Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks And Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Flat Rock Park Foundation pledges three-year support for Southside Project; council approves second part-time ranger
Summary
The Flat Rock Park Foundation offered $50,000 per year for three years to support the Southside Project and to help pursue grants, and council approved creating a second part-time park ranger position to begin July 9, 2026. The foundation reported $522,000 in fund balance and about $293,000 reimbursed to the village this fiscal year.
The Flat Rock Park Foundation told Village Council on June 11 that it is willing to provide additional support for the proposed Southside Project of $50,000 per year for three years and to assist in identifying and pursuing grant funding. Tracey Daniels, Development Director for the Foundation, read the board's statement and said the Foundation will meet with village staff and council members to work out next steps.
Vice Mayor Toner summarized Foundation finances: as of the end of May the Foundation reported a total fund balance of $522,000, of which about $486,000 is unrestricted. The Foundation noted a decline in donations this year because there is no active Southside Project to attract donors. The board discussed a fourth-quarter reimbursement to the Village of $72,022; added to prior quarterly reimbursements of roughly $28,000, that brings Foundation reimbursements to the Village to about $100,000 for the fiscal year. Including a $193,260.86 reimbursement for Dye Creek, total Village reimbursement this fiscal year will be approximately $293,000.
Following the Foundation statement council members discussed having Equinox or another contractor prepare a smaller-impact plan for the Southside Project. By consensus Council Member Bass, Vice Mayor Toner and Tracey Daniels will meet to determine next steps.
Park staff also recommended adding a second part-time ranger. Park Director Michael Dages described the proposed position and said the schedule and job description would match the existing part-time ranger; the target start date is July 9, 2026. Council Member Bass moved to create the second part-time ranger position and to begin advertising; Council Member Carpenter seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Council also discussed the playground shade structure proposal and noted that a shade-structure expense in the Foundation's budget has not yet occurred. Council deferred action on an amendment to Ordinance No. 91 (Park Rules) after notifying the village attorney for review.
The Foundation said it is using a pro-bono legal consultant to review by-laws and a financial memorandum of understanding with the Village; once that review is complete, the Foundation intends to present recommended updates to council.
