2024-01-12-Park-Board-Meeting-MinutesCarmel/Clay Board of Parks and Recreation
Annual and Regular Park Board Meeting
Tuesday, January 23, 2024, 6:00 p.m.
John W. Hensel Government Center
10701 North College Avenue
Carmel, Indiana 46280
Member(s) Present: Jonathan Blake, James Garretson, Judith Hagan, Joshua Kirsh, Jenn Kristunas,
Linus Rude, Mark Westermeier (virtual), Lin Zheng
Member(s) Absent: Katie Browning
Others Present: Michael Klitzing, Department Director/CEO; Kurtis Baumgartner, Department
Assistant Director/COO; Eric Mehl, Administration & Planning Director/CAO;
Brian Bosma, Park Board Attorney
Roll Call; Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance
Board Vice President Kristunas welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked Mr. Rude to call the role.
Mr. Rude announced there was a quorum. Board Vice President Kristunas called the meeting to order at
6:03 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Board Vice President Kristunas welcomed new members to the Park Board. Ms. Hagan, who was appointed
by the Township Trustee, will fulfill the remaining two years of Rich Taylor’s appointment. Mr. Blake, who
was appointed by Mayor Finkam, replaces Carrie Holle and will serve her remaining three years. Lastly,
Ms. Browning, who was unable to attend, was appointed by the Carmel Clay School Board for a one-year
term.
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Election of Park Board Officers for 2024
Mr. Garretson reported the Nominating Committee (Mr. Garretson, Mr. Rude, Mr. Westermeier) met to
discuss nominations for 2024. The Committee recommended the following: Ms. Hagan, President;
Ms. Kristunas, Vice President; Mr. Rude, Secretary; and Ms. Zheng, Treasurer. Mr. Garretson made a motion
to accept the recommended slate of officers, seconded by Mr. Kirsh.
Mr. Bosma suggested the Board open the election for any other nominations. Mr. Kirsh made a motion to
close nominations, seconded by Mr. Rude, and unanimously passed 8 – 0.
Board Vice President Kristunas called for the vote on the recommended slate of officers, which was
unanimously passed 8 – 0.
Presentation of Appreciation to Former Board President
Board Vice President Kristunas welcomed Rich Taylor and his family to the meeting and presented the
Department’s appreciation gift for his 14 years of service to the Carmel/Clay Board of Parks and Recreation.
(applause)
DocuSign Envelope ID: B4CEDB31-90F9-4797-BD47-7A3E19D6AF9E
Carmel/Clay Board of Parks and Recreation
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
John W. Hensel Government Center
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Presentation: Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update
Leon Younger and Will Younger of PROS Consulting presented an update on the Master Plan.
Board President Hagan thanked Dan Dutcher, President of the Carmel Clay Parks Foundation, for attending
the meeting.
Staff Reports
Assistant Director Baumgartner said Staff Reports were included in the Park Board packet. He asked
members to review the quarterly contract log, that was included in the packet, and advise staff of any
possible conflicts of interest.
Assistant Director Baumgartner announced that the Department is up for CAPRA reaccreditation this spring
and offered details on the process.
Committees
Finance Committee
Ms. Zheng stated that the Finance Committee did not meet last month.
Nominating Committee
(No additional items to report.)
Minutes
December 12, 2023 Park Board Meeting
Mr. Rude made a motion to approve the minutes of the Park Board Meeting dated December 12, 2023,
seconded by Mr. Garretson, and passed 7 – 0 with one abstention (Ms. Hagan).
Financial Reports
Consolidated Financial Report for November 2023; CCPR P&L Statements for December 2023
Ms. Zheng made a motion to acknowledge receipt of the Consolidated Financial Report for November 2023
and to acknowledge receipt of the P&L Statements for December 2023, seconded by Mr. Kirsh, and
unanimously passed 8 – 0.
Claims
Claim Sheet January 23, 2024; Clay Township Claim Sheet January 23, 2024; CCPR Payroll for December 1,
2023, December 15, 2023, and December 29, 2023
Ms. Zheng made a motion to approve the Claim Sheet dated January 23, 2024; and to approve the Clay
Township Claim Sheet dated January 23, 2024; and to approve payroll wages and liabilities for payroll dates
December 1, 2023, December 15, 2023, and December 29, 2023, seconded by Mr. Kirsh, and unanimously
passed 8 – 0.
Monetary Gifts, Grants, Partnerships, and Sponsorships for December 2023
Mr. Mehl reported three contributions were received in December totaling $2,030: two donations
($1,875 & $55) were made to the Jim Engledow Memorial, and one ($100) donation was made anonymously
for staff appreciation. Mr. Kirsh made a motion to accept the items as presented, seconded by Mr. Rude,
and unanimously passed 8 – 0.
DocuSign Envelope ID: B4CEDB31-90F9-4797-BD47-7A3E19D6AF9E
Carmel/Clay Board of Parks and Recreation
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
John W. Hensel Government Center
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New Business
Park Board Finance Committee Appointments
Board President Hagan stated that according to the Bylaws, the Treasurer (Ms. Zheng) serves as Chair of the
Finance Committee. The other appointed members are Mr. Rude and Mr. Westermeier.
Carmel Plan Commission Appointment
Board President Hagan announced that Mr. Kirsh would continue to serve on the Plan Commission as he has
done a great job over the years.
Carmel Climate Action Advisory Committee Appointment
Board President Hagan stated that after discussion with Director Klitzing, the appointment will be changed
to Mr. Mehl.
Carmel Clay Parks Foundation Liaison Appointment
Board President Hagan said that after discussion with Director Klitzing, the decision was made to reappoint
Director Klitzing as the Liaison to the Foundation as he frequently engages in communications with them.
Ratification of 2023 General Fund End of Year Budget Line Transfers
Assistant Director Baumgartner said that state law and the State Board of Accounts mandate that all general
fund budget lines be at zero or finish in the positive. A summary of the line transfers was included in the
Board packet. Since these transfers are within the same budget classification, the Park Board has the
authority to approve. Assistant Director Baumgartner stated he was pleased to report that once again the
Department finished under budget and returned approximately $177,481.31 to the respective fiscal bodies.
A motion was made by Ms. Zheng to ratify the 2023 end of year budget line transfers as presented,
seconded by Mr. Kirsh, and unanimously passed 8 – 0.
Consideration of Bids for Westermeier Commons Safety Surfacing
Assistant Director Baumgartner provided detailed background information related to the scope and needs of
this project. Discussion followed.
Mr. Kirsh made a motion to authorize the bid from and award a contract to Innovista Group in the amount
of $352,900 for site work and installation of safety surfacing and artificial turf at Westermeier Commons and
authorize the Director, Assistant Director, and Park Board Legal Counsel to take all actions necessary to
complete the contracting process.
Mr. Kirsh also made a motion to delegate the Director and Assistant Director the authority to determine
whether it is in the best interest of the Board and the Department to add or change an item or items in the
contract with Innovista Group and to approve each change order in an amount not to exceed his purchasing
authority and in accordance with applicable Indiana Law regarding change orders with a report to and
ratification by the Park Board at a subsequent meeting.
Both motions were seconded by Mr. Rude and unanimously passed 8 – 0.
DocuSign Envelope ID: B4CEDB31-90F9-4797-BD47-7A3E19D6AF9E
Carmel/Clay Board of Parks and Recreation
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
John W. Hensel Government Center
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Old Business
White River Greenway North Extension
Director Klitzing gave a detailed overview of the agreement negotiated with Conner Prairie to secure the
easement needed to construct the White River Greenway North Extension connecting 146th Street to just
north of the roundabout at Cherry Creek Boulevard. The agreement includes purchase of this easement for
a total sum of $24,900, giving Conner Prairie the resources to cover most of the cost to construct the fence
in the area critical to them at this time. Discussion followed.
Albany Village
Director Klitzing provided an overview of the Albany Village trail (donation) next to Bear Creek Park. After
discussions with all parties involved, it was determined to be in CCPR’s best interest to proceed with
acceptance of the property donation. Closing is expected to occur in late-January or February 2024.
Attorney’s Report
Mr. Bosma gave a brief update on their projects:
Finalizing the Albany Village agreement;
Monitoring litigation items with the insurance company;
Helping with Conner Prairie easement agreement; and
Reviewing the front-end specifications for the North Extension project.
Director’s Report
Director Klitzing provided an update on current projects including the Pedestrian Bridge project at 106th St.
and Hazel Landing Park. Agreements are being drafted for all parties involved in the project.
Information Items
School Board
There was no report.
Plan Commission
Mr. Kirsh reported discussion on some amenities added to the west side including a potential day care
facility.
Mr. Kirsh mentioned the Dialogue Dinners that occur twice a year. The next one will focus on onboarding of
new City Council Members.
Parks Foundation
There was no report.
Park Board Comments / Discussion
Board Vice President Kristunas said she was looking forward to working with the new Park Board members throughout
2024.
Board President Hagan thanked everyone for the warm welcome. She also expressed her excitement for the
FOURward mission, and its reflection of the original five-fingers plan.
DocuSign Envelope ID: B4CEDB31-90F9-4797-BD47-7A3E19D6AF9E
Carmel/Clay Board of Parks and Recreation
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
John W. Hensel Government Center
Page 5
Adjournment
Mr. Rude made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ms. Kristunas. With no objections, Board
President Hagan adjourned the meeting at 8:00 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: B4CEDB31-90F9-4797-BD47-7A3E19D6AF9E
2/15/2024
2/15/2024