The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board approved a series of administrative items, contracts and budget transfers during its Jan. 15 meeting. Items below were voted and recorded in the meeting minutes.
Votes and outcomes
- Acceptance of minutes from Jan. 2, 2025: Motion carried by voice vote.
- 2025 Zoological Society/Park Department memorandum of understanding: The board voted to accept a third‑year memorandum of understanding with the Michigan City Zoological Society after the MOU was taken from the table and presented as signed by Mr. Stimley. Motion carried by voice vote.
- Wolves Soccer Club memorandum of understanding: Motion carried by voice vote (separate presentation and discussion on parking and drainage noted; see separate article).
- Approval of preliminary design for Fetters Alley playground project: Motion carried by voice vote; preliminary and mid‑design approvals are required by project grants.
- Emergency purchase: Board accepted an emergency purchase of a thermostat/furnace repair for Northpoint Pavilion totaling $333 and waived the requirement to get two quotes under the department's purchase policy; motion carried by voice vote.
- Budget transfer resolutions:
- Resolution 1063: Transfer within Senior Center Fund (decrease electric $1,000; increase regular salaries and wages $1,000). Motion carried.
- Resolution 1064: Recreation non‑reverting fund adjustments (net $13 transfers as read). Motion carried.
- Resolution 1065: Golf fund adjustment (decrease contractual $663; increase charges and fees $663). Motion carried.
- Resolution 1066: Zoo fund adjustment (decrease zoo education $962; increase zoo charges and fees $962). Motion carried.
- Adult craft classes program: Board approved a new series of adult craft classes (wine & canvas, glass blowing and others) to be held primarily at Kreger Memorial; motion carried.
- Claims docket and payroll:
- Claims docket (Jan. 15, 2025): Municipal claims $19,797.21; motion to approve carried.
- Payroll (period Dec. 8–21, 2024; pay date Dec. 27, 2024): Total payroll $69,425.71; motion carried.
- Gifts and donations: The board accepted two donations: an online zoo donation of $539.82 (wix.com) and a $50,000 park donation for the Fetters playground (donor listed as Doolin Health Council; bank Harbor Trust). Motion carried.
- Minor transfers and credit card charges: The board approved all listed minor transfers across funds and authorized credit card charges totaling $3,274.24; motion carried.
Votes were taken by voice and recorded in the public meeting; the transcript records “motion carried” for each listed item. Where the transcript did not name a mover or provide a roll‑call tally, outcomes are reported as recorded.