Town of Cedar Lake
Park Board
Regular Meeting Minutes

Pledge of Allegiance

Ms. Brannon called the meeting to order and led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance. She welcomed new Park Board member Tracy Isaac, appointed to fill the vacancy left by David Jostes's resignation.

Meeting Called to Order: 5:30 p.m.

Roll Call

Agenda Amendments

1. Add Vice President Election

Ms. Brannon requested the agenda be amended to add election of a Vice President to fill the vacancy left by Mr. Jostes's departure.

Motion to amend the agenda to add a Vice President election made by Mr. Marquardt; seconded by Ms. Howard.

Motion carries, 4–0.

2. Add Park Maintenance Shop Location Discussion

Ms. Brannon requested the agenda be amended to add discussion of potential locations for a park maintenance shop under New Business.

Motion to amend the agenda to add discussion of a park maintenance shop location made by Ms. Howard; seconded by Mr. Marquardt.

Motion carries, 4–0.

Consent Agenda

1. Minutes: June 25, 2026 regular meeting.
2. Claims: Parks & Rec General Fund — $25,084.19; Park Impact Fee Fund — $0.00; Parks & Rec Non-Reverting Fund — $3,682.49; Clubhouse Non-Reverting Fund — $5,475.70. Total Expenditures: $34,242.38.
3. Donations:
   • Bob Groszek — $25 Amazon gift card for the Street Sweeper Naming Contest
   • Ben Kincheloe — $25 Amazon gift card for the Street Sweeper Naming Contest
   • Mary Joan Dickson — $25 Amazon gift card for the Street Sweeper Naming Contest

Motion to approve the consent agenda made by Mr. Marquardt; seconded by Ms. Howard.

Motion carries, 4–0.

Old Business

Bands, Brews, and Bugaboos — Vendor Agreement Amended

Ms. Brannon confirmed the vendor agreements for the band and Bugaboos (approved at the prior meeting) are finalized and in order. Mr. Wiesemann proposed adding an additional food vendor: Remix, a Chamber member business that regularly serves at the museum on Wednesdays. Remix will not sell alcohol and, since only the alcohol vendor (Bugaboos) is subject to a profit-share arrangement, no profit share will be required of Remix. Mr. Wiesemann confirmed he had already spoken with Bugaboos, who are supportive of the additional vendor.

Mr. Wiesemann also proposed inviting two to three artisan/craft vendors (examples discussed: art glass, jewelry, scented candles, handcrafted items) to set up within the roped-off bandstand area during the event, to provide variety during band intermissions.

Motion to accept an additional food vendor (Remix) and additional artisan vendors as located by Mr. Wiesemann made by Ms. Howard; seconded by Ms. Isaac.

Motion carries, 4–0.

New Business

1. Vice President Election — Pam Howard

Ms. Brannon opened the floor for nominations.

Nomination of Pam Howard for Vice President made by Mr. Marquardt; seconded by Ms. Isaac.

Motion carries, 4–0.

2. Interim Superintendent Salary

Ms. Brannon presented a proposed salary of $2,800 biweekly (salary-exempt) for Greg Wiesemann in his role as Interim Superintendent, reflecting his assumption of full Parks Department responsibilities, including oversight of all Parks personnel and the Kiwanis Dog Park.

Motion to approve the Interim Superintendent salary as presented made by Mr. Marquardt; seconded by Ms. Howard.

Motion carries, 4–0.

3. $1 Million Grant Collaboration — Park Board Representative Appointed

Julie Zasada (9430 W. 135th Place), representing the Cedar Lake Historical Association, presented the Association's application to the Crown Point Community Foundation's $1 Million Grant Challenge. As a collaborative grant, the application requires multiple partner organizations; the Historical Association will serve as lead applicant, responsible for writing the grant and, if awarded, disbursing funds to contractors/vendors as needed. The collaborative project must be located on Town Grounds and will draw on feedback gathered through the Cedar Lake Heart and Soul project. Approximately four planning meetings (open to the public) are anticipated to determine the specific project to submit.

Ms. Zasada requested the Park Board appoint a representative to the collaboration team. Ms. Brannon noted her own prior involvement with a related grant round that did not advance, and expressed interest in continuing on this project.

Nomination of Gayle Brannon as the Park Board's representative to the grant collaboration team made by Mr. Marquardt; seconded by Ms. Howard.

Motion carries, 4–0.

4. Certified Playground Safety Inspector Training and Test — Approved

Ms. Brannon reported the training is scheduled September 1–3, 2026 in McCordsville, Indiana. Two employees (Josh Banhart and Chris Titus) will attend: two full days of instruction (8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.) followed by a certification exam on the third day. Total cost, including hotel, is $2,164 (approximately $964 of which is lodging).

Discussion addressed whether a retention/repayment agreement should apply if a newly certified employee leaves Town employment shortly after certification, similar to existing Police (5-year commitment, $10,000 repayment) and Fire (36-month commitment, $7,500 repayment) agreements. Mr. Wiesemann indicated he is gathering comparison information from other municipalities and from HR, and will bring a recommendation to the September meeting; a decision on any repayment terms is not required before the training itself is approved, since the training registration deadline precedes the next meeting.

Motion to approve the training and testing for the two employees to become Certified Playground Safety Inspectors made by Mr. Marquardt; seconded by Ms. Howard.

Motion carries, 4–0.

5. Anytime Fitness Bootcamp Agreement — Approved

Mr. Wiesemann presented a proposal from Anytime Fitness to host a free community bootcamp event near the bandstand on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., open to all fitness levels and tailored to participants' abilities. In exchange, Anytime Fitness offered the Park Foundation table/booth space at the event and agreed to cross-promote the Parks Department going forward.

Motion to approve the Anytime Fitness Bootcamp event for September 12, 2026 made by Pam Howard; seconded by Ms. Isaac.

Motion carries, 4–0.

6. Lake County Special Olympics — Duck Pluck — Support Approved

Ms. Brannon summarized the Duck Pluck fundraiser presented to the Town Council on August 4 (1,000 numbered rubber ducks sold at $10 each, released into Cedar Lake on October 7, 2026, with prizes of $500, $250, and three $100 prizes). The organization requested Park Board approval to use the Town shelter for setup and to close the beach to swimmers/patrons during the event. Mr. Wiesemann confirmed the organization cannot advertise the event until formal approval is received from all involved bodies, and that sales will occur primarily at area Farmers Markets.

Motion to support and promote the Special Olympics Duck Pluck event and authorize use of the beach and shelter as requested made by Ms. Howard; seconded by Ms. Isaac.

Motion carries, 4–0.

7. Clubhouse and Polk Street Well Decommissioning — Approved

Ms. Brannon explained two unused wells require decommissioning per water department requirements (a well must be capped after five years of disuse): one at the Polk Street entrance to Potawatomi Park (discovered unexpectedly during recent site work and previously unknown to staff) and one behind the Monastery Clubhouse (unused for an estimated 10–12 years).

Quotes were reviewed: Ortman Well Drilling quoted $20,580 for the clubhouse well alone. Sheehy Well & Pump Co. quoted to decommission the Clubhouse well for $15,000 and the Polk St. well for $690, and Mr. Wiesemann noted Sheehy Well & Pump Co. is a familiar vendor to the water department. Mr. Wiesemann confirmed the clubhouse well work will follow the planned demolition of the clubhouse building.

Motion to accept the Sheehy Well & Pump Co. quote and proceed with decommissioning both the Clubhouse well and the Polk Street/Potawatomi Park well made by Mr. Marquardt; seconded by Ms. Howard.

Motion carries, 4–0.

8. Park Maintenance Shop Location — Recommendation to Town Council

Per the earlier agenda amendment, the Board discussed candidate sites for a dedicated park maintenance shop, needed in part to consolidate equipment currently spread across multiple locations (a particular burden during Summerfest setup/teardown). Three sites were initially identified: (1) a Town-owned property on Morse Street (approximately 13960), where Director of Operations Tim Kubiak has already sited a conceptual 60'×80' building; (2) the Monastery Clubhouse property; and (3) the Parish Avenue dewatering facility site.

The Board eliminated the Monastery Clubhouse option due to its residential surroundings. Mr. Carnahan noted the Parish Avenue property (approximately 114 acres, secured in part through funding obtained by State Senator Sue Landske) was previously discussed by a prior Town Council as a potential multi-purpose sports complex site, including a 2022 special meeting presentation (available on YouTube) addressing softball and Little League facility needs; he cautioned he does not have current direction from the sitting Council on that concept.

The Board agreed to forward two ranked options to the Town Council rather than three: the Morse Street property as the primary recommendation (citing the existing building concept and central location), and the Parish Avenue site as a secondary option, given its potential alignment with a future larger recreational facility.

Motion to recommend to the Town Council the Morse Street property as the primary location and the Parish Avenue dewatering facility site as the secondary location for a park maintenance shop made by Mr. Marquardt; seconded by Ms. Howard.

Motion carries, 4–0.

9. "Everybody Counts" — Clubhouse Use Approved

Mr. Wiesemann reported that Everybody Counts, a state- and federally funded disability rights nonprofit, requested use of the Clubhouse for three open-forum community listening sessions (September 3, 16, and 17, 2026) to gather input from residents with disabilities and their families, to be relayed to state legislators. No cost to the Town beyond the space donation; the Town would also help promote the sessions as a co-sponsor. Mr. Wiesemann confirmed scheduling conflicts with the Thursday morning exercise class were discussed and resolved with the organization.

Motion to amend the agenda and approve donation of Clubhouse use to Everybody Counts, Inc. for the three dates identified, and to serve as event co-sponsor, made by Mr. Marquardt; seconded by Ms. Isaac.

Motion carries, 4–0.

Discussion

Centennial Villas Phase 1 Outlot D and Beacon Pointe Unit 7 Outlot E

Ms. Brannon opened discussion regarding two adjoining HOA-maintained outlot parcels (near King Street, close to the high school) that are becoming Town property per the applicable subdivision ordinance; GIS records already reflect Town ownership, though the deed transfer has not yet formally occurred. She noted the Park Board has no discretion under the current ordinance to decline such transfers or elect cash-in-lieu of property.

Ms. Brannon expressed a broader policy concern: that continuing to passively absorb numerous small, scattered parcels (requiring ongoing mowing/maintenance and additional staffing) may not be the most effective long-term strategy compared to pursuing a larger, master-plan-aligned facility (e.g., a multi-purpose sports/pickleball complex), consistent with feedback gathered through the Parks Master Plan and Comprehensive Plan processes. She asked whether the Board should formally request a voice in future subdivision park decisions — specifically, the option to request the developer's cash-in-lieu contribution (at fair market value) rather than automatically accepting small parcels.

Mr. Carnahan (Town Council liaison) explained the current typical practice — park property or cash-in-lieu is decided by the Town Council at final plat approval, and he has not observed this choice being discussed transparently at recent Council meetings. He noted the concern that eliminating small subdivision-specific parks could be unpopular where residents value having a park within their own neighborhood, but agreed to relay the Board's request for greater input to the Plan Commission and Town Council.

Motion to recommend that the Town Council consider revising the subdivision ordinance to allow the Park Board to review and provide input on new subdivision park space proposals made by Mr. Marquardt; seconded by Ms. Howard.

Motion carries, 4–0.

Tabled Items

Founders Creek Trail — Removed from Table

Motion to remove Founders Creek Trail from the table made by Ms. Howard; seconded by Ms. Isaac.

Motion carries, 4–0.

Mr. Carnahan, representing the Town on the Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC), reported that NIRPC contact Charles Bradstein has indicated a new project number is being assigned to re-establish the Founders Creek Trail project for funding eligibility, and that Clerk-Treasurer Sandberg (the Town's NIRPC project coordinator) has provided the requested information to NIRPC.

Ms. Brannon noted she recalled hearing at a Town Council meeting that the project might be renamed "Cedar Lake Trail" rather than continuing as Founders Creek Trail; Mr. Carnahan indicated he has not received confirmation of a name change. The item remains open for monitoring; no further action was taken.

Reports

Recreation Coordinator Report — Greg Wiesemann

• Attended the July Chamber of Commerce meeting; will attend the August meeting as well to continue building the relationship.
• A Parks Department Facebook post reached approximately 4,400 people — credited to Jenna Norman and Lynn.
• Movies in the Park was a success this season; remaining donation funds are sufficient for one additional movie, proposed as a Halloween-themed family movie in October.
• Farmers Market activities (Nerf battles and water balloon fights) have been very popular — approximately 50 kids for Nerf battles, 70 for water balloons. Lake County Parks has invited Cedar Lake to bring these activities to Lemon Lake County Park in late August, with an additional 2027 event already discussed.
• Fall soccer registration: 228 children, up approximately 30 from spring and 80 from last fall.
• Lakeside Artists Guild: July 18 concert (Beatles-themed) drew over 500 attendees; final concert of the season is August 22 (moved indoors for a prior date due to weather).
• Art Camp (June and July sessions) both filled to capacity.
• Senior picnic (the following Monday) is filled to capacity; exercise class continues with 20+ regular participants.
• Fitness Premiere classes are coming to the Lion's Den shelter this month; 8 of 16 available spots filled as of the meeting.
• Maintenance: Significant storm cleanup (dead trees/branches) ongoing at Potawatomi Park. Polk Street property cleared; well capping addressed under New Business. Robin's Nest playground installation is complete; steps require repair. A John Deere tractor used for mulching operations is down for maintenance. At Sue Landske Park, NIPSCO has removed their portion of an old electrical box; the Town is awaiting de-energization confirmation before removing the remainder and installing new signage — a project ongoing since January.

ADA Accessibility Follow-Up

Ms. Brannon noted a resident previously raised a park accessibility concern at a Town Council meeting. She confirmed ADA compliance is a Master Plan priority; a previously approved ADA-compliant sidewalk project (with a buffer area near the shoreline, connecting to two benches) is proceeding with White's Concrete, pending final coordination with Mr. Kubiak before construction begins.

Town Council Liaison Report — Robert Carnahan

Mr. Carnahan noted Ms. Rivera was absent and he was reporting in her place without a prepared report.

Park Foundation Report

The Foundation reported: a new website and QR code are live and linked from the Town website. A Farmers Market table is maintained on the first Wednesday of each month (no August date; next table September 12). The Foundation continues to participate in the Crown Point Community Foundation's Million Dollar Challenge alongside the Historical Association. Various fundraisers are planned to build toward an investment account with the Crown Point Community Foundation to support future grant eligibility.

The plastic cap collection project is complete; two benches made from the recycled material have been ordered and will be picked up in Evansville. Placement: one bench along the walking path near the trees, and one in front of the museum near the Taylor Ice truck and shelter. Mr. Wiesemann noted an Eagle Scout candidate previously discussing a bench project has re-engaged and may still contribute an additional bench in the future.

Written Communication

None received.

Public Comment

Robert H. Carnahan — 12850 Fairbank Street

Mr. Carnahan, speaking in his capacity with Project Love Food Pantry, reported the pantry (across the street from Town Hall, built with $200,000 in community donations) serves South Lake County from 101st Avenue southward. Current client ranking by volume: Cedar Lake (#1), Crown Point (#2), Lowell (#3), Apple Valley Estates (#4), and Shelby (#5). Open Wednesdays, 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.; identification is required to confirm service-area residency. The pantry currently has 25 gallons of milk available and partners with the Northwest Indiana Food Bank. He noted the pantry was recognized in 2014 as one of the best food pantries in Lake and Porter Counties.

No further public comment was received.

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn made by Ms. Howard; seconded by Ms. Isaac.

Motion carries, 4–0.

Meeting adjourned at 6:34 p.m.

Next Meeting: Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 5:30 P.M., Cedar Lake Town Hall Meeting Room.