City Council

SANDS PARK CONTROL BOARD MEETING OF AUGUST 20, 2020 A meeting of the Sands Park Control Board was held on Thursday, August 20, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall. PRESENT: Jim Thompson (virtual participation), Jeff Mikula, Ron Stoneman ABSENT: Erin Martin Pontiac OTHERS PRESENT: City Manager Thad Taylor, Alternatives for Area Youth Executive Director Shelia Kaminski CALL TO ORDER. The Chair called the meeting to order at 1:12 p.m. APPROVAL OF AGENDA. MOTION by Jim Thompson, second by Jeff Mikula to approve the agenda as presented. Voice vote – all in favor, motion carried. NEW BUSINESS. a. Approval of Minutes – MOTION by Jeff Mikula, second by Jim Thompson to approve the minutes from October 7, 2019 as presented. Voice vote – all in favor, motion carried. OLD BUSINESS. a. Sands Park Utilities No discussion b. Review of Alternatives for Area Youth (AAY) Agreement – Discussed pending lease agreement. Discussion included: • Attorney for the school district does not have documentation that the school district shares ownership with the City on the building that houses the Alternatives for Area Youth. Thad Taylor will provide. • Securing appropriate signatures and taking back to the City Council/School Board for approvals. Shelia Kaminski, AAY Executive Director, was asked to speak on and answer questions about the AAY. SANDS PARK CONTROL BOARD – AUGUST 20, 2020 PAGE 1  Discussion included: • Reporting yearly to both City and Board of Education. • City currently provides appropriations. Other funding comes from fundraisers, concessions, donations and rarely from the United Way. • Financials are shared with the City directly between AAY Board Treasurer, Cindy Fuller and City Finance Director, Ed Bradford. Also provided with yearly appropriation request to the City. • AAY Board meets every other month. • Use did not change when Armory Youth Center opened. AAY Teen Center serves the neighborhoods that surround location and larger community that utilizes the park. • Daily average number of visitors to the Teen Center is twelve. Does not include community that utilizes park unless they enter the building. • Need to communicate the broader use of the facility, especially when soliciting funds. • All amenities on the Sands Park property are utilized daily. Understanding the use and frequency of use is helpful to City as they prioritize possible Capital Improvements in the future. • Facility is currently meeting the needs of the AAY. • Upcoming school bond, which was postponed until the May 2021 election due to COVID-19 concerns, will address some of the use for this property, as well as other school owned properties. • Removal of the tennis courts in Sands Park over safety concerns is necessary. If school is to put more tennis courts in, it is preferred that they be closer to the MMHS campus. • If property were to be used for anything other than a park, Sands family members would want financial compensation. • Goal of both School and City is to gain a stronger understanding of the AAY organization, their goals and review for success of program, and remain an advocate for the AAY Teen Center. • Jeff Mikula will put together information about taking out the tennis courts and submit to other committee members to present to City Council/Board of Education for approval. c. Insurance Coverage – Covered under the City of Manistee’s insurance policy – reviewed yearly. d. Define Future Capital Improvements – No Capital Improvement projects scheduled. Regular maintenance of the property only, at this time. PUBLIC COMMENT. None ADJOURN. MOTION by Jim Thompson, second by Jeff Mikula to adjourn at 1:59 p.m. Kelly McColl Executive Secretary SANDS PARK CONTROL BOARD – AUGUST 20, 2020 PAGE 2