PARKS & RECREATION BOARD

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2009

REGULAR MEETING

7:30 P.M.

1. ROLL CALL. Mr. Pawlowski called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm. Present were Ms. Adams, Ms. Green, Mr. Boetcher, and Mr. Pawlowski. Absent were Ms. Sanders and Ms. Hammond. Also present were Parks and Recreation Director Steve Carr and Recreation Coordinator Don Ross.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM JANUARY 26 REGULAR MEETING.

This was preceded by a point of order. Decisions by the board require four votes for confirmation. Since Mr. Boetcher had missed the January meeting, it was thought that he would have to abstain from approving the January minutes, thus leaving the resultant voting one member short. Mr. Pawlowski moved to defer acceptance of the January minutes until the March meeting. Seconded by Ms. Green.

Mr. Boetcher, aye; Ms. Green, aye; Mr. Pawlowski, aye; Ms. Adams, aye. The motion passed 4-0.

3. COMMUNITY COMMENTS. Mr. Pawlowski reported that he had heard positive

comments about Parks staffer Wayne Patterson from youth in the community. Mr Carr

replied that he would pass that on to Mr. Patterson. Mr. Pawlowski informed that he

had received questions about the swimming pool fees for 2009. Mr. Carr explained that

fees would stay the same, except their would be a lower price for singles passes for

youth under 18.

Mr. Pawlowski added that he had gotten some feedback from parents at the new

playground area in Victory Park.. Mostly they were concerned about mud on the new

surface, and by the single access to the area. They understand, however, that corrective

landscaping cannot occur until spring.

Ms. Sanders arrived at 7:10 pm.

4. REPORTS

A. Parks and Recreation Director’s Report

1. Mr. Carr explained that the city and the Parks Department will not apply for a

Nature Works grant this year. Violet Township will apply for the grant to fund

their new dog park, and the city does not want to compete with them for the grant

award. Mr. Pawlowski praised that decision. Ms. Sanders inquired about the

effectiveness of the registration process for winter programs, since a brochure was

not used. Mr. Carr noted that registration numbers were down, but the influences

could be the economy; the miserable weather; or perhaps the use of the new

process, which presented the course offerings on the city website. That system

was utilized as a budget measure. He explained that the brochures cost $24,000

annually, and that a new procedure beginning with the spring season would be a

newspaper insert costing only $10,000. Ms. Sanders related that Mayor O’Brien is

promoting List Serve as a way to communicate with the public, and that system

would have application for Parks business.

Ms. Adams suggested that a strategy is needed to get people to the website, and to

inform them of their resident or non-resident status. She also questioned whether

enough appropriate programs are being offered, and whether tracking systems

have indicated park usage. Mr. Carr replied that programs can be tracked by

computer, but not park usage. Ms. Sanders asked whether a survey would be

helpful. Mr. Boetcher replied that a survey was done several years ago to coincide

with a Revised Master Plan.

Ms. Adams repeated that there is confusion about citizen status related to

geographical locations of neighborhoods. Mr. Boetcher said that proof of that

occurred with swimming pool issues during the summer of 2008. Ms. Green

offered that a Joint Park District would solve many of the problems being

discussed. A brief discussion related to the Joint Park District creation ensued.

B. Council Representative’s Report. Ms. Green advised that, on the Council level, no new discussion on a Joint Park District possibility had occurred so far this year.

5. BOARD DISCUSSION ITEMS

A. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION REGARDING SCHEDULING WORK

SESSION. Mr. Carr explained that if the Board wants to schedule a work session, it has to be advertised, and it must be open to the public. Also his understanding of the new Administrative Code is that the Board is mandated to advise council through the Safety Committee. If further guidelines are needed, a joint meeting with the Safety Committee is one option. Ms. Adams questioned the history of the Board in promoting or realizing projects and goals. Mr. Carr cited several recent successes which stemmed from Parks Board action: the skate park, the disc golf course, the revamped leash law, shelter house rental rates, and regulations governing field usage. Ms. Sanders said that a joint meeting with the Safety Committee or ideas from that body prior to a work session or retreat could stimulate future directions for the Board.

6. OTHER BUSINESS. Mr. Pawlowski asked the Board to consider ways to show

support for the township dog park. Mr. Carr suggested an official letter of

support, which could be given to the grant writer.

7. ADJOURNMENT. Ms. Green moved to adjourn. Seconded by Ms. Adams.

Mr. Pawlowski, aye; Ms. Adams, aye; Mr. Boetcher, aye; Ms. Sanders, aye;

Ms. Green, aye. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 pm.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY

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Donald R. Ross, Recreation Coordinator

ATTEST:

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Stephen A. Carr, Director