Parks Board approves mobile non‑alcoholic beverage vendor contract; hears budget, storm and staffing reports

The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board voted July 1 to approve a 2026 contract with Culinary Ventures LLC for a mobile non‑alcoholic beverage vendor so the operator can begin service as soon as the July 4 weekend, after the vendor submitted a certificate of insurance and the city attorney drafted the agreement.

The action came after staff said the contract reflected a reduced daily fee because the unit is a beverage truck rather than a food truck. The vendor, Mr. Armstrong, thanked the board and staff: "Pleasure to be here," and later said, "I also would like to say thank you to you all for, you know, moving at the speed that you did to make this happen for me." Staff told the board they had hoped the vendor could begin service by July 4.

Why it matters: The contract enables a vendor presence at park events and was timed so the vendor could participate in the busy July events calendar. The board approved several routine financial items as well: municipal claims totaling $253,782.91 and golf petty cash of $3,146.20 (total claims $256,929.11), payroll number 13 (June 7–20) totaling $124,668.94, gifts and donations including $1,000 from the Leaport County Convention and Visitors Bureau and an anonymous $138.50 zoo donation, and a set of minor fund transfers. All motions were seconded and carried by voice vote.

Budget, capital projects and events: Superintendent Mrs. E. told the board that she and a colleague completed the 2027 budget and capital requests and will distribute materials for formal board approval at the July 15 meeting; she said staff are "way ahead of schedule." She also reported Feder's Alley bids came in over budget and staff are working on value‑engineering options and continuing fundraising conversations with the mayor to preserve as much of the project scope as possible. Mrs. E. said she ordered a replacement bronze plaque for Millennium Plaza; the new plaque will read "Roger Key Memorial Plaza." She noted there are 57 events and programs in July and reported no vandalism in park properties.

Operations and storm impacts: Golf course superintendent Michael Moore reported that June brought about 9.5 inches of rain, forced multiple course closures and caused tree damage after a June 11 storm. He said a forester inspected damaged oaks that were removed and that Reliable Tree Service has begun stump grinding. Moore said not running irrigation during the wet period saved roughly 2 million gallons of water. He also said the department is facing a staffing shortfall after the assistant superintendent left on June 3: "I'm the only full‑time employee right now," he said, adding the department has six seasonal workers and that he is seeking three full‑time hires.

Public comment and maintenance requests: Resident Tommy Kavik praised recent events — including the Junth event, the music festival, the food truck fest and Pride Fest — and urged the board to consider returning regular food‑truck nights at Pullman Park. Later in the public comment period he described sanitary problems with porta‑potties after events and asked the department to inspect units or restrict access until they are serviced. He also asked staff to remove two large stumps and to replant about a dozen trees along Lakeshore Drive that he described as dead. In the record he first gave his address as 1316 High Street and was later recorded as saying 1316 Ohio Street; that discrepancy appears in the meeting record.

What’s next: Staff will distribute the completed 2027 budget and capital request materials for board review ahead of a planned vote at the July 15 meeting. Feder's Alley remains under review while staff pursue value engineering and additional fundraising; no construction will begin until after Labor Day, per staff remarks.

The meeting concluded after the board approved routine financial items and heard public comment.