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Home My Public Portal AboutJanuary 8 2015 Regular Session Greencastle Board of Park Commissioners Minutes of the Regular Monthly Meeting Thursday, January 8, 2015 Present: President Dr. John Hennette, Vice President Tim Trigg, Secretary Beva Miller, Cathy Merrell Absent: Greencastle Community School Corporation liaison Wayne Lewis and Greencastle City Council liaison Phyllis Rokicki Also Present: Eric Bernsee—Banner Graphic, BSA Troop 93 Eagle Scout Candidate Ethan Boyd and Parks &Recreation Director Rod Weinschenk Call to Order The regular meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners was called to order at 7:31 p.m. by President John Hennette in the Greencastle City Hall council room. Public Input Little Library Eagle Scout Project—Ethan Boyd, Life Scout and Eagle Scout candidate from Cloverdale's Boy Scouts of America Troop 93 and his father were present to request permission to install a Little Library at Big Walnut Sports Park as part of his Eagle Scout project. Director R.Weinschenk reminded the board that we already have one in Robe-Ann Park and that it is a very popular stop to park users, and one at Big Walnut Sports Park would be a benefit to the park. On a motion from B.Miller, second by T.Trigg, the board granted permission to install one in the centrally located shelter at Big Walnut Sports Park. All Ayes. Minutes On a motion from T.Trigg, second by B.Miller, the minutes from the regular meeting held Thursday,December 4, 2014 were approved as presented. All Ayes. Monthly Finances On a motion from C.Merrell, second by T.Trigg, the monthly claims against the department were approved as presented. All Ayes. Old Business/Director's Report 1. BWSP Youth League Contracts—It was reported that on Sunday evening, January 4th Park Board President Dr. J.Hennette and V.P. T.Trigg and Director R.Weinschenk met with leaders of the various youth sports leagues using Big Walnut Sports Park. Since the two groups are still discussing this next year's use,T.Trigg requested this item be tabled until next meeting, second by Miller. All Ayes. 2. Employee Training a. Aquatics Workshop — On January 6 & 7, 2015 Phil Cornelius attended an Aquatics Facility Operator's Course where he picked up his AFO Certification which will help him during the upcoming aquatics season. 1 V * f b. Clean Water Act and Choosing Absorbents—The department's personnel completed a training as requested by City Planner Shannon Norman to meet our MS4 program requirements. Our employee covered literature about ... i. Clean Water in the Age of Aquarius: The Story Behind Stormwater Regulations ii. Absorbent Training Series Part 1: Choosing the Right Style of Absorbent iii. Documentation of the training was passed to Shannon Norman and Christy Glass c. Fire Extinguisher Training — We completed fire extinguisher training with safety director Christy Glass 3. Christmas Lights — Director R.Weinschenk reported that on Tuesday, December 30 park department staff traveled to Danville, Indiana to tour the many light displays located in Ellis Park, Danville Parks & Recreation Department to see what it would take to put on a show like that in Greencastle. They have $750,000 tied up in displays, 2-months of labor setting things up, and 4-hours a night for volunteers to staff the entryways. Can it be done in the Greencastle Parks & Recreation Deparatment? Yes,but it will take a volunteer effort to complete. 4. IPRA Annual Conference— It was reported that all members of the department will be attending differing portions of the Indiana Parks & Recreation Association conference in Michigan City on January 12th to the 16th. iv. Certified Playground Safety Inspector's Course—Both assistant director Phil Cornelius and park maintenance supervisor David Bault will be attending the CPSI trainings on January 12-14. v. Conference—Director R.Weinschenk and assistant director Phillip Cornelius will be attending the annual Indiana Parks&Recreation Association(IPRA) Conference on January 14-16, 2015. 5. Greencastle Aquatics Center- a. Security Services — It was reported that City Attorney Laurie Hardwick reviewed the E-Security contract in regards to new security services at the Greencastle Aquatics Center. The contract was signed and a 30-day notice will be issued to Tyco Integrated to end their services. b. Pool Painting—After securing information during an aquatics workshop, American Clean& Seal toured the aquatics center for painting the pool's basin. A significant discount will be available if we wait to paint the bottom of pool until the fall of 2015 following pool season. Park Board Retreat 1. 2014 in Review—Director R.Weinschenk reviewed happenings in 2014,highlighting: a. Splash Park—was the biggest improvement to the Greencastle municipal parks system. b. Big Walnut Sports Park—was the biggest land acquisition for 2014, increasing the amount land owned by the municipal park system significantly. LWCF additions to the park included: i. 2-bay off leash dog park was constructed ii. ADA improvements to softball field iii. New parking lot to serve both the dog park and softball fields 2 iv. 9 new disc golf baskets for the BWSP Disc Golf Course c. Survived Summer of 2014—We survived the 2014 aquatics season! Mother Nature did not present a very warm,but cool and wet weather for much of the aquatics season. By closely monitoring expenses we were able to offset the lack of revenues brought in at the pool. d. Jaycee Park Mountain Bike Trails—Led by an energetic group of grassroots park users, a mountain bike trail was constructed at Jaycee Park. More will come in 2015. 2. Park Board thoughts included ... a. Celebrate"4"—For a town this size,we have a spectacular and high tech fireworks display b. Parkfest—Tuesday evenings in the summer provide a great opportunity for local citizens to visit Robe-Ann Park for all sorts of different types of music c. Shelter use-rental and numbers have always been impressive, but we could highlight these in 2015 3. Park Board Goals a. Splashpark—B.Miller felt the Bob York Splash Park will be a great attraction for both the Greencastle Aquatics Center and Robe-Ann Park b. Season Pass Promotion—C.Merrell would like to see a promotion of season passes prior to the Christmas sold as gifts for upcoming pool season. A discount could be figured into the rates if purchase prior to the season; ex: Prior to April Fool's Day! c. Gift Certificates—B.Miller suggested making gift certificates available for our programs, like Brickmania,Family Season Passes, Learn-To-Swim Lessons, etc. d. Easter Egg Hunt—T.Trigg would like to see an organization pick up the Eggfest Easter Egg Hunt,which targeted kids in 6th-12th grades. 4. Park Board Retreat—The park board set a continuation of their retreat for Martin Luther King Day,Monday evening,January 19th if the kids don't have school and there would be no basketball. If we receive a snow day and school is held, basketball will also be held tying up T.Trigg and Director R.Weinschenk, so there wouldn't be a meeting. In preparation, Director R.Weinschenk was asked to prepare ... a. 2014 Program Brochure for review b. Numbers for past shelter rentals c. Possible for new programs d. Master plan survey document e. Discuss slate of officers to be determined at February meeting Phone Calls from Santa Claus Banner Graphic representative E.Bernsee updated the park board in regards to his experience with this year's Phone Calls from Santa program, stating Cammie Goldman really enjoyed the home end of the conversation between Santa and her grandchild. She and he extended a"Thank You"to Santa Claus. 3 Adjournment On a motion from T.Trigg, second by B.Miller, the park board meeting was adjourned at 8:43 p.m. All Ayes. Minutes respectfully submitted by: Roderick M. Weinschenk, Director Greencastle Parks &Recreation Department Mirs approved by: Dr John He ette, Pres' ent Tim Trigg,Vi resident /04.A [771/244Ail Beva 1 ler, Secretary Cathy Merrell 4