Steele County park board approves roof contract, authorizes pickleball court plan and tightens lease payment rules

The Steele County Park Board on Feb. 4 accepted a local contractor's bid to replace a restaurant roof, gave conditional approval for a pickleball court layout proposed by the Golden Lake Improvement Association and tightened enforcement on seasonal lease-lot payments.

Board members voted to accept Charlie's bid for the restaurant roof after hearing the contractor's estimate on labor and noting weather-related scheduling delays. The motion to accept the bid carried without an announced roll call.

The board discussed a longstanding shelter project and contractor availability; members said materials for that project have been ordered and that contractor Charlie would review the scope and provide a formal bid later. On the restaurant roof, board members said the materials are at Findlay Lumber and paid for, and the contractor indicated he would begin work when weather permits.

On lease lots at the park, the board approved a policy to keep the current $8.50 rate for renewals this year and to add a late-fee procedure: leases due May 1 with a one-month grace period and a $50 late fee if not paid; continued nonpayment could result in lease revocation and removal of the tenant's trailer. Members directed staff to include the language in the new lease forms and to send renewal notices in February.

A substantive debate focused on placement of a proposed pickleball court. Association representatives presented a revised site plan that shifts parking to the east side and organizes parking stalls. The board weighed keeping open camping space versus allowing the court. After discussion the board voted by roll call to approve the site layout in Jason's drawing on condition that the Golden Lake Improvement Association maintain the court and grounds and provide a formal agreement. Voting as recorded in the meeting: [named votes captured during the roll call included Richard (no), Chris (yes), Ed (no); other commissioners voted yes, and the motion carried].

The board and association discussed contracting details. Charlie asked who would be the contracting parties; the board confirmed the contract would be between the Steele County Park Board and the Golden Lake Improvement Association. Association representatives said they are a state-registered organization (they described having a nine- or ten-person board and recent filings). Board members asked the association to provide registration paperwork and a designated contact for the contract; staff agreed to circulate that information to the county commission and include a draft agreement for review.

Members also discussed restroom accessibility in a park restroom that is too small to meet current accessibility standards with added partitions. Maintenance staff advised that installing partitions would render the restroom noncompliant; the board authorized staff to consult Jake (maintenance) and report back whether removing one fixture to leave a single toilet or other measures would be acceptable.

The board asked Charlie to prepare any contract language and the Golden Lake group to provide registration and contact details. The park board will review the contract draft and return it to the county commission for final approval.

Ending: Board members scheduled follow-up review at a future meeting once association documentation and a draft contract are available and after maintenance checks on the restroom. The roof and shelter work will proceed based on contractor availability and weather.