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Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee
Wednesday May 15th, 2024
City Hall Room 204 at 5:30pm
MINUTES
Present: Sarah De La Rosa, Aaron Bodbyl-Mast, Hillery Ross-Furse, David Ruck, Roberta King,
John Burt, Mayor Ken Johnson, Lynette Marks, Leann Heywood
Absent: Sidney Long
Meeting called to order at 5:34 pm.
I. Approval of 4/17/2024 Minutes
A. Motion Burt, second by Bodbyl-Mast to approve the April Meeting Minutes,
unanimously approved.
Motion Passes
II. June & July Meetings (Juneteenth Conflict)
A. Due to the Juneteenth holiday recognized by the City of Muskegon and the
recreation staff running a summer camp in July.
B. Motion by Ross-Furse, second by De La Rosa to move June 19 meeting to June
26; unanimously approved.
Motion passes
III. 2024 Parks & Recreation Budget Discussion
A. Kyle says the two positions proposed by the committee were denied by City
management. Mayor Johnson says it’s the commission’s decision and they could
decide to deviate. Kyle will get the recommendation on the budget from this
advisory committee and present it to the commission. It is the finance
department's recommendation for a 5% budget cut. Mayor Johnson mentions
the potential transfer of the two City events will free up the time of the two
current recreation employees to do other things in lieu of the denied positions.
B. Kyle goes over some recreation budget details. De La Rosa asks if we get senior
millage money. Kyle has a zoom in the morning with Trinity to ask for their senior
money. Lynette asks about working with the schools and using the facilities like
the pool for open swim. She can help with the approach to the school when we
are ready.
C. De La Rosa feels it is realistic to gradually increase recreation and show that we
did it successfully and can do more later. Mayor Johnson suggests a split between
fiscal years for funds.
D. Bodbyl-Mast talks about how the surveys of other surrounding cities show that
parks are popular. However, if we can’t afford it, maybe we need to go another
path if this is what we want. Ruck wants to paint the picture of what’s possible
versus painting within the line. He asks about parks trust or a community
foundation. Mayor Johnson says operations need to be held within this budget.
E. Leann envisions “something for everyone” recreation. Something for seniors,
something for adults in the evening, as well as something for kids.
F. Motion by Bodbyl-Mast, second by King to support Kyle’s budget as presented
with a recreation Supervisor starting January 1 and to add additional support for
the creation and filling of a grant writer; unanimously approved.
Motion Passes
IV. Master Planning Updates – Kyle goes over feedback from the masterplan meetings in the
parks. Explains that they will draft up a plan from the meetings and create an online
survey. Here are some of the most common things brought up.
A. Campbell Field – it is a mud pit
B. Richards – Getting a pedestrian path from Ottawa; Accessible kayak ramp and
accessible access to bike path
C. Kruse – Lots of positive feedback on the new stairs; Bodbyl-Mast brings up the
sinking storm sewer issue
D. McGraft – Master Plan meeting currently going tonight (4 concepts presented)
Excitement about pickleball courts
E. Hartshorn – Kyle would like accessible fishing immediately – Idea Day is June 3rd
(4:30-6:30pm)
F. South PM Restroom – moving along , hopefully on track for fall construction
V. Public Comment
A. Kim Wood – Steward of Ryerson Creek – getting paid 25 hours a week to help
1. We do not have to fund all of our recreation. We are leaving lots of
money on the table with grants and organization – she supports the
position of the rec coordinator. Would love to do a disc golf class for kids.
VI. Motion by Ruck, second by Marks to adjourn; unanimously approved.
Motion passes
Meeting adjourned at 7:06pm
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