Park Board

Kendallville Park and Recreation Department 211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064 KENDALLVILLE PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT BOARD MEETING MINUTES August 10, 2020 6:30pm Present: Kevin Jansen, President; Dave Button; Tom Jansen; Dennis Nartker; Jim Pankop, Park Director; Dawn McGahen, Recreation Director and Brett Slone, KORC Manager. Also present Ron Witham and Diane Peachey, Skatepark Advocates. Public Comments: None were given. Minutes of the meeting of July 13, 2020 were approved as presented. (T. Jansen/Nartker) Claims were reviewed and approved as presented. (Button/T. Jansen) Ron Witham and Diane Peachy attended the meeting to discuss the current skatepark situation and confirm that the Board was still open to the possibility. After a short conversation the Board requested further information as they move forward. The Board thanked them for their interest in this project. Directors Report: Highlights 1. Reviewed the Appropriation Reports from the Clerk Treasurer for the month of July 2020. 2. Budget process for 2021 is hopefully complete. 3. Request for Park Rule change for fishing. The Board voted unanimously to allow anglers legitimately fishing to be in the Park 24 hours. (T. Jansen/Nartker) The Park is closed to all other activities from 11:00pm – 7:00am. 4. Jim Pankop asked the Board if staff could pursue the possibility of turning a portion of Sunset North East into a prairie. This could be used as an educational tool, benefit wildlife, as well as cut back on mowing. The Board thought this was a great idea. 5. Current project updates were given. Vacation Extension for Dawn McGahen was approved for 208 hours. (T. Jansen/Button) Maintenance Report: Highlights 1. Maintenance staff cut down and cleaned up 2 dead trees. 2. Set-up Mobile Stage for Police prayer event. 3. Ground out 22 stumps, cleaned up debris, filled with top soil and seeded to grass. 4. Continued to groom beaches weekly. 5. Delivered engineered wood carpet safety material to all playgrounds, where needed, and spread out. 6. Applied sealer on tree with owl carving.  Kendallville Park and Recreation Department 211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064 Kendallville Outdoor Recreation Complex Update: Brett reported that play has taken place on 7 of 10 weekends after opening. Some tournaments have been cancelled due to low numbers. This is the direct result of the current pandemic. Brett also reported that repairs on the irrigation system are underway and that fertilization of the athletic fields and surrounds has taken place. Recreation Update: Summer Daycamp had lower numbers than years past but was still successful. The staff and campers were able to make memories and friendships. Dawn thanked the community for it’s support of the camp. The BBQ Cookoff was cancelled due to Covid-19 concerns and the future of upcoming recreation activities are unknown as well. Acceptance of Donations: (Nartker/T. Jansen) ❖ Beverly Leitch Memorial – General Use o Barbara Eickholtz - $100.00 Board Input: None was given. The meeting was adjourned at 7:27 pm.