By: Nick Powers | Fraser-Clinton Chronicle | Published August 1, 2024
FRASER — The Fraser City Council cautiously agreed to work with the Fraser First Booster Club on updates in Steffens Park at its July 11 meeting.
The booster club’s founder, Vania Apps, made a presentation about park updates totaling $1 million. During the presentation, she stressed that these plans are subject to change and could be altered. She advocated for a town hall, hosted by the city, to get input from the community.
The plans included repurposing one of the park’s baseball diamonds as a concert space with a band shell. They also showed a network of paved pathways throughout the area, and playground equipment.
“The commitment from the city is that they would remain partners with Fraser First Booster Club and then we would work with the city, city council, parks and rec, and DPW (department of public works) as this takes better form,” Apps said.
Following the presentation by Apps, council members worked with City Attorney Donald DeNault to craft a motion that wouldn’t tie the city too closely to the club in case there were any issues along the way. DeNault revised Councilman Patrick O’Dell’s motion to work with the club.
“The city of Fraser would support the Fraser First Booster Club in its efforts at developing a project of the nature presented at Steffens Park and will continue to collaborate with the Fraser First Booster Club as that vision moves forward,” DeNault said.
O’Dell made the motion using this language. All members voted yes except Councilwoman Amy Baranski, and Mayor Michael Lesich, who was absent for the meeting.
Throughout, Baranski questioned funding and the design laid out by Apps. Questions included how it might impact the Fraser Lions Club Carnival, where the update is located in relation to the other baseball diamond, and city funding.
“Full disclosure: great idea. Are we forgetting we’re taxing the residents and we need $18 million for roads and all of that?” Baranski said. “The timing is poor, but I know where you’re coming from because you need this to keep going. But I don’t want to vote for this and then suddenly we have to match dollar for dollar the grant.”
Council Member Sherry Stein said the importance of the council approving the partnership was to secure potential grant funding that may be available. Later, she added that the booster club will have to be in constant communication with the city as things move forward with the update.
“They have to come back to us every step of the way,” Stein said.
Apps said she understood the apprehension but said the club would do its best to see the project through. She said the club will do its part to raise funds to relieve any potential tax burden on residents to fund a project.
“We have a really good record of not stopping,” Apps said. “If I was sitting where you were, I would want to know that this person coming in front of me isn’t going to start this and leave it in our laps.”