Parks & Recreation Commission - Regular Meeting

Huff would say you're not going to benefit financially yourself, but I'd rather and John Huffs to say I guess I could just disclose it, right? You you could do that or or we could um just push it on till next month if if that makes you feel more comfortable that pushing it. Whatever is whatever is kosher, I'm good. I'm good with I'm fine just disclosing and saying yeah, if you're comfortable just so the commission know Yeah. I didn't even think twice about it with it being uh again because if you if it were like your business or something like that, but you're acting on behalf of community um organization and you're not going to benefit from it. Right. Right. I just didn't know what the official I know some people are more, you know, strict in terms of conflict of interest and other things. So, I just wanted to make sure. But I think as long as I disclose that I've been involved with it. Yeah, you know, that's probably okay. We do need to wait for We will need to wait for Leila. I know she said she was coming, but So, for the first time, I've noticed that it's muted, so you have to unmute it. Oh, okay. Is it crazy out there? Is there There is a ton of traffic right around here. Yeah. For the events at my or not exactly sure what's going on. Okay. It's hard to find parking. So if some Yeah, good. I should have walked, drove, was lucky to get a spot. T is the season when trying to get a lot of games in and knock on wood, fortunately, not too many weather related cancellations this spring, so that's been nice. Keep it that way. I was going to do a book donation, but I called ahead and the library is closed

today for some type of inservice. I'm like, okay, I'll ride my bike. And then I come in the lower doors and someone's pushing in like big boxes of books and I'm like, I should have I saw that right there. That's what I'm like. He's got well this particular person that has access to wherever they get stored downstairs. I haven't I haven't done that there before, but it sounds like people do. Huh. Like last resort. It was a bad sign when you saw all the like stuff from Har still being packed up. I was like, "Oh no." Oh, yeah. Well, this is everyone you expect then, right? Correct. Director. All right. Are we unmuted? You should be good. Yep. Good. All right. 602 on April 28th. I'll call the meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission of the City of East Grand Rapids to order. Uh, first up on the agenda, any public comments? No persons in attendance. Thank you. Um, up for consideration next is the minutes of the regular meeting held March 24th, 2025th. Any comments, discussion, amendments? If not, I'll entertain a motion to approve the minutes from the last meeting. So moved. Second. Uh, all those in favor say I. I. I. Those opposed? Hearing none, the minutes are approved. Move now to the special event calendar that is enclosed. Yes. And as um I'll continue to uh keep the special event calendar in the packet just for um awareness and helping guide um special event permit related

decisions. So there's nothing um extra to report on that. Okay, great. Uh moving on to item number six. Consider the request to approve the special event permits for the Wednesday's unwealthy food truck request first. Yes. So, um you may be aware the uh Gaslight Village Business Association in collaboration with some uh community members have uh started a Wednesdays on wealthy sidewalk social series uh which they had their first one um last month. So, it'll be the third Wednesday of each month, April through September. Um and we're still figuring out October possibly as well. Um and uh for that event itself they're utilizing u regata plaza which is the area of the fountain um which is private property. Um so they're able to utilize that space without any sort of uh city permit um needed. And then um the remainder of the event is uh taking place on the sidewalk. So within the social district there are um you know the participating businesses are selling um you know social district beverages. There's also have been some um last month and going forward there will be uh businesses that set up a tent in front of their business. So you might have seen the DNW had a tent out there and some others um trying to do like sidewalk tail sale type things. Um then of course music and entertainment uh spread throughout. And the reason why there's uh the request before you this evening is uh they the event was hoping to have a a food truck uh come to the event as a non-competing option. Um, and when I say non-competing, not competing directly with any of the businesses within Gaslight Village. Um, and the city does not separately have a a food truck uh permit uh that we issue. So, for example, if if uh Joe's food truck came to me and said, "I would really like to be able to park uh my food truck on Wealthy Street." Um, we would not

allow for that. The only circumstances in which uh the city allows uh food trucks is um related to a special event. Um and because the sidewalk social did not necessarily need a special event permit to do um their their sidewalk things, um really the best way uh for the city and and for all of you to consider the possible placement of a food truck would be to issue a special event permit uh for those events. Um and and really it would be solely um related to the placement of a food truck. And and so what they're asking for is permission to park on Wealthy Street um in proximity to uh the Love Sack um business, which is across the street from um Starbucks, if you're familiar. Uh the idea is that they would have a food truck parked on Wealthy in one of the parking spots that's designated there facing the sidewalk. So anyone that were to um be coming to order from the food truck would be on the protected sidewalk. Um, and the uh the food truck in this instance would only be permitted to uh be present on the uh the days of the Wednesday on wealthy events and during those operating hours. Um so uh for those reasons wanted to uh bring it to the parks and recreation commission to uh for your feedback. Um I will add that um the Gaslight Village business association has been involved in the planning for these Wednesday on wealthy events. Um there was a presentation that was made at a um they had a lunch and learn this would have been back in um March I believe uh where the idea was presented and the concept of having food trucks was brought up at that time. Um so the businesses were aware that it was part of the the planning process. Um but the reason why it's now coming to all of you is um they um did not receive permission to have it in the regata plaza area. So it had to pivot and um try to find a opportunity to have it placed through a different channel. So

was there any particular hang sorry was there any particular hangup on that? What was the reason? Yeah, so I um I wasn't directly involved in the conversations. Um but from what I've um been told is that um the Riata Plaza, they have different rules within that space. Um, so for example, the the businesses that are within that area, they can't um do like sidewalk sales or put anything outside of their businesses. And so it was kind of packaged with that of keeping the that plaza area um as it normally is. Um, which obviously it is a little different than normal because it's being closed and um pedestrians are able to gather in there. But that that was um what was shared with me for the reasoning. Yeah, understandable. Any questions, discussion? Um, when you say non-competing, that just means like a different type of food. We're not competing with the types of available cuisine. Is that what that means? Correct. So, like for example, uh, Kona Ice was um is one of the food trucks that had been brought up before um as far as maybe being the the May or June um food vendor. And like as we think through the businesses that are in Gaslight Village, yes, there's there's ice cream shops that would kind of uh you know be in that same mix, but there's not like another um frozen ice place. And um they would look at they being the the folks organizing these socials would look at having it rotate but trying not to do um like exactly what Olives is offering or um I know the I'm drawing a blank on the name of the uh the new restaurant um where the walk-in mortar used to be um tacos tacos elato tacos elkunato right so not having a a taco food truck um because they're going to be participating but trying to find that sweet spot. And I know too that um th this event is receiving funding from the

community foundation and of course they're trying to this is like a GVBA partnered event. And so if there were any issues going forward, I know they'd work together to resolve those. Okay. Is this a standing approval or are they coming back every month? Because I only see one date. Yes. So this would be for the season. our um so our permit process isn't the greatest for multi-events, but it would be for uh the series uh for the season. Um and then certainly we do have um the city has the authority to revoke permit if um for whatever reason there were issues in May or June. Um it could be rescended. Okay, Jan, just a comment. I I did not uh go last week, but I think it sounds like really cool event and I look forward to attending one of these Wednesdays. But all right, with that um I will move to approve the special event permit uh for the wealthy food truck request on the Wednesdays for the the season. I think phrased that all right, accurately enough. Um do I have a motion to approve? So moved. Second. Uh all those in favor say I. I. Those opposed? The eyes have it. The permit is approved. Next up is the Winterfest at Manhattan 2025 special event permit request. Yes. So, I I will get this started and then if anyone else wants to chime in, they're welcome to. Um but um in speaking about the um East Grand Rapids Community Foundation um you know they they are have been getting involved in different activities and helping fund different community gathering um uh events. Um and in order to do that uh they um need to have fundraisers throughout the year. So of course the Trailblazer run on 4th of July is the um the current um signature fundraising event for the East Grand Rapids

Community Foundation. Um but they have submitted a proposal to um have a a wintertime event um at Manhattan Park um as a a community event but then also uh doubling as a fundraiser to help support the mission of the community foundation to um invest in the community in different ways. Um, so I know the um the the um community foundation does have uh like a working group that is um putting together the proposal and we'll be um if if approved moving forward, we'll dial in some more of the details. Um but really um if you can picture um like a community field day uh type feel event um at Manhattan Park but in the wintertime. So having more um winter uh themed activities um along with um the placement of a warming tent um seasonal uh portable restrooms and then of course any um other u necessary supplies and infrastructure to help um facilitate the the events of the day. Um as outlined in the um the application here. Um it it's um they do have it um outlined to be like an all day type thing that certainly would um include some setup and cleanup time at the park. Um and you'll notice that there's not a um a final map or a drawing of of the event itself because uh some of that will need to be uh a nimble depending on what the conditions of the park are at the time. If we think about February 7th, um it should be a frozen tundra out there, but we've also had years where um there's no snow on the ground. Um and that's something that I've um spoken with the um um some of the event organizers about the ability to adapt. Um for example, um Manhattan 5, the the new renovated soccer field at Manhattan Park would be a great big open space for this type of

activity to take place. Um but if it's not snow covered and the grass is exposed, etc., we wouldn't want to um put a whole bunch of feet on that field and potentially damage it. Uh so then come spring it won't be ready to go. So um that's why there's there's not like a map in there, a final layout, etc. U because some of that would need to be developed and refined u going forward. Um so essentially asking for the conceptual approval of a um of a winterfest date. Again that is similar to um a a field day. Um it would be run by the community foundation in partnership with other um entities within the community and user groups um to help um not only to help staff and um help promote but also um just to help spread awareness. Um, without putting anyone on the spot, does anyone want to add anything extra? I will just uh disclose that I'm part of the committee that's helping to conceptualize this. And so I think uh Derek pretty much covered everything as it stands at the moment. Our goal moving forward, especially after spring break here and everybody getting back in town, is to really start to meet with some of the community groups, the schools, um to really think about getting everyone involved and not only promoting the event, but also revenue sharing as well. So, it could be an event that benefits not only the community foundation as the as the kind of the flagship sponsor of the of the event, but also other pillars of our community as well. We think it would be um kind of a nice change from some of the traditional events that have uh you know we've already hosted here. Winter being a time when we you know don't always have a lot of activities to maybe rally around as a community. We were thinking that this could be something to at least try for um you

know this first year and then obviously do some learning um from the event and and go forward and adapt from there. But um we're excited to obviously we've got to put uh some more pen to paper in detail in terms of games, but we've already recruited some folks to think about games for different age groups. Um and so we'll definitely I think be reporting more as the planning evolves, but this is just as Derrick said, kind of the first concept. Yeah. And just to add to that, um, because we're talking about a a new event, um, that does not require a road closure, that would significantly impact the community. Um, and then also, um, you know, being flexible and moving around the space, um, if if there are users that want to use Manhattan Park that day, certainly there'll be plenty of space for people to use the rest of the park. So, for th those kind of um reasons are why I'm I'm more comfortable with having like a a conceptual approval of the event and then dialing in some of the details further. Whereas, if we were talking about something that was going to shut down Gaslight Village or something that was more widespread, certainly we would be asking for um like well like a map for Fourth of July, you know, those types of uh details. Um, but for something like this, uh, it's more aligned with like the bike race that happens in October that, um, we can be a little bit more, uh, nimble and and figuring out things out because it doesn't have that widespread community impact. So, can't imagine it's an incredibly busy time for Manhattan Park. Probably not. Well, that sounds great. I don't know. I think uh, first of all, uh, commendation, I think that sounds like an awesome idea. uh utilize some of our spaces in winter that are, you know, we just don't do a lot in winter. It's hard. So, uh my recommendation in there, uh however we want to move forward, I'm definitely comfortable with Patrick, if you'd like to uh push this off until

next month for approval or we can approve it right now. Yeah, I mean I'm happy to if everybody's comfortable with me being one of the approvers, I guess, and there's no conflict of interest there, I'm happy to go forward with approval, but I just wanted to disclose that I am part of the planning committee, so I didn't want to bias anybody in any way. Absolutely. Transparency. I have a question that's more about process than anything else. How does parks and wreck determine the difference between a group that just wants to reserve the park or a pavilion for some private purpose? Like what pushes it into a special permit request? So we we do kiss at Manhattan and then this one, but I I'm just wondering like why do what what what makes it a special event? Sure. So, um, in our park rules, it talks a little bit about, um, like for events that are charging a fee, um, which is not like a a great uniform, um, rule to apply, right? Because all of these sports teams that are practicing probably are charging a fee to be be on the team. So, we we look at it through that lens first. Um, but then also kind of the intensity of of the use. So, if um if a user group is going to be um playing a football game and they're going to be um you know, they're going to rent that field for the hourly rate, which we have established um already as part of our normal budget process. Um and it's not going to be utilizing like a widespread part of the park or um taking away from public opportunities. Um we typically will do that on like a a rent the field type space uh or type um scenario. If it's something larger like the bike race for example, that would limit people from using at least segments of the public um trail network, um take up a

majority of the parking space at the park and and and limit some of that. Um we we kind of look at it through that lens of if it's kind of tipping the the threshold, if you will. Um something like this is a little bit unique be um because um obviously the community foundation is like they're a partner with the city. We um and uh we um like in the past for example for the trailblazer run um we issue them a permit for it but we don't charge them for that permit. And and so that's kind of um this one is a little bit more unique than um if someone um that wasn't affiliated with the city uh would be coming in. we'd still look at it through that same lens of if you need a permit or not, but for this event, they they wouldn't have to pay that permit fee. Um, so it's um it's kind of got that that eye test of it's going to be bigger than um I guess another great example would be um we've have some sports teams that have asked us if um over at Manny Field specifically um to rent the field. Yes, you can rent the field, use it, no problem. But if um if the entity was hoping to bring in food trucks and shut down the parking lot to parking and and do more of that, then that's where we would look at a special event permit. So, it's it's um we we try to be open-minded when we're looking at these types of things. I I think it's sensible to have a judgment call there. Yeah, that and that's helpful. Thank you. Mhm. I I for one um I I just don't think that anyone in the community is going to be concerned that we have one person of the quorum that serves on community foundation. I I I don't think that'll be an issue. I feel comfortable voting today.

Any other questions or comments? That was good info. And actually, I made me think start looking at the nonsp special events permits. So, the only things we have that are nonsp special event permanent applications really are the KDL parties in the park and the adaptive ski by Kentwood, which was in 2024. Just curious merely. Yeah. So, the um that list that I'm just going to quick grab it to look at it with you here. um that list we we kind of use as the placeholder for some of the activities that kind of fall through the in between those two, right? So the um so the uh KDL parties in the park um there's still park space available. It's a free event that they're not charging for. So we kind of view that as like we're partnering with them. Same thing with the adaptive ski program that we're we're waiting to get their dates from them for 2025. Um, but there are some nonsp special event um activities that would take place, but those would be more of like the um us renting out to a baseball team or like the more traditional just straight rental of a space that we do for pavilions and that kind of thing. Okay. All right. Are those semicommon? I I just don't recall really. Um, athletic field rentals are are actually quite common and then pavilion rentals. Um last year was um Manhattan Park was offline uh for the whole summer and that was the first summer that we had um that we allowed for the reservation of the new pavilions at the schools. Um I I think that with that being new last year it didn't get quite as much use. I know um we had we had some use um but they're smaller in size. So I I think a lot of the people that would call and ask u when they learned it wasn't as big as the the Manhattan one chose to go elsewhere. Um, but I would say, um, in the past we'd see like 70 to 80 pavilion rentals. Last year was probably less than half of that. Uh, but I also, um, I know from

the school staff, I I think part of it is now that there's three, uh, people know that if you go to one and it's being used, well, maybe you can go to the other one and it's not being used without having to pay to reserve it. Um, but I I I would say probably on a weekly basis, we have at least one athletic field rental. Um be and and we handle um memorial and excuse memorial and main field reservations for the so any outdoor field reservations we handle. So some of those are like at Lakeside, Breton Downs, etc. Okay. Yeah, was just curious. Uh so appreciate that extra info but not totally relevant to the permit application at hand. So I appreciate that. Um with that I'll if there's nothing further I'll entertain a motion, but go ahead. I I fully support this. I think it's a great opportunity especially in February. Um see there are nine commissioners. Correct. Correct. Um and then I'm not sure about the policy and procedures but it does seem like perhaps waiting a month so that it could be approved by a majority that's not um that there's no question of a conflict of interest. Might be just in the best interest of everything. But I don't I don't know. Possible, but no guarantees we'll have more next month. I don't know summer. Yeah. Well, then yeah, I don't know if what the policies are. So, I'd be comfortable, you know. Yeah, if the policies are such that it's not an issue, there's plenty of time I I feel like for to approve next time. And and I'm I'm fine with that. If that's the if if that's what the group's comfortable with, we can just um not take action on it tonight and then um bring it back next month. Um um next month will be a different day because of Memorial Day, but we can do that. Okay. Yeah, sounds like it does not impede the the event at all. So, we will kick that

to next month. All right. Number three was missed report of commissioners. Uh thank you. Why don't we move to agenda three? I was flying through the report of the commissioners. I'll start. Um, and nothing further to add at the moment. For the public schools, the East Grand Rapids Public Schools Foundation held their annual Harrah event um this past weekend. Uh, it was well attended um and well organized. So, nothing for me. Uh my kids are enjoying another spring soccer uh session and it's it's impressive how many folks come into Manhattan. It's also the parking is pretty intense and um I I just want to encourage people that if you park on the parking lot on Manhattan, even though there's some construction equipment, there is some spots open and it's still a short walk to get over, but we had packed cars um going in that circle there. And um and uh part of the reason why I asked about the difference between special permit is because I just put in a request to rent a pavilion and I at one of the schools and it's and and it works out really great and I've I'm glad that we offer it to the community. Um I have nothing. Um so thanks for that. Uh I I experienced that Manhattan congestion on Saturday morning myself. Um okay, apologies for skipping around on the agenda. We will move now next to item seven, Fourth of July, road closure discussion. Yes, as outlined in the memo, um we have internally here at the city have discussed the potential idea for closing a part of Lakeside um on 4th

of July. And then as you may recall, if you were in attendance at the U meeting last month, parks and rec commission meeting, um we did have a community member um that lives across the street from the park and the condos there um that just asked for the city to uh um strongly consider closing portions of of of Lakeside Drive during 4th of July. Um, and it was great timing cuz we've kind of all um, internally have kind of gone back and forth about it, but it's nice just to um, you know, have some further dialogue. Um, so as outlined in the memo, um, you know, historically, and I'll use my U map here as visual aid, but um, I know it's included within the packet as well. Um, but historically, um, this stretch of Lakeside Drive here, so from Wealthy Street, um, north to approximately Roses and even a little bit further into some of these spots, um, we've had that, uh, signed as no parking, um, throughout the day. Um, and then, um, of course, Lakeside Drive has been closed intermittently throughout the day. So, it it gets closed for the Trailblazer run um in the morning um and then it opens back up for a couple of hours and then it closes for the parade. Um and then it opens back up for a couple of hours. Um and the feedback that we've heard not just from the commenter last month but also things that we've observed um throughout um just operating the event um is that this stretch from wealthy to Roses is very busy throughout the day. Um if any of you have had the opportunity to attend the parade in the past um the parade comes down uh wealthy street here and then turns uh to go north. Um and then once the um well not even once the last float when the last float's getting close um the wealthy street really starts to empty and everyone's coming and crossing the road

and and trying to make their way into John Collins Park. Um so we've discussed kind of those logistics with the um public safety team. Um trying to balance the um you know safety and um accessibility of the day, but also um with the understanding that we know that there's community members that um you know would like to get their boats on the water for the uh firework show uh during the day. Um and so what um myself and the public safety team have preliminarily come up with is um kind of a two-phased uh closure for the day. Um so the for the trailblazer run the um the road would close as it normally would, you know, just during the race and then after the race um is done, it would um open back up. Um and then during the parade, of course, um the parade route would be closed as well. Um but um what this map and kind of this description in the in the memo is showing is that once um the final float is coming down Welty Street um and then makes that turn um to go north is that um once that final float goes through um there would be a road closure u barricade pulled here um to uh to stop from any additional traffic um getting kind of mixed in with the uh the parade traffic. Um, so anyone that would be at this light would then have to um turn left to go west on on Wealthy Street. Um, which would be a nice transition for the public safety team. And um, cuz currently I'm just going to close this real quick. It's probably more distracting for me than it is all of you when I hear that in the background. Um so but when the last float would come through they would pull the barricade here and then as the the last uh float goes north um there would be a second barricade pulled here and so this entire stretch of Lakeside Drive would be closed uh during the

activities in the park kind of as outlined in the schedule that I have here. So from um 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. this would be closed. Um, we also from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30m is when the uh the ski show um all all the the boats and the equipment and everything they utilize for that. Um we would maintain this closure uh to allow for all of um that equipment, everything to get out. Um and then at at 5:30 uh once we know that's a reasonably safe assumption, all the ski show and everyone else would be out of there. Um, this stretch would open up from 5:30 to 7:30 um to allow for anyone that wants to launch their boat uh um on the boat launch. There still would be no parking allowed. So, we wouldn't have to worry about anyone parking and kind of getting trapped into the road closure area. Um and then again later in the evening um at 7:30 when the boat launch closes again um a barricade would go here again and then um we would actually we'd put a barricade here as as well um to fully have this stretch closed during the concert down in the park and also during the firework display. Um, part of the discussion that I had with the public safety is although we've noted that this stretch during the concert isn't the the busy time. It's it takes a while to clear things and to um and um as far as traffic goes. Um so their desire was to have it close as soon as the boat launch would close so we wouldn't have to um try to clear traffic from this stretch closer to the fireworks show. Um, and I do want to just uh point out a couple things up top here because it it would be kind of a dynamic closure depending on the time of day. Um, because um, this this building

here, there's no exit for them out onto Wealthy Street. There's actually a wall here that would separate them. So, we would need to maintain ingress and egress for anyone living in in these u in this area. Um and then also um there's a new residence here that's not showing on the map that we would um have to maintain ingress and egress. And lastly, we're waiting to hear from Roses. We know they're not open on that day, but obviously they have the um the boat um excuse me, the um marina um would um be a better um term for it. They had the marina there. And it's possible that maybe even though they're close to the public, they might have some sort of private function. Um but by having these barricades here, we still would be able to have ingress and egress for all these properties. And then the um the road closures here on Reeds Lake Boulevard would be dependent upon the time of day. Um so for example, during the um concert in um the park and the fireworks show, Reeds Lake Boulevard is considered as part of the uh safety zone for fireworks. Um so um Reeds Lake Boulevard North would be closed um during that time only but earlier in the day um during the um kids activities in the park etc um that would be freely open for traffic to to to go back and forth. So, um, we feel as though that the the road closure, in addition to the safety that was mentioned, if anyone's tried to get any, uh, food from those food trucks in the past, um, you're lining up on the sidewalk, there's not a lot of room there. And so then when there are multiple lines and strollers, it makes it difficult to have um, you know, pedestrian access back and forth. But if this stretch of road is closed, we'd be able to have the food trucks uh potentially opening up into the street because it would be closed to traffic, which would, you know, give an extra 20

30 uh feet of of space to spread out times whatever the length is of that stretch. It' be quite a bit more space. Um, but as noted, trying to find that balance of making it safe and fun and accessible for everyone, but without um completely shutting down the the opportunity for uh boat launch use, because I know that that can be a highlight of some people's day is getting out on the water for the fireworks show. Um, so h happy to answer I know it's like I said dynamic map here where things depend upon each other but happy to answer any questions you might have about the thought process or about how logistics might work if approved. Just a quick one so I'm clear. So the boat launch would be accessible obviously before 1, but then between 5:30 and 7:30. That's correct. Before the roads get reblocked off. um just you know I don't know but if I'm imagining a line of boats down the road right and it takes a long time for each one then you have perhaps you've closed it now but you have a you know/4 mile here backup of boats waiting to get in and that 2-hour time span and who the hell knows if they get in by 7:30 and then you have some of these people that are stuck well you know that might it's kind of their issue but also 2 hours is kind of time frame to get a bunch of boats in the water is all I'm So, I mean, any thoughts to that? Or is it just better to have them? I understand there's a lot of interest in having your boats on the water during that day, but also it's is a high congestion and highly used area during that day. So, in my mind, I, you know, I appreciate that that's a nice little bit of flexibility there, but I'm thinking maybe you just close it off at 1 for the rest of the day and you don't even monkey around with that two hours trying to, you know, fiddle it in. Just my thought, but sure. Yeah, that that was something that was widely discussed and quite honestly it

would be easier for for everyone involved um as far as like the public safety team and parks and wreck if that stretch were closed for the day. Um I think we're just trying to be sensitive to the fact that um so I guess I'll just point out the boat launch um once it's closed for the Trailblazer, it is closed until 5:30. We don't um because of that same concern that you're sharing um with the parade, uh we didn't want to have there be a backup before the parade. So, we're saying it's it's not opened up in between the trailblazer and the parade or any other time until um unless someone came at 7 or 6:00 in the morning, which they certainly could do if they um if if they had somewhere to keep their boat during the daytime. Um and I I think uh Nick to your point that's something that we would have to work with the public safety team on. Um one thing and um that we've discussed possibly we we're still trying to refine this a little bit is that maybe um when this opens back up that we only allow for oneway traffic. So then the boats um it's when they're all going the same direction and queuing up together that's fine but then when someone comes in from the north and throws a wrench in that. Um, and so that would do two things. One, it would make it a little more streamlined, but then two, there could be that hard closure to say, okay, if it's 7:15 and we know we have five more boats that need to launch. Sorry, my hand's flying up there. Um, the barricades could be closed to say, okay, we've um there's no more boats coming in after this point. Um, and we could even make that seven o'clock, I guess, if that were. And that's just part of the on the ground dynamic, what's happening in real time sort of decisions you guys would have to make then and there essentially, right? And and um that's something that we try to build in uh buffer time. Like when I say the um the boat show, people um out at 5:30, they'll probably be will be out

at 5. We just don't want boats circling waiting waiting to get in or at this actually um with this closure it'd be even harder of them you know trying to circle the whole city to get back in line. We we'd rather um underpromise and overd deliver and and say if we're saying 5:30 to 7:30 maybe it's 7 to 7:30 that little extra time in there if that makes sense. I I you know it's one of those interesting balances cuz yes you want to provide the accommodation definitely but then it's like well you have three or four people that intended to do that got cut off and extremely pissed. Is it worth it? You know I don't know maybe it is but any you know any other what's the volume of boats typically like on the 4th of July? Um that's it's hard to say because I I can tell you I've been there during the uh the concert uh where the boats are of course lined up on the shores. Um and I don't have a good number for how many of those are uh were launched that day versus how many of them are coming from the you know the various um uh slips that they might have or properties. Um I do know that when um the ski show the last couple years when the ski show has been done um we've had there's like kind of like a quick um you know like four, five, six boats might show up immediately and it's busy right away. Um I've not seen that sustained throughout um that time period. It's usually they want to get out as soon as the boat launch opens back up. But um I I say that and actually last year was uh the first year that we had a more narrow window of uh launching. It used to be a little more spotty throughout the day and uh we learned some lessons because um for the reasons that are being pointed out, it's too hard to open and close it multiple times throughout the

day. Um but maybe with um the public safety presence with the closure combined with the one uh window of opportunity um yeah it's hard to say streamlined approach this year. Yeah. And then um is there how do the communications about like opening and closing the boat launch um how is that communicated to the community or or the actual voters? Yeah, so we do a variety of things. we um it's included within all of our Fourth of July messaging. So, we send out a um a news uh release um that um traditionally will get picked up by at least uh one or two news stations. Um and so we include the schedule for the day there. Um we put it on um like water bills that are sent to the city um residents um social media. Um and then down at the boat launch um a week ahead of time we are posting the um that it's closed or the times that it's closed. So we put it right out at the boat launch as well um to try try to because there's some obviously some folks that don't live in the community that wouldn't get any of those other messages but would see that if they're regular users of the boat launch. Thanks. Can you clarify for me perhaps one more time? So, this year we're talking about a 2-hour restriction of time for boats to get into the water. How does that compare to prior years? Um, that would have been the same last year. Um, in prior years, we did open up the boat launch in between the Trailblazer run and the parade. Um, so I'll I'll say 10 to 11:30 just um kind of as a rough window. Okay. Um but we did not do that last year because of some of the issues that we've had in the

past to the point of if if um we need the parade to get going, we can't um it's you know if we're just closing the road to um to close it for like logistics purposes, that's one thing. But when the whole parade's coming at us, we we we had to stop doing that to make sure the parade wasn't going to be dis um delayed because of um boats launching. I don't have a good sense of how many people want to watch the ski show from their boat on the like on the lake. I I don't know if that's desirable or if they're going just to enjoy the day. In fact, it's very difficult to do that because the the ski show requires Boers on the lake to be a certain distance because they otherwise float in the way of the show. Sure. And so it's actually not I think most of the people doing that are not necessarily for the ski show. It's to stay out there and watch the fireworks. I mean people So people who come between 10 and 11:30 in prior years in the morning. Oh. No, I don't know about that. But I'm just thinking like the boats out on the water at night are usually not there for the ski show. Okay. Um in my personal view, I have no data on that. But in the past, there's been enough boats that want to get into the water earlier in the day to disrupt the disrupt the parade. That's happened. Um I I think the concern for that happening more so than that being an um a valid point because we're So we're what in 2021 we didn't have a um a full parade. I I'll say it that way. Um, and then in 2022 was the last year that we um, excuse me, 2023 was the last year that we had it open during that small window of time. I have not seen that window being the desirable time frame for for launching. And I

think that was why we're a little more comfortable with not having that window of time. It's the later um, and again, this is my observations um, just from being there. Um but um it's the later time in the day for the concert. Being on the water during the concert andor the fireworks show is kind of the greater demand I guess if you will. Can you explain the logic of closing Reeds Lake Boulevard like the blue and the pink line? Because I was thinking is it possible to do it as one way? Because if I'm coming down Reeds Lake Boulevard, I've got to make a Uturn and I want to get to town. I'm going to have to go all the way back. Reeds Lake and then Robinson Plymouth. Is it possible to have an Reads Lake that blue one for saying this one here? Yeah. To for people to be able to come in and just stay launched from there. So, what this isn't showing is Yeah. much further to the north um where the rock is um that is um that this stretch is currently closed during the um during the firework show. um because of the um it being part of the safety zone, there's um I I forget what the exact footage is, but we from where they launch the fireworks, there's a radius that we have to um have no um vehicles moving back and forth in and then no people um which can be a struggle at times uh because um we in the past we used to have these parking lots. So, the Waterfront Park park parking lot and then the DPW parking lot um were open and for a couple years in a row we just could not keep people from coming back in there to get to their vehicles even when we haven't had an all clear for uh from the firework team to make sure there were no duds that were um waiting on. And so this um Reeds Lake Boulevard would be

closed here and then also at the rock further to the north only from that 7:30 to 11:30 um time frame. And is shopping center drive is that a private like service road or I mean if we're diverting people you know they're getting blocked on Lakeside and they're going down shopping center cutting through the DNW parking lot. Is that an issue? So, the shopping center road um is an actual road, but um we would detour um and and that's again another thing that it's not shown on here that the public safety and our our um DPW team would would assist with is that we would put out um like regular detour um signage. So, for example, anyone coming on, this is Lakeside Drive also, but anyone that were coming down um here and realizing, oh, I can't go um east, um there would be a detour sending them down Greenwood and then I I forget if that's Love it. Love it. Is it? Yeah. Love it. Um so, they would have to there would be a detour in both directions to send them around. Now, the savvy driver that might know that yes, you can cut through shopping center and get get your way around could certainly do that, but we would not direct them through that private property. the pink and the orange rose road closed ahead signs. Can drivers still go through those to access the parking where the parking garage used to be through that back way? Yes. So, currently uh and that's something that we'll have to monitor over time just to make sure that the um so the parking deck is obviously gone. There's a surface lot here. Um, and this um this arrow here is showing um ingress egress for that paid parking area. We um we're

not sure of their exact plans cuz there is a there's barricades actually right here right now to stop you from going further that way. Um and so we'll monitor that to make sure that's not going to change. If it um if it doesn't change and um drivers can still get out here, that may be a consideration of not allowing this back exit here only because um we're with this model here, we're going to have to have someone staffed at either here or here throughout the the duration of the closures. Um because even though it says road closed ahead, we know people are going to drive around it and and and then they're going to get stuck and have to turn around. And so um the thought is that we would have someone stationed here for anyone that absolutely does need to get in and out and then the barricades would be moved for them. Um, to me it see it would be sensible to move the orange barricade, the road closed ahead sign to be to the to the east of those entrances to the parking lot just so that whoever's staffing it can deal with just the folks that want to get to their home or roses and and not people who are just trying to find a place to park for the um the fireworks show. a suggestion for to consider. Any other feedback for the director? In general, I think it's a pretty good idea to close that road. Uh it is a public safety concern in my mind as well. You said that uh public safety would be on site at the boat boat launch area in particular during the

closures or um so during the closures we would um this would be a hard closure here and so we wouldn't be allowing anyone in and out so we wouldn't have staffing here. Okay. Um and then same thing here we wouldn't have any staffing here. So it's just hard barricades. There's no squad car or something. It's just a Yeah, like three bar. And um something we did actually for the harvest festival is we may um pull like one of our nice um e uh electric trucks that we have um at the city now to you know kind of an awareness of um you know the sustainability efforts of the city but also just acting as an additional visual and and actual um bar barricade. Um and then um public safety would be stationed here during the closures. Uh but the request would be that when this stretch opens that they would be fac helping facilitate the um the boat launch. Um certainly our um you know our parks and recck team uh tries to do as much facilitating that day, but um you know you're going to listen to a uniformed person more than um a random guy in a polo even though it says parks and wreck on it. You're the sheriff badge. Yeah. Okay. I I think if public safety is on board and the the department thinks it's a good idea, I just from my experience down there, I I think it's a good one, too. But any other further discussion on this matter? Otherwise, we will move on to item eight, construction updates. Yeah. So, we got a couple updates for you. I'll start with uh Remington Park. Uh so, over spring break, uh the baseball field over at Remington saw an infield irrigation system was put in. Um and also a final restoration of the infield material was completed. Um and I'm happy to report that um after spring break they have not had to cancel any games due to conditions of the field. Um as a matter of fact, we actually had to fire

up the irrigation system to get some water on the field cuz it's draining so well. I mean, it's doing what it's designed to do. Um, but we're just going to have to every spring make sure that once those um nighttime temps come up to allow for the water to be turned on that we're starting to put water on that. Um, so there was one game that was canceled before spring break and that was really like a U project restoration type cancellation. And, you know, no grass was really growing before spring break and we really wanted to see a couple of the um drain lines that they had dug out just fill in a little bit nicer with grass before they um and so that couple weeks of over spring break and now things are um you can't control the growth. So, it's it's looking really good out there. Um, as part of that project, um, we put drainage across the entire field, which it had not had before, but also now we have a a main drain line with an outfall that, um, that goes into the wetlands um, in center field. And so we can actually go out there and monitor it to make sure that it's it's draining properly and would be able to identify if there were any plugs or anything um, in the system. Um, but truly, it's working exactly as it intended um, to be. Um there are a couple of sand applications that still will need to be put down this spring or early summer. Um what that sand is doing, it's just like a small quarter inch application across the entire field to help fill in low areas. Um and then just to promote drainage cuz uh sand drains better than um material that has um um organics in it like dirt, etc. So, the more sand that we can keep in um within the system is going to benefit the playability, but then also helping level that over time. Uh we did have a joint facilities committee meeting earlier today. Um and it's for our budget for next year. Um, we're going to continue sand applications for an

additional year just uh to provide again more sand, more drainage, but then to continue to further further level some of the the undulations that are in the outfield. Um, so the reports that I've heard from the um athletic director and the varsity baseball coach are um just very happy with the results of so far and um it's it's looking really good out there, too. So, it's excellent news. Yeah. So, that's a great positive that um that's working how it was intended. Uh Manhattan Park um it just continues to excite me every time I go out there because now things are starting to go up. Um I did include a couple photos in the um in the update. Um but it seems like every day there's um another great um photo worthy uh thing happening. Uh so last week the uh structure for the pavilion was put up. So, if anyone was there for soccer, you may have seen that. Um, the boulder scramble on the back side of the playground area has been completed. And so, really now, if if you're to go out there, you can get a really good sense of where everything's going to go. And, um, even for me, who, you know, I've seen these plans hundreds of times, I was having trouble visualizing where the splash pad was going to go. Well, now the splash pad's poured. You can see where it will fit in. Um, the, uh, construction team's still on schedule. Um we're monitoring a couple of just water related things that may uh result in some change orders. Just there's a lot of water that um you know because of the um pickle ball courts that were added and some of the new walkways etc. We're sending a lot of water to um the drainage structures. Um and so um there's one area where we might just do something a little beefier um than originally intended. Um but um they're on schedule um to be completed um you know by the end of June. Um and then um knock on wood we are um we're still on budget even with some just

minor change orders. We're um we're still right um near that original contract amount. Um, and we we did have a contingency um that um if everything continues to go as as it is currently um that will get returned back to uh the city because um we have not had to utilize uh that uh to date. Um but you can expect to see um the uh sport courts um will be painted later in the month, later in May once the weather starts to warm up a little bit. They need um warmer temps to make sure their materials are properly adhering to the concrete. Um playground equipment, they'll start installing uh some of that as as it's integrated into that hillside that's going up um will be in the next couple of weeks. Uh roof of the restroom building um it's coming from Canada. So, we're working on some logistics with that. Um but it's yes, if you haven't had a chance to go out, please do. And um I know the construction team obviously they want everyone to be safe, but if you're out there being um a little curious, they're they're used to that by now and um they can maybe they'll even point out some things or if you want me to um meet you out there, I'd be happy to. But it's um it's really fun to see it uh coming along. So very cool. Any questions for Derek? None here either. Sounds Sounds great. Look forward to that being completed in June. Uh without any other discussion, we'll move on to item 10, communications to report. Uh none at this time. All right. Excellent. Absent anything further, we will stand adjourned. Go ahead. I was just going to ask, do we have a sense of when our next meeting will be not Memorial Day? Right. Good question. Yeah, it um and and we'll verify this uh for quorum purposes, but it's uh scheduled for the day after

Memorial Day for that Tuesday. um the 27th. Thank you. Okay. Um so we can um send out a note um to see if that would still uh work for a quorum of the of the group. Appreciate that. That's that'd be great. Um all right, absent. Anything else? I'll let my report speak for itself. Man, I'm just skipping agenda items today. Sorry. All right. Uh, with that, we'll stand a journ at 6:57 p.m. Thank you. I don't know how I keep missing those. knees or feet.