Park Board

Kendallville Park and Recreation Department 211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064 BOARD MEETING MINUTES May 9, 2022 6:30PM Present: Kevin Jansen, President; Sam Zollman, Vice President, Jen Blackman, Dave Button, Dennis Nartker, Tracy Tipton, Dawn McGahen, Park Director Public Comments: None were given. Minutes of the April 18, 2022 meeting were approved as presented. (Tipton, Zollman) Claims were reviewed and approved as presented. (Button, Blackman) Skatepark Discussion: The contract was sent to Hunger Skatepark and they are going over it and should have it ready to be signed in June. This is their busy season so once the contract is approved and signed then they will start working on the design aspect and the skatepark group can start fundraising. Directors Report: Highlights 1. Working with The Dekko Foundation regarding the maintenance barn roof. We also only received one bid on the project and the price on it could fluctuate. Dawn will talk to Scott Derby about rebidding the project. 2. The Dekko Foundation is working on how to assist us in fundraising for the Phase II Endowment. We are still under the matching grant amount and need to continue to try and raise funds from the community. 3. The Cub Scout Day Camp will be held June 13 & 14 in the campground. They would like to bring The Regulators, a reenactment group from Stones Trace to do a demonstration. Dawn will work with them on the logistics of this. 4. We have had an old row boat, with trailer and motor returned to us from waste water treatment. If staff feel that we won’t use it then we will look into selling it and investing the money into the endowment fund. 5. Dawn attended the ICE banquet at the high school. Working with a senior student has been beneficial to both the department and the student. We will continue to offer this program if needed. 6. Indiana tourism group toured the complex and park and shared information about grants and how they can help promote the area. 7. The board had a discussion regarding the use of the mobile stage for events on Main Street. After much discussion, Kevin Jansen decided that he would reach out to the mayor regarding this. 8. Dawn praised the Kendallville Police Department for their efforts in keeping the park free of vandals and trespassers. 9. The Kendallville Lippert Plant 150 and 151 were nominated for Friend of the Park. (Tipton, Nartker) They volunteered and did a great job picking up limbs that were down from the wind. This allowed us to start mowing sooner and get the grounds looking good for spring.  Kendallville Park and Recreation Department 211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064 Maintenance Report: Highlights 1. Staff pulled weeds around the Youth Center landscaping. 2. String trimmed areas in the park, KORC and cemetery 3. Started mowing and have gotten stuck in several wet areas. 4. Grading of the campground roads and access road is being done regularly; however, with the rain that we have had it is hard to keep them smooth. 5. The cabins are close to being done. Electrical has been installed, grill bases are in and the furniture is near completion. 6. The Youth Center entrance is getting painted and should be done soon. 7. A large tree uprooted and fell across the campground road. It smashed a disc golf basket as well. Park and Street Department employees were able to clean it up quickly. Kendallville Outdoor Recreation Complex Update: 1. Banners were hung for opening day of youth league and several area businesses renewed or purchased new banners this year. 2. Games are going well and we have received compliments from people on the condition of the fields. 3. Concession staff have done a very good job serving customers, utilizing the credit card machine and cleaning the grounds afterwards. 4. There was a discussion about concession food and what was expected of us regarding umpire and “team treats” the board agreed that umpires should not receive free food because we would take a loss on it. 5. NASA had three games at the complex and complimented us on how good the fields and lines looked. 6. Adult leagues will start this week and will be ran by the department as a way to generate additional income. Recreation Update: 1. Back to Camp night was held at the Youth Center with several families coming and registering their children. Camp staff is being hired, but it has been difficult with the low pay rate compared to other business offering a higher salary. 2. We are working with the CLC and plan on hosting specialty camps this year for daycamp participants. 3. The board gave several options to ask for local places to visit for camp field trips. Dawn will check into these. 4. The park is working with the Young Professional Network to host their food truck events in the park this year. 5. Dawn is working on bringing concerts to the park this year. At least one of them would be at the sports complex in September. 6. The Mayday project was bright banners in trees and the wind created some havoc trying to put them out. Hopefully we can add a few more and fix the ones that the wind messed up. Acceptance of Donations: None were received. Board Input: Sam asked if we should meet with the finance committee regarding the pay scales for park employees. Dennis asked if beaches would still be groomed even if lifeguards weren’t hired. We have no applications and beaches will be swim at your own risk but we will continue to groom them.  Kendallville Park and Recreation Department 211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064 Kevin told the board that it was time for Dawn McGahen’ yearly evaluation and pay raise for the Park Director position. After discussion and input, the board agreed that Dawn should be raised to the full amount under the salary ordinance. (Blackman, Button) Jen thanked Dawn and staff for doing a good job this past year. The meeting was adjourned at 7:45PM (Tipton, Nartker)