1:32 I'd like to call to order the uh board board of park commissioners regular meeting for Wednesday July first.
1:39 Uh first order of business is the meeting memorandum for June seventeenth, twenty twenty six.
1:46 Do I have a motion for approval?
1:50 We have motion and approval.
1:51 All in favor say aye.
1:55 There are several items on the consent agenda.
1:58 The approval, a request approval to execute independent skating professional agreement with Mark Cody.
2:04 Second one is request approval and execute independent skating professional agreement with Ariel De Hoos Grimm.
2:12 Request approval and execute independent skating approval with Rebecca Hatch Purnell.
2:18 Request approval and execute independent skating professional agreement with Grace Meyer.
2:23 Request approval and execute independent skating professional agreement with Dana Tang.
2:28 Request approval and execute independent skating professional agreement with Ewen Gregory.
2:33 Request permission to donate four golf passes with CART for the Indiana Sports Hall of Fame fundraiser.
2:40 Request approval and execute agreement with three eye for KC Newsom Playground Survey and Design.
2:48 Request approval and execute agreement extension one with Oracle doing businesses elevate for elevator services at the pagoda.
2:57 Request approval and execute agreement ex extension one with Oracle doing businesses elevate for elevator services at Swander Ice Rink.
3:06 Request approval and execute agreement with CentOS First Aid and Safety for Fire Extreme Insurance Inspections at various park facilities.
3:27 The first item of new business request approval and execute center point approachment for IG Iigelheart splash pad project.
3:45 There were four um areas of encroachment.
3:48 One area impacted was for grading and the proposed storm pipe, and then the other three items two, three, and four were for the resurfaced parking lot.
4:07 We have a motion and a second.
4:08 All in favor say aye.
4:13 Request permission to offer free admission at Lorraine Pool on opening day.
4:20 Do we have a spokesperson?
4:24 Hi board, my name is Catherine Van Hook.
4:26 I'm the program director at Parks Department.
4:29 And we're just requesting to allow and provide free admission to Lorraine Pool on opening day.
4:35 We don't have an opening date yet, but we would like to be able to give the public that for their patients.
4:42 Estimated date a week, a month, a year.
4:49 Any other questions?
4:52 I'll entertain a motion.
4:54 We have a motion of a second.
4:56 All in favor say aye.
4:59 Request permission to install a memorial plaque at Mesco Park Zoo Disc Golf Course in honor of Mike McKim.
5:13 Just have a real short spiel here, if you'll permit me.
5:18 My name's Charlie Aubrey.
5:20 I'm here to request uh approval to install a memorial plaque at Mesker Park for a neighbor and friend who passed away recently at the age of 43, Mike McKim.
5:28 Mike loved disc golf and he loved people for the last few years.
5:32 Mike has been running an annual disc golf event that we've lovely called uh Mesker Mayhem.
5:37 Uh he would rent one of the shelter houses and invite just about everyone he knew, whether he played golf, whether they played golf or not.
5:43 Um he just wanted people to come and have fun.
5:46 Um, and we think it would be appropriate to uh have him memorialized out there at Mesker Park.
5:52 Um we don't have like a finalized design or anything yet, but um I did take a couple images of a memorial plaque that's already out there.
5:59 It's really small and unassuming, it's maybe a foot across, uh just in the ground in between a couple holes.
6:14 So the parks department was contacted regarding this.
6:17 We did have that conversation.
6:20 Um we have so many residents that truly love the parks and families that think that um friends and family that want to memorialize them in this way, and it is an enhancement uh to the disc golf course, and I know something that the community will cherish.
6:37 So it is something that is approved by our department.
6:42 I think it's a great idea.
6:44 I'll make the motion to approve.
6:48 All in favor say aye.
6:55 Request permission for memorial at Freedom Tree permission for memorial at Freedom Tree and Garwin Park.
7:11 I'll just remind everybody if you're going to speak, would you get just give us your name, please?
7:18 Hello, my name is Karina Walstrom.
7:20 I'm here with Jordan Baer and Darren Morton of the Evansville Flag Group.
7:25 Um, we met a couple of years ago when we started an initiative for 9-11 called Save Two Seats for the Twin Towers.
7:31 We're continuing that this year, and we wanted to do something special, though, to remember the silver anniversary or the 25th anniversary of 9-11.
7:40 Uh, the main focus of this ceremony will be the memorial at Garvin Park for the Freedom Tree.
7:47 Uh we're also calling it the remember September Freedom Tree.
7:52 Uh, signed by Darren.
7:54 This plaque will have a sign to honor the tree and tell its story, and on either side it will have two signs with the names of the victims from 9-11.
8:06 We wanted to extend this to the community and invite them to participate by and at no cost to them.
8:12 First, just by simply attending our ceremony at Garvin, and second by being a part of the the signs with the victims.
8:20 We're inviting them to uh pledge to honor the victims each year and have their name assigned to a victim.
8:27 So their name would be on the sign, and they would receive a certificate designed by Darren with their name and the victim's name.
8:34 Uh this event will also work.
8:36 Corina, I apologize.
8:38 If you wouldn't care to speak up just a little bit so that anyone watching from home, yeah, you can adjust the mic there, and that way they can get all the details as well.
8:48 Of course, is this better?
8:52 Uh the ceremony will also have a little bit of music.
8:55 We're gonna ask food trucks to come.
8:58 We'll have two spotlights to represent the twin towers at night, and we'll release water lanterns at night.
9:04 But the main focus of coming today was to present Darren's design and uh ask for your input and feedback for adding a memorial.
9:12 I have some uh packets here with the photos.
9:15 Okay, yeah, you want to pass them on.
9:50 And would you uh walk through what we are looking at, please?
9:54 Uh on the front are just a couple of flyers specific to this event.
9:58 Uh again, usually we do safety seats with local businesses, but specifically this year we're doing a community focused event.
10:05 So this just walks through how this is separate from what we've done in the past, asking uh citizens to come to Garvin Park for the ceremony.
10:15 Uh, we'll have again the release of the water lanterns.
10:18 The second page is specific for the rededication of the tree, though, sharing why this tree is important, sharing why we're asking to bring attention to it so community members know it's there and also can bring their their future generations there and make it uh kind of a legacy project.
10:39 Where Jordan's also been reaching out to the libraries to see if they would archive this for us.
10:44 So again, it's something that's not just this year, but for many years to come.
10:48 The next two pages are some of the designs that Darren has made that show the scope of the plaque.
10:56 Um we wanted it, of course, big enough to read and but not so big that it over overcomes the tree.
11:04 Uh so again, it'd be the one plaque in the middle to tell the story of the tree, and then two signs on either side with all the names.
11:14 Anything you want to add.
11:17 I would the only thing I would add is we're wanting to make it personal.
11:20 So anybody in Evansville, if they what what we're trying to do is just, I mean, you can get in your car, you could drive and find 500 911 memorials.
11:29 We want to make it personal, we want to make an historical event.
11:32 So if you send, like, for example, you send us your email, we will give you the certificate as we give you a personalized victim.
11:37 Because everybody knows about 9-11.
11:39 Not everybody knows all 2,977 people.
11:42 So we want to make sure everybody gets an individual victim.
11:45 The plaque, the big towers there that will have, like, so say you participated, that would have your name, your your victim's name.
11:52 So we have about 6,000, um, and then people would be encouraged to come to that tree and see the individual victim they're given.
12:00 Um, so that way it's something personal.
12:02 They got an individual victim, it's not just an everyday memorial that's from here to New York, 5,000 of them.
12:08 Then we will have the lanterns that we will release that night, with the two strobe lights commemorating the towers.
12:15 But um I would add that is that it's a we're wanting to make it personal and make it where we have a lot of people coming to see this tree that's been kind of inspicuous for you know for about the last 25 years, okay.
12:29 Other questions of board members, no.
12:35 I think I would just like to provide a few additional details maybe that might be helpful.
12:40 Um, so if you look at the last page that they've provided, um, that kind of gives you the best idea.
12:45 Obviously, the green is representing the actual tree.
12:48 That actual tree is in Garvin Park, it's in between what I would consider um the bossy field parking lot exit and the uh park sign that says Garvin Park, it's in between their Heidelbach side, and there's no identifying markers for this tree at this point in time.
13:07 Based on the pictures, you can't really tell, but two potential materials discussed were either tile or brick, and primarily they're here today to inform you of the event and spread awareness, but also because it is it would be a permanent change to a park to install either the brick or um tile uh monument portion there in the ground as well as the standing monuments.
13:32 Um, and they are not requesting any funding from parks and recreation to do this.
13:36 Um, this is something they're handling on their own.
13:39 They do have permission of the department, and we have asked that they coordinate with us as we will be um initiating Garvin Park phase two here in the coming months.
13:49 You'll be seeing those um designs, and we'll be holding stakeholder meetings, so it will require coordination with this group to make sure that you know it connects to ADA accessible pathways and things of that nature, but they're requesting permission to make this permanent change as well as inform you of the event.
14:14 Hi, I'm Darren Wharton.
14:16 I'm also the MZL flag curator for the new city flag.
14:20 Uh I'm a CAD designer.
14:22 I've designed the Ivy Tech bus shelter that's in front of uh Ivy Tech on First Avenue.
14:31 I've also been part of a design of a walking bridge that's in Ottoman Park.
14:38 Um I have a lot of design experience and stuff, and the material I want to make this out of is either 316, uh stainless steel or 304, because I want it to be something that's lasting over a period of time.
14:52 And I also in the design, I wanted to make it experience as they're walking up to the ball courts right there, that they can experience 9-11 and what that tree was all about and um kind of envision paying homage to the people who planted the first tree and then the second, and then um to continue to honor those people and individuals who are honored, uh the victims on that day.
15:22 I'm referring to that last page as you brought reference now for D and 4E, where are they going to appear in this the overall picture that's in 4A?
15:37 So as you come up, you know the sidewalk.
15:39 Is this going to be like this is gonna be on one and this is gonna be on the other of the standing?
15:44 Yeah, so as you come up that new concrete, you'll see yes, yeah.
15:48 It'll be right there, then uh, on blocking them to the space, okay.
15:52 Yeah, I just want to make it a walkout area that walks into that off of the sidewalk is what I want to do with the brick, and then that way they can then stand there and visualize it and the pedestal sign that tells a story about the tree and everything.
16:08 That'll be the pentacon shape that points directly at the tree so they know what tree it is.
16:14 Okay, I would like for somebody to summarize what the motion would be.
16:21 We're approving the memorial, but we're approving the memorial contingent on them working with you to get it installed.
16:29 Is that a summary of the motion?
16:35 That was pretty easy.
16:36 Okay, we have a motion.
16:37 I have also reach out to some construction companies and stuff that are possibly interested in help funding this too on that part, and um also the owner of my company with the steel for the project.
16:50 So okay, thank you.
16:52 So we have a motion and a second any further discussion.
16:55 No, I'll entertain.
16:57 Uh, I have a motion.
16:58 All in favor say aye.
16:59 Aye, opposed motion carries.
17:06 Next request permission to seek sealed quotes for KC Newsome playground replacement site work, that's as large as I can get it to go.
17:32 But you can see right there, that is what the front of the CK News Center currently looks like.
17:38 Um, our park maintenance.
17:40 Our park maintenance team worked um diligently this week to remove the old unsafe condition playground equipment, and we are now ready for the new.
17:50 The equipment has been ordered, set to arrive the end of July, and our next step is to uh seek um sealed quotes for this work.
18:07 I'll make the motion for approval.
18:12 All in favor say aye.
18:18 Permission to initiate RFP for Angel Mounds boat ramp operator, Mr.
18:26 President, members of the board.
18:32 Hang on, wrong agenda item.
18:34 I was jumping to item H.
18:36 Let me go back to item F.
18:41 Our agreement with the current boat ramp operator for the Angel Mounds Boat Ramp Parks Department oversees.
18:51 We have an agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers.
18:54 We then have sublease for the boat ramps.
18:57 We have one for Angel Mounds, we have one for Dogtown.
19:00 The agreement with the gentleman who was operating Angel Mounds has ended.
19:06 And the Army Corps of Engineers has come to inspect those boat ramps.
19:10 They had a list of improvements that they would like to see with those.
19:14 It was the responsibility of the sub-lease, and they did not agree to make those improvements.
19:20 So therefore we will not be renewing their agreement, and we will be asking for permission to put this out for RFP so that we can find a suitable sub-lease.
19:34 I'll entertain a motion.
19:38 So it doesn't the motion does not say that we're not going to renew it.
19:42 Just says that we're going to seek a new one period, right?
19:48 We have motion, second, all in favor say aye.
19:52 Dirk, I have a question.
19:54 Is there any responsibility of the current person that is leasing that?
19:59 I mean, they obviously let it fall in a state of disrepairs or any recourse.
20:04 Well, we could explore that, but I don't know that there is any pocket.
20:15 So I mean, our our obligation is the U.S.
20:17 Army Corps of Engineers, which owns those boat rapes.
20:21 And we don't we they refer to it as a sub-lease situation.
20:27 It's not really it's more like a management agreement, yeah, you know, kind of thing.
20:32 And um, you know, some of them do a better job than others.
20:40 But is it from the inspection is when they wanted some improvements to be made, or is it truly a dereliction of things that weren't done and they fell into this condition because I think those are different situations.
20:50 It is a combination of the two.
20:53 So items as small as weeds in parking lot to um, you know, overgrowth and things of that nature.
21:01 One item that they did request and was mandatory per Army Corps was either demo an entire replacement of the fee building or replacing the siding, and we know that those operators, you know, do not bring in a ton, and so this was something that was not feasible for them.
21:20 This is something that now will fall on the parks department and that we will have to take care of.
21:27 Um, I have spoken with the Army Corps of Engineers, and they have given us an extension in order for our team to look at the properties and see what it would take to make those repairs and uh corrections.
21:43 Request uh reject all bids for Westman tennis lighting project.
21:49 Okay, this is the one I jumped the gun on.
21:52 So, um last meeting we received bids for the Wesselman tennis lighting project, and we had hoped to potentially award those bids today.
22:02 Um was deemed non-responsive uh by the purchasing department, and uh the second one was later found non-responsive as well for different reasons.
22:13 One was not um a city vendor dash and I, do you care to?
22:19 I'm gonna have uh Dash and I Streeter, the purchasing director, explain more appropriately than I can.
22:26 Good afternoon, members of the board.
22:28 Um one of the submitters, the one that was originally rejected due to non-responsiveness.
22:32 They did not have a Vanderburgh County City above the Vanderburgh County contractor's license, because of that they were unable to obtain RBO certification, and that is required by the prime contractor at time of bid submission.
22:47 Um, with the second one, um, about a week and a half ago, um, I was informed that purchasing department will be um performing the MBE WBE contract compliance duties um for the time being.
23:04 I did not find that they were in compliance with that.
23:07 They proposed 0% MBE.
23:14 They reached out to two vendors only.
23:19 They also indicated on their form E, which is the waiver for the program.
23:25 They did not fill that out, and they indicated that they had only reached out to the two WBEs that were selected.
23:31 So I did not find that they put in that good faith effort to attempt to solicit quotes from MBE and WBE vendors.
23:39 Appreciate the diligence.
23:42 I'll entertain a motion to reject all bids for Wesselmanna Sliding Project.
23:50 All in favor say aye.
23:55 Permission to seek bids for Wesselman tennis sliding.
24:00 So now here comes part B.
24:02 So it is our hope that prospective bidders will put in that good faith effort on all accounts, giving certifications required and putting in the good faith effort for MBE WBE as well.
24:15 So we're going to be positive and go ahead and put this back out with your permission.
24:20 I'll entertain a motion.
24:54 President and board members, I am very excited to announce that July is National Parks and Recreation Month.
25:00 I don't know if you remember, but last year we found out about this at the very tail end of the month, and we're extremely disappointed that we didn't have enough time to put events together and find a way to celebrate and participate.
25:13 During this month, we will be not only holding events as you can see on the calendar in front of you and on the screen.
25:20 Popsickle pop-ups, those start today.
25:22 Effective at 2 p.m.
25:23 at Mickey's Kingdom.
25:24 Myself and other team members will be there passing out popsicles.
25:28 You'll see other events on here bubbles and chalk pop-ups, tie-dyeing t-shirts, crafting, family game nights, movies in the park, so on and so forth.
25:37 Our goal is just to continue to provide programs for community.
25:41 This is something that we've wanted to do a better job at, and I feel with our program director in place and our team almost full.
25:48 Once again, we're able to now have a little bit larger reach.
25:52 So we're excited about all these things.
25:53 I'm particularly intrigued by the soda bar at the Sunset Skate Park.
25:58 I think that will be a big hit.
26:00 So kudos to Cat for that one.
26:03 In addition to this, we're going to be uh taking time as a team to experience the parks together and do different events, and also really highlighting volunteers, community volunteers that put time and effort and love and care into our parks that maybe go unseen and unnoticed.
26:20 So overall, lots of programs, lots of celebrating happening.
26:26 But big excitement for this month.
26:28 We invite you to come join us.
26:30 As far as updates, the next level trails substantially completed.
26:34 Ribbon cutting date has not been set yet.
26:36 We still need finishing touches at the trailhead working with the trails coalition to get those.
26:40 And as soon as a ribbon cutting date has been set, I will pass that along to the board.
26:45 The Eigelheart splash pad equipment is getting delivered today.
26:49 So starting very soon, it's going to be looking like a splash pad.
26:54 Despite some delays, I know we mentioned unearthing foundations in the last meeting, getting permissions for change orders there, the encroachment today, all of those things.
27:04 Things are still moving very smoothly, and we're still uh tracking for Labor Day weekend opening for that.
27:11 And then we already mentioned the CK Newsom Center playground is removed, and so we're just anticipating getting that new one in.
27:17 But lots of work happening all over parks, and I'm excited to see it and excited to be able to celebrate this month.
27:25 And then one last final announcement.
27:27 I will not be in attendance at our next meeting.
27:29 Um I'm gonna be with my family in Florida seeing the mouse.
27:34 So I know it's gonna be it's gonna be hotter than Blazes, but we have to go for other reasons, and we promised the kids Disney was in the mix.
27:43 So I will not be in attendance, so you will not have a director's report for the next meeting, and I will see you at the beginning of August.
27:53 Um any update on the heat.
27:55 Is the heat adversely affecting any of the parks or the staff or any of that?
28:00 So typically what we do during a heat advisory, um, our park maintenance superintendent Scott does a great job taking care of our team, making sure they're extra hydrated, but also um adjusting their work hours.
28:12 So our maintenance team is coming in earlier, um 5:30 to 5 to 1 30.
28:20 5 to 1 30 um while the heat advisory is in place.
28:24 Um, we've also taken extra caution and care for our guards, reducing the time in the chair and things of that nature.
28:31 Um, CK Newsome Center is serving as a cooling center this week.
28:35 Our first construction meeting for the renovations will be on Monday, and then that may change, but for now we are available to the community to seek some relief from the heat.
28:46 Um, we are gonna be putting out some promotional materials before the next heat wave, just reminding residents things they can do, finding shade, wearing appropriate clothing, staying hydrated, and um giving residents suggestions of which parks have the best shade and reminding them of all the pools and the splash pads in the area.
29:04 So good, great question.
29:07 Last item on the agenda is acceptance of payroll and vendor claims.
29:11 I'll entertain a motion.
29:12 So second, a motion, two motions and a second.
29:16 Um all in favor say aye.
29:37 Okay, so we're gonna have to