Starke County Park Board
June 11, 2024
Meeting Minutes
Present: R. Ballard, T. Busch, K. Swihart, K. Norem & S. Byer
S. Byer, made motion, seconded by T. Busch to accept the minutes from the May 1st and 14th. meetings. Passed unanimously.
The 2025 budget was discussed with the board expressing concerns that they had not seen this prior to this meeting. K. Norem explained she, T. Busch and T. Williams met to work on it stating some revenue is still forthcoming so the budget has a lot of estimates factored in. There will be an additional $37,845.00 from the budget. The budget has been turned into the auditor’s office prior to going before the commissioners. K. Norem suggested tabling any approval until the July meeting. K. Swihart made motion in agreement, seconded by K. Norem and passed 5-0.
The bids for the English Lake Kayak Launch will go out 6/13, pre-bid meeting 6/26 then sealed bids will be open at the July 9th. public meeting for review and vote.
K. Norem and A. Giuliani are planning a ground-breaking ceremony July 10th. 11:30 at the launch site. Invitations will be sent out, the media notified.
It was determined that the swim rope issues have been resolved. G. Laiter put augers in the water verses having the rope wrapped around the buoys which allowed them to drift.
K. Norem explained that Rick Anderson had written a permit and drawings to shore up around the trees on the beach sided. The DNR approved them, K. Norem wrote a grant and received a grant for glacier stone to be delivered. The project was never completed and the DNR permit has expired. The group met with S. Lucas and R. Anderson and it was suggested to ask for an extension for the permit. K. Norem will draft the letter and mail after R. Ballard signs it.
The projected number of tables needed for the picnic table project is 70. Currently there are 52 tables pledged. We will provide the donators with a tax for so that they may claim that as a deduction on their taxes. Once the project is complete, the board with sign thank you cards to all involved.
Much discussion was held regarding assigning G. Laiter to a Harbor Master’s position noting the necessity of someone in that position having the authority to speak to pier slips holders who may be in violation of the rules, the ongoing maintaining and repairing of the piers and overseeing the piers throughout the season. S. Byer suggested this be a paid position. This led into more discussion that there needs to be a policy in which the board will agree to that states exactly how a non-county employee would be compensated through either off-set pier slip or campground costs. This will require a complete job description, including amount of time committed to working in lieu of discounted services. This will then come before the board for their final decision.
Last year the board voted to prohibit dog fence enclosures at the campground and suggested a reevaluation this year of the decision. The board agreed that there needs to be a specific policy stating what type, size, location, etc. allowed. T. Williams will put this together and send them individually to the board for approval then ratify the decision at the next meeting.
Superintendent report included a report on the World Environmental Day that was held June 5th stating the weather was not on their side. There were approximately 8 visitors to this event. Furthermore, she stressed the need to consider having this on a weekend to encourage family participation.
Also reported, there have been two people hired to man the gate at the beach, still waiting on the county to come and blacktop the entrances.
S. Byer made motion to accept, seconded by T. Busch and passed unanimously to accept the financial report.
K. Swihart would like to see more oversite on the financials and other reports. K. Norem stressed the requirement to make daily deposits of all monies, including Saturday and Sunday. The auditor’s office will be contacted to see how this policy can be implemented. A suggestion was made that the board appoint someone to oversee each area of revenue stream within the department and how the recordkeeping is being handled.
S. Byer started a conversation about the potential of going all aluminum for the piers. It was requested that a discussion and decision to increase the current pier slip rental be placed on the July agenda. It was stressed that there must be a maintenance plan for the piers. G. Laiter and T. Busch will get together to establish such a plan.
A motion to adjourn was made by T. Busch, seconded by K. Norem and passed 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:44 PM