Parks board approves solar charging station, seeks bids for mold remediation and paving quotes

The Evansville City Parks Board approved several routine parks projects and administrative actions at its meeting, including a solar charging station at Eleventh Avenue Park and requests to solicit bids or quotes for maintenance and repairs.

The board voted to approve adding a solar charging station to Eleventh Avenue Park. The motion passed on roll call with Commissioners Stewart, Bates, Kenny, Klinger and Peterman recorded as voting "Yes." No speaker representing the proposal addressed the board at the meeting.

The board also authorized staff to seek bids to remediate mold in the Swander Ice Arena fitness center after staff described HVAC and rooftop-unit malfunctions that led to condensation and mold on interior drywall. An unnamed facilities presenter said the main rooftop unit that controls heating and air for the fitness center had failed; damper motors were pulling in humid outside air rather than exhausting it, causing condensation and moisture that resulted in mold growth. The board approved soliciting bids.

Assistant Director Paul Bausman told the board staff would seek quotes to pave the Stockwell gravel parking lot, which sees heavy use and maintenance issues; the board approved moving forward to gather quotes for an asphalt upgrade. Bausman also noted crews will pave the McDonald's golf-course parking lot next week as part of routine operations and invited Ward 2 residents to a parks chat on Nov. 3 at Washington Square Mall.

Earlier in the meeting the board approved routine administrative items including accepting a memorandum and approving payroll and vendor claims. With no further business, the board adjourned.

Next steps: staff will solicit bids and quotes as authorized, and the board will take up the park bond hearing continuation and related resolutions at the Oct. 30 meeting.