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Parks superintendent reports more than $95,000 in storm damage; city tree board awarded $1 million grant
Summary
Superintendent Ethan reported storm damage quotes topping $95,000 for parks assets and said the department opened an insurance claim; he also announced a Health Foundation grant awarding seven AED units valued at about $17,000 and that the city tree board received a $1 million grant for removal and replacement planning.
Ethan, superintendent for Michigan City Parks and Recreation, told the board June 4 that the department sustained significant storm damage in mid-May and has collected initial repair quotes totaling a little over $95,000. Ethan described the largest single quote as $86,200 to repair the Singing Sand fence and listed other estimates including $4,000 to replace damaged golf-course power components, $1,385 in spoiled concession food, and $3,600 to repair an elevator electrical component at Northpointe.
Why it matters: Ethan said the department has opened an insurance claim and is collecting quotes to schedule repairs. He stressed that the costs and scheduling are subject to the insurance review and contractor availability.
Ethan also announced that Melissa Morani, a parks staff member, secured a grant from the Health Foundation of La Porte that will provide seven automated external defibrillators (AEDs), two wall-mounted cabinet units, and signage. Ethan said the equipment package would be worth about $17,000 if purchased through department budgets and congratulated Morani for writing her first successful grant.
On urban forestry, Ethan reported the city tree board received a $1 million grant for tree removal, replacement planning and maintenance; the board intends to prioritize roughly 400 trees for removal this year and will coordinate replanting and maintenance. He reminded the board that, under the Indiana bat rule, tree removal is restricted after Oct. 1 and that the grant work must adhere to that timing and related requirements.
Ethan said the department will coordinate with the newly hired forester, track maintenance responsibilities for new plantings and keep the parks board informed as the grant and insurance processes move forward. He also noted other revenue and attendance updates, including a ribbon-cutting at Water Tower Park that he estimated drew more than 80 attendees.
