Park and Recreation Board
The
Members present were Darlyne Sowder, President, Edwin Macatangay, Vice President, Jeff Frownfelter, and Art Moynihan, Secretary
Regrets: L. D. Axsom
Guests: Dave Sorokoty
Linda Sanders & Doug Decker, Congdon Engineering
Darlyne Sowder called the meeting
to order at
Art Moynihan motioned to accept
the
None
5-Year
Master Plan
Darlyne introduced our guests from Congdon Engineering and asked them to share an overview of the requirements of a 5-Year Master Plan with the Board. Why do it? The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) requires a master plan for an entity to qualify for any grants. More importantly, the plan provides the Parks Board with a blue print of what actions are needed by setting clear Goals & Objectives.
A 5-Year Master Plan will typically include, an inventory of existing parks and land(s) held for future parks, a survey of public opinion to understand the needs and preferences of the citizens, public meetings to solicit input from interested parties (2 or 3 are typical) and a test of acreage per capita to understand how one community compares to other communities on average.
An appropriate time frame to create a 5-Year Master Plan is six (6) months lead-time. A draft of the plan must be filed with IDNR by January 15th. IDNR will provide suggestions for modification(s) to the plan back to the submitting Board and then the final plan must be filed on, or before, April 15th.
After some
discussion of pricing, Doug indicated that depending upon the local resources
available to aid in surveys, or other plan aspects, he would estimate cost in a
range of $12-18,000. It may be possible to solicit up to $5,000.00 from the
Indiana Department of Commerce to aid in defraying the cost of the plan, but
Doug points out that their primary funding will be based on the “commerce”
aspect of what is included in the plan. Dave Sorokoty suggests that we invite
Jenna from the Heritage Trail group to our next meeting to determine if we
could share some costs and develop a plan that includes the potential trail
through town. Darlyne will contact her to determine her group’s interest in a
sharing approach. Linda suggested that we join the Indiana Parks &
Recreation Association as another potential resource. Also, Mick Renneissen of
the City of
No one from the Skate Park Advisory Committee was present at tonight’s meeting.
Darlyne reported that she spoke with Kathy Cerajeski relative to the grant of $270.00 and nothing has been done to date. Darlyne will send Kathy another letter to solicit the work, if any, of the Skate Park Advisory Committee as was agreed to for the December 3rd meeting in order for the Board to plan for 2003 expenditures.
Given the reduction in use of the skate park due to school being in session and colder weather, Edwin asked if we should just close it for the winter, thus relieving Dave Sorokoty of Maintenance Inspections over the winter months. Darlyne encouraged us to keep the skate park open for those mild winter days when skaters might use the park. Dave had to leave this meeting, so we will discuss this with him at our December meeting.
The October 19th workday came together very well and the group placed wood chips down on a good portion of the trail. Edwin suggests that we cut through the middle of the park in order for small equipment (gator, lawn tractors) to get through without wasting time driving through the entire trail. Edwin will try to get a group together, potentially on November 16th, weather permitting to cut a temporary path. The balance of the work may need to be deferred into spring due to weather.
Art Moynihan motioned to adjourn
at
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Darlyne Sowder, President Edwin Macatangay, Vice President
__________________________ ______________________________
L. D. Axsom Jeff Frownfelter
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Art Moynihan, Secretary