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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-09-14-Park-Board-Meeting-MinutesCarmel/Clay Board of Parks and Recreation Tuesday, September 14, 2021, 6:00 p.m. John W. Hensel Government Center 10701 North College Avenue Carmel, Indiana 46280 Member(s) Present: James Garretson, Louise Jackson, Joshua Kirsh, Jenn Kristunas, Linus Rude, Rich Taylor, Lin Zheng Member(s) Absent: Jessica Beer, Mark Westermeier Others Present: Michael Klitzing, Department Director/CEO; Kurtis Baumgartner, Department Assistant Director/COO; Jonathan Blake, Administration & Planning Director; Brian Bosma, Park Board Attorney Roll Call; Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance Board President Taylor welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked Mr. Rude to call the role. Mr. Rude stated that there was a quorum. Board President Taylor called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. and asked everyone to rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. Public Comments There were no public comments. Staff Reports Assistant Director Baumgartner said that staff reports were included in the Park Board packet. Ms. Zheng commented that she was very encouraged by the fact that the Department almost breaks even at this time. Assistant Director Baumgartner said he was cautiously optimistic that the Department is on the right path for the year from a financial perspective. Board President Taylor asked about the decline in passes. Director Klitzing said he was starting to see that our regular pattern has reemerged where we have tremendous growth during the summer season, a decline in the fall, and an uptick in November, December and January. These are similar patterns from previous years. Assistant Director Baumgartner added many are purchasing monthly passes instead of the season passes. Assistant Director Baumgartner stated that the Department is very proud of the Parks & Natural Resources Division. This Division has evolved significantly over the last several years, and staff was in attendance to present to the Park Board. Volunteer & Environmental Programming Overview The following staff presented detailed information regarding their specific areas within the Parks & Natural Resources Division. • Michael Allen, Parks & Natural Resources Director • Joanna Scott, Natural Resources Coordinator • Lana Ramer, Volunteer Coordinator DocuSign Envelope ID: 506CFEF2-31F0-4367-BBC1-2588B7291332 Carmel/Clay Board of Parks and Recreation Tuesday, September 14, 2021 John W. Hensel Government Center Page 2 Finance Committee Ms. Zheng stated that the Finance Committee did not meet so there was no report. Minutes August 10, 2021 Park Board Meeting Mr. Rude made a motion to approve the minutes. Mr. Garretson questioned the lack of information in the minutes regarding comments made by the two individuals who spoke during Public Comments at the last Park Board meeting. Director Klitzing said that information is available on the recording of each meeting. Mr. Garretson said he thought more information should be included so individuals who missed a meeting could know what happened. Ms. Jackson asked if there was anywhere within the minutes that directs individuals to the recording for detail. Discussion followed. Director Klitzing suggested that the minutes be tabled and amended prior to the next meeting. Mr. Rude withdrew his motion. Director Klitzing addressed further questions from Mr. Garretson regarding his conversations with the two individuals after the last Park Board meeting. Financial Reports Consolidated Financial Report for July 2021; CCPR P&L Statements for August 2021 Ms. Zheng made a motion to acknowledge receipt of the Consolidated Financial Report for July 2021; and CCPR P&L Statements for August 2021, seconded by Mr. Garretson. The motion was unanimously passed 7 – 0. Claims Ms. Zheng made a motion to approve Claim Sheet September 14, 2021; Clay Township Claim Sheet September 14, 2021; and CCPR Payroll for August 13, 2021 and August 27, 2021, seconded by Mr. Kirsh. The motion was unanimously passed 7 – 0. Monetary Gifts, Grants, Partnerships, and Sponsorships for August 2021 – Jonathan Blake Mr. Blake presented the following donations: $127 from the Rotary Club of Carmel, Indiana for the Volunteer Program; $12,500 from the Carmel Redevelopment Commission for the Monon/City Center Drive Tunnel Mural; and $100 from an anonymous donor for Staff Appreciation. Ms. Kristunas made a motion to accept the donations as presented, seconded by Mr. Rude, and unanimously passed 7 – 0. New Business Hamilton County South River District/Conner Prairie West Side Expansion Overview – Michael Klitzing Director Klitzing provided a detailed overview of the Hamilton County South River District/Conner Prairie West Side Expansion. Meeting handouts: • Hamilton County South River District/Conner Prairie West-Side Expansion – READI Submission Project/Program Portfolio Narrative • Letter addressed to Secretary of Commerce Bradley B. Chambers, Chief Executive Officer, Indiana Economic Development Corporation, from Richard F. Taylor III, President, Carmel/Clay Board of Parks and Recreation, dated September 30, 2021 DocuSign Envelope ID: 506CFEF2-31F0-4367-BBC1-2588B7291332 Carmel/Clay Board of Parks and Recreation Tuesday, September 14, 2021 John W. Hensel Government Center Page 3 Ms. Zheng said she was excited to hear about the project and asked about the partnership between the Department and Conner Prairie, including the financial support addressed in the proposed letter submitted to the Park Board members at the meeting. Mr. Kirsh made a motion that the Park Board approve and support the Park Board President to sign the letter addressed to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation for the READI (Regional Economic Acceleration + Development Initiative) grant application. The motion was seconded by Mr. Garretson and unanimously passed 7 – 0. Board President Taylor encouraged the Park Board members to learn as much information as possible regarding Conner Prairie and those components within the White River Regional Opportunity Initiative (WR-ROI). Director Klitzing said he would be happy to visit the site with Board members to provide valuable perspectives. Board President Taylor added that support will be needed from both the Council and the Township. Old Business Bear Creek Park Master Plan Update Director Klitzing thanked the Board members who were able to participate in previous meetings. It is an exciting time to kickoff this project and the area is in desperate need of parkland, as stated within the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Director Klitzing shared the master plan process, recapped the meetings held thus far, and explained the next steps. Additional information followed. Clay Township Impact Program Updates Director Klitzing stated that specific information was provided in the Director’s Report within the Board packet. He added that there has been incredible progress at Meadowlark Park. At West Park, the contractor has made cut outs for the splash pad area and trails. The contract for River Heritage Park has been awarded by the Township. A meeting was held at the park with DNR (Department of Natural Resources) Fish and Wildlife Division to address some concerns prior to receiving the necessary permits for construction. To ensure no delay in the permitting process, the Department requested input from IDEM (Indiana Department of Environmental Management) and the Army Corp of Engineers. All concerns are being addressed regarding the wetland. Attorney’s Report Mr. Bosma advised that he will soon close on the transfer of ownership of the Thomas Marcuccilli Nature Park property. As improvements have been completed by the developer, Mr. Bosma is working to finalize the gift agreement for the property (Vera J. Hinshaw Park) located within Sunrise on the Monon. Mr. Bosma announced that a meeting has been scheduled with the Parks Building Corporation regarding The Corner. DocuSign Envelope ID: 506CFEF2-31F0-4367-BBC1-2588B7291332 Carmel/Clay Board of Parks and Recreation Tuesday, September 14, 2021 John W. Hensel Government Center Page 4 Director’s Report Director Klitzing stated his report was distributed to the Park Board members. Director Klitzing received a call from Clay Township Trustee Doug Callahan about AV upgrades to the Community Room. Quotes have been received. Mr. Callahan will work with Hal (Espey) on the facility upgrades that will enhance the meeting experience. The Department will go before the Council at its budget workshop on Friday (September 17, 2021). Park Board members are welcome to attend. It is also televised. Director Klitzing said he previously met with Councilors Sue Finkam and Miles Nelson, focusing on the tax budgets. No concerns were expressed, and he did not expect any issues. Director Klitzing announced that the unveiling ceremony/ribbon cutting of the Monon Greenway City Center Tunnel Mural was confirmed for September 27th at 4:30 p.m. This beautiful mural was designed by Caroline Hammonds, a senior at Carmel High School. Director Klitzing spoke about ‘Reimagining Recreation,’ which is the Department’s recreation program plan. Timing to update this recreation program plan is quite appropriate based on the challenges of the pandemic, which have been disruptive to operations. The Department eliminated 17 full-time positions within ESE and MCC that contributed to programming. As the Department has a cost recovery mandate, financial challenges must be addressed. It is crucial to determine what drives revenue and what does CCPR do best – quality over quantity. The Department will focus on fitness and aquatics, which drives revenue; nature programming; and inclusion, which includes adaptive. Therefore, eliminating programs beyond our capacity and grow our core areas. Discussion followed. Ms. Jackson asked if the Department was looking at anything new and innovative to generate revenue. Director Klitzing said more information is forthcoming about a possible new and innovative component at The Waterpark. Ms. Kristunas said the evening’s presentation was fantastic. She requested more presentations be considered in the future, highlighting exciting areas within the Department. Information Items Plan Commission Mr. Kirsh said the last residential committee meeting was cancelled, and he had no items to report. School Board Ms. Jackson stated that school is still in-person, not virtual. Ms. Jackson said that dates have not been finalized for the ribbon cutting ceremonies of the two new elementaries. Ms. Jackson added that the School Board is reviewing applications to fill the opening on the Carmel Clay School Board. DocuSign Envelope ID: 506CFEF2-31F0-4367-BBC1-2588B7291332 Carmel/Clay Board of Parks and Recreation Tuesday, September 14, 2021 John W. Hensel Government Center Page 5 Parks Foundation Mr. Garretson said he had nothing to report. Park Board Comments / Discussion There were no additional comments or discussion. Adjournment There being no further business, Mr. Rude made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ms. Zheng, at which time Board President Taylor adjourned the meeting at 8:08 p.m. Approved, Signature Date Signature Date Meetings of the Carmel/Clay Board of Parks and Recreation are recorded and may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/channels/parkboardmeetings or see the archive of meeting recordings at https://www.carmelclayparks.com/about-us/park-board/. DocuSign Envelope ID: 506CFEF2-31F0-4367-BBC1-2588B7291332 11/1/2021 10/20/2021