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Board waives field fees for Michigan City Strikers, asks staff to prepare an MOU
Summary
The Parks Board approved waiving fees for the Michigan City Strikers for the current season, conditioned on staff producing a memorandum of understanding for future waivers; players and residents described volunteer maintenance and small team budgets during public comment.
The Michigan City Parks & Recreation Board voted June 3 to waive field rental fees for the Michigan City Strikers for the current season, with the caveat that staff prepare a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to formalize future fee waivers.
Jose Miller, who identified himself as representing the Michigan City Strikers, told the board the group has used Patriot Park for roughly 14 years, organizes four teams on Wednesdays with 35–45 children and helps maintain fields and equipment. "So I'm asking if the fees could be waived," Miller said. Miller said the group is not a nonprofit and pays for liability insurance through the regional league.
Parks staff explained that field use agreements and fees are set by policy. Miss Eason, the superintendent, said staff recommends using an MOU similar to the one the department has with the Wolf soccer league so waivers are transparent and consistent.
Board discussion referenced city practice of reducing permit fees for certain nonprofit activity; a board member said that approach aligned with recent city actions. Public commenters urged the waiver, with resident Brandon Diaz warning that higher fees could "potentially dissolve our team" by increasing per-player costs; another resident suggested the mayor's office could be asked to help offset costs.
A board member moved to approve the fee waiver for the Strikers for the current period, adding that a formal MOU should be presented to the board for future waivers; the motion passed.
Why it matters: The decision maintains a longstanding local youth/senior soccer program and affirms the board’s preference for formal agreements to document fee-exemption decisions going forward.
What’s next: Staff will draft an MOU and present it to the board for formal approval; the current-season waiver is effective immediately.
