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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark Board Minutes 04.08.26PARK BOARD MEETING MEETING FOSTER COMMUNITY CENTER Wednesday April 8th, 2026 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Mike Dombrowski, Kimberly Whitfield, Nate Scramlin, Isaac Francisco, Joan Lenhard, Tirstan Walters, Ravynne Gilmore, Christopher Greene-Szmadzinski CALL TO ORDER: 6:40 P.M. Foster Community Center I. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA Added B to New Business, moved of Old Business to III. Joan Lenhard moved as amended, Tirstan Walters seconded. Passed unanimously II. BOARD MEETING MINUTES A. March 11th, 2026 - Nate Scramlin moved as amended, Ravynne Gilmore seconded, passed unanimously. B. March 17th, 2026 – Approval tabled until the May meeting. III. OLD BUSINESS A. Riverfront Dr. - Lansing Shuffle Act 33 Sale Mike Dombrowski asked the director to clarify the lease agreement. The director gave some information and the board was provided additional information by Kris Klein from the LEDC. Board members discussed the public input that they gathered in the previous weeks and the concerns that the public had over the particulars of this sale. There was additional discussion about the funding levels currently of the Community Foundation. Mike Dombrowski discussed a financial analysis that he computed of different scenarios of the timing of the sale or retention for this property. Public Comments relating to shuffle: Don Dean: Is opposed to the sale due to concerns about the proposed Lorretta Stanaway: Is opposed to the sale due to concern about a possible change in the Mayors policies regarding the property if there is a change in city administration and concerns about restrictions on funds from the community foundation and concerns about the use of the remaining park land. Brian Smith: Wants the Shuffle to succeed without the city having to sell the property. Rob Booker: Is an investor in the shuffle. Wanted to inform the board that his organization has over 4 Million invested into the building and discussed their current commitment to investing in a thriving Lansing. Yace Hang: Is an owner of a restaurant that leases a space within the Shuffle. He wanted to let the board know about how many new visitors the Shuffle brings to Lansing and how safe the place feels for families and how the area feels safer due to the business activity and events that the Shuffle brings to the area. He highlighted the benefits of the Shuffle for the public and is proud of the business that his family has built and wants to see the Shuffle continue. Jon Hartzell: Discussed his feelings of when considering the decision who represents the community, confirmed that his organization has made additional investments Sheila Contreras: Asked if the lease is publicly available and wants parkland to stay in public hands and is concerned and remembers the city market and waterfront grill and feels that the city did not support those businesses and asked about the financial analysis that Mike Dombrowski computed. Mike Lyon let the board know that earlier he had been completely against the sale but also wants the shuffle to be vialble and is concerned that the community only shows up with concerns when it is too late and is now after hearing more information and is now indifferent about the proposal. Denee Barr and wanted to speak about the health of a population is improved by public spaces. Additional questions then were discussed by the board about the current lease and language in the lease regarding the sale of the property. Joan Lenhard moved, Nate Scramlin seconded to have the park board recommends to council to put the Lansing Shuffle Act 33 Sale on the ballot. The Board agreed to a Role Call Vote: Mike Dombrowski: Nay Kimberly Whitfield: Nay Nate Scramlin: Yea Isaac Francisco: Abstain Joan Lenhard: Yea Tirstan Walters: Nay Ravynne Gilmore: Nay Christopher Greene-Szmadzinski: Yea Votes: 3 for, 4 against, 1 abstention. Motion failed. B. NFC Innovation Zone – Discussion of this was tabled for the April Meeting C. Michigan Waterways Stewards Eco Zone -There has been a request from Mike Stout of the Michigan Waterways Stewards to have the board recommend to council to have an ordinance change that would establish an Eco Zone near our waterways. Part of the ordinance change would increase fines for littering within the zone. The board had discussion on solutions to reduce littering especially near the rivers. The director had a meeting with the city attorney, MWS, and the mayors office to discuss. There were also a lot of concern about unauthorized camping near the river and how the safety of people could be effected by seasonal flooding. RG talked about the benefits of adding trash cans to the public areas. Isaac Francisco was concerned about the risk of floods and injuries caused by hydraulic action. There was a suggestion to add flood zone maps for outreach materials. There are other cities that have tried sanctioning areas for encampments that has low success due to issues associated with cleanup.There is a current unauthorized near Elm St. D. Westside Green Space Update – Scribbles and Giggles is up for sale. There is an interested buyer. The next step would be to approach the realtor but the time frame would be a purchase for 2029. This was tabled. IV. NEW BUSINESS A. Director Transition: Joan Lenhard asked about the transition process and the selection process for the next director. There was a discussion about the Mayor’s role in appointing the new Director and about the current staffing configuration within the department. The Director and Board also discussed in broad terms the different roles for staff within the department and opportunities for continued advancement within the department. B. Authorized Spokesperson for the board: The Director will be sending the communication policy to the board for review in the May meeting. V. UPDATES A. Community Center Study – There are 15 more days for the public to give input for this surve. So far the department has 200 responses but would like about 500 responses. There will be more follow up meetings, there have been some focus group studies. The director attended several constituate meetings with council members. The questions that are emphasized is the location of the Centers. There has also been a school added the Alfreda Schmidt Community and the gym is currently being shared and there is a need to look at the needs of the neighborhoods and the department will make determination of the locations of the centers based on needs. The director will be sharing more information with the board about this study. B. mParks Conference C. Marshall Basketball Courts D. March 18th Fenner and Gier Parking E. Waverly Property Closed IV. CORRESPONDENCE Jonathan Biron – Sale of Shuffle Rejection Gabriel Biber – Fenner Conservancy Mitch Rice – Fenner Nature Center Maple Grove Pavilion Nancy Mahlow – Lansing Shuffle Laurie Baumer – Lansing Shuffle V. INFORMATION VIII. REMARKS BY BOARD MEMBERS IX. STATEMENTS OF CITIZENS All meetings of the Park Board shall be open to the public. Those in attendance shall have the opportunity to speak on any issue related to parks and recreation services not otherwise on the agenda at the end of the meeting and may speak on any agenda issue during the meeting after park board members have had an opportunity to discuss the issue or prior to the board voting on the issue. The President may impose a time limit on public comments. Sheila Contreras spoke about upcoming improvements to St Joe Park Don Dean spoke about Bankroft Park Meeting Closed at 9:06