PARKS & RECREATION BOARD

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

MONDAY, October 27, 2008

 

REGULAR MEETING

7:30 P.M.

 

 

 

 

1.      ROLL CALL. Ms. Green called the meeting to order at  7:31 p.m. Ms. Green, Ms. Hammond, Mr. Boetcher, and Ms. Sanders were present. Mr. Pawlowski was absent. Others present were Parks and Recreation Director Steve Carr and Recreation Coordinator Don Ross.

 

2.            APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM AUGUST 25 REGULAR MEETING.

There was no September meeting due to lack of a quorum. Ms. Green moved to approve. Seconded by Ms. Sanders. Mr. Boetcher, Ms. Hammond, Ms. Green, and Ms. Sanders voted to approve. Motion carried 4-0.

 

3.            COMMUNITY COMMENTS. Mr. Boetcher asked if high school students were still

required to attend city meetings as part of the schools’ curricula. Ms. Sanders commented that students had been present at recent council meetings. Mr. Boetcher offered the opinion that attending meetings had value for both the students and the committee personnel.

 

4.            PARK DEVELOPMENT/IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.

         A. COMMUNITY POOL      Mr. Carr reported on the swimming pool. A new pump has been ordered, grouting has been accomplished, the pool has been painted, the upper parking lot has been sealed, and two new awnings have been ordered to replaced ones damaged by a weather incident. Insurance will pay for the awnings. Mr. Carr added that new pricing and membership levels will be in effect for the summer of 2009. A provision for a three-person family membership will be added, and there will be no cap on size of families for family passes. Ms. Hammond praised the changes, noting that membership totals should increase. Mr. Carr advised that with Labor Day later in 2009, and schools starting later, the pool will be open an additional 12 days.

 

         B.  SIMSBURY DISC GOLF COURSE      Mr. Carr explained that much grading has been accomplished  and steps have been added to raised tees and greens. Signage will be ordered this winter. Most pads and buckets are in place.

 

         C.  VICTORY PARK PROJECT     Staking and excavating for the playground improvements will hopefully begin this week, according to Mr. Carr. City crews will then add the base materials. Following that, an astro-turf layer will be laid. The city will save around $50,000 on the project with grant monies, and by using city labor for some phases of the project. All playground equipment pieces have been received.

 

         D.  COMMUNITY GARDENS     The plans call for the gardens at Shawnee Crossing Park to open in the spring. Mr. Carr added that workshops for interested community members have been discussed, and will probably occur this winter.   

 

 

5.      RECREATION AND EVENTS.      Mr. Carr enumerated upcoming department events: The Haunted Village on October 30, Tots Trick or Treat at City Hall on October 31, and Community Trick or Treat from 6-8 p.m. on the 31st. The Winter-Spring Program Guide will be distributed on December 12.

 

6.       JOINT PARK DISTRICT.       Mr. Carr stated that further action on the item would wait until the results of the city tax levy on the November 4 ballot. Ms. Sanders explained that, if the levy passes, a serious consideration of the District would have to begin with support from the Park Board. Interested parties, including the school district and the township would then have to be mobilized. Ms. Green suggested that Park Board members should be thinking about a timeline for action, if the levy passes. Ms. Green then asked if there was any news about property next to the PYAA property as a site for the facility if it does become a reality. Mr. Carr answered that the property is a distinct possibility, as is land near the proposed hospital on Route 33. Mr. Boetcher asked if there is any indication how the community would vote if a levy for the facility was in the offing. Mr. Carr answered that the township has done a survey, but that information has not been analyzed by the city. Ms. Sanders said that she will invite City Manager Tim Hansley to the next meeting to address the issue, if the November 4 levy is approved.

 

7. OTHER BUSINESS.     Mr. Carr mentioned that Department Coordinator Fiona Spears had received a preliminary question from the township about a combined effort to create a bike trail on Wright Road, which would lead to Pickerington Ponds. Columbus Metroparks has expressed an interest in possibly becoming a partner in the venture. Further discussion is dependent on the outcome of the City’s levy request.

 

8. ADJOURNMENT.        Mr. Boetcher moved to adjourn, seconded by Ms. Hammond. Ms. Green adjourned the meeting at 8:07 on October 27, 2009, suspending a roll call.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY

 

 

_____________________________________ 

Donald R. Ross, Recreation Coordinator

 

Attest:

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________ 

Stephen A. Carr, Director