Park Board

Kendallville Park and Recreation Department 211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064 BOARD MEETING MINUTES October 21, 2024 6:30PM Present: Tracy Tipton, President, Kevin Jansen, Vice-President, Jen Blackman, Dave Button, Dennis Nartker, Dawn McGahen, Park Director, Mayor Lance Waters and April Waters Public Comments: Mayor Waters told the board that he took out of town guests on a drive through the city. They went through the park and recreation complex. The guests were amazed at how well manicured our park system was and how many great amenities we had. Mayor Waters and the board thanked the staff for doing such a wonderful job. Minutes of the September 9, 2024, meeting was approved. (Jansen, Nartker) Claims were reviewed and approved as presented (Nartker, Button) Skatepark Discussion: Dawn reported that the artist that will paint the mural is ready to go. We are just waiting on the additional paint to arrive. Playground Discussion: The board discussed improving and replacing playground structures within the park system. The Park Department received a grant from GameTime that would go towards the two structures, however, there is a short window to pay and order these. The board approved to utilize money from the Non-Reverting Fund up to $80,000.00 if we don’t receive funds in time to meet the grant deadline. (Jansen, Nartker) Directors Report: 1. The Park Board signed a form listing rules for the park amenities. It will be forwarded to the Police Department. 2. We received a donation from the Wilbur Helmer Foundation which will go towards the playground purchase if needed. 3. The campground inspection was completed and there were a few minor violations that have been addressed and most have been corrected. 4. The campground coordinators have done a great job this year. They would like to stay throughout the winter and work again next year. The board agreed to this and asked that they pay $250.00 per month to cover our expenses. (Nartker, Jansen) 5. Dawn is working on end of the year purchases and will report back to the board at the November meeting. 6. The water tests are done for the season and the results were all good. 7. The Lions Club of Kendallville would like to donate two benches in honor of John Clifton. The benches would go in the Lions Pavilion. 8. The family of Arthur Franklin Mapes received approval on a state historical marker in honor of the poet. They will work with the Park Department on installation next spring. 9. A reminder of the change of date for the November meeting due to it falling on Veterans Day. The meeting has been moved to Monday November 18th. Maintenance Report: 1. Staff paved areas of the campground road. 2. Finished putting epoxy on the west beach bathroom floors. 3. Hauled dirt in and leveled the south side of the east beach. 4. Formed, leveled and paved the miniature golf area. 5. Continue to mow, trim and mulch leaves. 6. Helped with setup and tear down of the Apple Festival. 7. Started moving picnic tables for winter storage. 8. Took out the raft and ropes on the beach. Recreation Report: 1. Delivering of Christmas boards and paint has begun. 2. Staff will be helping with the YMCA Family Halloween Party. 3. We will be setting up the vortex at the CLC Trunk or Treat. 4. Dawn has talked to Kristen Johnson about MYAC helping with some projects in the park. 5. Chris McCreery offered to give board members a tour of The Woodland Trail Disc Golf Course.  Kendallville Park and Recreation Department 211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064 Kendallville Outdoor Recreation Complex Report: 1. Our first USSSA girls’ softball tournament was held last weekend. It was small but went very well. 2. The 3-on-3 Pumpkin Bowl Flag Football event is going to be this weekend. 3. Staff have been working on irrigation and getting ready to winterize it. 4. The fields were all fertilized. 5. There are lips on some of the ballfields between the infield and outfield. Staff are working on digging those out and smoothing them out. Acceptance of Donations: Christmas Greeting Drive-thru: Campbell & Fetter Bank-$200.00 Quick Tanks-$200.00 Randy and SuzAnne Handshoe-$100.00 Erica Dekko-$100.00 State Farm Insurance (Don Gura)-$100.00 Max Platt Ford Lincoln-$100.00 Pillers Family-$200.00 Orchard Hill Farms Inc-$100.00 AMI Investment-$500.00 McGahen Family-$50.00 Mobile Stage: St Marks Lutheran Church-$900.00 General Use: Wilber Helmer Foundation-$3,057.94 Board Input: Kevin asked about end of the year spending and what we intended on purchasing. Dawn informed him that they were working on it and would bring it to the next meeting. Tracy mentioned the proposed Aquatic Center that is being talked about within the community. The board had a discussion regarding this. The meeting was adjourned at 7:33PM (Jansen, Button)