PARKS & RECREATION BOARD
CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2009
REGULAR MEETING
7:00 P.M.
1. ROLL CALL. Ms. Hammond called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm. Present were Ms. Adams, Ms. Green, and Ms. Sanders. Absent were Mr. Pawlowski and Mr. Boetcher. Also present were Parks and Recreation Director Steve Carr and Recreation Coordinator Don Ross.
Mr. Pawlowski arrived at 7:04.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 25 REGULAR MEETING.
3. COMMUNITY COMMENTS. Mr. Pawlowski asked about the dirt pile in Victory Park, left over from the installation of the new playground. He had observed that it had become a favorite area for youngsters. Mr. Carr explained that much of it will be used for landscaping the area around the equipment, and several alternatives for the remainder are being considered. He added that Dublin has a play mound with a crawling tunnel that he is looking at. Ms. Sanders and Mr. Pawlowski both remarked that they had heard nothing but rave reviews about the new equipment.
4. REPORTS
A. PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Carr reported that
the program guide for spring classes is out, and that
registrations and pool pass applications are being taken. Also interviews have been conducted for the positions of swimming pool manager and assistant manager, and conditional offers have been extended to two individuals. That process is now in the reference check mode. He added that since the 2009-2010 school year will start later, the pool will be open extra days. Based on a review of the 2008 pool season, which observed that few pass holders use the pool after 8 pm, that will become the daily closing time for this season. The pool can be contracted or rented for parties between 8 pm and 10 pm during the season.
The annual “Breakfast With the Bunny, co-sponsored by the Parks
Department will be April 11. Ticket sales have begun at the department
office. The acts for the Giant Eagle Summer Concert Series have been
announced. The “Friday Nite Flicks” schedule will be out soon.
The Summer Program Guide will be in
the May 6 edition of the Times-Sun.
With the new insert format, the department can do the guide four times a
year at one-third of the cost of the former printed brochure. Ms. Adams
asked what the department does with the registration information. Mr. Carr
answered that the new computer system will permit many possibilities, but
since it is only three months in use, there is insufficient information
available to convert to useful data.
Ms. Adams asked if it should be worked on. Ms. Green stated that the Parks
Department is understaffed and additional responsibilities will require help.
She inquired as to who on the current staff would be assigned to the
collecting and dissemination of data. Mr. Carr responded that Fiona Spears
has extraordinary computer knowledge, and would probably have some
responsibility.
Ms. Adams suggested getting volunteer help for computer programming,
and asked if the department tracks with the area YMCA to gather ideas and
make program comparisons. Ms Hammond stated that the current Parks
programming offers a variety of experiences that the YMCA can’t offer. Ms
Adams said that her concern is that Pickerington programs stay current with
other communities.
Ms. Adams suggested that the Board help the department put together a
marketing strategy to be utilized when it is financially appropriate. Ms.
Sanders cautioned that perhaps too much was being considered, and a
broader approach might overwhelm the understaffed department. She
counseled on responding to the various suggestions with “baby steps.” It
was agreed to address the issues and concerns at a work session.
B. COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT. Ms. Sanders advised that she
has scheduled meetings with Township Trustee Terry Dunlap, and Schools
Superintendent Karen Mantia to discuss the concept of a Joint Park District.
5.
BOARD DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION REGARDING SCHEDULING
WORK
SESSION . Ms. Sanders
suggested that Board members e-mail Mr. Carr with
agenda items for a
proposed work session. Ms. Hammond suggested setting
a date and a time
constraint for the meeting, and then addressing as many
items as can be covered in that allotted time. Mr.
Carr asked that all
suggestions
reach him by April 13. At the next
regular board meeting, the
date, time,
location and format of the work session can be decided.
6.
OTHER BUSINESS.
Mr. Pawlowski informed that he has attended a meeting
of the
city’s Tree Commission, and that they
have shown an interest in scheduling
occasional joint meetings with the
board. He volunteered to be the board’s liaison to
the group. Also, the commission has
invited the board to attend the city’s Arbor Day
Observance in April. He also mentioned
that Paul Lane, Danny Mahaffey and Lance
Schultz of the city staff have
developed a list of beautification and maintenance
projects, and are looking for
volunteer help. He suggested that the board could
commit to overseeing selected projects
from the list, indicating that a clean-up of
Sycamore Creek, which runs through the
city’s two main parks, would be an ideal
choice. Ms. Adams mentioned the
possibility of cooperating with the United Way’s
Community Care Day as a vehicle for
completing the projects. She also mentioned
that she could supply contact information
for groups with volunteers. Mr. Carr asked
that she provide him with that
information.
Ms. Green asked for an update on the
disc golf course. Mr. Carr explained that the
goal is to open it on Memorial Day
weekend. It is not completed, and work remains
to be done, but it will be done in
piecemeal fashion, due to a limited amount of
impact fee monies. Also the remaining
work will entail coordinating various
contractors. The course will open with some work undone.
7. ADJOURNMENT. Mr. Pawlowski moved to adjourn. Seconded by Ms. Green.
Ms. Hammond, Ms. Green, Mr. Pawlowski, Ms. Adams, Ms. Sanders, all aye.
Motion passed 5-0. Ms. Hammond adjourned the meeting at 8:06.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY
_____________________________________
Donald R. Ross, Recreation Coordinator
ATTEST:
_____________________________________
Stephen A. Carr, Director