Attendees Carla Bradshaw, Anita Force, Chris Neumann, Gretchen Walker, and Chuck Foreman

Previous meeting minutes
Chris motioned to approve the minutes from the last meeting and Gretchen Walker seconded the motion. The minutes were approved as presented.

Old Business

Xtreme Contractors have been paid for all the resurfacing work completed. $180 was the quote that Anita received to repair the vandalism damage to the tennis court. Anita advised Xtreme to attend to the repairs and they advised they will do it in the next few weeks.

Chris followed up with the DNR office again regarding the proposed Trailhead Park canoe launch. It was determined that funding for the proposed canoe launch would all come from the Parks Department. Therefore, due to budget constraints, a motion was made by Gretchen Walker to not proceed with this project at this time. Chris seconded the motion. The project will be tabled until further notice.

Anita advised that the 2010 budget meetings were postponed from Monday 8/17/09. She said they will reschedule them sometime prior to the end of September 2009.

Bids for 2 new Parks Department lawn mowers were received from McGavics from Kokomo and also Jackson Lee Pearson from Flora. For comparable mowers, the price difference was approximately $14,000 for an ExMark mower compared to approximately $21,000 for a John Deere mower. As it was discussed to purchase items from within Carroll County, it was also discussed that a comparable price was not available for a like mower to the ExMark from McGavics in Kokomo. Chris motioned to purchase the ExMark mowers from McGavics due to the price differential. Gretchen seconded the motion and it passed.

Judi Nulph, resident of Delphi, expressed concern at the Parks Board meeting regarding the “trash” that is being thrown by the boardwalk in Riley Park. Her concern was welcomed and Anita Force, Parks Department Superintendent, said she would get with Sheriff Tony Burns to see if the trustees could help clean up along the boardwalk.

Chris is continuing to work on the “event form” that she originally discussed at the past meeting. She will present the completed form at the next Parks Board meeting.

One 9/12/09, a “warrior challenge” is slotted to be at Riley Park and Riley Annex. It was mentioned that they may have numerous individuals potentially on the suspension bridge at one time. It was discussed as to the weight limit of the suspension bridge to ensure safety of all individuals. Anita was going to follow-up with Dick Bradshaw as to weight restrictions. It was also discussed that potential signage needs to be installed at each end of the suspension bridge to advise of the weight restriction limit once it is determined.

City Park shelter renovations are still being discussed with Duncan Craig from Ball State. Chris provided him photos of the City Park shelter. Duncan advised Chris that due to Ball State starting their new year, it may be a few weeks before he can provide any updates to her.

The Operation Round-Up Grant was discussed to help potentially fund a proposed Parks Department walking program. Chris was going to pursue this further referencing a past program with which she was involved.

 

New Business

The Whistlers house and woods next to City Park is for sale. An offer from another party has already been accepted by the owners. If a sale of the property comes to realization, Anita was going to work with the new owners to see if the Parks Board could purchase 1 acre or so adjoining the City Park.

Riley cabin repairs are in dire need. It was determined that a separate walk through would occur Aug. 31st at 545pm so a visual determination could be made prior to the next Parks Board meeting.

Gretchen left a message for Jennifer from the Master Gardeners group from Flora to see if they could help implement the Purdue horticulture plans for both City Park and Riley Park. No further information was received.

Expenditures of $6,750 “Wildlife program funds” are to be used for the two (2) new mowers. The balance of the monies are coming from the City of Delphi general fund to offset some of the lost encumbered funds from 2008 that were slotted to pay for the 2 new mowers and Parks Department truck. Anita advised that she is reviewing the budgeted dollars and to check with her prior to offering any commitment of funds to anyone to ensure we stay within our budgeted dollars for 2009.

Due to the wind storms in the past week, a tree had fallen in Riley Park. Due to the magnitude of the tree, Chuck Maxwell removed the remainder of the tree due to the unstable nature with only 2 of the 3 large limbs remaining on 1 side of the tree.  Gretchen mentioned that many tree branches were hitting cars along the entrance to Riley Annex. Anita was going to follow-up with Aaron on Thursday 8/27 to have the trees trimmed back.

Superintendent Report

Anita was meeting with Sherri Cripe next week to finish out the 2009 Summer Recreation Program.

Adopt a Spot holders are going to be getting a letter to spruce up their Adopt a Spots. Some of them are in need of attention.

Fireworks fliers for the 9/5/09 fireworks display at Riley Park were passed out to all residents who live over Riley Park to notify them of the pending fireworks display. (See attached flyer)

The high water markers for the floods of 2003 have been received. They are ready to post at Riley Park near the playground area.

Carla washed the Kiosk and took down Christmas lights on the pavilion at Trailhead Park. Anita trimmed back bushes at the Trailhead Park. The Parks Department used the weed eater at both ends of the suspension bridge also to cut back brush further.

Chris motioned to adjourn the meeting at 5:15pm. Gretchen seconded the motion and it passed.

Next Parks Board meeting is September 23, 2009 at 4:00pm in the Stone Barn building.