The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My Public Portal AboutJune 8, 2022 Regular Meeting GREENCASTLE 4 AMP. R E C KEAT 1 flN Minutes from: Greencastle Board of Park Commissioners Meeting Wednesday, June 8, 2022 7:00 p.m. City Hall ^' Greencastle, Indiana • Call to Order by Tim Trigg, Vice-President-7:00pm In attendance:Tim Trigg (TT), Pete Meyer(PM),Joanna Muncie (JM) Absent, Cathy Merrell, President Others: Greg Ruark (Director), Chrysta Snellenberger, Aquatic Director, Mayor Bill Dory, Eric Bernsee, Banner Graphic • Public Input None • Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting^' May 4, 2022 Motion:Joanna Muncie Second: Pete Meyer Approved: 3-0 • Approval of Monthly Claims and Invoices Motion: Joanna Muncie Second: Pete Meyer Approved: 3-0 • Special Events/Projects 1. 4th of July Celebration Director shared information regarding the closing of streets for the Celebrate 4 event. Wood Street and Tennessee Street effected. Fireworks vendor requests an early afternoon street closure, perhaps around 2pm. It eventually was decided to close the streets at 1pm. Vendor arrived for shoot around noon. Spectators will be kept at least 600 feet away from the launching area.Tim T. asked what time fireworks would be fired. Answer given was "typically around 9:45/10:00." Rain date was mentioned as July 5, with a second rain date a7/9/22. Follow up...all went well 7.4.22. Great crowd, great fireworks show. gkr...7.5.22 2. Mike Rokicki 5K (July 4) Director shared the proposed route for the Rokicki 5K; a route which goes east from Robe Ann Park as opposed to west towards campus. Director outlined the route. Board members asked about certain locations where participants will cross busy intersections. Director assured there would be police presence at those locations. Follow up...outstanding coverage by law enforcement...gkr...7.5.22 • New Business 1. Parks and Recreation Logo The Director summarized the process used to develop a new logo for the department.JD Sims, instructor, and three students from Area 30 contributed to the design.The process came together in a period of about three and a half weeks due to the fact the end of the school year was fast approaching. Initial opinions were positive, with an exception.TT felt it didn't speak to parks and recreation at all.TT felt as a one-color design the design in question falls short.TT wants it re-worked. PM indicated TT made some good points. PM preferred the half sun because it allowed easier reading of the GPR at the bottom of the logo. Board members referenced no connection to outdoor activities...tennis, fishing etc.... TT suggested color of the Putnam County Schools. PM's concern was this is a City of Greencastle project. The discussion went on for some time. It was decided to go back to Area 30 for follow up.The project was tabled. Follow up... The process won't begin to occur until the fall at the earliest; the project will be completed by new students. The previous students graduated and will no longer be involved. Process will start sometime in the future. • Old Business 1. Lease agreements with youth baseball, youth soccer, youth softball Director summarized the process of negotiating lease agreements with the three leagues referenced above. The director wants to eliminate the fees paid annually by each league to allow each league to invest those dollars back into their programs. The Director researched other park departments and each case the park departments of those communities operated the leagues. Question raised about where the fees go once submitted...it goes to a line item called Misc. Receipts, which is a part of the Parks and Recreation budget. TT asked 'can we get along without the funds being paid by he leagues?' Mayor Dory indicated 'it's too early to tell.' He mentioned the budget process will begin soon. JM mentioned she like the idea of reducing the fees...'it's about the kids.' TT referred to projects that have taken place out there for the benefit of the organizations...fencing, parking lots, etc... The discussion then focused on softball having their non-reverting budget and basketball having its non- reverting budget. But these fees in question (youth baseball, youth softball, youth soccer) go into a separate line item, that in essence, goes into the General Fund for distribution. Can the department manage without the fees in question? Some of these leases are holdovers from the time Big Walnut was its own not- for-profit organization. JM suggested reducing the fees gradually, with the thought of eventually getting to the $00.00 amount. Pay an amount this year which reflects a reduction, another fee reduction in 2023, and a similar reduction in 2024. It was suggested by Mayor Dory to request they use the decrease in fees to offer families in need the assistance to participate. Discussion ensued about a decrease in the fees, when and how much.There had been discounts previously due to the pandemic. An amount of a 33% reduction was introduced and a request that the money saved be used as a means of providing opportunities for families in need. A suggestion, not a demand. Have Laurie Hardwick (LH), City Attorney, researched if we can make such a request. Follow up...l have spoken with LH, but have yet to receive a definitive response regarding the use of the fee's savings amount. A question do we supply field dry for baseball and softball? Follow up...we do not provide the diamond dry for the softball and baseball leagues at Big Walnut. They take care of the fields themselves. In the past, they have asked for assistance, but it is not in the agreement. Motion by PM to reduce fees by a third and use savings on scholarships. Second by JM; passed unanimously. 2. Review of Bids for Robe Ann Park Mayor Dory updated the process. Bids came in $200,000 over budget. Looking into scope changes to get the cost down. He's talking with the engineer, looking for ways to make the project happen. Mayor suggests going to the RDC for review; RDC can approve the project. Follow up...it was approved at the June 22 meeting of the RDC. • Director's Report 1. Aquatic center...staffing issues were discussed. Pool opened about a week. Several incidents have occurred: fights, theft, vandalism. Chrysta hopes cameras are in the future. She also provided the work schedule which justifies the Mon/Tue closure of the pool. Follow up Director, Chrysta, CM, Matt Williams, and Mayor Dory met June 27 to discuss further the lifeguard's schedule and the necessity in closing the pool Mon/Tue. Highly productive meeting. 2. JM discussed food availability issues for the concession stand; can't find certain products. Reached out to several resources seeking food, snacks, etc. She did purchase products from baseball after they had purchased them from Sysco. 3. Adult softball....eight teams began play in early June. • Next Regular Meeting— 7:00 p.m., Wednesday,July 6, 2022 • Adjournment- Motion to adjourn, PM, second JM. TT closed the meeting at 8:14pm