City Council

SANDS PARK CONTROL BOARD MEETING OF OCTOBER 12, 2017 A meeting of the Sands Park Control Board was held on Thursday, October 12, 2017 at 3:30 p.m. in the Second Floor Conference Room, City Hall. PRESENT: Ron Stoneman, Jim Thompson, Jeff Mikula ABSENT: Erin Pontiac OTHERS PRESENT: Pete Ramon, Linda Wright, Jim Smith, Roger Zielinski, John Rice, Kevin Schmutzler Called to Order. Chair called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. Old Business. Items under old business will remain on future agendas until research/action is completed. a. Sands Park Utilities – Jeff Mikula has been researching utility expenses that the city covers in Sands Park. Annual cost for electricity at the Teen Center is $2,360. Annual cost for field lights is $914. No phone charges for the park. Annual water and sewer charge for the park is $550. Irrigation for the baseball diamond is $1,200. Copies of emails/documents will be attached and will become a part of these minutes. b. Review of Alternatives for Area Youth (AAY) Agreement – Previously supplied the AAY agreement for the Teen Center from 1992. There are separate reporting requirements in order for the AAY to continue receiving appropriations from the City for the operation of the Teen Center. The current annual appropriation from the City is $13,000. Utility expenses, insurance and maintenance costs are covered by the city. A check is cut to the organization and their expenditures are handled by the organization through their separate account. c. Insurance Coverage – City Clerk is working with the city’s insurance carrier to breakout current costs for the park. This park area is bundled with the city policy. d. Define future capital improvements for the park – Working to define capital improvements. Cooperation between the city and school is described in the founding agreements. City Parks Commission was scheduled to research and look at past and future capital improvement projects; however with a recent loss of members, no quorum is available to hold a meeting. Vacancies have been advertised. Kevin Schmutzler indicated his interest in applying for a position on the City Parks Commission. Mikula will get an application form to Mr. Schmutzler. New Business. a. Approval of Minutes from August 29, 2017 – MOTION by Jeff Mikula, second by Jim Thompson to approve the minutes as presented. Voice vote – all in favor, motion carried. SANDS PARK CONTROL BOARD – OCTOBER 12, 2017 PAGE 1 b. Kennedy Elementary Playground Proposal – Kevin Schmutzler presented (copy attached) a proposed improvement to the Kennedy playground, adding another bay to the north with two swings and a second tire swing to the west. Mikula noted that this area is mostly used by the school. A parent group, Action Team for Partnerships will be paying for the equipment. The equipment company, American Athletixs will do the installation. The school district is responsible for maintenance of this area. MOTION by Jeff Mikula, second by Jim Thompson to approve the Kennedy playground update as presented. Voice vote - all in favor, motion carried. An update on the project was requested for future agenda under Old Business. c. Other:  Mikula noted that parks department operations are as normal, ice skating rink installation will begin in November.  Discussed Community Foundation Grants for parks and recreation projects in Manistee County. Ron Stoneman is keeping up with the process as it evolves and is very interested. Public Comment.  Linda Wright, Member of Teen Center Board – Feels it is a conflict of interest for Kevin to be on the Parks Commission because he is heavily involved in the Armory Youth Project. It was explained that the Parks Commission is an advisory board to City Council, not the Sands Park Control Board; there is no conflict of interest.  Pete Ramon – He is a member of a local group that has provided work assistance on the tennis courts in Sands Park in the past. The courts are in real bad shape and the group would appreciate updates in the future. Worried that someone could be hurt playing on these courts in their present condition. Also discussed the need for pickle ball courts.  Jeff Mikula – Acknowledged this group of tennis players’ assistance in the past. The City Engineer did an evaluation of the courts 3-4 years ago. There are no options to repair. The cost estimate to replace is in the six figures for each court, could not find ways to fund the replacement. At the time neither the city nor the school had matching funds for grant applications. We are beyond resurfacing at this point.  Ron Stoneman – Is this the right location for these courts? Discussed the public use of these courts and the fact that the school does use these courts. The school does not host tennis matches.  John Rice – The tennis group is looking for some way to address. No courts in the city are in good shape. Twenty-three guys played in this group this past summer. Ludington School had a fund drive to match funds from a benefactor to update their courts. This group has offered to help with fundraising efforts.  Pickle Ball – Really taking off in other communities. Mikula noted that the concrete court at Fifth Avenue Beach has been painted for a pickle ball court. Adjourn. MOTION by Jim Thompson, second by Jeff Mikula to adjourn at 4:05 p.m. Cynthia J. Lokovich, CAP-OM Executive Secretary SANDS PARK CONTROL BOARD – OCTOBER 12, 2017 PAGE 2