January 4, 2010 Ellettsville Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes

The Ellettsville Parks and Recreation Board met on Monday, January 4, 2010 at the Fire Department Training and Conference Center. Jimmie Durnil called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Members present were Jimmie Durnil, President; Richard Pease, Vice-President; Amber Ragle, Secretary; and Michael Griffey. Geraldine McIntyre was absent.

Election of Officers

Officers now are Jimmie Durnil, President, Richard Pease, Vice-President, and Amber Ragle, Secretary. Michael Griffey made a motion to keep officers as they are. Amber Ragle seconded. Motion carried.

Approve Minutes of December 7, 2009

Michael Griffey made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 7, 2009 meeting. Richard Pease seconded. Motion carried.

Review Accounts Payable Expenditures

Amber Ragle reviewed the expenditures for December. She also gave copies of the Activity Report for 2009. Jimmie Durnil asked for a comparison of the present budget to years past. Amber Ragle reported we are receiving less in revenues, so shelter house rentals are helping.

New Business

Michael Griffey reported a new heater was purchased for the bathrooms at the park to keep the pipes from freezing.

Connie Griffin, Planning Director discussed the I-69 Community Development Grant. She explained the grants were made available to communities in order for them to plan for the I-69 corridor coming near them so they would be ahead of the game in planning for developers coming to the communities. Codes would be revised, a capital improvement plan would be in place, we would know how much green space we would have available, as well as other aspects. The former director had written in that we would produce a parks & recreation strategic plan. She was present to discuss the comprehensive plan for parks. She presented several samples to board members. If we don’t deliver what we promised, we must pay the grant money back. The green space inventory is being conducted by the Schneider Corporation out of Indianapolis. They will present us with percentages of how much green space we have available. The capital improvement plan is probably in its final drafting phase. The Wells Park inventory of the plant and animal species is mostly done, but there is some remaining work to be done. It has been extended due to some plants and animal species going dormant before the inventory was begun. The codes that have to be revised are in progress, but slow moving. As long as we are showing a good faith effort, we can accomplish these in a fairly timely manner; hopefully by the end of April. Connie Griffin asked for goals and objectives from the board members for the Parks & Recreation Department. She went on to say that she would like to see the Parks Department and the Planning Department working more closely together. She stated that perhaps a desk could be set up in her office for someone from the Parks Department to come in and work from there at times. She added that prior to the holidays, she had read several reports from the Ellettsville community to find out what the citizens of this community have talked about in the past. It was identified that the Park system adds a big strength to this community, but would like better connections between the parks, accessibility and updating equipment were two concerns mentioned, and lack of small neighborhood parks. People would like to see new and improved activities and the creation of different types of park spaces to address major concerns and needs of the community and we need to identify a series of focus projects to build positive momentum in community enhancement. Some of these deliverables and the contractual agreement were to start working cooperatively with the Monroe County Parks and Recreation Board. One of their goals for this particular department is a connection between Flatwoods and the Bloomington Trails. They want to meet on January 27^th at 1:00 p.m. to give us an idea of what they have in mind and to see what our goals are. Connie Griffin stated she comes before the board to talk to them about what their thoughts would be on establishing a small committee in order to put on paper the objectives and goals of the Parks Department over the five year span. Michael Griffey asked Connie Griffin to clarify the trail connecting Flatwoods and Bloomington. She reiterated that it was one of the goals Monroe County Parks & Recreation had voiced in their plans. Michael Griffey stated that the area is pretty swampy and water lies in there quite a bit in the Wells Park area. Connie Griffin replied that this is one of their long term goals. Jimmie Durnil stated that the goal of the Board was to provide the community with park services where parks are available for rent at a reasonable price along with clean restrooms and those types of things. Michael Griffey responded that we have a good park system now which is well maintained and easily accessible. Everything is clean and upkeep is maintained. Connie Griffin agreed but went on to say that codes need to change slightly so that developers have to allot a certain amount of green space in their subdivisions for the public access. However, this particular plan would just give us something to work from. To state some goals and objectives and how we are going to work towards this. Jimmie Durnil asked Connie Griffin to reiterate what she wants from the Board. She responded she would like their blessing, but also would like some goals from them as well. Jimmie Durnil asked when she needed these goals and objectives. She replied that they could begin emailing with ideas and have some goals and objectives pulled together, after their review of the samples she brought, for the February meeting. She could then take that information and begin writing the document and have it ready for their adoption at the March meeting. Michael Griffey commented that we needed to get a handle on vandalism and at that point, if they could get some more manpower with the street department, he didn’t see a problem with parks in the housing additions. He asked if these small parks would require a restroom or shelter house. Connie Griffin responded that typically they had a couple of swings and a teeter totter. If the addition wanted a clubhouse or something more, it would come under their homeowner’s association and the Parks Department would not be responsible for maintaining that. Michael Griffey expressed concern over funding maintenance along with the additional manpower needed. Connie Griffin responded that with the development of this plan and its approval through the DNR, then we can start seeking DNR funds and with a plan in place, we can go after federal funds as well. She also stated that towards the end of the document we’ll need to have the Street Commissioner’s point of view as to how much money to maintain or any type of capital improvement plans. Jimmie Durnil entertained a motion to allow Ms. Griffin to start planning a document with which we need to comply. Michael Griffey so moved. Richard Pease seconded. Jimmie Durnil commented that he would like to see this as soon as possible. He would also like to make sure we continue to supply the services we have now. Motion carried 4-0.

Adjournment

Michael Griffey made a motion to adjourn. Richard Pease seconded. Jimmie Durnil adjourned the meeting.