[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6345919,"mediaKeyId","2247851-4a685fcbb9fddff5e5aff6e6f2ba5512","parentId",2247851,"title","Board renews external golf-spray contract while staff pursue pesticide licenses","audioSeconds",193,"startMs",1966000,"endMs",2159000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247851-4a685fcbb9fddff5e5aff6e6f2ba5512&start=1966&end=2159","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247851-4a685fcbb9fddff5e5aff6e6f2ba5512/thumbnail_1966000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6345919/Michigan-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Board-renews-external-golf-spray-contract-while-staff-pursue-pesticide-licenses","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6345919-426e909e64f1cac2f2744523bf202cc6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775702408&Signature=MqbHcXOWzRX6WNAH34Baa0IWrDtNnYFoEal1HpTcT6PVfXxgqq8LiMfRPNWT5KZMjJQ6BCAFURUaEVQi0M9IBxGBveW-SXDXHckfaakhEht1frzQRbABA-t6B~RB~wA8QcIJF7XzYNKh~TmcLmrRgm1AH9o3RwJAjNix6-P0UMn6EjsrRkGwrescvh4L-GtEGE4wQ-pMvk-tpXvVjq0KXe6E6mfQfxae~jGJaGzNvotn2vIvLp-cBkaROJDyaTdPjKM3SOsPzUxI2ym54uGOWPrpf327bl~UWS0KIqRW~Rpm9AzxglM8UFjRHHZAAQIbOEHkns3Or8qsJWJhFuz3mQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Michigan City, IN","date","2025-02-06T21:38:29Z","article","The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board on Feb. 5 approved a professional-services agreement for contracted golf spraying with Tony Staley of Specialized Services for a third consecutive year while staff work to obtain licenses to perform the work in-house.

Shannon told the board the contract is for roughly $40,000 for services only; chemicals are not included and will continue to be purchased by the city. Staff said the contractor is training two department employees, and both the green superintendent and assistant green superintendent have begun the licensing process with testing underway.

Board members and members of the public urged that licensed staff receive compensation adjustments to retain them once certified. Staff said adjustments to salary or step increases would require an internal salary-order process and council approval, and that the 2026 budget process (beginning internally in April) would be the appropriate venue to propose any pay differentials tied to new certifications.

Why it matters: bringing spraying in-house could save the city money over time, but chemicals and oversight remain departmental costs. Training staff reduces vendor dependency, but the board must consider retention incentives for employees who obtain specialized certification.

Staff said the contractor performs some of the work and provides hands-on training so staff are prepared when licensed. The board approved the contract by voice vote and directed staff to monitor licensing progress and include possible compensation changes in future budget discussions.

Ending: Staff will report licensing progress to the board and include any recommended compensation adjustments in budget proposals for 2026.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Michigan City Parks & Recreation Board February 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved a third year of contracted golf spraying at $40,000 while staff are being trained and prepared to take the work in-house; chemicals remain a city expense, and board members discussed potential pay adjustments for licensed staff.","taxTitle","Michigan City, LaPorte County, Indiana","taxId",12510,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6345924,"Singing Sands boardwalk retrofit to close trail for weeks; Phase 3 funding moved to regional planner",146,3132000,3278000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247851-4a685fcbb9fddff5e5aff6e6f2ba5512&start=3132&end=3278","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247851-4a685fcbb9fddff5e5aff6e6f2ba5512/thumbnail_3132000.jpg","/articles/6345924/Michigan-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Singing-Sands-boardwalk-retrofit-to-close-trail-for-weeks-Phase-3-funding-moved-to-regional-planner","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6345924-459c5815c1557f776263e184fca3071d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775702408&Signature=TSiCF5pVjTk9KO4czCXHq3YX2ZAUtRy67Hog4Sj8c9voL0gV~SfwHSwab5cAX8ISeY~RRaDrADHwWj4TJc-C-MGPGWZmO6X51kGiIxOH-YYFbzrGxe2U632yHrPmHO3HTpmQ2OIQ40PDRikbRpxpsqMdK40QSQaD9djxjsY2f5QDi3f7yXaB30HkmABY0~0LoDen78Uqsnu-dkzzMAzPJHGgW8XOqfYYWfhVvmoJyplCXmg86R3eBa6m7pes6uBOWGf8xKCVLljryWLNqqwDz6a3kg1smkWgTcj3btvnZHLa3PcDQ-Mu2-4T4xXoMCUwDDzQwDv-J4FpeCRN7-xXNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Michigan City park staff told the Parks and Recreation Board on Feb. 5 that reconstruction work is needed at a boardwalk near Peanut Bridge after a design review found the structure was not rated for vehicle loads used for maintenance.

The city convened a pre-construction meeting for the retrofit and expects mobilization within about two weeks. Staff estimated the retrofit at roughly $300,000 and said the work could take up to eight weeks; the trail will remain closed while the firm performs the under-structure repairs. The project is being paid by the design firm that originally built the boardwalk.

Concurrently, the city is coordinating with the water department, which is installing a new lift station at Lake Avenue just north of Peanut Bridge. Staff said running both projects together is advantageous because it avoids multiple trail closures.

In separate but related work, Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) is now holding the funds to complete Singing Sands Trail Phase 3. Parks staff reported that a redesign reduced projected costs by slightly more than $1 million, allowing the city match to cover right-of-way acquisition and move the project forward. NIRPC will manage final design, right-of-way services, construction and inspection for Phase 3.

Why it matters: repairs will temporarily close part of the Singing Sands Trail to users for maintenance and construction, and Phase 3 management by a regional agency is intended to accelerate completion using federal highway and transit funding streams.

Staff said construction of the boardwalk retrofit should begin within weeks and that they expect the portion of trail work to be complete in a timeline that fits the agency fiscal cycle, with winter tree work scheduled and construction hoped to be finished in calendar 2026 under NIRPC management.

Ending: Staff will issue press releases and social-media notices about the trail closure and coordinate schedules between contractors to minimize public disruption.","City staff said a design flaw at a recently built Singing Sands boardwalk requires a roughly $300,000 retrofit and will close the trail for about two months; Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission will manage Phase 3 funds after redesign reduced costs by more than $1 million.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6345929,"Officials weigh options as Oasis Splash Park faces $115,000 annual sewer cost",187,3435000,3622000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247851-4a685fcbb9fddff5e5aff6e6f2ba5512&start=3435&end=3622","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247851-4a685fcbb9fddff5e5aff6e6f2ba5512/thumbnail_3435000.jpg","/articles/6345929/Michigan-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Officials-weigh-options-as-Oasis-Splash-Park-faces-115000-annual-sewer-cost","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6345929-bf6a0885eabce0d0198129330656d0fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1775702408&Signature=d9UtnwAvuPxdhSQ2ESyQYcOgyMTBLfNdTBVQLvPiQwyJcvK-J3mtg1NaC4oCZ01gT4xpVCL~UZxfHK86C5MVniENiUXrBogYUfnneh2SgCiieR6RYnGLOJhUbYvT2rfx6vJBBKKN9WjhrVeN1gXT5THsrUzakXCLAX1xWApW3jERIwGmHHZb1MzhRYKaQCuQDMPKohSDiE1G2HbCnd0mC6OI7Cst2qhz67DrR-IedmjerM6Xr6qUjWG2CBI6WEaaBZJCXPwkYqEuAkxQ~BgdU24ZP8CKygzSwYnimsHbwZKLUcbq~wREeJ~HZuLtWZMEjeZxp5hgEpEjM2AhWVX1Uw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Park officials told the Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board on Feb. 5 that the Oasis Splash Park's operating cost could rise dramatically if the city connects it to the sanitary sewer.

Shannon, a parks department staff member, reported that the sanitary district provided figures showing an approximate $115,000 annual cost for water, sewer, electric and labor if the splash park were to hook to the sanitary system. That compares with roughly $40,000 a year the department currently spends on testing and IDEM-required permitting for the splash feature'which now discharges to storm drains with an installed dechlorination system.

Staff said the splash park remains open while they evaluate options, and they have asked the sanitary district whether it can continue required testing for another year to buy time for planning. The department is considering several alternatives, including:
- Continuing current operations and regulatory testing (status quo) while seeking efficiency measures.
- Connecting to the sanitary sewer (estimated $115,000/year operating cost).
- Repurposing the site in line with the park master plan into a multi-use area (courts for pickleball/basketball, festival venue or a convertible surface that could become ice in winter).

Why it matters: the splash park is an existing public amenity that is lightly used, staff said, and the potential annual operating cost of a sanitary hookup would be hard to justify given current usage. The decision would affect operations budgets and the park's use of electricity, water, and staff time.

Board members and staff discussed transitional options, including public outreach and a potential conversion to a multi-use surface with seasonal use. Will, another parks staff member, identified convertible surface systems that could allow summer water play or winter skating; staff noted conversion systems are available but will require further cost analysis.

Shannon told the board she had contacted the mayor and the sanitary district to clarify capacity and test arrangements. Staff said they will continue to operate the facility while seeking options and intend to bring recommendations to the board in coming months.

Ending: Staff emphasized they do not want the feature sitting unused this summer while a long-term decision is made; the board asked for additional cost comparisons and public-notice plans for any major change.","Park staff said a sanitary sewer hookup would cost an estimated $115,000 a year to operate the Oasis Splash Park; current permit and testing costs run about $40,000, and staff are evaluating options including converting the facility to multi-use space.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6345934,"Parks board approves event contracts, purchases and fees in busy February meeting",2015,495000,2510000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247851-4a685fcbb9fddff5e5aff6e6f2ba5512&start=495&end=2510","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247851-4a685fcbb9fddff5e5aff6e6f2ba5512/thumbnail_495000.jpg","/articles/6345934/Michigan-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Parks-board-approves-event-contracts-purchases-and-fees-in-busy-February-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6345934-467f54d4d5351abbe85b15abfe5d624a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775702408&Signature=oFUWt1pmntMciU4gl9O8vdY3aJyuaF0StENj3Rbgudm4b5FdjGgd0haTiy2VOlmcWq3VMJKPOS~z6USrYj3womJ5hG0iJsP3nwBaiyuz8atfDyrKEB-DuDHbfResAAxWJTBe8XOwPh9ghc2A6eTnJ8Ecfywx9iG5BhnS7G~cicqUmEXLQAFIFfNTY6ek84ZNHOnBKkQPriarOMDnHB-5PmM08I~lORvgAJdcl4WLKc8MgO468utJAMl6NTT0wtJ5GVPmofMR5YI4nFGuBTUbfvJP10IZK9wdjO0kbKtFLXNKvF~LcPPelNB5Y5XFYBHMtXbYmymetClCzsv~3SWwWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board on Wednesday approved a series of event licenses, vendor contracts, equipment purchases and a $40 special-event parking fee for major summer events, the board said. Most measures were adopted by voice vote after staff presentation and brief discussion.

Board members voted to accept the park department's fourth-quarter 2024 report and to approve multiple event agreements including the Jump Rope Competition, the Walk to End Alzheimer's license, a Fish Thief documentary screening at the Senior Center on March 9, and a three-year Great Lakes Grand Prix contract with the Convention & Visitors Bureau that removes the jet-ski portion of the event. The board also approved a two-year lease renewal for the Harbor Country Adventures greenhouse, renewed a Pepsi vendor contract, extended a ServiceScape landscape-maintenance contract for 2025, and approved a liability adjustment for JB West to complete zoo roof repairs.

Why it matters: the approvals set the schedule and vendor arrangements for major summer events, lock in concessions and sponsorship arrangements, and authorize purchases and repairs that affect operations through the spring and summer seasons.

Among purchases and operational decisions, the board authorized a special-purchase repair for Truck No. 5 after an accident, approved the special purchase of a new Ford F-250 with plow (the vehicle purchase is funded in part from ARPA funds), and renewed a $40,000 annual professional-services agreement for contracted golf spraying until in-house staff become licensed. The board also accepted a $50,000 grant agreement from the Dulin Health Council toward construction of the Fetters Alley playground project.

Votes at a glance (outcomes recorded from meeting proceedings):
- Accept 4Q 2024 Park Department report — approved by voice vote.
- Approve Jump Rope Competition event (Just Alicia Moore Positivity) — approved by motion and voice vote.
- Approve Walk to End Alzheimer's license (annual event, Oct. 4) — approved by voice vote.
- Table \"Soccer in the Sand\" major event licensing to research fees — motion to table carried.
- Harbor Country Adventures greenhouse lease renewal (year 2 of 3-year lease) — approved by voice vote.
- Approve Fish Thief documentary event at Senior Center (Mar. 9) — approved; Trail Creek Watershed to cover police costs.
- Approve Great Lakes Grand Prix contract with Convention & Visitors Bureau (2025) — approved; event will use main lots and additional grass parking (approx. 1,100 spaces + 600 grass spaces); staff raised concerns about lost parking revenue and demand for off-site shuttles.
- Approve placement of Tree of Life sculpture in Memorial Park (two-year lease; art committee pays costs) — approved.
- Authorize repair of Truck No. 5 (special purchase to expedite insurance-approved repairs) — approved.
- Approve special purchase of new Ford F-250 with plow (in-stock vehicle; partly ARPA funds) — approved.
- Approve professional-services agreement for golf spray technician (Tony Staley; $40,000 services; chemicals not included) — approved.
- Approve special event parking fee of $40 per car per day for July 4 fireworks and Great Lakes Grand Prix (Aug. 3) — approved.
- Approve Dulin Health Council $50,000 grant agreement for Fetters Alley playground construction — approved.
- Approve Pepsi concession/vendor contract after legal review — approved.
- Approve ServiceScape 2025 landscape contract renewal for Millennium Plaza — approved.
- Approve JB West umbrella-liability adjustment for zoo roof repairs (lower umbrella for this contract under carrier agreement) — approved.
- Accept claims docket ($259,755.25) and payrolls for January (two pay periods) — approved.

Several items were approved after staff described operational details (parking logistics, insurance, and whether vendors provide equipment). Board members and multiple members of the public raised concerns about event parking losses, trash and labor costs for large events, and ensuring contracts do not obligate the city to unwanted marketing placements. Staff said lost parking revenue is included in event cost calculations and that special-event parking fees help offset municipal costs.

The board unanimously carried most motions by voice vote; when details such as specific vote tallies were not read, meeting minutes record approval by the standard \"All in favor, say aye\" format and no recorded no votes were announced.

The meeting also produced several items the board will return to in coming months, including fee research for the Soccer in the Sand major event and follow-up on insurance and liability language tied to construction contractors.

Notes: The board's legal reviewer on the Pepsi contract was named as attorney Laura Nuremberg. Staff used ARPA funds as part of the funding for the F-250 purchase and said the purchase would proceed because a dealer offered government-discounted pricing.","The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board on Feb. 5 approved a bundle of event licenses, vendor contracts, equipment purchases and a $40 special-event parking fee while tabling one event for further research.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board renews external golf-spray contract while staff pursue pesticide licenses

Singing Sands boardwalk retrofit to close trail for weeks; Phase 3 funding moved to regional planner

Officials weigh options as Oasis Splash Park faces $115,000 annual sewer cost

Parks board approves event contracts, purchases and fees in busy February meeting