PARKS & RECREATION BOARD

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

MONDAY, December 15, 2008

REGULAR MEETING

7:30 P.M.

1. ROLL CALL. Ms. Green called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. Ms. Green, Mr. Pawlowski, Mr. Boetcher, and Ms. Sanders were present. Ms Hammond was absent. Others present were Parks and Recreation Director Steve Carr, Recreation Coordinator Don Ross, and new Board appointee Christine Adams. Following the roll call, Mr. Carr introduced Ms. Adams to the other board members. She will take her seat at the January meeting.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM OCTOBER 27 REGULAR MEETING.

There was no November meeting due to lack of a quorum. Mr. Boetcher moved to

approve. Seconded by Mr. Pawlowski. Mr. Boetcher, Mr. Pawlowski, Ms. Green, and

Ms. Sanders voted to approve. Motion carried 4-0.

3. COMMUNITY COMMENTS. In lieu of comments from community members, Mr. Pawlowski remarked that everyone he’s talked to is happy with the new Victory Park equipment.

4. REPORTS.

A. Parks and Recreation Director’s Report

a. Mr. Carr reported on the completion of installation of the Victory Park

playground equipment. During the week of December 1, the rubber

safety surface and the artificial turf were installed. Benches, receptacles

and landscaping will be addressed in the spring. He complimented

members of city staff for their huge contributions to the installation

process, mentioning that a $130, 000 project was accomplished for

$70,000, largely due to their efforts.

b. The department’s partnership with the Senior Center on “Breakfast

With Santa” December 6 was a success. The project hosted 265 people,

and netted the Senior Center almost $1,800.

c. The volleyball and basketball adult leagues have started. Despite the troubled economy, the basketball (Men Over 30) league has eight teams—two more teams than last year. The Co-Rec Volleyball League has 11 teams.

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d. Due to budget cutbacks, the brochure for winter classes will be posted on-line, rather than in a booklet form. A card will be sent to all area residents on December 17, informing them to check for classes at www.pickerington.net . Registration will begin on December 18 for city residents. Succeeding program guides will be put in the newspaper as a tab four times a year. The plan will cause considerable savings to the department.

B. Council Representative’s Report

a. Ms. Sanders reported that an informal discussion on a joint park district had occurred with other council members. Everyone seemed open to further discussion in the next few years. She will invite City Manager Tim Hansley to the next meeting to discuss options and timelines. Mr.

Pawlowski mentioned that the January meeting might not be the

optimum time since Park Board re-organization is scheduled for that

meeting.

5. BOARD DISCUSSION ITEMS

A. Nature Works Grant Project. Mr. Carr explained that the Nature Works Grant

submission date is March 1. He suggested that the January meeting should include

the identification of an appropriate project for Pickerington’s request. He added

that the project should have the potential to score well in Nature Work’s

evaluation of requests. Since the award is a 75-25 match, He feels that a

representative goal would be a request around $55,000. The city’s share of that is

in the 2009 budget. He continued by listing the disc golf course and the Victory

Park playground renovation as projects partially funded by Nature Works in the

past. Mr. Pawlowski asked for examples of the types of projects which score low

in the process. Mr. Carr answered that a handicapped garden request was denied

in recent years. He added that a variable in the process is that Nature Works tries

to spread the money around, and that Pickerington is in competition with all other

municipalities in Fairfield County. Ms. Green asked if a Bikeways Trails project

would be appropriate for a request. Mr. Carr responded that a request of that

nature would be good, but that he thought that an applicant has to own the

property where the monies would be expended. Additionally, there are other

sources for funding bikeways. Ms. Green then mentioned the community gardens

as a possible recipient. Mr. Carr answered that the community gardens will

probably be open next summer, but an enhancement to that project would be

appropriate; he mentioned deer barriers and pumps for water supply as definite

needs. The Board will bring ideas to the January meeting.

B. Discussion Regarding Parks And Recreation Board Annual Reorganization. Mr.

Carr notified the Board that City Council has asked that the Park Board function

more closely like the other boards. That would involve a meeting that is

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more committee-driven than staff-driven. Staff would assume a secondary role as

advisors and observers. Mr. Pawlowski inquired about possible guidelines in the

Revised Code for that concept. Ms. Sanders offered that some of the information

in the Revised Code is out of date. Revisions are currently underway, and should

be voted on soon.. The transition to a new board philosophy and meeting

procedure will be discussed in January. Voting on action items will be a

potential component of the new Board direction.

6. OTHER BUSINESS. There was no other business.

7. ADJOURNMENT. Mr. Boetcher moved to adjourn. Mr. Pawlowski seconded. The Board voted by acclamation to adjourn at 8:05 pm. Mr. Pawlowski, Ms. Green, Ms. Sanders, Mr. Boetcher, all aye.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY

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Donald R. Ross, Recreation Coordinator

ATTEST:

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Stephen A. Carr, Director