Park committee approves recreational boating fund grant agreement; staff lays out Memorial Park renovations and event plans

The New London Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee voted to approve a recreational boating fund grant agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and authorized staff to complete the paperwork to accept the funding.

"So this is just, the formal paperwork that needs to be submitted. Accept the funding from the state, remembering that this is a recreational boating fund grant," Parks staff member Ginger said while describing the agreement and the reimbursement process.

Committee members moved and seconded the motion to approve the grant; the meeting transcript records the vote as "Aye" and the chair announced, "Motion carried." Staff said the signed agreement must be returned "ASAP" so the city can receive the funds and that the project will go through a bid process once design and McMahon's review are complete.

At the same meeting, Ginger outlined several ongoing projects and seasonal operations: a final walk-through has been completed and staff are awaiting input from engineering firm McMahon before putting the project out to bid; $50,000 in capital funds are set aside for renovations to Memorial Park restrooms and sewer; stadium restrooms underwent an in-house renovation; and a Memorial Park planning group including youth baseball, youth softball, the historical village and the high school will meet regularly to coordinate improvements. Ginger also said youth softball has been actively fundraising for the park.

Ginger said she hopes to have Craig Chiu from Ayers attend the next meeting to present a full update on the Newton Blackmore Bridge project. She said McMahon has included a crosswalk in the scope of work being planned near the school area and that staff have discussed a lighted crosswalk with Robert and other partners.

Staff also reported event logistics for the spring and summer season: the bathrooms have opened for the season; the May Festival (MayFest) committee had to buy gravel after a vendor did not return to finish delivery; the Go Green company dropped one load of gravel and did not return; and organizers were advised to stay to the park's outer edge where conditions are wetter. The city has received new planters and garbage cans but deployment was delayed because the supplier did not have the correct forklift and the planters will be installed at the end of the month once logistics and invoicing are finalized.

The committee scheduled its next meeting for Tuesday, June 3, and discussed possibly keeping the earlier 5 p.m. start time for shorter agendas but acknowledged the start time makes attendance difficult for some members.

No ordinance, statute or other legal requirement was cited during the discussion beyond the grant paperwork and standard procurement and reimbursement processes described by staff.