HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-14-2010• JEFFERSONVILLE PARKS AUTHORITY
MEETING MINUTES
JCTNE 14, 2010
The Jeffersonville Parks Authority met in regular session in the Mayor's Conference
Room in City Hall, Jeffersonville, Indiana, on Monday, June 14, 2010, at 6:00 PM. Parks
Authority President Ron Grooms called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. Members present: Ron
Grooms, Barbara Wilson, Nathan Samuel, Mike Smith and Connie Sellers. Absent: Keith Fetz
and Ed Zastawny. Also present: Parks Superintendent Bob Manor, Assistant Parks Supt. Sara
Schutz and Parks Office Manager Hona McBride. All stood for the pledge of allegiance to the
flag.
Councilperson Sellers moved to approve the agenda as presented, second by
Councilperson Smith. Motion carried.
Council person Wilson moved to approve the minutes dated May 10, 2010, second by
Councilperson Samuel and passed on a vote of 4-1. Councilperson Sellers abstained as she was
not present the entire May lot" meeting.
The claims lists were presented for consideration. Councilperson Samuel moved to
approve the list dated May 12, 2010, second by Councilperson Sellers. Motion carried. Council-
person Samuel moved to approve the list dated June 3, 2010, second by Councilperson Sellers.
Motion carried. After questions concerning the claim to Towne Place Suites and American
Commercial Lines on the list dated June 10, 2010, Councilperson Samuel moved to approve the
list, second by Councilperson Sellers. Motion carried.
Councilperson Grooms asked Supt. Manor to review the appropriations to see if all is
satisfactory at this time. Supt. Manor stated that the amount in the Parks Overtime budget was
shorted by $22,800.00 for 2010 and that the Building Repairs line item was shorted $17,100.00.
The amount in the Building Repair budget should have stated $19,000.00, and instead stated
$1,900.00. It is thought to be a typo but needs to be corrected as that line item is now in deficit.
Ms. McBride was asked to contact Ms. Hollis in the Clerk's Office and request that an ordinance
be drawn up transferring money into the Overtime and Building Repairs line items and that this
matter be placed on the agenda for the next Common Council meeting to be held on June 21,
2010.
Old Business: No report under facilities and maintenance. Facilities Advisory Board
Member Throckmorton asked when the light pole at the Fieldhouse would be painted and was
told the school corporation would take care of that matter this summer. Supt. Manor stated that
new docks have been installed at Duffy's Landing.
No report on the multi-use baseball complex.
President Grooms stated he spoke with Chad Armstrong about the War Memorial.
Fundraising is ongoing. No further report at this time.
New Business:
No report from Parks Programs Committee.
Facilties Advisory Board Member Throckmorton stated that the new Aquatics Director
Nikki Dillon attended the last Parks Authority Advisory Meeting. All were impressed with her
background and capabilities. He stated he received an email from Member Knott about park
vandalism and requesting that signs be put in parks offering a reward concerning vandalism. Ms.
Knott stated that the November 2009 minutes of this board shows a motion to authorize the Parks
Authority to offer a $500.00 reward upon conviction of those causing the vandalism. Ms. Knott
would like signs put in parks offering this reward. Supt. Manor stated that a sign in the park
would get torn up. Councilperson Smith stated that perhaps the police could patrol more often. It
• was suggested that the Cherry Hill Neighborhood Association help patrol the park. Motion by the
Chair, second by Councilperson Wilson to post a sign in Bob Hedge Park, on the Riverstage, on
the city website and on the Jeffparks.org website that the City will offer a $500.00 reward to
• those who turn in vandals and that vandals will be prosecuted and fined. The reward will be paid
upon conviction of those causing damage to park property. Motion carried. Councilperson
Wilson will take this information to the Board of Public Works and Safety for information on any
other city property that might benefit by posting the vandal signs.
Special Events/RiverStage Director Sara Schutz informed the Board that the first two
weeks of the season were very successful, Smokin on the River is the next week-end, and the new
landscaping on the Terrace Lawn looks great. The City Partners budget advanced the seed money
in the amount of $10,000.00 for River Crossing Festival with the understanding that City Partners
would be reimbursed. That fund needs to be reimbursed at this time.
Councilperson Samuel stated that for future consideration a section of the Overlook could
be roped off and designated for the handicapped, and perhaps in the distant future, a landing
could be built specifically for the handicapped. Councilperson Smith agreed there is plenty of
room on the Overlook to set aside space for handicapped persons. Ms. Schutz stated a permanent
place is needed but for this season the Overlook could be used. The Parks Authority Board
directs the Parks Supt. and RiverStage Director to set aside space on the Overlook for
handicapped, with proper signage designating that area. Ms. Schutz also requested the $10,000
donation from the Council to help with Smokin on the River expenses. Councilperson Smith
stated that that request was approved at the last council meeting.
Mr. Throckmorton advised that at several entrances to the city the welcome signs are not
visible due to the plantings blocking the signs. Councilperson Wilson will take this matter to the
City Pride committee and Board of Public Works. The entrance signs referred to are on Stansifer
Ave., Exit O, Tenth Street, and I-265. Councilperson Wilson told the Board that the sign on
Stansifer Ave. has already been cleaned up.
The report from Parks Director Bob Manor included the installation of new docks at
• Duffy's Landing, work is currently in progress at Rich Vissing Park, Inman Park, Highland Park
and Oak Park Tennis Courts including new playground equipment at the tennis courts. Also,
new playground equipment at Port Fulton Park behind the Howard Museum, and three new
telephone poles will be installed at Colston Park to raise the net and keep the balls out of the bed
and breakfast property. The new docks at Duffy's are lower than the old docks which have been
removed. These docks are for loading and unloading only.
Rick Madden, Dave Reinhart and Roger Fisher appeared on behalf of the Howard
Museum. Mr. Madden requested a 99 year lease on property close to the Flood Wall in order to
build a 2400 square foot storage building, said building being subject to Building Commission
approval and Planning and Zoning approval. This board would have final approval of
architectural plans. Standing on the backside of the museum, facing Port Fulton Park, this
building would sit in the left-hand corner close to the flood wall. Supt. Manor stated there is
plenty of room for both the playground equipment and the building. Councilperson Smith stated
that a variance might be needed due to the shape of the property. Motion by Councilperson
Sellers, second by Councilperson Smith, to approve a tentative lease between the Howard
Museum Board and the Jeffersonville Parks Authority Board leasing space for up to a 2400
square foot building, for a term of 99 years, subject to restrictions by the Parks Authority Board
and Jeffersonville Planning and Zoning. Motion carried 5-0. Councilperson Grooms appointed
Supt. Manor and Ted Throckmorton to communicate with the museum on this project.
Councilperson Smith requested being involved with the lines of communication as the museum is
located in his district.
Don Sanders, Glenn Bell and Phil Ellis appeared before the Board, representing the
Pharoah Mens Club. Mr. Ellis requested permission for the club to use Lansden Park three times
a year at no charge. Activities would benefit Claysburg residents and would include information
• on alcohol and drugs. Other activities could include a fish fry and perhaps Easter Egg hunt. Mr.
Ellis would like to see the Pharoah Club monitor this Park to help prevent vandalism.
• Councilperson Grooms stated that before approval could be given, the Board would need to know
the specific events to be held in the park, time of day, date for the event, and if a fish fry is held,
if it is a fundraiser or is it being held to feed the hungry. Councilperson Grooms stated it would
be better if the Board approved each event as they approach, rather than a blanket approval for all
three events. Mr. Ellis stated the time factor would be 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Mr. Ellis stated a
fundraiser would help with back to school and other needs for the youth of the community. The
first event is planned for July 17`h, music and fish fry. Councilperson Sellers stated an A & E
Permit might be required and should be checked into. Councilperson Smith stated it would be
nice if the Pharoah Club could oversee Lansden Park and help prevent vandalism, keep the park
clean and, in turn, the City would waive the fee. Councilperson Samuel moved to allow the
Pharoah Club to use Lansden Park on July 17 from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, subject to obtaining
the proper permits, second by Councilperson Smith. Motion carried.
Supt. Manor informed the Board that the air conditioning at the Aquatic Center
concession area is no longer working. Kempf Heating and Air provided a quote of $17,500.00 to
replace. Three bids need to be obtained. Councilperson Sellers moved to spend up to $17,640.00
to replace the air conditioning in the concession area at the Aquatic Center, with the stipulation
that three bids be received, and that the Parks Superintendent has the final decision in awarding
the contract. Second by Councilperson Wilson. Motion carried. It was agreed that payment for
the air conditioning system should come out of Park Genera1204 Fund, Repairs and Maintenance
line item. Once that line item is depleted, the line item will be replaced on an as needed basis.
Comments from Park Authority members:
Councilperson Samuel inquired if the Parks Dept. had an Ultimate Frisbee activity. It is a
new game to this area, played with a regular frisbee. Supt. Manor advised he would have Asst.
Supt. Romans look into this new game. Mr. Throckmorton stated that Lottie Oglesby Park would
be a great location for this game.
• Councilperson Wilson: None
Councilperson Smith wants to be kept informed regarding Port Fulton Park and the
Howard Museum. He also stated he has had very positive response on the recently mailed flyer
sent to city residents.
Councilperson Grooms distributed the updated list of members on the Parks Authority
Advisory Board and the four Advisory Boards. The Park Authority Advisory Board has
requested that they be notified by email of the Park Authority Board meeting. It is recommended
that the advisory boards also be notified. Councilperson Smith advised that Becca Christensen is
interested in serving on the Special Events/RiverStage Advisory Board should an opening occur.
Mr. Throckmorton advised that the Howard Museum came to the old Park Board
requesting permission to put a storage building in the middle of the park and was turned down.
Supt. Manor stated it would be nice to incorporate restroom facilities in the new building for use
during events at the museum, or in the event of a park rental. Councilperson Smith again stated
that the building needs to be on the far end of the property and not in the middle.
Discussion was held regarding the July meeting due to the July 4`h holiday. The City
Council will meet on July 12 and 19. The next Park Authority Board Meeting will tentatively be
held on Tuesday, July 13`h at 6:00 PM.
Councilperson Smith moved. to adjourn, second by Councilperson Wilson. Motion
carried. ting adjourned.
Ron Gro, s, President