City Council
Regular MeetingManistee, MI · August 11, 2025
Minutes
SANDS PARK CONTROL BOARD
MEETING OF AUGUST 11, 2025
A meeting of the Sands Park Control Board was held on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in Council
Chambers, City Hall.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PRESENT: Jeff Mikula, Ron Stoneman, Jim Thompson, Lani Rozga
ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: City Manager Bill Gambill
CALL TO ORDER.
The Chair called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA.
MOTION by Jim Thompson, second by Lani Rozga to approve the agenda as amended. Voice vote – all in
favor, motion carried.
Adding:
New Business – b. New Fencing and c. Sharing Maintenance
Old Business – Tree Replacement
NEW BUSINESS.
a. Approval of Minutes – MOTION by Jeff Mikula, second by Jim Thompson to approve the minutes from
April 10, 2025, as presented. Voice vote – all in favor, motion carried.
b. New Fencing – Discussion on fencing installed along Maple Street as part of the school’s project.
Discussion included:
o The project was not brought to the Control Board for prior approval.
o School has installed a gate and a cement pad that is ADA compliant; intent is not to restrict
public access.
o The gate may be latched but will remain accessible.
The school will review and confirm details regarding gate access.
c. Sharing Maintenance – Discussion on division of maintenance responsibilities.
Discussion included:
o Reviewed Sands Park regulations
o Current maintenance costs/work are not being shared equally (50/50) between City and MAPS.
o This issue will be further reviewed.
SANDS PARK CONTROL BOARD – AUGUST 11, 2025 PAGE 1
OLD BUSINESS.
• Skate Park Update
o Reviewed potential options for surface improvements.
o Sinclair Recreation evaluated existing equipment; estimated 7–10 years of useful life remain with
some cosmetic repairs.
o The Board requested Jeff Mikula contact the Skate Park fundraising group to understand their
preferred next steps.
o Discussion on the need for a long-term plan (“grand vision”) and funding sources.
• Tree Replacement
o The school removed two trees from Sands Park property and has committed to replacing them.
o Landscaping and new tree planting have begun.
o Ron Stoneman will coordinate with contractors regarding replacements.
PUBLIC COMMENT.
Comments and questions were received from:
• Linda Chick-Gamache.
• Gabe Rheaume
ADJOURN.
MOTION by Lani Rozga to adjourn at 11:42 a.m.
Kelly McColl
Executive Secretary
SANDS PARK CONTROL BOARD – AUGUST 11, 2025 PAGE 2
Agenda
SANDS PARK CONTROL BOARD
MEETING OF AUGUST 11, 2025
There will be a meeting of the Sands Park Control Board held on Monday, August 11,
2025, at 11:00 a.m. in Council Chambers, City Hall, 70 Maple Street, Manistee, Michigan
49660.
AGENDA
I. ROLL CALL.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA.
III. NEW BUSINESS.
a.) Approval of Minutes from April 10, 2025
IV. OLD BUSINESS.
a.) Skate Park Update Discussion
• Resurfacing Options/Costs
• Equipment Analysis/Estimates
V. PUBLIC COMMENT.
VI. ADJOURN.
SANDS PARK CONTROL BOARD
MEETING OF APRIL 10, 2025
A meeting of the Sands Park Control Board was held on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. in Council
Chambers, City Hall.
PRESENT: Jeff Mikula, Ron Stoneman, Jim Thompson, Lani Rozga
ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: City Manager Bill Gambill
CALL TO ORDER.
The Chair called the meeting to order at 1:30 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
March 18, 2024, with change. Voice vote – all in favor, motion carried.
b. Sands Park Uses
• Consideration for use – MAPS first, then City and MRA, per deed restrictions.
• Reviewed MAPS conceptual drawing for possible future updates to Sands Park.
• Existing use will not change with upgrades.
• Any proposal for upgrades/use changes would come before the Sands Park Control Board first.
• Will engage MRA and other groups who use Sands Park and other City fields when decisions
need to be made.
• MRA to be invited to a future meeting to discuss their needs.
c. Maintenance Swap Discussion – Jefferson Property / Sands Park – No discussion
d. Skate Park Resurfacing
• Individual working with the AAY on a GoFundMe fundraiser.
• Condition of the pavement – okay for cars but not sufficient for skateboarding and scooters.
• Overlay options
• Frequency of use – everyday
• Ramps need to be stabilized
• Life expectancy of equipment needs to be established
• Jeff Mikula will work with Spicer and Sinclair Recreation to prepare a proposal for updates to
the skate park at Sands Park.
SANDS PARK CONTROL BOARD – APRIL 10, 2025 PAGE 1
e. Schedule Upcoming Meetings
• Jeff Mikula will prepare a proposal for the skate park and will schedule a meeting once he is
ready to present.
OLD BUSINESS.
• Jeff Mikula – Demo/Sidewalk project along Robinson Street went well. Waiting to close out once
restoration (grass growth) is complete. Ice skating went very well this year – best 10+ years. Overhead lights
at Sands Park are a valuable asset in that location.
PUBLIC COMMENT.
Comments received by:
• James Grabowski
• Seth Pratt
• Gabe Rheaume
• Elizabeth Laskey
• Linda Cook
ADJOURN.
MOTION by Lani Rozga to adjourn at 2:46 p.m.
Kelly McColl
Executive Secretary
SANDS PARK CONTROL BOARD – APRIL 10, 2025 PAGE 2
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