Park Board

Kendallville Park and Recreation Department 211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064 BOARD MEETING MINUTES April 12, 2021 6:30pm Present: Kevin Jansen, President; Dennis Nartker; Jennifer Blackman; Sam Zollman; Dave Button; Tracy Tipton; Jim Pankop, Park Director; Brett Slone, KORC Manager and Dawn McGahen, Recreation Director. Also present, Scott Derby, Patriotic Pops discussion. Diane Peachy and Ron Witham, Skatepark update. Chris McCreery, Disc Golf project update. Public Comments: None were given. Minutes of the meeting of March 8, 2021 were approved as presented. (Button / Blackman) Claims were reviewed and approved as presented. (Nartker / Zollman) Scott Derby addressed the Board to inform them that he was no longer able to be the lead organizer for the July 4 th festivities. Scott gave a brief history of how he became involved in the event and why it is time for him to pass the responsibility on to someone else. After a lengthy discussion the Board agreed that the Park & Recreation Department would take over those responsibilities for Scott. (Zollman / Tipton) Diane Peachy addressed the Board on behalf of the skatepark group. She informed the Board that after attending a Planning Commission Meeting to ask that a portion of Sunset Park be rezoned to accommodate the construction of a skatepark that the next step would be a legal description of the area in question. After the area has been identified the next step is to notify the neighbors then submit an application for rezoning to the Planning Commission. Chris McCreery updated the Board on the progress that has been made constructing the new 18 hole Disc Golf course. He reported on a recent work day that had 50 volunteers show up to help. In an effort to design the course to its full potential Chris asked the Board to purchase portable baskets and pads that will be used to determine the site for future permanent baskets. The portable baskets will then be used for special events. The Board agreed to spend $3,800.00 on supplies requested. (Button / Nartker) Directors Report: Highlights 1. Reviewed the April 2021 Appropriation Report from the Clerk Treasurer. 2. The Board was informed that engineering for the campground project is underway and should be ready to use for budgetary purposes soon. 3. The Board learned that the Park Department failed to secure a grant for prairie restoration at Sunset Park. The project can still move forward due to the modest cost incurred over a two year period. 4. The Board was also informed that the Department received a matching grant from the Dekko Foundation in the amount of $250,000.00. The purpose of this grant is to grow the Kendallville Outdoor Recreation Complex Endowment Fund to care for the new and existing assets of the facility. Maintenance Report: Highlights 1. Graded stone roads and parking lots. 2. Hauled away 13 Dump Truck loads of brush from Disc Golf course work day. 3. Tilled and staked out garden plots at Sunset Park. 4. Cleaned up debris from 8 large stumps that were ground out, filled in with top soil and seeded to grass.  Kendallville Park and Recreation Department 211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064 5. Helped Street Department plant 61 Street Trees. 6. Planted 13 trees in the Park and 6 in the Cemetery. 7. Spread out picnic tables that were stored in the pavilions. 8. Started to turn on water at winterized locations and repair problems. Kendallville Outdoor Recreation Complex Update: 1. Brett informed the Board that the first tournament of the year will be this coming weekend with 32 boys teams participating. 2. NASA soccer is scheduled to start play on 4/24. 3. Brett also mentioned that banner sales have gone well and more will be displayed on the home run fences this year. Recreation Update: 1. The front of the Youth Center was weeded, bushes planted and new mulch put down. 2. Our Easter Bunny Drive-Thru was successful with 190 children receiving treat bags. 3. New WIFI receivers are being installed at the campground. A tablet was purchased and is being set-up so that the campground will be able to take credit card payments. 4. A group of individuals volunteered their time to sort plastic bottle caps at the Youth Center. We are trying to collect several hundred pounds to purchase recycled benches for the pickleball courts and archery range. 5. Scheduling use of the mobile stage within the park system has started. The first free concert of the season will be May 5th, 2021 at 6:00PM in the west terraces. East Noble Jazz Band will preform for the community. Acceptance of Donations: (Nartker / Zollman) ❖ General Use- o Quick Tanks (Joe & Nancy Taylor) – Dave Etter Memorial $500.00. Board Input: Dennis inquired if we had received any lifeguard applications yet. He was informed that none have been received. The meeting was adjourned at 8:38 pm