Park Board

Kendallville Park and Recreation Department 211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064 BOARD MEETING MINUTES February 12, 2024 6:30PM Present: Tracy Tipton, President, Kevin Jansen, Vice-President, Jen Blackman, Dave Button, Dennis Nartker Sam Zollman, Dawn McGahen, Park Director, Jason Meade, KORC Manager, Diane Peachey & Ron Witham, Skatepark Enthusiast, Scott Vondran and Zach Ruse, Kendallville Girls Softball League. Public Comments: Scott Vondran the past KGSL President discussed the league numbers, inquired about fencing around the Sunset Park fields and also discussed with the board concerns about field scheduling. The board thanked the representatives for coming to the meeting and voicing their concerns. Minutes of the January 8, 2024, meeting was approved as presented. (Nartker, Zollman) Claims were reviewed and approved as presented. (Jansen, Blackman) Skatepark Discussion: Diane told the board the Park Department and Street Department started prepping the site for the build. Hunger Skateparks plans on starting the build the first of March. Dawn mentioned that we used some encumbered money to purchase limestone and other items for the project. Directors Report: 1. The 2023 Annual Report was completed and is being distributed. 2. 5-Year Master Plan update was reported. 3. Fund balances held at the Community Foundation of Noble County were discussed. We will pull money from the skatepark fund and put it in the city account so all bills will be paid from there. 4. A discussion was had regarding disc golf tournaments, leagues, and improvements. 5. City Council passed on 1st reading the Campground Fund. 6. Youth Center rentals were discussed, we had to have a translator for a rental recently and have decided that to be fair to the renter and the park, we should request translators in the future if there is a communication concern. Maintenance Report: 1. Staff picked up trash and sticks throughout the park and KORC. 2. Paint was touched up at the Youth Center. 3. Mowers, Kubota’s and the Bannerman were tuned up and are ready for the season. 4. Four soccer benches and four recycled benches were assembled. 5. Pedestals at the campground were painted. Recreation Report: 1. May 18th is the Endurance Run in the park. 2. We have a Princess concert scheduled on June 5th, 2024. 3. Daycamp paperwork and field trips are being worked on. 4. Skate night and Euchre continue to have good attendance. 5. Young Professional Network is working on food trucks and activities for the July 4 th event. Kendallville Outdoor Recreation Complex Report: 1. We are working on policies and contracts for the KORC. In response to the concerns raised by the Representatives of KGSL, the Board determined that we should establish some Guidelines and Policies for scheduling the use of and the renting of the KORC. Since schedules have already been established for the upcoming year, the Policies and Guidelines should be established for the following year. It should be noted that the KORC Manager had previously reached out to KGSL and offered some open dates. The scheduling of the KORC facilities has not previously been an issue because the facilities had not been utilized to the extent in which they are currently. Acceptance of Donations: (Button, Zollman) - Sunset Prairie: DNR $1,777.80 - Disc Golf: Donna Ramer $25.00 Rick & Diana Kabisch $25.00 Brandon Miller (for Zach) $5.00 Board Input: None was given. The meeting was adjourned at 8:07PM (Jansen, Button)