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Home My Public Portal About02 - February 1, 2023 Regular Meeting GREENCABTLE JS Ul ANp RE.CRE741614 City of Greencastle Board of Park Commissioners Wednesday, February 1, 2023 6:00PM *****MINUTES***** • Call to order by President Cathy Merrell (CM) at 6:00pm • Attendance: Cathy Merrell (CM),Tim Trigg(TT),Joanna Muncie (JM), Doug Hutchison (DH), Stacie Langdon (SL), Eric Bernsee (EB), Dave Bault (DB), Greg Ruark (GR), Chrysta Snellenberger (CS), Haleigh Menendez,Julie Carr Absent: Mayor Dory • Public Input- none presented. • Minutes reviewed from January 4, 2023 meeting- motion to approve TT; second by JM; passed 4-0 • Claims reviewed/discussed - motion to approve TT; second by DH; passed 4-0 • New Business 1. Election of officers-similar slate going forward: President CM, Vice-president TT, and members Doug Hutchison and Joanna Muncie- motion to approve the slate TT; second by JM; passed 4-0 2. GMS baseball and softball initiating leagues with schools county wide and are requesting Big Walnut Sports Park as venues. Plan is for 5-6 home games for each sport, but those numbers may increase depending on how many schools participate. Motion to approve the use of the fields and park by DH; second by JM; passed 4-0 3. Youth baseball and youth softball leagues are hosting an Opening Day event Saturday, April 8 at Big Walnut Sports Park.There would be a couple of parking restrictions to allow for pedestrian traffic moving from different areas of the park, primarily the west side.The question of hosting the event (TT)when PCYSA may be using their fields as well was raised. A request has been placed to see if PCYSA is in session that day. Motion to approve the event(contingent on potential conflicts being settled) by TT; second by JM; passed 4-0 UPDATE:PCYSA begins league play April 15. There is a chance there would be travel league games, but that would be only a few. 4. Julie Carr requested use of the People's Pathway for the 10`h Annual Kinetic 5K on Saturday, June 10, at 5:00pm at Deer Meadow School.Julie will address the street closures necessary (with GCPD)for the event to be run safely. A motion to approve the event was brought forward by JM; second by CM; passed 4-0. • Old Business 1. GR followed up with an update on the naming rights of shelters within the park system. He mentioned there had been some push back from City Hall; he also indicated he will be providing guidelines for the process and will bring them to the Board for their review and potential approval. 2. It was agreed to start meetings at 6:00 going forward; it was also agreed the calendar is flexible enough that meeting start times could be adjusted, if necessary, and even locations of meetings can be flexible as well. Regular monthly meetings will remain the first Wednesday of each month. Director's Report • CS updated the Board on the upcoming youth basketball season. Practices started Monday (1/30) and Tuesday(1/31). Games begin Saturday, February 4.Additionally, CS mentioned the interest we are receiving for various summer employment opportunities; noteworthy was the interest in staffing the SPARK Program. Interest in lifeguarding is also high. Lifeguard classes begin in March; swim lessons (teaching) classes begin in May. • GR discussed his follow up meeting with PATHOM, a consulting firm in Indianapolis.Tom Baker, co-owner of PATHOM, made a presentation to GR and CS, highlighting means with which to improve facilities, with the end goal of getting "more people in the parks..." He suggested ADA accessibility fishing in Jaycee Park; renovating the Jaycee Park building,for storage and programming; building a snow hill in Big Walnut for winter activities. The hill could also be built with switchbacks so it can be used for fitness and recreational use in the warm weather months. Tom will likely be invited to speak and present at a future Board meeting. • GR mentioned hosting a meeting with Jessica Hartman of Align Engineering and Mayor Dory,to discuss Phase Two of the Robe Ann Park renovation project.The schedule will follow a similar schedule to Phase One, which indicates the start should be late summer, with completion in late fall.There does appear to be an opportunity to renovate the Robe Ann Park bathrooms in advance of the Phase Two project.Jessica Hartman will update the department later on. • GR discussed his meeting with Civic League representatives;Topics included the Christmas lights in Robe Ann Park and how to increase the number of visitors. Discussed the Splash Park and the funding the Civic League provides.They said he funding if forthcoming in the amount of $2,603.00.They will be hosting six Park Fest concerts this summer.They will not host July 4, as that is reserved for Celebrate 4. • Celebrate 4 plans are ongoing. Included will be the Rokicki 5K,the Pancake Breakfast, and fireworks. Potential new events are a car show, sponsored by (Mark Rogers) and the VFW.Also new is a concert after the fireworks by CRUSH, a Bon Jovi tribute band. GR indicated the funding is available through the Friends of the Park, organizers of Celebrate 4. The board was asked to approve the event, pending the funding and soliciting approval for the late-night event and the noise ordinance approval which is required. DH made a motion to approve; second by JM; passed 4-0. • Adjournment 6:49PM • Next regular meeting^'Wednesday, March 1, 2023, GPR Office in Robe Ann Park (6:00pm)