Park Board

Kendallville Park and Recreation Department 211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064 BOARD MEETING MINUTES September 8, 2025 6:30PM Present: Tracy Tipton, President, Kevin Jansen, Vice-President, Jen Blackman, Dave Button, Jeni Ekovich, Dennis Nartker, Dawn McGahen, Park Director, Jason Meade, KORC Manager and Debra Hasse Public Comments: None were presented. Minutes of the August 18, 2025, meeting was approved. (Nartker, Button) Claims were reviewed and approved as presented. (Jansen, Ekovich) Directors Report: 1. We are working with Purdue Fort Wayne Engineering Department on a design for the dam bridge. 2. Received an email with a petition for a dog park. Several of the signatures were from out of town and even out of the country. 3. Dawn is working with Katie Ritchie on the 2026 salary ordinance. 4. The appropriation report shows all park accounts in good standing. 5. We received word that we will get a check from the Wilber Helmer Foundation. 6. Had a meeting and showed the Bluffton Park Department various aspects of our park system. 7. We are working on a contract for seasonal campers so that they know rules and what they are required to do to keep their sight clean. Maintenance Report: 1. Staff continue to mow, trim and pick up limbs. 2. We have fixed various issues within park bathrooms and are going to switch out dispensers that were gifted to us by the YMCA. 3. Staff continue to work weekend mornings, cleaning the park and pavilions. 4. Have done maintenance on mowers and tractors. 5. Continue to fix irrigation at the KORC. 6. Removed vandalism that occurred at the skatepark. Recreation Report: 1. Musicapalooza was successful and we are looking forward to expanding the event next year. 2. We will help host a Halloween weekend in the campground. 3. Summer camp 2026 is being planned and will continue throughout the winter months. Kendallville Outdoor Recreation Complex: 1. Jason reported on the number of teams that have played this year. 2. He reported on fall ball, wiffleball and the Halloween tournament we are hosting. 3. We shared with the board, income compared to 2024 and all areas have increased. 4. With the considerable increase in concession income, Kevin Jansen questioned if we had any kind of auditing practice. Dawn explained to the Board, the process of issuing and depositing the cash bags. Acceptance of Donations: (Blackman, Jansen) - 4th of July Entertainment-Young Professional Network $250.00 Board Input: Dave mentioned the large amount of trees being taken down in the city and park and how it has people upset. He also mentioned how good the park looks. Jen asked about areas of vandalism and if we had cameras installed. Dawn explained the location of the cameras. Jeni inquired about purchasing campground sweatshirts. Dawn will look into the cost. With the considerable increase in concession income, Kevin Jansen questioned if we had any kind of auditing practice. Dawn explained to the Board, the process of issuing and depositing the cash bags. • Adjournment: 7:01pm. (Jansen, Ekovich)