Park Board

Kendallville Park and Recreation Department 211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064 BOARD MEETING MINUTES June 9, 2025 6:30PM Present: Tracy Tipton, President, Kevin Jansen, Vice-President, Jen Blackman, Dave Button, Jeni Ekovich, Dennis Nartker, Dawn McGahen, Park Director and Val Stryker. Public Comments: None were presented. Minutes of the May 12, 2025, meeting was approved. (Blackman, Button) Claims were reviewed and approved as presented (Jansen, Ekovich) Directors Report: 1. We are waiting on printed copies of our 5-year master plan. Dawn also asked the board to complete the survey for the City of Kendallville comprehensive plan. 2. A local young man is interested in upgrading the east beach bathroom for his Eagle Scout project. We will work with him on this project. 3. Interviews for the office manager position will occur this week. The planned start date for the new hire is July 7 th. 4. After all the heavy rain, e-coli results at the lake were high prompting a temporary closure. The tests have been daily and are back to passing results. 5. The campground has been very busy with a few issues that have been addressed. We also have a group called custom campsites who have setup in the campground. We get advertising and additional sites rented from them. 6. Dawn explained to the board that with our small staff and busy summer, everyone is trying to use vacation time but it is hard to do. She asked the board to approve carrying over Susan’s remaining vacation hours not to exceed 130 hours. This was approved unanimously. (Jansen, Button) Maintenance Report: 1. Staff have cleaned up trees that have come down with the wet soil and winds. 2. Staff are doing the weekly water tests that are required by the state. 3. Several areas in the park roads were patched with asphalt millings. 4. Fixed the urinals in the campground bathrooms that had been vandalized. 5. Continue working on the miniature golf course. They are now laying the carpet down and will then add the side rails. 6. Installed security cameras at the skatepark and east and west bathrooms. 7. Worked on irrigation leaks at the ball fields. 8. Fertilized soccer and ballfields. 9. Put the swim raft and ropes out at the east beach. Recreation Report: 1. Summer day camp is going well. We have good counselors, and a fun group of campers. 2. We are working on the Patriotic Pops event that will be held at Bixler Lake on the Fourth of July. 3. The Princess Concert will be on the 18th at 6:00pm on the west terraces of Bixler Lake. 4. Great Lakes Watercross Jet Ski Event will be July 26 & 27 at the park. This should attract several racers and spectators. 5. We are hosting a cabaret night June 25th and also Musicpalooza event later in the summer. Kendallville Outdoor Recreation Complex: 1. Weekly games and weekend tournaments have been going well. We have received lots of positive comments on the facility. 2. We are still having issues with people bring their pets to the complex. Staff will continue to monitor this and contact the police if needed. 3. There have been several rainouts this year but we have open times to get them rescheduled. Acceptance of Donations: (Jansen, Blackman) - Noble County Convention & Visitors Bureau: 4th of July Entertainment $250.00 Board Input: Jen asked how the Endurance Run went. Dawn reported how it went well and they are planning on having the event in the park next year. She also asked about hiring of summer staff and was told, we have everyone hired and things are going well.. Dave talked about all of the flooding around the lake due to the heavy rainfalls. Dennis asked about cleaning the graffiti off of the skatepark, Dawn will get with Ryan regarding this. He inquired about the fireworks on July 4th and who covered the cost. The money is strictly donations and doesn’t come from the city budgets. Adjournment: 7:17pm. (Jansen, Nartker)