The Ellettsville Parks and Recreation Board met on January 3, 2007 at the Fire Department Training and Conference Center. Members present were Brett Williamson, President; Edwin Macatangay, Vice-President; Geraldine McIntyre and Amber Ragle. Michael Griffey was absent. Brett Williamson called the meeting to order.

Election of Officers

Geraldine McIntyre nominated Brett Williamson as President. Edwin Macatangay seconded. Motion carried.

Edwin Macatangay nominated Geraldine McIntyre as Vice President. Amber Ragle seconded. Motion carried.

Geraldine McIntyre nominated Amber Ragle as Secretary. Edwin Macatangay seconded. Motion carried.

Approve Minutes of December 4, 2006

Geraldine McIntyre moved to approve the minutes of the December 4, 2006 meeting. Edwin Macatangay seconded. Motion carried.

Public Comment

Dennis Williamson informed the board that a copy of Town Code Chapter 95 concerning Parks and Recreation was in their packets for review. Dennis also noted that Amber Ragle’s term expired on 12/31/06. He asked if she was interested in continuing on the Parks board for another 4 year term. She indicated she would be interested in continuing.

Dennis also noted that the Town Council passed the Ordinance for the fee structure for shelter house rentals.

Approve Accounts Payable /Review Expenditures

Amber explained the information included in the reports is for all of 2006.

Old Business

Brett has met with Greg Bielfus from DNR and it is time to re-submit the Master Plan. Mr. Bielfus assured Brett that the ADA form is only stating that anything Parks related from this point forward will be ADA compliant and only must be implemented by Parks Board, not the entire town. The form just states that if the Parks board received any grant money for projects, then those projects will comply with ADA requirements. There is also a Land and Water Grant and it is connected to the Master Plan. The town won’t be eligible for any of these grants until 2009 if the Master Plan is submitted this year. The other type of grant is an RFT grant, which does not require a Master Plan to be eligible. Brett has been in contact with the HPER School and they would need 6 months for a Needs Assessment. DNR has asked if there is a way for a higher return rate on surveys. Some possibilities are sending the surveys home with school children or setting up a booth at the Fall Festival. DNR would like to see 3 ways of collecting data and are trying to see the Town’s main economic contributor. The last master plan said farming and stone cutting were the two main economic contributors, but Brett seems to believe that is probably shifting, since Ellettsville is more of a bedroom community.

New Business

Brett has been talking to Frank Nierzwicki about amending the town’s ordinances to require developments to designate an area as green space for recreational purposes. For grant purposes, land can be used as part of the matching portion just as capital, cash and in-kind services are. If this happens, one of the big questions will be ‘who will maintain these areas’ and the answer is all the town has to do is mow a 3 foot strip and leave the rest as natural habitat.

Brett and Frank have met with a gentleman who is interested in building a sports complex, which would have softball/baseball fields outdoors, and a track, pool and weight room indoors. He needs 100 acres to facilitate this. There is a place in Indianapolis closing at the end of the year and he can buy their equipment for a reduced price. He has no plans at this time, but would like to have it up and running by this time next year.

Amber informed the board that $30.00 was received in Coke Machine Proceeds.

The meeting was moved to adjourn by Geraldine McIntyre and seconded by Edwin Macatangay. Motion carried.