The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board on Thursday approved several 2025 vendor agreements, accepted the municipal band performance schedule and two donations, and tabled a memorandum of understanding with the Zoological Society for further review.

Board action came during the Jan. 2 meeting after brief staff descriptions and limited public comment. The approved items formalize vendor access and seasonal programming on city beaches and parks, and the board accepted two small donations to park operations.

The board voted to approve the 2025 memorandum of understanding with Windy City Kite Sports, a recurring vendor that has provided lessons on city shores in prior years. A separate 2025 memorandum of understanding with Ryan Wellman to operate eFoil lessons was also approved; that agreement includes an added access point at the east end of Fetters Alley to provide an alternative to the California Avenue launch, which staff said often lacks nearby parking. Both approvals were moved, seconded and adopted by voice vote; the meeting record shows no roll-call tallies.

The board tabled discussion of the 2025 Zoological Society memorandum of understanding, requesting further consideration at a later meeting. The motion to table was made and seconded and carried by voice vote.

The board also accepted the 2025 Michigan City municipal band schedule. Board members noted the band will rehearse on Tuesdays and perform free public concerts on Thursdays; the printed schedule was approved by voice vote.

In other business, the board accepted two donations: an unspecified $100 miscellaneous park donation and a $250 donation in memory of Eugene King. The board’s representative for finance moved acceptance and the motion carried.

Staff reported several routine announcements during the meeting: youth baseball sign-ups will begin Jan. 15; the Michigan City chess club will meet at Memorial Hall starting Jan. 20 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.; and the parks department’s Lakeside Life newsletter will publish a Jan. 6 issue with a link to a new “auto app” online registration system. Staff said the app will be paid for through user fees and will cost the department nothing directly.

Board members also reviewed annual golf-pass sales figures: the department sold six more passes than the previous year, generating $56,100 more in income, according to staff comments. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, which carried by voice vote.

Votes at a glance
- Accept minutes of Dec. 18, 2024: motion moved and seconded; voice vote; motion carries (no roll-call tally specified).
- Table 2025 Zoological Society MOU: motion moved and seconded; outcome: tabled by voice vote.
- Approve 2025 MOU with Windy City Kite Sports: motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote.
- Approve 2025 MOU with Ryan Wellman (eFoil) including second access at Fetters Alley: motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote.
- Approve 2025 Michigan City municipal band schedule: motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote.
- Accept gifts and donations ($100 miscellaneous; $250 in memory of Eugene King): motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote.
- Adjourn meeting: motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote.

The board did not record individual vote tallies in the public transcript; actions were approved by voice vote unless noted as tabled.