Parks Board

REGULAR MEETING OF THE LAFAYETTE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD 4:00 pm 16 November 2020 The City of Lafayette Parks and Recreation Board met virtually via GotoMeeting, November 16, 2020 at 4:00 pm. The meeting was also livestreamed for the public at https://www.youtube.com/user/CityofLafayetteIN/live The meeting was called to order by Park Board President Maurie Denney. Board members present were Pat Corey and Matt Metzger. Parks Superintendent Claudine Laufman, Parks Director of Operations Jon Miner, Assistant Zoo Director Caitlyn Laffery, Marketing Manager Samantha Haville, and Substitute Recording Secretary Dana Rhodes were also present. City staff members present were Timothy Clary, Jeremy Diehl and Rob Blue. Upon motion by Pat Corey, seconded by Matt Metzger, and unanimously carried, minutes of the October 19, 2020 Parks Board meeting were approved. Upon motion by Matt Metzger, seconded by Pat Corey, and unanimously carried, claims in the amount of $27,043.95 were approved. Superintendent’s Report:  Assistant Zoo Director Caitlyn Laffery presented a summary of the 2020 Boo at the Zoo event. Zoo staff followed all CDC and Health Department guidelines and held a successful six-day event. Total attendance was over 4000, reaching capacity limits daily. Public feedback was positive, particularly on the daytime opportunities for small children. The event netted roughly $25,000, compared to around $27,000 for 2019’s event. Parks Superintendent commended the Zoo team for pulling an event together for the community. All event funding goes to the Parks Foundation for future Zoo improvement projects.  Assistant Zoo Director Caitlyn Laffery indicated that the penguin exhibit design engineer visited on October 21 and 22. Based on his review, there are still a few tweaks that will need done. There is still no set date for the penguin arrival due to some hiccups with permit approval and COVID delays.  Marketing Manager Samantha Haville presented a marketing update. The Parks Department has had some media appearances regarding Loeb Stadium progress in the last month. Coverage included turf installation and seating installation from WLFI, J&C and Star City. The marketing team will continue to reach out to media for significant project milestones.  Marketing Manager Samantha Haville discussed the launch of several sports videos from McAllister Recreation Center. These videos are designed to teach kids fundamental skills from their homes. They have completed videos on football and volleyball so far in cooperation with Jeff High School. Videos can be found on the McAllister Recreation website, Lafayette Parks Department YouTube and Facebook sites. The goal is to release more of these videos over the coming fall and winter. Pat Corey commented that the Park Board Meeting November 16, 2020 Page 1 of 3  videos were a great idea with universal appeal and would like to see numbers on where the viewers are located to assess our reach.  Marketing Manager Samantha Haville presented numbers on the growth of social media followers: 90 new Facebook followers, 75 new Instagram followers, 15 new Twitter followers, and 12 new Tik Tok followers. An internal goal was set to reach 10,000 Facebook followers by the end of 2020, and the current number is 9883 followers. The best performing posts have been construction project updates and a Tik Tok video featuring Parks Maintenance Tech Josh Daugherty. The Zoo’s posts for Boo at the Zoo also did well, creating a lot of engagement with pumpkin carving and costume contest posts. The goal was to incorporate a virtual aspect to the event for those not able or not comfortable attending in person.  Parks Superintendent Claudine Laufman presented an update on the Carousel project in Columbian Park. The shelter structure has taken shape and roofing panels will arrive yet this week. The triangular inlays with pavers are almost completely installed.  Parks Superintendent Claudine Laufman provided an update on the Memorial Island project. Remediation of soil around the shoreline is currently taking place and block is being staged on north side. Block walls on the south side of the lagoon are nearly completed. Dramatic changes are happening at the stage, including concrete floors and footers for the north bridge.  Director of Operations Jon Miner presented an update on Loeb Stadium. The field turf has been installed with inlays and infill. Seat installation continues and should be done later this week. Main Street sidewalks are poured and they continue to work along Wallace. Asphalt work is being done on Wallace by the Zoo parking lot and 24th Street/Park Avenue. Crew will soon be moving indoors for finishing touches to suites and locker rooms. Upon motion by Pat Corey, seconded by Matt Metzger, and unanimously carried, Resolution 20- 04 for the 2021 Holiday Schedule was approved (See Attachment A). Upon motion by Matt Metzger, seconded by Pat Corey, and unanimously carried, Resolution 20- 05 for the 2021 Non-Reverting Budget in the amount of $1,210,510.00 was approved (See Attachment B). Controller Timothy Clary thanked Parks Superintendent Claudine Laufman, Director of Operations Jon Miner and Deputy Controller Jeremy Diehl for their work and time discussing the budget. Because a lot of the Park revenues are based on activities that don’t allow for much social distancing, the expenses have been adjusted to match those projected revenues. Declaration of Surplus Property  Upon motion by Pat Corey, seconded by Matt Metzger, and unanimously carried, Riki the ferret from the Columbian Park Zoo was declared as surplus property and will be retired from the Zoo Education programming (See Attachment C). Upon motion by Matt Metzger, seconded by Pat Corey, and unanimously carried, the 2021 Park Board Meeting Dates were approved with the following corrected dates: Monday, September Park Board Meeting November 16, 2020 Page 2 of 3 20, Monday, October 18, and Monday, November 15 (See Attachment D). A corrected schedule will be sent to all Park Board members. Communications:  Board: No communications  Public: No communications  Written: No communications There being no further business to come before the Board, on motion by Pat Corey, seconded by Matt Metzger, and unanimously carried, the meeting adjourned at 4:27 pm. _____________________________________ Maurie Denney, Park Board President _____________________________________ Matt Metzger, Secretary ______________________________________ Dana Rhodes, Recording Secretary Park Board Meeting November 16, 2020 Page 3 of 3