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Mitchell parks board approves campground rate increase, arena lighting, vending and metal‑detector policies
Summary
The Mitchell Parks and Recreation Board on Feb. 13 approved a set of administrative changes: a proposed campground rate increase for 2025, arena lighting installed by Mitchell Hockey, a mobile‑vending permit framework and a policy limiting soil disturbance during metal‑detector use. The board also approved routine minutes and bills.
The Mitchell Parks and Recreation Board voted Feb. 13 to approve a package of operational items including 2025 campground rates, arena lighting proposed by Mitchell Hockey and new park‑use rules for mobile vendors and metal detectors.
The board opened the meeting by approving the minutes and the bills with unanimous voice votes. Later in the session members approved placement of trial flags, arena lighting requested by Mitchell Hockey, the campground rate schedule for 2025 and two park‑use policies: a mobile‑vending permit process and a metal‑detector policy that allows detectors but forbids digging or other disturbance of soils to recover finds.
Kevin, a parks staff presenter, briefed the board on the campground proposal and auxiliary budget items, citing an engineering bill for tornado‑shelter work and a small set of unexpected facility repairs earlier in January, including a glycol leak of roughly $3,700 and a separate gas/leak repair handled by Tessier’s. Phil of TK Electric described lighting plans for the ice arena as “adding some stage lighting to make it more fun for the kids,” and said the system would be wireless and controlled from the crow’s nest.
On policy matters the board approved a mobile‑vending permit modeled on another city’s framework with a 10‑day advance application requirement for one‑time events and limits on motorized vehicles in park interior areas; the policy also includes a roughly 200‑yard radius rule intended to avoid conflicts with organized concessions. The board also approved a metal‑detector policy, developed after consultation with legal counsel, that permits detector use but prohibits disturbing soil with shovels, forks or similar tools; the policy was adopted in part to provide a basis for charging repair costs if digging damages park property.
Board members discussed next steps on several agenda items that were not before them for action, including options for the marina roof and Sudie Kelly Pines improvements, shoreline and lakeshore projects that could arise when Lake Mitchell is drained, continued tree removals, and the Forest Master Plan and tennis court capital needs. Parks staff said engineering will inspect some structures and that tennis‑court lighting and pole replacement estimates have been as high as about $300,000.
The board set its next meeting for March and adjourned after unanimous votes on the day’s motions.
