The Rushville Parks and Recreation Board met on Tuesday, July 11, at 6:15 p.m. Present was board president Mike Daubenspeck, board members Lou Starkey, Jennifer Vogel, Curt Mock, David Malson, parks director Michael Shaw and secretary Carla Sharpe. 

Shaw presented the park director’s report, updating the board on the following:

•The pool is working great. There was one pool party that was a no-show and one cancellation. The day the party was a no-show, Shaw shared some weather had blown through town but cleared up. The staff waited until 8 p.m. but did not hear from the party, so the pool closed. Malson felt the no-show should not be refunded. Overall, things are going well, and pool parties are scheduled throughout the summer. 

Staffing update/needs

Current staffing includes one full-time employee, one part-time employee, one student part-time employee and two seniors who are mowing. 

Shaw asked the board to approve hiring a part-time employee to water flowers, empty trash cans on the weekend and open/close restrooms. Shaw said he still had several previous applicants he could interview and proposed the starting wage be $12 per hour. Mock moved to approve the new part-time employee. Malson seconded the motion to start the hiring process. Motion carried. 

General Updates

Shaw reported there has been minor vandalism recently in the men's restroom at the amphitheater. Parks employee Ritchie Reed got the items fixed, and Shaw stated, "Reed is such a valuable employee. He fixes equipment and lawnmowers, which has saved us thousands of dollars. We are so fortunate to have him as our employee."  

Cameras are currently being installed in the parks, which Shaw hopes will lessen vandalism. 

Shaw reported that the special mulch was placed at the kiddy swing, and next, it will be placed in South Veterans Park. The grant the parks department received for the mulch was only enough to be placed under the swing sets. 

The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.