HomeMy Public PortalAboutMay 30 2012 Regular Session .
Greencastle Board of Park Commissioners
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
Thursday, May 30, 2012
Present: President Dr. John Hennette, Vice President Tim Trigg, Secretary Beva
Miller, and member Kyle Kerrigan
Absent: Putnam County Library Liaison Wes Wilson, City Council Liaison Phyllis
Rokicki and a Greencastle Community School Corporation representative
Also Present: Greencastle Civic League member Suzanne Masten, Eric Bernsee —
Banner Graphic, Assistant Director Troy Scott, and Parks & Recreation
Director Rod Weinschenk
Call to Order
The special meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners was called to order at 7:03 p.m.
by President J.Hennette and held in Greencastle City Hall.
Public Hearing
A special meeting of the City of Greencastle Board of Park Commissioners was held as a
public hearing to discuss the 2012 Land & Water Conservation Grant application for the
"Robe Ann Park Improvement Project". The public hearing was advertised to the public
through a posted agenda and news release to the Banner Graphic newspaper.
'^ Project Description
For the benefit of all, Greencastle Parks and Recreation Director Rod Weinschenk
reviewed the LWCF grant application, highlighting the "program description" and "rating
criteria". The final proposal will include:
1. Splash Park — The primary target of the grant application is for a recreational
amenity not represented within the City of Greencastle or within Putnam County
is a Splash Park facility which will include interactive spray features, uni-sex
changing room, maintenance room with circulation system, group shelter with
recycled content picnic tables, recycled content park benches, and overhead solar
powered security lights. Although listed in the Master Plan, this project was
brought to the park board by the Greencastle Civic League and has become their
next big"pet"project.
2. Tennis Court Resurfacing—The secondary item in the grant is resurfacing of the
existing tennis courts located in Robe-Ann Park. An examination of the tennis
court surface has revealed a number of large cracks that have presented a tripping
hazard. These cracks have collected dirt and provided a home for weeds and
plants. Repairs will address the cracks, resurface the courts and repaint the lines.
3. Basketball Court - The existing basketball courts in Robe-Ann Park serve as a
parking lot for Shelter#5 and for the softball field on any typical weeknight. Due
to limited parking within the park, the parking lot is full of vehicles driven by
softball players. Four basketball goals are located on the edge of the parking lot.
This grant will convert a tennis court to basketball, alleviating congestion and
t^ safety concerns in the parking lot.
4. Meditation/Quiet Area with Bench - A new amenity in the park will be created
with this grant. A meditation/quiet area with bench area will be constructed in
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one of the green areas off of a sidewalk that meanders through the park. A short
5-foot walkway will be poured to a concrete pad, which will then contain a bench.
All will be ADA accessible. The
pad will be surrounded b two new wildflower/butterfly gardeny The area Redwill
Sunbirst Maple trees and a native
overlook a valley and hillside with a dry run stream at its base.
Comments Recieved
Director R.Weinschenk discussed the park department's application for Land & Water
Conservation Funds and reviewed the application materials, the "program
received:
description"
and"rating criteria". During discussion,the following commentwas
1. Fences — Park Board president J.Hennette made two inquiries in regards to
fencing and wondered if it were needed. Since many smaller users will visit the
splash park, the fences to surround that facility were being installed to help
establish boundaries and security. At the same time, they would provide a way to
"lock"the facility at night to help control vandalism.
2. Rain garden — It was felt that the rain garden would provide a natural filter for
splash out and rain run-off,prior to the water hitting the storm sewer.
3. "Great Project" — Overall feelings were shared about the improvements and
further development of Robe-Ann Park for community use.
Public Input
President J.Hennette opened the floor for comments from the public. No new public
input was received.
Resolution#2012-05/31
Director R.Weinschenk discussed the needed paperwork that the board must approve �J
with and gave a brief discussion of it. These forms include:
1. LWCF Application Form
2. Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VI, Assurance of Compliance Form
3. Project Proposal Assurances
4. Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary
Exclusion-Lower Tier Covered Transactions
President J.Hennette presided over the meeting and asked for a motion of support for the
project and the power to sign the needed documents. On a motion from T.Trigg, second
by B.Miller, the the City of Greencastle Board of Park Commissioners approved and
authorized President J.Hennette to sign and submit the appropriate application forms and
assurances to the State of Indiana Department of Natural Resources for this grant request.
The motion passed unanimously.
Miscellaneous
1. Boot Camp —Assistant Director T.Scott stated he received a request from a local
law enforcement officer that a young child wanted to participate in the Boot
Camp program, but due to family finances was unable to pay the $35.00 fee. On
a motion from K.Kerrigan, second by T.Trigg, the authorized a scholarship and
waived the fee for the child. All Ayes.
2. Police Involvement in the Park — Director R.Weinschenk took the time to
update the park board members on current happenings in the park, which involved
a 9-year old fight, a taser incident, and a report of hand-gun in the park. He stated
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all these have happened in the last three weeks and stated he greatly appreciated
the help of the Greencastle Police Department in handling these situations. He
has requested additional patrols.
Adjournment
On a motion from T.Trigg, second by K.Thomas, the park board meeting was adjourned
at 8:07 p.m. All Ayes.
Minutes respectfully submitted by:
Roderick M. Weinschenk, Director
Greencastle Parks &Recreation Department
Minutes approved by:
Dr. John Hennette, President Tun Tri Vice President
Beva Miller, Secretary Kyle K gan
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