Parks Commission

CITY OF MANISTEE PARKS COMMISSION MINUTES Thursday, June 17, 2021 Members Present: Lani Rozga, Tom Oele, Liz Laskey, Bob Brooks, Kelly Greve, Tom Swedenborg Members Excused Tim O’Connor Kathie Boyle – Recording Secretary Present: Mickey McCann - City of Manistee Council Member Szymanski A regular meeting of the Manistee Parks Commission was held on Thursday, June 17, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, Council Chambers Meeting was called to order by Vice-Chair Oele at 5:35 p.m. Approval of Agenda Motion by Rozga, second by Swedenborg to approve agenda. All in favor. Public Hearing N/A Citizen/Public Comments Mick Szymanski discussed an adult playground idea. Playground would include fitness equipment for health benefits similar as to what would be in a gym but is designed for outdoors. Equipment is expensive but lasts for years. Suggested using Morton Park for this playground. Concept has been discussed at a council work session and they were appreciative to the idea. Lions Club using white cane funds for Morton Park. Motion by Swedenborg second by Oele to explore idea further and form subcommittee. All in favor. Subcommittee: Tom Swedenborg, Liz Laskey, Mick Szymanski. Committee to report update at July meeting. Approval of Minutes Motion by Brooks, second by Swedenborg to approve May 20 , 2021, minutes, and place on file. All in Favor. Correspondence Oele talked to Amy at Armory Youth Project, and they have designed a 9 hole disc golf course. Committee Reports Reservation System – much discussion about this idea. Swedenborg did an informal survey and relayed some responses he received. Old Business Disc Golf Update – much discussion about grants (still waiting). Honeysuckle has all been removed but will grow back. Swedenborg brought up the tetherball install – McCann reported he is working on it. New Business Staff Liaison Update – Oele commented it was more about getting a process in place. Mikula is the liaison to City Council. Commission members can go directly to council members. Future Ideas & Projects – Fifth Avenue tennis courts – still need to take fence down. Motion by Brooks, second by Oele that the tennis courts be dismantled including fences, cement, and lights. Item tabled till next meeting to allow members to review situation. Implement end of meeting open discussion roundtable – Motion by Rozga, second by Oele to include open discussion at end of meeting. All in favor. Roundtable Discussion Greve feeling frustrated trying to improve the Riverwalk and not getting support, just wants things to be nice. Rozga stated that we need to start planning now for the future at 9 th Street Boat Launch Motion by Oele, second by Swedenborg to hold July 15th meeting at Fifth Avenue. All in favor. Motion by Brooks, second by Swedenborg to adjourn at 7:30 p.m. All in favor. Next meeting date – July 15, 2021 @ 5:30 p.m. at Fifth Avenue Beach House. Respectfully submitted, Minutes taken by Lani Rozga Corresponding Secretary Kathie Boyle Recording Secretary