Parks Commission

CITY OF MANISTEE PARKS COMMISSION MINUTES Thursday, July 23, 2020 Members Present: Kipp Pomranky, Tom Oele, Lani Rozga, Tim O’Connor, Robert Brook Members Excused: Tom Swedenborg, Mark Tomaszewski Also Present: Kathie Boyle, Jeff Mikula– City of Manistee A regular meeting of the Manistee Parks Commission was held on Thursday, July 23, 2020 at City Hall 3rd floor City Council Chambers. Meeting was called to order by Recording Secretary Kathie Boyle at 5:30 p.m. Election of Officers At this time, the meeting was opened for nominations from the floor for officers on the Parks Commission for term from July 2020 thru June 2021. Offices include Chair, Vice-Chair, Corresponding Secretary and Recording Secretary. Motion by Rozga, second by Oele to nominate Tim O’Connor for Chair. All in Favor. Motion by Pomranky, second by O’Connor to nominate Tom Oele for Vice-Chair. All in Favor. Motion by Pomranky, second by O’Connor to nominate Rozga for Corresponding Secretary. All in Favor. Kathie Boyle to remain as Recording Secretary. Approval of Agenda Motion by Pomranky, second by Rozga to approve agenda. All in favor. Public Hearing Citizen/Public Comments Chris Stronach in attendance to discuss disc golf in the City of Manistee. Currently there is disc golf course at Red Szymarek Park, however it requires substantial tweaking. Disc golf is a benefit to the community and businesses in the area. Commission to set up an ad-hoc committee to study where/what is needed to obtain a sustainable course. Ideally 30 acres for an 18 – 24 hole course would be needed. Discussed long term maintenance and cost per 18 baskets is approximately $2500. Chris already has several sponsors and volunteers on board. M-55 and 1st Street Beach area properties were discussed for location. Motion by Oele second by O’Connor to create ad hoc committee to explore ideas. All in Favor. Approval of Minutes Motion by Pomranky, second by Rozga to approve February 20, 2020. All in Favor. Correspondence None Committee Reports None Old Business North Riverwalk – DNR Grant & Capital Improvement will fund project to include lighting. South Riverwalk Erosion Issue – design has been completed, reconstruction to begin this fall. Concession Stands – Incredible reports on the food at 5th Avenue. City working to keep both vendors happy. New Business ➢ Purpose/duties of Parks Commission – The Parks Commission is an advisory commission (see Bylaw 289. ➢ Broken basketball backboards at First Street Park – new backboards have been ordered. ➢ Painting playground equipment at Fifth Avenue Beach – Would like to form a volunteer group including parks commission members to spruce up the area, not an issue with Mikula. The City does have an “Adopt-A-Park” Program which allows individuals/groups, etc. to choose a park and “enhance the quality of life through preservation of maintenance and parklands”. ➢ Disc Golf – See above under Citizen/Public Comments. ➢ Covid affecting Parks – The City had reduced the work force 25% for the past three months, but DPW/Parks able to maintain parks and sanitizing restrooms daily. ➢ Reitz Park Field – City Attorney reviewed, and City Council voted to name ballfield after Phil Kliber. Commission believes this should have come to the Parks Commission before going to City Council. Commission would appreciate being more involved. ➢ North Beach Access – High lake levels have created considerable erosion. ➢ Beach Signs- Need to come up with a way to welcome visitors to the beaches and include park rules and regulations. Possibly post rules in concession stands. ➢ Tennis Courts – Courts look beautiful – have been several complaints on cracking. Items Discussed 5th Avenue Tennis Courts are getting more use this summer, repairs are needed in several areas due to washouts. Mikula to inspect. Need for life rings at beaches – possible place at concession stands, need to explore other location. Vandalism has been a big issue in the past with life rings being stolen or tossed into the river Beach flags are changed by the City Police depending on wind/weather. We all need to remember that conditions at the beaches can change very frequently and quickly. Brooks acknowledged that Mikula and DPW are doing a great job. Riverwalk damaged – will advertise when it will close - have more information this spring. Motion by O’Connor second by Oele to thank the Department of Public Works on an awesome job. Motion by O’Connor, second by Pomranky to adjourn at 7:15 p.m. All in favor. Next meeting date – August 20, 2020 @ 5:30 p.m. at the 5th Avenue Concession Stand. Respectfully submitted, Kathie Boyle Recording Secretary