Parks Commission

CITY OF MANISTEE PARKS COMMISSION MINUTES Thursday, September 16, 2021 Members Present: Liz Laskey, Kelly Greve, Tom Swedenborg, Tim O’Connor, Members Excused Lani Rozga, Bob Brooks Present: Kathie Boyle, Jeff Mikula- City of Manistee A regular meeting of the Manistee Parks Commission was held on Thursday, September 16, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. at First Street Beach House. Meeting was called to order by Chair Tim O’Connor at 5:30 p.m. Approval of Agenda Motion by Greve, second by O’Connor to approve agenda. All in favor. Public Hearing N/A Citizen/Public Comments Jen Teller adopted 1st Street Beach in the Adopt a Park Program. Since 2017 she and her volunteers have worked this area picking up garbage, weeding, beach & parking lot cleanup, tennis courts, and playground areas etc. On Saturday, September 18th beginning at 9:00 a.m. the Alliance for the Great Lakes has scheduled a beach cleanup for communities all along the coast. Volunteers encouraged to clean up our beach area, she invited members to stop down and volunteer at First Street Beach. Thank you for the cleanup in the disc golf area - positive things coming from the Parks Commission, much appreciated. Can Parks Commission draft minutes be posted instead of waiting for the approved minutes on our website. Boyle will send McColl draft minutes for posting. Approval of Minutes Motion by O’Connor, second by Swedenborg to approve August 19, 2021, minutes. All in favor. Correspondence N/A Committee Reports Greve updated commission on the Riverwalk project. Manistee Proud volunteers have logged 1000+ hours on the Riverwalk from the old chamber building to the City Marina and have gone as far as they can go. The boardwalk from the Marina west is built with wood and cannot be power-washed - will need scrubbing. They have also had over 1000+ hours at Art Park. The group plans on making this a yearly event. Commission applauded Greve and all volunteers of Manistee Proud for their amazing job. Old Business N/A New Business Report to Council – O’Connor will present report to council on October 5th he is requesting input from all members – this is our commission report not just his. Requested work session on September 28, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. to discuss report. Boyle to reserve council room. Dog Park – Discussed what we would like to see installed need to look at other communities to see what they have including water, benches, etc., Roundtable Discussion Greve – We live by water- life rings save lives should have them on the pier. O’Connor – Parks Commission’s Report to Council reminder of work session. Swedenborg – This is his last meeting; he is resigning from the commission effective end of tonight’s meeting. He’s excited about the disc golf, reservation system and Morton Park. Great crew! Laskey – Group is making progress and united. Mikula - • Received word the grant for marina docks was approved. • Minger Grant is 90% complete – when he receives the detailed budget amounts will submit for Disc Golf. Grant is due October 15, 2021, any individual letters of support received would benefit the application • Hamlin Field is privately owned, the Armory Youth has leased the field from the Hamlin family.  • He and Chief Glass are discussing beach safety, including upgrading the emergency towers. • First Street and 5th Avenue vendors had a good year and will be closing September 19 for the season. Defibrillators will be pulled and stored at the Fire Department. • Discussing new trash receptacles for next season. DPW doing inventory to get any idea of how many needed. Future input from the commission will be needed. • Arthur Street/9th Street Boat Launch – in talks with Consumers Energy regarding the expansion of both boat launches. Consumer’s owns adjacent property at both launches. • 440 River Street has leased marina property for years, new owner has requested to continue lease. Investigating if any federal monies were used for the building of the marina in the 1970”s. • Poured concrete pads for approximately 6 memorial benches on the Riverwalk. • Boyle handed out the DDA/Riverwalk Maintenance List listing jobs that have been completed. • Morton Park Update – Mikula met with a representative from Sinclair/Gametime to discuss new playground equipment – encourages members to stop down at the DPW to look over the catalog for ideas. Will invite Sinclair representative to our next meeting if interested - looking at a spring date for installation. A community build like what we did at the new Rotary Park would be a positive thing and allows citizens to be involved. Needs to be done right. O’Connor will work with Mikula. Gamble commented on Act 26 for all parks to be ADA approved. • Riverbank is approximately 150’ from completion, will be using composite decking. • Networks Northwest has posted our county wide parks plan for review and comments. Boyle handed out hard copies of plan. Plan after community input will go to council to adopt. City Manager – Glad to be here. Motion by O’Connor, second by Greve to adjourn at 7:00 p.m. Next meeting date – September 28, 2021 @ 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, 3rd Floor Council Chambers. Respectfully submitted, Kathie Boyle Recording Secretary