape. The picture provided for viewing shows one particular pole that’s the worst out of all the poles. It’s a safety issue and needs to be replaced. Mr. Recio questioned who was responsible for the maintenance repairs of Hillman Park because the fencing at the Pop Warner field is falling apart and needs repairs. Ms. Clemens came forward and explained that the Hobart Pop Warner and the Soccer fields are City property however, they were leased to the Hobart Pop Warner and the Hobart Soccer Club, and therefore maintenance and repairs are done in-house through them. The Hillman Park softball side is used through the Park Department and we not only rent the fields out but also have our softball summer and fall league and all the funding goes back to the Parks program. Mr. Such suggested that the softball league program have its individual line item fund so that everything gets tracked and the money can be used for maintenance and repairs. Mr. Such also stated that eventually, all poles will need to be replaced and he will try to donate poles and get them at the cheapest price to help with funding.  In regards to the picture that was provided for the pole in Hillman. Mr. Schultz asked if there was something certainly living inside the pole and if we are going to demo it down to grade is it going to be in our way? Mr. Recio explained that the pole was just rot and Mr. Such explained that they were going to pull the pole out and put a new one back in place. Announcements: Nothing under the announcements Adjournment: Motion to adjourn by Mr. Such, seconded by Mr. Recio All aye, motion carried. (4-0) ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________