PARKS & RECREATION BOARD

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

REGULAR MEETING

 

 

  1. ROLL CALL.  Ms. Hammond called the meeting to order at 7:05. Present were Mr. Pawlowski, Ms. Carter, Ms. Sanders, and Mr. Pawlowski. Also present were Mr. Carr and Mr. Ross of the Parks Department, City Engineer Greg Bachman, and councilmember Cristie Hammond.    Absent: Ms. Green and Mr. Boetcher.

 

  1. APPROVAL OF MAY MINUTES. Mr. Pawlowski moved to accept the August minutes. Seconded by Ms. Hammond. Ms. Carter, Mr. Pawlowski, Ms. Sanders, and Ms. Hammond, all aye. The motion passed 4-0.

 

  1. COMMUNITY COMMENTS. Mr. Carr asked the board if Mr. Bachman could make a presentation at this point in the meeting, so that he could be excused. The board was willing. Mr. Bachman discussed the status of the walking and pathway trails system in the city, and potential plans for the future. He advised the Board that he will continue to keep them posted on developments, and will provide them with schematic charts.

 

 4.  REPORTS

 

                  PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR’S REPORT.   Mr. Carr explained that

                  another safe pool season was completed in early September, and that several

                  upgrades in the facility will occur soon. Those projects will include a perimeter

                  fence, new bathroom fixtures, the repairing of cracks in the lower parking lot,

                  painting a rusty awning, and floor treatment in the restrooms.

                  The Parks and Recreation Department partnered with the Pickerington Lions

                  Club, providing logistical support for their Labor Day event. Mr. Carr added that

                  the Department will co-sponsor the Taste of Pickerington/Fall Fest with the

                  Chamber of Commerce.

                  Much progress has been made with the disc golf course, according to Mr. Carr.

                  City employees from the Service Department recently spent several days working

                  on the facility.  Course designer Paul Jay and volunteers from the Columbus

                  Flyers Disc Golf Club continue to work on the course.

                  Mr. Carr stated that the mound of dirt left from the Victory Park playground

                  project has been removed. Much of the dirt has been re-used on other areas of the

                  park.

 

The Haunted Village, co-sponsored by the Department, the OPVBA, and the Rock Factory, is scheduled for Wednesday, October 28 from 6-8 pm in the Olde Village. Trick or Treat night will be October 29 from 6-8 pm.

Mr. Carr concluded by mentioning that the next three scheduled  Park Board meetings will have conflicts. The October meeting is scheduled for the same night as the Haunted Village; the November and December meetings are scheduled  in close proximity to Thanksgiving and New Year’s. He asked the board to decide on appropriate action. It was decided to address the issue in the Other Business section of the meeting.

 

                 

COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT.  Ms. Sanders had no report items.

 

 

  1. COMMUNITY COMMENTS.   There were none.

 

 

  1.  BOARD DISCUSSION ITEMS:   Mr. Pawlowski mentioned that the Tree Commission

            had submitted a list of possible dates for a combined work session. Ms. Hammond

            suggested a November meeting. Mr. Pawlowski, noting that two Board members

            were absent, agreed to a delay, citing the need for input from all members to develop

            discussion  items and  priorities.

            Ms. Carter stated that the Board needs to become involved with the Disney

            Hometown Project for help with activities and projects.

            Mr. Carr addressed the possibility of the Parks and Recreation Department being

            affected by a possible new functional table of organization in the city. He mentioned

            that if division does occur, it might re-assign the Parks maintenance personnel  to the

            Service Department, which would then become responsible for the maintenance and

            development of  the parks. The Parks and Recreation Department would then become

             the Division of  Recreational Services.

       He added that he feels strongly that keeping the department status is desirable, and

       that if park service is taken away, athletic fields should at least stay with recreational

       services. A discussion continued until Ms. Sanders mentioned that the City Council

       has not yet addressed the issue.  

       Councilwoman Cristie Hammond added that every department in the City will

       eventually be scrutinized.

 

6.     OTHER BUSINESS      The calendar conflicts with upcoming meetings were then

            addressed.

            Mr. Pawlowski moved to change the October meeting to October 26, and to begin

            the meeting at 7:30. Ms. Hammond seconded. Ms. Hammond, Mr. Pawlowski, Ms.

            Carter, Ms. Sanders, all aye. The motion passed 4-0.

            Mr. Pawlowski moved to change the November meeting to November 23, and begin

            at 7:30. Ms. Carter seconded. Mr. Pawlowski. Ms. Carter, Ms. Hammond, Ms.

            Sanders, all aye. The  motion passed 4-0.

           

 

 

      Mr. Pawlowski moved to cancel the December meeting. Ms. Carter seconded.

            Mr. Pawlowski, Ms. Hammond, Ms. Sanders, Ms. Carter, all aye. The motion

            passed 4-0.

           

           

 

  1. ADJOURNMENT.   Mr. Pawlowski moved to adjourn. Seconded by Ms. Carter.

             Ms. Hammond adjourned the meeting at 8:05 pm.

 

 

 

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY: 

 

 

 

 ___________________________________

 Donald R. Ross, Recreation Coordinator

 

 

ATTEST: ____________________________

Stephen A. Carr, Director, Parks and Recreation