Park Board

Kendallville Park and Recreation Department 211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064 BOARD MEETING MINUTES July 11, 2023 6:30PM Present: Kevin Jansen, President, Tracy Tipton, Vice-President, Jen Blackman, Dave Button, Dennis Nartker, Dawn McGahen, Park Director and Diane Peachey, Skatepark Enthusiast Public Comments: None were given. Minutes of the June 12, 2023, meeting was approved as presented. (Tipton, Blackman) Claims were reviewed and approved as presented. (Blackman, Button) Skatepark Discussion: Diane reported that three grants have been submitted and fundraising is ongoing. Ron Witham has set up a booth at the merchants building during the fair and has received several positive comments. Vacation Extension: The board agreed to extend Susan Crosby’s 45.5 vacation hours. (Button, Nartker) Directors Report: 1. We discussed the upcoming 5-year master plan and the increase in cost. 2. The 2024 budget is due, and meetings will be held with each department in the last week of July. 3. Weekly water tests are still being done and so far, we have had good results. 4. A tour of the updated maintenance barn was arranged for the board. They complimented the changes made. 5. Kendallville Kiwanis’s Club painted various pieces of playground equipment in our tot-lot playground. 6. The board was informed about individuals renting the youth center and wanted to extend their rental time past midnight and also have the security cameras turned off. The decision was made that we will not extend hours or shut off security cameras. Maintenance Report: 1. Staff have continued mowing and trimming throughout the park and recreation complex. 2. Seed and spray have been applied at the Sunset Prairie. 3. The entire department helped to set up and also clean up after the Patriotic Pops concert and firework display. 4. The campground cabin air conditioner isn’t working, so a new one was installed. 5. Grooming of the beaches continues both Monday’s and Friday’s. 6. There were several trees and limbs that needed cleaning up after the last storm. The campground also lost electricity during this storm. Recreation Report: 1. The Patriotic Pops and firework display went very well. Several people commented about how large the crowd was. 2. Park Board members and staff collected free will donations at the gate this year to go towards children’s activities at next year’s event. This worked out very well. 3. Summer day camp is going well. There are 170 campers, and we are half way through the summer. 4. It has been brought to our attention that we need to fill out a permit from the State Fire Marshall’s office for the use of the mobile stage. Dawn is looking into this further. 5. There is a group that would like to run a tournament at the new disc golf course. The board discussed the fee to use this, and it was decided it would be $100, and the group would need to provide the required certificate of liability. Kendallville Outdoor Recreation Complex Report: 1. The local youth leagues have finished their seasons. 2. The Cole Center Family YMCA will be running a summer soccer league at the complex. Registration for this has been good. 3. We have a few fundraisers being held at the complex ball diamonds. 4. Jason is working on a fall youth league as well as adult men’s and coed leagues. 5. There will be a wiffle ball tournament on August 12, 2023. If this one goes well, we will schedule additional ones in the fall. 6. Wahoo Softball Summer Sizzler will be held July 14, 15 & 16. Acceptance of Donations: None Board Input: Tracy Tipton asked if there were any problems between individuals wanting to play tennis vs pickleball at the courts. So far there haven’t been any issues reported.  Kendallville Park and Recreation Department 211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064 Jen Blackman said how nice the Patriotic Pops event was and thanked us for our hard work. Dave Button also commented on the Patriotic Pops event and how good it turned out. The meeting was adjourned at 7:29pm (Tipton, Blackman)