HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-09-2006
BOARD OF PARKS & RECREATION
MINUTES OF MEETING - OCTOBER 09 I 2006
President Kevin LaGrange called the meeting to order at 12:07pm. The roll waS called
and those present were as follows: Kevin LaGrange, Sue Pfau, and Ted
Throckmorton. Absent: John Young, Vicki Conlin, and Robbie Valentine. Member John
Young has called to inform that he is on his way, so it was noted that the meeting
could commence with discussions only.
Personnel and guests present were as follows: Superintendent Rob Poff I
Aquatic/Recreation Director Sara Kraft, Outreach Director Justin Campbell, City
Attorney Les Merkley, Evening News Editor Larry Thomas, Josh Hillman with
Jacobi, Toombs and Lanz (JTL), and Oak Park resident Rhonda Kohl.
Public Comment:
Rhonda Kohl addressed the board as an 11-year resident of Oak Park neighborhood
with concerns regarding the cleaning up of the wetland at Kyle Vissing Park (fka:
Sylvan Park). She explained after reading a posting on the Internet in the public
forum of an Eagle Scout Project scheduled for this Saturday to clean up the
wetland directed by Kevin Vissing that she waS compelled to address this board and
inform that this is a federally protected wetland. She explained that destroying or
altering the habitat is a federal crime and digging in the pond or removing fallen
dead trees would destroy the food source for herons, frogs, and wood ducks. She
gave contacts she spoke with at the Core of Engineers, and Department of Natural
Resources (DNR), and noted information on the Boy Scouts of America website
specifically regarding the proper clean up of protected wetlands. She concluded by
asking for copy of any plans for this project. Superintendent Rob Poff stated that
there were no plans, just discussions with Kevin Vissing on proposed plans to clean
out the muck and put rock along the edges. There waS a lot of discussion from the
board and assurance to Ms. Kohl that nothing would be done with the wetland at this
time. It was noted that tires, bikes, and such can be removed and there is other
projects for improvement to the park that can be done. It was also noted that
educating the public and neighbors could be helpful in understanding the natural
progress and importance of these wetlands.
Old Business:
Josh Hillman addressed the board to submit revisions to the 5-year Master Plan. He
informed that he received input on changes/additions from Rob Poff after the
September Park Board meeting. He handed out the revisions and explained them in
detail and noted the pages to replace in their original plans dated August 2006.
After some discussion it waS noted that Sylvan Park on page III-10 should be
changed to Kyle Vissing Park, and in lieu of earlier discussions on wetlands that the
language/wording on pages III-10 & III-11 regarding the cleaning of wetlands
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should be changed. A motion to approve 5-year Master Plan with noted revisions was
made by Sue Pfau, seconded by Ted Throckmorton, carried unanimously. (NOTE: this
vote was conducted after member John Young arrived to meeting)
New Business:
Superintendent Rob Poff passed out copy of lease agreement between
Jeffersonville Housing Authority and Jeff Parks Department for Greentree Village
building located at 1406 Frederick Avenue in Jeffersonville. Rob noted this is the
old Main Office for the Parks and Recreation Department and that the department
will continue to maintain the building for office and storage space, as well as,
continue to schedule meetings and rentals in the Social Room. Rob also reminded
that Cathy Graninger and Michelle Bemiss with Communities in Schools of Clark
County (CIS) are occupying the office space during business hours. City Attorney
Les Merkley reviewed the lease and stated it is pretty standard. He noted in
paragraph 3, number 3 to remove the last part of the last sentence to read as
follows: "The Parks Department shall occupy these premises for a rental fee of
$1.00 per year". He also recommended the lease to be signed by Park Board
President, Kevin LaGrange instead of Parks Director, Rob Poff. A motion was made
by John Young to approve lease as amended, seconded by Sue Pfau, carried
unanimously. (NOTE: this vote was conducted after member John Young arrived to
the meeting)
Superintendent Rob Poff addressed the board regarding improvements to Duffy's
Landing. He informed that himself, Kevin LaGrange, and Sue Pfau met with Josh
Hillman at Duffy's to check out and discuss improvements. Josh passed out drawings
of proposed new docks and explained them in detail. The proposed docks are in an
"L" shape, would be ADA (American with Disabilities Act) accessible, and stated that
the Core of Engineers would ultimately have the final say of approval. He also
informed that the current materials for the docks could be reused should it be
decided the "L" shape is not feasible. He stated keeping in line with the budgeted
$40,000 that he would have more detail on cost estimates at this board's next
meeting.
Nachand Fieldhouse Monthly Report:
Outreach Director Justin Campbell distributed the September report for review.
He explained the figures in detail. After some discussion it was requested to add a
comparison with the previouS year. Aquatic/Recreation Director Sara Kraft
informed that "Run for the Pumpkins" is scheduled for Saturday, October 28th. She
explained this is a 2-mile walk/run for families that will begin and end at the
Nachand Fieldhouse. This is in conjunction with Greater Clark Schools, Community in
Schools (CIS), Jazzercise, Purdue Extension office and Clark Memorial Hospital.
There will be live entertainment by High-Tops and a health fair before and after
the race.
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Be it noted Board Member John Young joined the meeting at 1:07pm during this
discussion. Board President Kevin LaGrange took some time here and briefed him on
the previous discussions.
Minutes:
The minutes for September 11, 2006 were approved as submitted on a motion made
by Sue Pfau, seconded by John Young, carried unanimously.
Claims:
The October 2006 claims were distributed for review. After some discussion and
explanations a motion was made by John Young to approve claims as submitted,
seconded by Sue Pfau, carried unanimously.
Correspondence:
Thank you was read from Spring Hill Elementary staff for help and support with
their annual picnic on September 21, 2006.
Letter was read from Melissa Scully with Jeffersonville Knights of Columbus #1348
requesting donation for their annual lip sync show in October that benefits Jeff
Police and Fire charities. Rob informed we gave them use of the Social Room on
Frederick Avenue for their kid's rehearsal.
Letter waS read from Utica Elementary School PTO requesting a donation for their
Fall Festival on November 11, 2006. Rob recommended a 2-hour rental at the
Nachand Fieldhouse.
Superintendent's Report:
Rob updated and informed on the following:
1) Hedge Park. Playground equipment has been installed, roofing is complete
on shelter, landscaping.
2) Vogt Park. Flagpole, benches, and sidewalks are completed. Dedication will
be scheduled as soon as lights are completed on flagpole.
3) RiverStage. Put into storage at Jeff Boat until Spring 2007.
4) Aquatic Center. Shut down is complete, appears that water level is holding.
5) Highland Park. Informed all repairs are done on shelter after storm
damage. Insurance covered costs except for $2,500.00 deductible.
6) Warder Park. New sound system completed, Thomas Jefferson statue
cleaned, trees trimmed, Gazebo painted.
7) Spoke on recent budget workshops. A new SNR (Special Non-Reverting)
fund will be set up for RiverStage.
8) Informed letters discussed in September to Jeff/GRC Little League, and
Greater Clark School Administration has been sent.
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Board Input:
Ted Throckmorton discussed the monthly board packets and asked why a bi-monthly
report was not sent. It waS noted that packets for this meeting waS not received at
board members homes. Rob stated the packets were mailed the Thursday before
the meeting and cannot give any explanation why they were not received. He
apologized that the bi-monthly report waS not done and explained he made the
decision because there wasn't anything new to report or inform about. After some
discussion Ted suggested a phone call to board members the Friday before as a
reminder and it waS noted that the agenda and minutes would be emailed, as well as,
put in the mail.
This led to discussion from all board members present on their monthly meetings.
Kevin LaGrange expressed his concerns on the importance of having a quorum and
noted the last few months were questionable at the start of the meetings that
there would be a quorum. In this discussion it waS stated the possibility that lunch
time is not a good time for most, as well as, two board members not present today
for input to this matter. After more discussion a motion was made by Ted
Throckmorton to change the meeting time to 3:00pm, seconded by John Young,
carried unanimously.
Announcements:
*Run for the Pumpkins at the Nachand Fieldhouse on Saturday, October 28th from
10am-12pm.
*Halloween Downtown on Spring Street from Court to Market on Monday, October
30 from 6-8pm.
*Holiday Open House with Downtown Merchants on Spring Street on Thursday,
November 9th from 5-10pm.
*
*Note this is the third Monday due to Veteran's
Holiday.
Ad journment:
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:05pm on a motion
made by John Young, seconded by Sue Pfau, carried unanimously.
Secretary - Vicki Conlin
President - Kevin LaGrange