Park & Recreation Board

Minutes of the Regular Monthly Meeting BOARD OF PARKS AND RECREATION City of Portage, IN December 18, 2023 5:30 PM A&B. Call to Order and Roll Call The regularly monthly meeting of the Portage Parks and Recreation Board was called to order by Board President Ciesielski at the Woodland Park. Board members Ciesielski, Ekdahl, Lee, Warchus, Attorney Mindel, Council Liaison Giese-Hurst and Superintendent Leto were present. C. Minutes - The Board proceeded to review the minutes of the Regular Park Board meeting of November 20, 2023; Member Eckdahl made a motion to accept the minutes as written and submitted with the addition that member Lee was present. The second was made by Member Lee. There being no further discussion, the motion was carried out by roll call. Member Warchus abstained. D. Financial Report – Superintendent Leto submitted the November appropriation reports from the Clerk Treasurer Rivas. Member Warchus made a motion to approve the appropriation report. Member Eckdahl second the motion. There being no further discussion, the motion was carried out by roll call. E. Vouchers – The Board reviewed the vouchers as listed on the official Register of Accounts Payable Vouchers for December 18, 2023. Members discussed the high cost of fire monitoring service call. Superintendent Leto discussed the possibility of changing from 2 landlines to a cell for fire monitoring. Liaison Giest- Hurst questioned the giftbags and manicure set. Superintendent Leto explained it was for the Senior Advisory Committee and that committee is run through the parks budget. Member Eckdahl made a motion to approve the claims. The second was made by Member Warchus. There being no further discussion, the motion was carried unanimously by roll call. F. Contracts – a. Superintendent Leto presented the current register of contracts. Members inquired about the Modesto rental. Superintendent Leto explained the VIP private portion was cancelled and the event will remain open and free to the public. So, the completely free rental would apply. Member Lee made a motion to approve all contracts. The second was made by Member Ekdahl. Motion passed unanimously through roll call. b. Superintendent Leto confirmed there are no personal contracts to be approved. G. Fees and Charges – None I. Committee Reports – None J. Public Presentation and Correspondence – None K. Unfinished Business – None L. New Business – a. President Ciesielski offered his temporary resignation as park board president so he could step in as interim superintendent. Member Lee made a motion to accept the temporary resignation. Member Warchus second the motion. Motion passed through roll call. Member Ciesielski abstained. b. Member Maletta was nominated as temporary park board president. Member Warchus made a motion to elect Member Maletta as park board president. Member Eckdahl second the motion. Motion passed unanimously through roll call. 1 c. Member Eckdahl made a motion to approve Paul Ciesielski as the interim superintendent. Member Lee second the motion. Motion passed through roll call. Member Ciesielski abstained. d. Members discussed a question proposed by a resident about the upcoming daddy/daughter dance. The board agreed there is no dress code requirement for the dance and all dads and daughters are welcomed. Superintendent Leto planned to update the event coordinator to follow up with the resident. No motion was needed. e. President Ciesielski explained the documents just received about a right of way land purchase. Members discussed needing more time to look over the paperwork before approving, Member Eckdahl made a motion to table approval of the right of way contract. Member Lee second the motion. Motion passed unanimously through roll call. M. Department Staff Remarks – Superintendent Leto said thank you to the board for all their support and that she is in communication with interim Ciesielski about projects that are up in the air. N. Any other matters and Public Comments – President Ciesielski thanked Superintendent Leto for her hard work the past year and a half and wished her well in her new position. All members agreed. O. Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 16, 2023, at 5:30pm at Woodland Park -Sycamore Hall. P. Adjournment There being no further items of business, the meeting adjourned. Member Warchus made a motion to adjourn. Member Eckdahl second the motion. Motion passed unanimously through roll call. Respectfully submitted, Dyan Leto, Superintendent Approval and Attest: __________________________ Date _____________ Andrew Maletta, President __________________________ Date _____________ Carla Warchus, Secretary 2