Votes at a glance: Michigan City Parks Board, Jan. 21 — contracts, fees and routine approvals

At its Jan. 21 meeting the Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board approved a series of routine motions and votes. The board characterized the meeting as business-focused and approved the following actions by motion or roll call:

- License agreement with Harbor Country Adventures for Millennium Plaza (2026): motion approved (voice vote). Staff noted the agreement sets a $2,000 base rent plus $0.50 per ticket and requires a $4,000,000 liability umbrella policy.

- Harbor Country Adventures greenhouse lease renewal (final, 04/07/2026–04/06/2027): approved by motion.

- Washington Park Zoo animal request (January 2026): approved. Zoo Director Jamie Huss described standard acquisition procedures and timelines.

- 2026–27 administrative fees and contracts: approved after discussion; staff will monitor items such as BPA scheduling and the flat $10,000 field maintenance fee paid by BPA as part of their agreement.

- BPA memorandum of understanding and tournament agreements: board approved the BPA MOU and adult softball packets for spring and fall 2026 after roll-call votes.

- ParkMobile, pay stations, and Park Loyalty enforcement/collections services: all three related items were approved (see separate coverage for ParkMobile policy details).

- Claims docket and payroll numbers: the board approved the claims docket for 01/21/2026 ($128,762.70) and multiple payroll dockets for late 2025 and early 2026 (payroll totals and numbers were read into the record and approved by roll call).

- Gifts and donations: Unity Foundation of La Porte County donation to the zoo ($600), Michigan City Zoological Society memberships ($12,361.18), and Eastport Neighborhood Association T-ball sponsorship ($450) were accepted and approved.

- Minor transfers for year-end budget adjustments (several FICA, wage and other adjustments for 2025): approved by roll call.

All of the above motions carried; where the transcript records roll-call votes, ayes were recorded and motions carried. The board adjourned at the meeting’s conclusion.