The Ellettsville Parks and Recreation Board met on April 2, 2007 at the Fire Department Training and Conference Center. Members present were Brett Williamson, President; Geraldine McIntyre, Vice-President and Michael Griffey. Brett Williamson called the meeting to order.

Approve Minutes of March 5, 2007

Geraldine McIntyre moved to approve the minutes of the March 5, 2007 meeting. Michael Griffey seconded. Motion carried.

Public Comment

Don Lewis has concerns from citizens who want to rent the shelter house. Don wants people to use the Shelter House and for people to be drawn down to the parks. He doesn’t want to short the parks board, but doesn’t want to price it so high that people can’t use it. He is going to visit the Police Department again to request that they patrol the area and make their presence known. He believes that $200 is too much and he suggested that $50 rental fee and $50 deposit would be more justified. Don Lewis informed the board that he had approved a road to be built from the upper parking lot to the back of the shelter. The Township also purchased some folding tables to use in the shelter. Brett explained the Park Board had collected information from the county and city on their shelter houses and rental fees they have and based our fees similar to the facilities that they have available. The only one we have in comparison for that shelter is the Twin lakes lodge. The charge is $150 plus $100 deposit. It was discussed at two Park Board meetings and two meetings with the Town Council to pass the ordinance. It was brought up again after a complaint was received. He researched it and the ordinance cannot be amended for six months, so it was decided to give it some time through the first couple months of the season and see how many complaints were received. If we got more than the one we would readdress the issue. Don has received some calls from people asking about the cost. Brett said when things are all said and done they are only paying $100. After we get some rentals and see how it works, we might amend the cost. As far as the vandalism issue, park hours have been passed and no one should be in the park after 11:00 at night. Don suggested staggering the fee so a person could pay the rental fee to reserve the building and pay the deposit just before it is used. He explained the concerns presented by the citizen who called him. Brett clarified the shelters could still be used on a first come first served basis if it is not reserved. There was a discussion on different possibilities on holding the deposit and inspecting the shelter before and after it is rented. The only shelter that requires a deposit is the Fall Festival shelter because the electricity has to be turned on and off.

Frank Nierzwicki attended the Fall Festival meeting last month gathering ideas for the Redevelopment Plan for the town. He has been working with Brett to identify projects that could be included in the redevelopment area. He would like to have a coordinated meeting with the Park Board, Township, Fall Festival and RBBYS. We are trying to get new facilities and we need to work together and not scare the other groups. We need to clarify who owns what and who’s leasing what. If we sit down and talk we could iron this out and discuss how we want to approach it. As a long range planner there might be some uses in certain areas that in the long term should be changed. It’s important that we talk and designate an area and projects. Brett expressed concern that everyone is talking about the same land and have ideas about what they want to do in that area especially where the fields and shelter houses are. Frank will schedule a joint meeting.

Dennis Williamson announced that Jimmie Durnil was appointed by the RBBCSC Board to take Edwin Macatanday’s place on the Parks Board.

Review Accounts Payable Expenditures

The expenditures for the month of March were discussed.

The meeting was moved to adjourn by Michael Griffey and seconded by Geraldine McIntyre. Motion carried.