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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-10-19-Park-Board-Meeting-MinutesCarmel/Clay Board of Parks and Recreation Thursday, October 19, 2023, 6:00 p.m. John W. Hensel Government Center 10701 North College Avenue Carmel, Indiana 46280 Member(s) Present: James Garretson, Kristin Kouka, Jenn Kristunas, Linus Rude, Rich Taylor, Mark Westermeier, Lin Zheng Member(s) Absent: Carrie Holle, Joshua Kirsh Others Present: Eric Mehl, Administration & Planning Director; Doug Kowalski, Park Board Legal Counsel 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 announced there was a quorum. Board President Taylor called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Public Comments There were no public comments. Staff Reports In Assistant Director Baumgartner’s absence, Mr. Mehl advised that the Staff Reports were included in the Board packet. He added that staff submitted their individual reports in the new format as requested. Mr. Mehl announced that Meadowlark Park was nominated for a Landscape Architecture Monumental Award. Assistant Director Baumgartner accepted the Merit Award for the Meadowlark Park renovation on behalf of the Department and Weihe Engineers. The annual Monumental Awards were presented by the Indy Chamber. Board President Taylor congratulated the team and Weihe Engineers for their landscape architecture design on the project. Finance Committee Ms. Zheng stated that the Finance Committee did not meet last month. Minutes August 22, 2023 Park Board Workshop Mr. Rude made a motion to approve the minutes of the Park Board Workshop dated August 22, 2023, seconded by Mr. Garretson, and unanimously passed 7 – 0. September 12, 2023 Park Board Meeting Mr. Rude made a motion to approve the minutes of the Park Board Meeting dated September 12, 2023, seconded by Ms. Kristunas, and unanimously passed 7 – 0. Financial Reports Consolidated Financial Report for August 2023; CCPR P&L Statements for September 2023 Ms. Zheng made a motion to acknowledge receipt of the Consolidated Financial Report for August 2023 and to acknowledge receipt of the P&L Statements for September 2023, seconded by Ms. Kristunas, and unanimously passed 7 – 0. DocuSign Envelope ID: 2E1D8CDD-2353-48C6-B2F1-24D6ED84E1B2 Carmel/Clay Board of Parks and Recreation Thursday, October 19, 2023 John W. Hensel Government Center Page 2 Claims Claim Sheet October 19, 2023; Clay Township Claim Sheet October 19, 2023; CCPR Payroll for September 8, 2023 and September 22, 2023 Ms. Zheng made a motion to approve the Claim Sheet dated October 19, 2023; and the Clay Township Claim Sheet dated October 19, 2023; and to approve payroll wages and liabilities for Payroll dates September 8, 2023 and September 22, 2023, seconded by Ms. Kristunas, and unanimously passed 7 – 0. Monetary Gifts, Grants, Partnerships, and Sponsorships for September 2023 Mr. Mehl reported one donation was received in September: $100 from an anonymous donor for Employee Appreciation. Ms. Kristunas made a motion to accept the donation as presented, seconded by Mr. Rude, and unanimously passed 7 – 0. New Business Bear Creek Park Statement of Intent to Apply for Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant The Department is planning to seek federal funding through the means of applying for the Land and Water Conservation Fund grant program to assist in phase 1 construction of Bear Creek Park. As part of the requirements for applying for the grant, the Department is required to give notice to the public of our intent to apply for federal funding. The grant application is planned to be submitted mid- to late-2024. The Department will ask for $700,000, which is the maximum for 2024. Ms. Kristunas made a motion to acknowledge receipt of CCPR’s intent to apply for federal funding to assist in the phase 1 construction of Bear Creek Park, seconded by Mr. Rude. Mr. Westermeier said that over the years, the Department has wanted to secure (LWCF) grants so parkland would be protected. An example is Flowing Well Park. One, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior (Sally Jewel) visited Flowing Well Park (in 2014) to promote renewal of the Land and Water Conservation Fund to Congress. Two, the Department was successful in stopping the City from taking parkland for a roundabout; the federal government stopped that from happening. Securing parkland under the protective umbrella of the U.S. Department of Interior is a good long-term goal for the Department. Mr. Mehl added that the Resource Development Coordinator, hired in partnership with the Parks Foundation, has been working to apply for more of these grants. Board President Taylor called for the vote, and the motion was unanimously passed 7 – 0. Old Business There was no Old Business. Attorney’s Report Mr. Kowalski stated there were no updates on litigation. Currently working on sustainable funding for the Department going forward. Mr. Rude asked if the agreements had been executed for ‘The Corner.’ Mr. Mehl responded that the design work with SmithGroup was completed, and the CRC (Carmel Redevelopment Commission) is holding the construction contract for the project. Completion is contingent on Duke and other utilities getting their work done. DocuSign Envelope ID: 2E1D8CDD-2353-48C6-B2F1-24D6ED84E1B2 Carmel/Clay Board of Parks and Recreation Thursday, October 19, 2023 John W. Hensel Government Center Page 3 Director’s Report Mr. Mehl referenced the written Director’s Report and spoke about staff attending the National Recreation and Park Association conference. Director Klitzing, Assistant Director Baumgartner, and Michael Allen (Director of Parks & Natural Resources) participated in education sessions. Information Items School Board Ms. Kouka said she had nothing to report. Plan Commission There was no report. Parks Foundation There was no report. Park Board Comments / Discussion Mr. Westermeier said it was important to draw attention again to the deferral of (park) impact fees. The Department has already seen $20 million of funding deferred to CRC projects. The Park Board needs to address this as a high priority because it impacts the Department on a long-term basis. To put something in place called a park impact fee, tell the public that the money will always be used for parks and then divert that money to the CRC, is virtually zero accounting of what was done with the money. Mr. Westermeier added that this is done behind closed doors and without any public input. A lengthy discussion followed regarding the Board of Public Works, Mayor, City Council, and City ordinance. Adjournment Ms. Kristunas made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Rude, and unanimously passed 7 – 0. Board President Taylor adjourned the meeting at 6:31 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: 2E1D8CDD-2353-48C6-B2F1-24D6ED84E1B2 11/15/2023 11/15/2023