Parks Commission

CITY OF MANISTEE PARKS COMMISSION MINUTES Thursday, January 19, 2017 Members Present: Jason Sullivan, Mike Quinn, Erin Pontiac, Mark Tomaszewski, Ed Tegler, Lynn Vasquez Excused: Jen Teller Also Present: Jim Smith, Mayor Roger Zielinski, Mayor Pro-Tem Jeff Mikula, Public Works Director Mickey McCann, Parks Leadman A regular meeting of the Manistee Parks Commission was held on Thursday, January 19, 2017 at City Hall 2nd floor conference room. Meeting was called to order by Chair Ed Tegler at 5:30 p.m. Public Hearing None Citizen/Public Comment None Approval of Minutes - Motion by Tegler, second by Quinn to approve November 16, 2016 minutes and place on file. Motion approved. Correspondence None Committee Reports None OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS Adopt A Park Program – Commission to review/update program for next meeting. Mikula will get with Chief Bachman regarding background checks. Pickle Ball – Tegler brought in an example of pickle ball equipment to show commission and explain game. Basically it is ping pong on the ground. This could easily be accomplished by painting lines on the tennis courts at 5th Avenue; Mikula believes this could be accomplished. Pickle ball equipment would be stored at the concession stand. Fifth Avenue Concession Stand – Mikula read an email he received today from Mr. Ronning. Mr. Ronning would like to fulfill his contract if we can overcome his concerns; mainly big groups occupying space and taking away his business. It would be beneficial to have some type of discussion with Mr. Ronning on his requests/expectations and also the city’s. Consensuses by the commission to have Mikula reach out with a deadline of February 1, 2017 of Mr. Ronning’s intention for the upcoming summer season. Mikula will let him know that we may be able to rope off a section for his concession stand area and put a couple picnic tables in that vicinity. Additional consensus is to get out of contract and go in a different direction with vendor if he is unhappy. Old Pavement Area at Fifth Avenue – Road west of the playground is gone. Nothing but occasional pieces of asphalt remains. Grant Possibilities – The Health Department of Northwest Michigan has a grant available to enhance green spaces. Mikula proposed ideas include: 1) Non-Motorized Park 2) Additional walkways at both beaches 3) Fitness Trail – Is included in the conceptual master plan. Mikula presented an example of the trail with fitness stations. Commission instructed Mikula to proceed with grant application. Motion by Quinn second by Pontiac for Mikula to proceed with grant application with letter of intent by January 27, 2017 then proceed to city council with request. County-Wide Recreation Group – City has disbanded Non-Motorized Commission in favor of a County Wide Group. This group needs a representative from the City. It was decided to appoint Mickey McCann as primary representative with Mike Quinn as secondary to the County Wide Recreation Group. Denise Blakeslee will proceed with information to council. Public Comments A text message was read from Jen Teller explaining an unexpected extended leave of absence. It was decided to inform Teller that should she resign and her schedule changes Tegler would recommend to the Mayor that she be re-appointed to fill the next vacancy. Tegler will let Teller and the City Manager know of our discussion. Mayor Pro-tem Zielinksi informed the commission of the bylaws for absences. Extended absences should be referred to the City Manager. Also the possibility of finding sponsors for matching grants. Mayor Smith informed the commission that all appointments to committees must be approved by the mayor and council. Member Vasquez asked about the Rock & Blues Committee being interested in a permanent band shell at First Street Beach area. She has heard they are already starting a fund raiser for the band shell. Mikula will contact the committee to notify them that this is just a conceptual plan and no definite plans have been made. Motion by Sullivan, second by Vasquez to adjourn at 7:00 p.m. Next meeting date – Thursday, February 16, 2017 @ 5:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kathie Boyle Recording Secretary