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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks Authority December 18, 2023 Jeffersonville Parks Authority Monday, December 18, 2023 The Jeffersonville Parks Authority met in Session on Monday, December 18, 2023 in the Mayor's conference room on the third floor of City Hall. Members Present: Elizabeth (Lisa) Carter, Evan Stoner, Johnna Anderson, Bill Burns, Larry Jordan, Debbie Pait, Pam Clark. Parks Staff Present: Paul Northam, Amber Ridings, Amber Powell, Matt Siler, Ricky Romans and Olivia Mann. APPROVAL OF AGENDA—Member Evans made a MOTION to approve the agenda for the December 18th 2023 Parks Authority Meeting, and the motion was seconded by Member Jordan. The motion passed on a vote of 7-0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Member Stoner made a MOTION to approve the minutes from the November 27th, 2023 Parks Authority Meeting, the motion was seconded by Member Pait. The motion passed on a vote of 7-0. OLD BUSINESS- NONE NEW BUSINESS Paul Northam mentioned there were 2 contracts for approval. These were for Patriot Mobile Wash and Walnut Ridge Landscape & Design. Patriot provided janitorial services, trash pick-up, maintenance and landscaping services for Big Four and the downtown Jeffersonville area. Their 2023 contract allowed renewal for a 2nd year. Member Stoner commented that they do a great job! Member Burns made a MOTION to approve, and the motion was seconded by Member Stoner. All contracts are approved pending legal review. The Walnut Ridge 2024 contract includes 3 components of Big Four maintenance, River Stage maintenance and River Stage mowing. There was an increase of $1000 from the prior year for these services. Member Burns made a MOTION to approve, and the motion was seconded by Member Clark. All contracts are approved pending legal review. Member Scales joined the meeting. MANAGER'S REPORT Amber Powell—The Ice Rink is in 'full swing', and the weekend was VERY full as we're closing out the year. We are revamping the sponsorship programs for the New Year, and work continues to grow our sponsors for 2024. Olivia Mann—The postcards for the previous Aquatic Center employees are going out next week. There was a GREAT turnout for Big Wig Bingo, which included a luncheon and members received stockings full of items donated by 3 different organizations. Matt Siler—Ice Rink work continues, keeping up with maintenance for the Sth grade classes to skate. We have switched to a new chiller. The Rink will be dismantled January 1st. The Envision Center lighting is complete and looks GREAT! Ricky Romans—Youth football has ended, and there was a debrief meeting. Planning is underway for new things in 2024. There is a new football coach at Jeffersonville High, and Parks continues to partner/promote a feeder system with them. Amber Ridings—K-1-2 basketball has ended, each year there's an increase in attendance and Amber was a referee. The Parks Department has 2 new hires, Hillary Pacheco will join as an Administrative Assistant, and Tara Young will be the River Stage and Special Events Manager. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Paul shared the news of both Wilcoxson and Poppy Park paving, resurfacing and striping has been completed. The Parks Department has received many free tickets to the upcoming 2024 Louisville Home and Garden Expo. This will be held at the Convention Center January 12`h— 14" Mr. Jack Snelling attended the meeting, as he's a new member of the Jeffersonville City Council. REPORTS AND COMMENTS Parks Authority Attorney Report- NONE Public Comments- NONE Parks Authority Member Comments Member Stoner requested a few moments to address the Parks Authority Board and the Parks Department. He expressed his thanks and gratitude to Mayor Moore, Parks Board members and the Parks Department managers for their dedication to the City. He shared a few ideas for the upcoming year, with a focus on tax dollars supporting the Parks and the people. Member Jordan made a motion to ADJOURN at 5:16 pm. APPROVED: Lisa Carter- Parks Authority President Cin m Thank you to Mayor Mike Moore for the opportunity to be an advocate for our parks and for our collective quality of life on the Parks Authority Board. It has been an honor to work alongside Director Paul Northam and Assistant Director Amber Ridings, all of our incredible Managers, and fellow authority members. Jeffersonville needs a fun and safe parks system in order to achieve goals outlined in our Building Jeff Parks Comprehensive Plan. As VP of the Jeffersonville Parks Authority, I am urging fellow Members to start thinking big about how we can continue making Jeffersonville Parks more fun, safe, and accessible to all of our families and visitors. Jeffersonville was just ranked in the top 50 best cities in the United States by Money Magazine. The economic boom delivered by the Mike Moore administration has provided a golden opportunity for Jeffersonville. Here's a few ideas I think this Authority should consider for the near future. Our parks department is not meant to make money off the people of Jeffersonville. The taxpayers money should be used to support our parks because parks support our people. I've now seen a thorough review of the cities finances—the City has ability to responsibly invest into our great Parks Employees—and facilities. A strong parks department starts with investing in our Parks staff and employees.Not only in pay and benefits—but in professional training and education, and equipment safety and quality. Over the next months this board should think strongly about ways we can grow and improve our current parks and facilities. Let's take the Skate Park for instance at Jeff Aquatic—it's time this asset gets upgrades. Or maybe we should build a new skate park in Downtown. Or maybe we can renovate an old basketball court in Claysburg. Or maybe we could put a lazy River in at Jeff Aquatic. But in order to accomplish any of these ideas, we must first invest in those maintaining our current facilities and grounds on a daily basis. I want our Parks staff and employees to have every tool, equipment, and certification they need to do their jobs to the best of their ability. The opportunity for Jeff Parks is limitless. So let's dream big and reach for the stars. Let's get our neighborhood alliances engaged. We've got the data. If we look back in the long term parks plan presented earlier this year—we've got numbers and opinions from residents on what type of parks, attractions, and events they'd like to see. The Lil Jon concert was truly one of the best days in the history of Jeffersonville. The people of Jeffersonville and our friends in Louisville and nearby cities had a blast at this event. The energy was incredible. While I was leaving I heard two gentleman comment"this is great to have something for us that's safe and a good time"that comment has really stuck with me. The Lil Jon concert brought everyone together in a fun and safe way that our community should be proud of. I would love to see that caliber of talent continue to perform in Jeffersonville. I think we should also look at ways we can maintain the health of the Riverstage and the Riverstage Grounds because that is a major component of our incredible summer entertainment. The bottom line is that this board can be integral in suggesting these improvement ideas to Director Northam and Assistant Director Ridings and The City Council. As Councilman, I will be taking a significant interest in the operations of the Parks Department. I'm urging members of this board to talk with neighbors and ask where they'd like to see our Parks Department go next. Together we will continue making Jeff Parks a high quality system for our people and families and a destination for our visitors Evan Stoner