Parks Commission

CITY OF MANISTEE PARKS COMMISSION MINUTES Thursday, May 16, 2019 Members Present: Stephen Spencer, Tom Swedenborg, Kipp Pomranky, Mark Tomaszewski Members Excused: Lani Rozga, Tim O’Connor Also Present: Kathie Boyle, Mickey McCann, Jeff Mikula– City of Manistee Mayor Roger Zielinski Ted & Pam Arens Paul Bosschem A regular meeting of the Manistee Parks Commission was held on Thursday, May 16, 2019 at City Hall 2nd floor conference room. Meeting was called to order by Chair Stephen Spencer at 5:30 p.m. Approval of Agenda Motion by Swedenborg, second by Pomranky to approve agenda. All in favor. Citizen Public Comment Ted Arens and Paul Bosschem attended meeting to update the commission on future projects they will be working on at “Veterans Memorial” Park. Updates include installing cannon by the flag pole. Mr. Bosschem is leading the effort on restoring this cannon. A brief history of the cannon was read by Mr. Bosschem the cannon originally came from Washington D.C. and was installed at the original Douglas Park. The City will need to insure cannon which has an estimated value of $80,000. Motion by Spencer, second by Pomranky to allow Mr. Arens to bring recommendations with site plan for approval for Veterans Memorial Park. American Legion wants to do a dedication when completed. Irrigation at Veterans Memorial Park needs to be redone. Jaycees have selected this area as their signature project this will include fundraising toward improvements. One issue in desperate repair is the steps going down towards the gazebo. Approval of Minutes Motion by Pomrank, second by Swedenborg to approve April 18, 2019 minutes. All in favor. Correspondence Boyle read email from Chief Kozal stating his full support of the AED at the beaches. His concern is about damage and theft. DC Darling is the point of contact for this project. City Clerk’s office will be running advertisements for vacant positions on city boards and commissions. Committee Reports N/A Old Business First Street Tennis Court Grant Application has been submitted along with support letters from Manistee Recreation Association, Manistee High School and other groups that play/use these courts. Mikula is very optimistic. Spencer gave a big “Thank You” to Mikula for his work on the grant process. New Business N/A Items Discussed Repair has started on the Marina Docks – (5) of the docks are not covered with the insurance money from the Seiche claim. However, Sands Park Governing Board submitted (2) grant applications to replace those docks, one grant from the Waterways and other grant from the DNR. City DPW needs to be very careful when cleaning beaches to not disturb the piping plovers. The City has ordered a new beach cleaning system which will replace our old Cherringon cleaner. The new cleaning system will be pulled by a tractor which we leased for one year. City was very impressed with the beach cleaning during the demo of the equipment. Should do a much cleaner job. Recently the DPW moved accumulated sand near Fifth Avenue Pier. The sand removed was only to the top of the rocks which is a splash protector for the break wall. Mikula informed the commission that approximately 200’ of the Riverwalk towards the west end has been damaged by ice and wave action. Waiting on quotes from contractors to repair – this should be covered by insurance carrier. Arthur Street Boat Launch is experiencing a failure on wall. Estimated cost to repair $20,000 and will be submitted to our insurance carrier. Both beach concession stands are scheduled to be open by Memorial Day – weather permitting it may be sooner. The City recently acquired a pontoon boat which the DPW rebuilt and will come in very handy when doing certain jobs. Band-shell Update – Feasibility study will be going out; also looking for funding. North Channel Brewing and United Methodist Church have adopted the North Riverwalk. Motion by Pomranky, second by Swedenborg to adjourn at 6:35 p.m. All in favor. Next meeting date – June 20, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. in the second floor conference room. Respectfully submitted, Kathie Boyle Recording Secretary