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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-23-2010JEFFERSONVILLE PARKS AUTHORITY MEETING MINUTES JULY 23, 2010 The Jeffersonville Parks Authority met in r 2010 at 12 00 Noon after said me t ng was poroperty City Hall, Jeffersonville, Indiana, on Friday, July 23, , noticed and advertised. Parks Authority President Ron Grooms called the meeting to order. MConnie present: Ron Grooms, Barbara Wend n'A otrney Greg Clark Alssi tant ParksSuperintend n Sara Schutz Sellers and Keith Fetz. Also pre and Parks Office Manager Hona o Brdid o a 11 ro°edthe agenda as presented,c se~ond by Councilperson Councilperson Wilson m Pp Smith. Motion carried. Councilperson Samuel moved to approve the minutes dated June 14, 2010, second y Councilperson Smith. Motion carried. The claims lists dated July 7, 2010 and July 15, 2010 were presented for consideration. Councilperson Samuel moved to approve both lists, second by Councilperson Wilson. Motion carried. Ed Zastawny enters meeting. Review of Appropriations 2010: At a mverSta oe in thel amount of $61,100.00 w th only $300 00 about 217 Fund and the budgeted amount for Ri g having been spent out of that line item. Chai ar2G~o an only be pent after the money has been earned out of that line item. Ms. McBride answered th and that RiverStage does not earn money. Theg nn on the Rivere 1Councilperso nSamuel asked about the however there are four other line items for Sm Image Program located in 217and was told that be removed.f The balancelat the enldlof June in 217dwas time some of these appropriation items need to $49,633. It was suggested that the shuttle bus rentals be paid out of 217. The shuttle bus runs during Louisville Orchestra performances, $1,500.00 per night for four nights. Old Business: The Finance Committee intends to recommend to the Parks Authority that moneys be set aside for more maintenance to the parks. The Parks Depa o do that workras he City Pride landscaping maintenance or perhaps contracting with a third party Committee would like to see more maintenanore masntenance tt e the entryways torthe lc ty S watering them. Councilperson Samuel emphasized m flowers and spraying weeds downtown. Councilperson Sellers enters meeting. Councilperson Smith stated that the City Pride members work hard improving the city but feel that their efforts are not property maintained afterward. Chairman Grooms stated this will be discussed with Superintendent Manor and a plan fo he CiedPride meetings so the Parks Dept. Mould betawaretof representative of the Parks Dept. attends t ty areas needing to be maintained. Chairman Grooms stated that this matter was mentioned to the Mayor and the fact that more seasonal part-time workers will be necessary that hasrbeen identified as a potential Chairman Grooms stated that there is a parcel of property site for the new multi-use sports complexrts com lex as part of new park to beldeveloped, and nlthe Dollars was set aside for the multi-use spo p 2010 Parks budget there is $250,000 designed for park space. Chairman Grooms stated it is his understanding that the multi-use sports comple i ~' di c ussed,~the new large park and the multi use sports pointed out that these are two separate items be g complex. Councilperson Zastawny asked whedreP OCn nMa lioC Dnc person Samuel stated there g $1 8 The $250,000 set aside this year ism 204 Fun , million in Fund 204. Chad Armstrong appeared before the Board regarding the War Memorial on Riverside Drive. Fundraising is not going well, less than $1,000 has been raised. Mr. Armstrong will proceed with putting up the flagpoles and installing the base for the monument. The flags cannot go up without lights being installed. Mr. Armstrong will also approach the Ogle Foundation and Horseshoe Foundation for support. The war memorial will honor veterans of Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and the War in Afghanistan. The sale of brick pavers will provide the method for honoring veterans from other wars. The pavers sell for $50.00 each. Councilperson Samuel does not want to see a flagpole installed without flags being put up at the same time. Perhaps the money raised so far could be held at the Community Foundation until more funds are available. Mr. Armstrong stated that the total cost to build the war memorial is $50,000.00. Chairman Grooms requested that Mr. Armstrong bring a proposal to the next meeting giving a breakdown of the cost to build the war memorial, including cost of the flags, flagpoles, lighting and building the foundation. Mr. Armstrong stated he was told by the Mayor that the city will provide concrete, labor and other in-kind services and his proposal will take that into consideration. Chairman Grooms reported for the Parks Programs Committee stating Youth Football League is holding signups. The league would like for the city to purchase more bleachers at Shirley Hall Park. Rented bleachers are a possibility as they are only used during football season. Ted Throckmorton and Sandy Knott appeared on behalf of the Facilities Advisory Board. Ms. Knott thanked the board for the reward signs placed in Bob Hedge Park. Vandalism has practically stopped this year thanks to the police department and the reward signs. Sandy reported that the funds used to build the park are almost gone and she would like to see the city contract with Walnut Ridge to maintain Bob Hedge Park as we do for Warder Park and the Riverfront. Sandy would also like for the city to pay for the new pump that had to be installed in the fountain. The bill is $420.46. Motion by Councilperson Smith, second by Councilperson Zastawny, to approve the claim to Walnut Ridge in the amount of $420.46 as well as all future claims. Motion carried. Mr. Throckmorton reported that the Indianapolis Star is coming to Jeffersonville to interview Sara Nord and Bobby Potter. The reporter is doing a story on historic gyms in Indiana. Mr. Throckmorton suggested that Parks Authority meetings could be held at the Fieldhouse, at RiverStage or other sites throughout the city. Also, compliments to Bob Manor for getting the light pole painted at the Fieldhouse. Mr. Throckmorton praised the new playground equipment at Port Fulton Park and asked if the storage shed couldn't be put on museum property. Councilperson Smith stated the storage building would be located on the farthest west portion of the property, its design will fit with the museum area and it will have restrooms to be used for special events held in the park. Mr. Throckmorton would like to see a public driving range included in the plans for the new park. Chairman Grooms asked Sara Schutz to report on RiverStage and stated that she has done an outstanding job at RiverStage this year. Mrs. Schutz stated that RiverStage crowds have been good, with great crowds for Louisville Orchestra. One rainout so far this season. Coming attractions include Jeffersonville Goes Country, Brian White and "Hollywood Hits", a combination of different Broadway hits. Mrs. Schutz is also working on a RiverStage budget for next year. Councilperson Samuel brought up the handicap accessibility area on the Overlook, on the right side of the Overlook if you are facing the river. The stage barge cannot be seen from the left side of the Overlook. Mrs. Schutz recommends a ramp being installed. Councilperson Smith stated he saw skateboarders on the barge and recommends a no trespass sign and that the barge should not be accessible at night. Councilperson Samuel recommended a camera be installed with a remote connection to the police department. Chairman Grooms asked Mrs. Schutz to check into the camera, stating that was a great idea. No report from Park Commission Advisory Boards as the Mayor is out of town. No report from Bob Manor, Parks Superintendent as he is on vacation. Attorney Clark reported on a discussion he had with the Mayor and the Mayor would like to recommend that this board begin the process for acquisition of the property for the new park, either through purchase or eminent domain. Motion by Councilperson Smith, second by Councilperson Zastawny to meet in Executive Session to talk about land acquisition, with Attorney Clark providing information on the process of acquiring said land, either through purchase or eminent domain. Motion carried. The Park Authority Executive Session will take place on Tuesday, July 27`'' at 5:00 PM. Attorney Clark discussed a letter the Mayor received from attorney David Nachand regarding a small parcel of property in Perrin Park. Mr. Nachand has previously been told to present his client to the Parks Authority Board to make the request for the City to transfer a small portion, (.071 acre) to Patrick Hoehn, the adjacent property owner. Due to restrictions placed upon the property at the time of purchase, Attorney Clark is not sure this transfer can take place. Attorney Clark recommends that this Board send a letter to attorney David Nachand and David Lewis, attorney for Plan Commission and BZA, stating that they and Mr. Hoehn should attend the next Parks Authority meeting to discuss further. Attorney Clark stated the restrictions are in effect for ten years, the property was purchased in 2009. Councilperson Grooms stated that his position is that we are not in a position at the present time to transfer or sell any portion of the property. Motion by Councilperson Zastawny, second by Councilperson Sellers, to authorize Attorney Clark to send a letter to Attorneys Nachand and Lewis regarding the Perrin Park property denying any request for purchase. Motion carried. Comments from Park Authority Members: Mr. Samuel stated that the old Safety Town location looks horrible, would like that property cleaned up and old Safety Town materials removed. Councilperson Smith asked who owns that property. Motion by Councilperson Samuel, second by Councilperson Smith to clean up the old Safety Town location where possible. Motion carried. Councilperson Smith complimented Superintendent Manor and the Parks Department for the new playground equipment in Oak Park and Port Fulton Park. Councilperson Zastawny feels it would be worthwhile to hire more seasonal workers to help with weeding and maintenance. Councilperson Grooms stated that on the agenda for the next meeting there will be several requests to waive the fee for use of city parks and facilities. Councilperson Sellers suggested perhaps a reduced fee option could be put into place. The Board is encouraged to be prepared to discuss these requests at the next meeting. Chairman Grooms stated he has a question from Councilperson Smith regarding the salary of the Fieldhouse Director Sara Nord. Councilperson Smith stated he understood that the salary was to be brought up to be even with other supervisors. It does not involve any new money. Councilperson Sellers stated that when it was discussed it was discovered that Ms. Nord was over the maximum for her job title. It was voted upon to have someone look into her job title. Councilperson Zastawny leaves meeting. Councilperson Samuel stated that the report on the salary ranges was approved and the raise for Ms. Nord did not align with new salary ranges. Councilperson Samuel stated that "someone" was supposed to look into the job title and salary range. Councilperson Grooms asked that Bob Manor be prepared to address this matter at the next board meeting. Councilperson Sellers stated that the title change has to come from the Human Resource office so that it will match up with the salary change. After that the matter will have to go before the Council. Councilperson Grooms stated that this matter will be addressed at the next Parks Authority Meeting unless the Common Council acts before that meeting. Councilperson Samuel will discuss with the Human Resources Director. Councilperson Samuel moved to adjourn at 1:30, second by Councilperson Wilson. Motion passed. jj ~ ~,, f' ,.. Ron Groo s, President