PARKS & RECREATION BOARD

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2009

REGULAR MEETING

 

 

  1. ROLL CALL.  Mr. Pawlowski called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Present were Mr.

      Boetcher, Ms. Sanders, and Mr. Pawlowski. Absent was Ms. Green. Also present were

      newly-appointed board members Carol Carter and Yulanda Hammond; they will be

      seated in August. Also attending were Parks Director Steve Carr, Recreation Coordinator

      Don Ross,  Service Manager Ed Drobina, Tree Commission members Mike McKinley

      and Linda Shelts, and Boy Scout Kyle Maycock and his mother.

 

  1. APPROVAL OF MAY MINUTES. Mr. Boetcher moved to accept the minutes of the

      May Regular Meeting. Seconded by Ms. Sanders. Mr. Boetcher, Ms. Sanders, and Mr.

      Pawlowski, all aye. The motion passed 3-0. The May minutes were addressed due to

      the cancellation of the June Regular Meeting.

 

  1. COMMUNITY COMMENTS. Mr. Pawlowski stated that he would move the

       REPORTS item up to this spot on the agenda, due to the fact that Mr. Carr had a

       time-sensitive appointment later in the evening.

     

       4.   REPORTS

 

                  PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR’S REPORT.   Mr. Carr reported that signage and park benches have been installed on the Victory Park playground. He explained that the July 4 celebration revenues exceeded the expenses; he acknowledged the contribution from Violet Township and stated that the city’s

outlay was an appropriate expenditure. His update on the swimming pool revealed

that the pass total will fall just short of the 2008 total, but that he was pleased with

that number. He continued by explaining that two pool projects will be

undertaken soon: the installation of a vinyl-clad black fence around the area,  and

renovation of the restrooms. The autumn program guide will appear as a tab

insert in the August 19 Times-Sun, and registration for classes will begin on

August 24 for residents, August 26 for non-residents.

The Parks Department  is co-sponsoring the Ribfest, along with the Olde Village

merchants. Mr. Carr noted that attendance at the Sunday Concert Series is up

appreciably.

                 

 

 

Within the next month, additional concrete pads will be poured on the disc golf

 course. Several problems have occurred, including erosion on the 18th fairway.

                         He expressed hope that recruiting corporate sponsorship of the course’s holes,

 signage, and benches can occur soon. The project is getting closer to completion.

 

COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT.  Ms. Sanders remarked that the

results of a recent phone survey indicated strong approval of Parks and Recreation’s programs, events,  and facilities. There was a positive response in almost all areas. She explained that there was nothing new to report on the subject of the Joint Park District.

 

  1. COMMUNITY COMMENTS.    Linda Shelts of the Tree Commission remarked that she was pleased that her commission could meet with the Parks Board. She mentioned that the Commission’s focus at the present time is the Arboretum, located in Sycamore Park across the Zeller-Smith covered bridge. They are currently trying to raise funds for that area. They are planning arboretum tours. They do have concerns about the condition of the covered bridge, particularly the vandalism that occurs frequently. Ms. Sanders remarked that at the City Council’s recent retreat, the subject of vandalism was addressed, and it will be a prime target of future planning. Carol Carter, a former Tree Commission member, said that, as a long-time resident of the city, she could remember when the bridge entrance to the arboretum was exceptionally attractive. She feels that the area encouraged citizens to enter the arboretum area. She suggested that perhaps Boy Scout involvement and community service contributions could restore and maintain the area. She asked if plans were underway to work on the bridge, to replace missing boards and to paint the exterior. Mr. Pawlowski informed that any work on the bridge is difficult, because scaffolding has to be set in the creek for work to be performed.

      Ms. Carter explained that the arboretum contains over 100 species of trees, and pathways totaling over a mile. Vandalism has cost them signage, and certain areas of the arboretum are gathering places for questionable activity. The biggest problem they’re facing is that the commission has no money, no budget. Ms. Sanders commented that the Parks Board does have a budget,  and that potentially some of that could be designated for arboretum improvement or maintenance. Mr. Pawlowski informed that two city employees. Paul Lane and Danny  Mahaffey, maintain a list of both volunteers and of potential projects.

    

Mr. Pawlowski stated that the Tree Commission is welcome at the upcoming Park

Board work session, but that Lynda Yartin needs to be consulted on setting a date, and on other parameters.

 

  1. OTHER BUSINESS.   Mike McKinley of the Tree Commission asked if he could have a copy of the Parks’ Master Plan. Mr. Ross said that he would provide one.

 

  1. ADJOURNMENT.   Ms. Green moved to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Boetcher. Mr. Pawlowski adjourned the meeting at 7:53 pm.

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY: 

 

 

 ___________________________________

 Donald R. Ross, Recreation Coordinator

 

 

ATTEST: ____________________________

Stephen A. Carr, Director, Parks and Recreation