Parks Board
Regular MeetingLafayette, IN · September 16, 2024
Minutes
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
LAFAYETTE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
4:00 pm
16 September 2024
The City of Lafayette Parks and Recreation Board met in regular meeting at 4:00pm, September
16, 2024. The meeting was held at Rush Pavilion in Columbian Park.
The meeting was called to order by Park Board President Matt Metzger. Board members present
were Dave Mecklenburg, and Jan Abney. Superintendent Claudine Laufman, Director of
Operations Jon Miner and Recording Secretary Jenny Spencer were present. Parks staff
members present were Mike Perry, Neil Dale, Samantha Haville, Alex Tanksley, Colin Miner,
Dustin Kirby and Aubrey Mann. Eddie Opperman, a member of the public also attended.
Upon motion by Ms. Abney, seconded by Mr. Mecklenburg, and unanimously carried, minutes
of the August 26, 2024, Parks Board meeting were approved.
Upon motion of Mr. Mecklenburg, seconded by Ms. Abney, and unanimously carried, General
Fund Claims in the amount of $10,940.68, Non-Reverting Fund Claims in the amount of
$7,864.12 and Beautification Fund Claims in the amount of $896.45 for a total of $19,701.25
were approved.
Superintendent’s Report:
• Superintendent Laufman invited Market Manager Haville to share a summer recap.
- Ms. Haville shared a report with board members with details on each Art in the Park
event that is also shared with participating vendors. All events were well attended
despite some weather challenges. Dance Night had the highest attendance with
estimates upward of 1000 visitors.
- A generous gift from Visit Lafayette/West Lafayette brought the first ever Sounds of
Summer Concert Series to the Memorial Island Amphitheatre. There were three
concerts throughout the summer with food trucks accompanying. Plans were
discussed to increase attendance.
- Aubrey Mann has been hired as a fall intern. She attends Purdue University majoring
in Anthropology and History with a Communications minor.
- Social media has increased over all platforms in the last month. Our summer interns
created several Tik Toks to be released this fall, which will hopefully keep
momentum going.
• Superintendent Laufman provided an update on ongoing projects.
- The exterior siding is up on the Zoo Commissary building. A hardware issue has
arisen on the sliding doors. There was an on-site meeting to problem solve. They are
currently on schedule to wrap up in the coming weeks.
Park Board Minutes 9/16/24
Page 1
- The McCaw Phase 2 trail is being paved. This morning the crew was forming
concrete by the press box to connect all of the asphalt trails that come in. The soil
remediation continues. They anticipate putting asphalt down later this week on the
trail and actually paving the courts next week. The lights are up at the pickleball
courts.
- The primate design architect is currently working on the cost projection for concept
design in order to move forward with that project.
Upon motion by Ms. Abney, seconded by Mr. Mecklenburg and unanimously carried Resolution
24-03, amending Park Rule 3 was approved. (See Attachment A)
- Ms. Laufman shared that research is being done in order to provide a solution for
those wanting to hang hammocks in the parks that would not damage park property.
Mr. Opperman, an attendee with interest in this topic, had questions regarding
number and location for those alternatives. Ms. Laufman shared that research into
cost and required materials has not progressed far enough yet to answer.
Communications:
• Board: none
• Public: none
• Written: none
There being no further business to come before the Board, on motion of Mr. Mecklenburg,
seconded by Ms. Abney, the meeting adjourned at 4:16 pm.
_______________________________________
Matt Metzger, Park Board President
_______________________________________
Siany Molina, Secretary Pro Tem
________________________________________
Jenny Spencer, Recording Secretary
Park Board Minutes 9/16/24
Page 2
Agenda
LAFAYETTE PARK AND RECREATION BOARD
REGULAR MEETING – SEPTEMBER 16, 2024
RUSH PAVILION – 4:00pm
AGENDA
1) Call to order.
2) Approval of minutes of the August 26, 2024 regular park board meeting.
3) Approval of claims.
Approval of General Fund Claims in the amount of $10,940.68, Non-Reverting Fund Claims in the
amount of 7,864.12 and Beautification Fund Claims in the amount of $896.45 for a total of
$19,701.25.
4) Superintendent’s report.
5) Resolution 24-03, Amending Park Rule 3. – (Attachment A) (Claudine Laufman)
The board must vote on this. This resolution amends Park Rule 3, PARK PROPERTY.
6) Communications.
a) Board.
b) Public.
c) Written communications.
7) Adjourn.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
LAFAYETTE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
4:00 pm
26 August 2024
The City of Lafayette Parks and Recreation Board met in regular meeting at 4:00pm, August 26,
2024. The meeting was held at Rush Pavilion in Columbian Park.
The meeting was called to order by Park Board President Matt Metzger. Board members present
were Dave Mecklenburg, Siany Molina and Jan Abney. Director of Operations Jon Miner was
present. Parks staff members present were Mike Perry, Neil Dale, Samantha Haville, Alex
Tanksley and Emily Cox.
Upon motion by Ms. Abney, seconded by Ms. Molina, and unanimously carried, minutes of the
August 12, 2024, Parks Board meeting were approved.
Upon motion of Ms. Abney, seconded by Ms. Molina, and unanimously carried, General Fund
Claims in the amount of $112,516.45, Non-Reverting Fund Claims in the amount of $33,867.00
for a total of $146,383.45 were approved.
Superintendent’s Report:
• Director of Operations Miner provided an update and recap of coming and recent events:
- It was a busy weekend at Columbian Park. The Franciscan Employee picnic and
Quibache Music Festival were both held on Saturday. On Sunday the Kiwanis Duck
race was held at Tropicanoe Cove. Also on Sunday, Joyful Journey held its
fundraiser at Loeb Stadium.
- Labor Day weekend brings the Laborer’s Day picnic at Columbian Park with free
admission to the Zoo as well as free boat and train rides. Monday, September 2nd is
also the final day of operation for Tropicanoe Cove and for the pedal boats. It will
also be the final Lafayette Citizen’s Band concert and the final day for the butterfly
exhibit.
- The details for the last Sounds of Summer concert are being finalized for September
11th at the Memorial Island Amphitheater.
- Latinofest is being held on September 14th at Columbian Park.
- Fall Programs at McAllister Recreation Center have begun. Sporties for Shorties
Flag Football registration begins this week. There are still spots available for the next
two Daycation trips heading to the Museum of Science and Industry and
Shipshewana.
Park Board Minutes 8/26/24
Page 1
Upon motion by Ms. Abney, seconded by Mr. Mecklenburg, and unanimously carried, the
Declaration of Surplus Property was approved (attachment A).
- After a question from Mr. Metzger, a brief discussion was held regarding the goat
adoption process.
Communications:
• Board: none
• Public: none
• Written: none
There being no further business to come before the Board, on motion of Mr. Mecklenburg,
seconded by Ms. Abney, the meeting adjourned at 4:13 pm.
_______________________________________
Matt Metzger, Park Board President
_______________________________________
Siany Molina, Secretary Pro Tem
________________________________________
Jenny Spencer, Recording Secretary
Park Board Minutes 8/26/24
Page 2
Attachment A
RESOLUTION 24-03
A RESOLUTION TO AMEND PARK RULE 3
PARK PROPERTY
WHEREAS, on September 19,2 011 the Lafayette Park and Recreation Board (“Board”) adopted
Park Rule 3.
WHEREAS, the Board desires to amend the park rule to include the following:
• It is unlawful to attach or hang any item from trees within any park. This
includes, but is not limited to, hammocks, swings, signs, decorations, cables or
wires, and ropes or chains. This rule is in place to prevent damage to tree bark,
branches, and overall tree health.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Lafayette Park and Recreation Park that Park Rule 3
is hereby amended to read as follows:
PARK RULE 3
PARK PROPERTY
• It is unlawful to cut, break or pluck flowers or to damage or deface trees,
shrubs, plants or grass or any of the buildings, fences, benches, structures or
statuary within any park.
• It is unlawful to attach or hang any item from trees within any park. This
includes, but is not limited to, hammocks, swings, signs, decorations, cables or
wires, and ropes or chains. This rule is in place to prevent damage to tree bark,
branches, and overall tree health.
• It is unlawful to throw stones, rubbish or other articles into any lake, pond, river,
stream or fountain or any roadway of any public park or park area.
• Charcoal from BBQ grills must not be emptied on park grounds.
• The area of the park that you use must be left clean and in a good condition
before you leave.
.
Adopted this 16th day of September 2024.
____________________________________
Matt Metzger President
Attachment A
Attest:
_________________________________
Siany Molina Secretary
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