Park Board

Kendallville Park and Recreation Department 211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064 BOARD MEETING MINUTES July 8, 2024 6:30PM Present: Tracy Tipton, President, Jen Blackman, Dave Button, Dennis Nartker, Dawn McGahen, Park Director, Diane Peachey, Skatepark Enthusiast, Angie Mapes Turner and Mike Mapes. Public Comments: Angie Mapes Turner and Mike Mapes, family of Arthur Franklin Mapes explained to the board how they wanted to replace the wooden sign honoring Arthur Franklin Mapes with a state historical marker. Dawn told the board how Ryan felt we could do the installation ourselves and there would be a place to install it along Sherman Street. The board voted in support of having the Mapes family pursue the application process for the state historical marker. (Blackman, Nartker) Minutes of the June, 10 2024, meeting was approved. (Nartker, Button) Claims were reviewed and approved as presented (Blackman, Nartker) Skatepark Discussion: Diane told the board that the final bill was received and paid. We are waiting for permanent rules and donor signs to be completed. Vacation Extension: Susan Crosby 28.75 Hours (Nartker, Button) Directors Report: 1. The Rotary Club is meeting in the Lion’s Pavilion tomorrow evening. Tom Jansen wanted them to see the newly installed fireplace. 2. We recently had a vehicle go into the water off the east end of Diamond Street. Nobody was injured and the DNR was able to help retrieve it. 3. The weekly water tests have had favorable results. 4. The board was made aware of a goose roundup that was completed at Bixler Lake. 5. We are working on finalizing the 5-year Master Plan. JPR has sent a rough draft and hopes to finalize it soon. 6. Budget meetings will take place in the first week of August. The 2025 budget can only have a 4% increase so Dawn is working on that. 7. Dawn told the board about someone who wanted to sell items on the beach on the weekends. The board agreed that this was not a good idea. 8. The driver involved in an accident with one of our park trucks has filed a tort claim against the city. Our insurance company is aware of this as well. Maintenance Report: 1. Staff did a great job getting the park ready for the Fourth of July event. 2. Helped the Street Department with the culvert replacement on Freeman Street. 3. The Street Department mowed tall weeds along the lake, channel and duck pond. 4. Installed ropes and raft on the east beach. 5. Continued to mow, trim and spray weeds within the park system and recreation complex. 6. We had a tree split and had to have a crew take it down on a Sunday evening. Staff cleaned up the brush and wood from it. 7. Started grinding up the ball court to start with the miniature golf course. 8. Working on irrigation at the recreation complex. Recreation Report: 1. The princess concert was well attended, and several attendees stopped and gave us positive feedback. 2. Summer day camp is still going well. We have a great group of staff and campers this year. 3. The mobile stage was used for the princess concert, a concert in Pocket Park, on the 4th of July and is rented this week for an event at the sports complex. 4. The Patriotic Pops and 4th of July event had a record number of people attend. It was well received, and we hope to add more activities next year. The free will donation collection brought in $1,358.00. Kendallville Outdoor Recreation Complex Report: 1. Craig Simon the President of NASA passed away unexpectedly. I have been in contact with a board member, and they are working on reorganizing and will keep us updated. 2. The YMCA soccer program started today. They are using the complex to practice and play. 3. Jason has been selected to be the district represented for USSSA softball. He has already been working with them to  Kendallville Park and Recreation Department 211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064 schedule several tournaments this fall. 4. The skatepark is being used each day. 5. There will be a fall baseball league this year. So far there have been several teams signed up. 6. Wahoo softball will have a tournament at the complex this coming weekend. Acceptance of Donations: None were given. Board Input: Tracy asked about concession expenses versus income. Dawn told him that they have been good even with increasing prices. She will get the board copies of the appropriation reports from the last three years for comparison. The meeting was adjourned at 7:20PM ( Blackman, Button)