Porter Park Board Meeting
September 16, 2008
Call to order: 7:00 pm
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call: Park Board members present: Becky Maranto, Patty Raffin, Rondi Wightman, and Jeannine Virtue. Also present: Porter Park Superintendent Jim Miller and Porter Park Administrator Stephanie Miller.
Approval of Minutes: Patty Raffin made a motion to accept the August 19, 2008 Porter Park Board Minutes as written. Rondi Wightman seconded the motion. The vote was 4 to 0 in favor.
Consideration of Claims: Rondi Wightman made a motion to approve the budget expenditure report from August 18, 2008 to September 16, 2008 for $1,492.98 as written. Jeannine Virtue seconded the motion. The vote was 4 to 0 in favor. Motion carried.
Petition and Comments from the Floor: Porter resident Shirley McCarthy verbalized her concern about the danger involved when children play in the flood water at Hawthorne Park. During the recent flood on the weekend of Sept. 13th children were seen playing in and jumping off the bridge into the flood water. After a discussion it was decided that Jim Miller will talk to Brenda Brueckheimer from the Street Department about a possible solution. Jim will also put up signs around the flooded area and post guards to watch over it for the next few days until the water recedes.
Wendy Krantz from Porter Cove Subdivision asked the Park Board to improve the baseball field at Porter Cove Park by installing an infield. Wendy said she has many volunteers from the neighborhood that are willing to help with the project. Jim Miller explained that the ball field in Porter Cove Park has serious drainage problems. The Park Department approached the Drainage Board on Feb. 26, 2008 about helping with this problem since the Park Department can’t fund it. The Park Board will take this request under advisement and try to accommodate Porter Cove Park after the drainage issues have been solved.
Park Superintendent’s Report: Jim Miller reported during his routine Porter Park property and grounds check he discovered two problems. One park bench seat was broken at the east end of Hawthorne Park. This seat has just been repaired and it is broken again. At Porter Cove Park the volleyball post was knocked over.
Jim Miller reported that the seven fire extinguishers in the park’s buildings need a six year maintenance and/or hydrostatic test. The Park Department also needs a fire extinguisher for the kitchen of the Community Center even though there is one right around the corner. The total cost is $298.40. Patty Raffin made a motion to approve the $298.40 expenditure for the six year maintenance and/or hydrostatic test of the Park Department’s fire extinguishers plus the purchase of one fire extinguisher for the kitchen. Rondi Wightman seconded the motion. The vote was 4 to 0 in favor. Motion carried.
All the tile floors in the Community Center have been waxed and burnished.
The Royal Neighbors of America have not had any meetings in the Community Center since last year. However they do have a cabinet downstairs with their belongings in it. Jim Miller met with a representative from RNA and is helping them disperse their belongings according to their wishes.
According to Town Attorney Patrick Lyp, the senior citizen group that meets in the Community Center should not use money even though it was only pennies to play Bingo. The senior citizen group is cooperating in this matter.
The Park Department has received a check from the Chesterton Art Center for $252.00. This money has been earmarked as follows: $152.10 for a new tree and $99.90 for the Park Department’s Halloween party for children (Boo Bash).
The mowing, trimming, and grounds cleaning have been done on a weekly basis at all Porter Parks. The circle garden at the west end of Hawthorne Park has been cleaned and mulched. The shrubs in front of the Community Center have been pruned and the plant beds have been cleaned. They will be mulched soon with free mulch.
The new tree and the newly transplanted tree were watered during the mini drought.
Flood Report: There were a couple of small leaks in the Community Center during the heavy rains on the weekend of Sept. 13th. There was also a small amount of seepage in the basement but nothing significant. The Gazebo bridge was completely under water and that has never happened before. Porter Cove Park was very wet and will stay wet for a long time. Indian Springs backed up pretty far and there were problems out there but not on the park side. No problems at Dune Meadows.
The parking lot lines in Hawthorne Park have all been painted.
Bill Paulus is donating a magnolia tree this fall for Hawthorne Park in memory of his father (Bill Paulus Sr.) who attended the senior citizen functions at Hawthorne Park.
There is a concrete problem at the ball field in Hawthorne Park. On the corner where the fence post is located, the concrete is breaking. Something will have to be done to preserve the corners. Jim said he thinks some bracing with concrete screws and some supports will alleviate the problem.
The Final Cut Tree Company, who agreed to take down the cherry tree at the corner of Coslet and Waverly Road free of charge, will have to wait until December to do the job. That is when the company is able to purchase their license to operate in the Town of Porter and have it current throughout next year.
Jim Miller asked for approval to attend Purdue’s Turf and Ornamental Seminar in November 2008 to maintain his pesticide applicator certification. Rondi Wightman made a motion to approve funds not to exceed $500 for Jim Miller to attend Purdue’s Turf and Ornamental Seminar at the Lafayette Campus. Patty Raffin seconded the motion. The vote was 4 to 0 in favor. Motion carried.
Park Administrator’s Report: Stephanie Miller gave the Park Board the minutes of the August 2008 Park Board Meeting and the August 2008 Income Statement.
Stephanie asked the Park Board for permission to return Sept. 13ths rent and deposit for the use of the Gazebo due to the flooding in Hawthorne Park which made it impossible for a wedding to take place there. Patty Raffin made a motion to refund the $50 rent and $50 deposit to the party who rented the Gazebo on Sept. 13th. Jeannine Virtue seconded the motion. The vote was 4 to 0 in favor. Motion carried.
Stephanie asked about the rent and deposit for Sept. 20 th. The water might still be high in the bridge area of the Gazebo and not be suitable for use. Jeannine Virtue made a motion that if the Sept. 20th party is unable to use the Gazebo due to high water, their rent and deposit may be refunded. Rondi Wightman seconded the motion. The vote was 4 to 0 in favor. Motion carried.
Old Business:
Five Year Plan - Survey: Becky Maranto collected the input from Park Board members and Jim Miller to form the parks final copy of the five year plan. Becky plans to put all the information together and have the Park Department’s final copy ready for the November Park Board meeting.
Boo Bash Halloween Party: It was discovered that three out of four Park Board Members will not be able to attend the planned Friday night Oct. 17th Boo Bash. The Park Board discussed changing the date. Jeannine Virtue made a motion to change the date of the Boo Bash from Oct. 17th to Sunday, October 26th from 1pm to 3pm. Patty Raffin seconded the motion. The vote was 4 to 0 in favor. Motion carried.
Porter Express Christmas Party: The Park Board discussed the Christmas party for children planned for Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008 from 1pm to 3pm in the Community Center.
Park Advertisements: The Park Board discussed the pros and cons of park advertising at Stephens Park with a sign that rotates messages electronically.
New Business:
Bike Trail: Jim Miller attended a meeting recently with other Porter department heads, councilmen, and others involved in the project to discuss the proposed Bike Trail that will go through Hawthorne Park.
Fall Ball Season: Patty Raffin made a motion to allow State Park Little League to use the Hawthorne Park baseball field for their 2008 Fall Ball Season. Jeannine Virtue seconded the motion. The vote was 4 to 0 in favor. Motion carried.
Community Center Kitchen Remodel: The Park Board is considering a total remodel of the kitchen facility in the Hawthorne Park Community Center using CEDIT money. Instead of 1 kitchen, two are being planned to accommodate two separate parties going on at the same time in the Center. A discussion followed.
Salary Ordinance: Rondi Wightman made a motion to accept Salary Ordinance PB2008-01 as read by Becky Maranto at the Park Board meeting on Sept.16, 2008. Jeannine Virtue seconded the motion. The vote was 4 to 0 in favor. Motion carried.
Lake Charles Park: Jim Miller said Lake Charles Park is approximately 11 acres of undeveloped park land which is mostly pond used primarily for fishing. There is also a 1.5 acre corridor that leads you into Lake Charles. The Park Board discussed the possible uses for this area and weather or not it should stay in the park’s inventory.
Stephens Park Jim Miller reported this newly acquired park land is being mowed on a regular basis and taken care of. The Park Board discussed possible uses for this land including signage.
Park Board Member Comments: None
Next Meeting: The next scheduled Park Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 7pm in the Hawthorne Park Community Center.
Meeting Adjourned: A motion to adjourn the Porter Park Board Meeting at 9:35pm was made by Patty Raffin. Jeannine Virtue seconded the motion. The vote was 4 to 0 in favor. Motion carried.
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President Vice President
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Member Member
Minutes taken and prepared by the Porter Park Board’s Secretary Stephanie Miller.
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