PARKS & RECREATION BOARD

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009

REGULAR MEETING

 

 

  1. ROLL CALL.  Ms. Hammond called the meeting to order at 7:29. Present were Mr. Pawlowski, Ms. Carter, Ms. Sanders, Mr. Boetcher, and Ms. Hammond. Also present were Mr. Carr and Mr. Ross of the Parks Department,  and Tree Commission member Mike McKinley.

 

  1. APPROVAL OF OCTOBER MINUTES. Mr. Pawlowski moved to accept the October minutes. Seconded by Ms. Carter. Ms. Carter, Mr. Pawlowski, Ms. Sanders, Mr. Boetcher, and Ms. Hammond, all aye. The motion passed 5-0.

 

  1. COMMUNITY COMMENTS.  There were no community comments.

 

 4.  REPORTS

 

PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR’S REPORT.   Mr. Carr explained that Paul    Jay, disc golf course architect, had assembled a group of 20 members of the Columbus Flyers Disc Golf Club for a Fall Preview of the new course on November 20. The diskers played a round of doubles, broke for lunch, and then played a round of singles. The purpose of the outing, according to Mr. Carr, was to get feedback on the course before its May, 2010 opening. The reviews by the group were good; many in the group had volunteered work during the construction. Mr. Carr reiterated that the course will open in May, and that some final touches still remain. He mentioned a practical recreational aspect to the course: 72 golfers can utilize it at the same time, whereas a tennis court can only serve four players.

Mr. Carr reviewed the latest projects at the Community Pool, including a new, textured Quartz floor throughout the building, new exterior doors, new bathroom fixtures, and a new perimeter fence.

The Parks maintenance staff has begun to install holiday decorations in the Olde Village.

Mr. Carr reminded the Board of upcoming holiday events sponsored or co-sponsored by the department: The Victorian Holiday Gathering on December 4, and Breakfast With Santa on December 5.

The Winter Program Guide will be distributed to the public on December 9 via the Times-Sun. Programs will begin in January. So far, 19 adult teams have signed up for the winter sports leagues in co-rec volleyball and men’s over 30 basketball.

Mr. Carr asked Mr. Pawlowski to give his impressions on the Community Gardens after its first year of operation. Mr. Pawlowski answered that it was a successful season.

 

 

Twenty-five participants comprised the first season’s group; Mr. Pawlowski feels that the number will grow next season. He added that he has tilled the area, and planted a winter cover crop, which will enrich the soil for next summer’s participants.

Ms. Sanders mentioned that she has seen the completed projects at the Community Pool, and that they have made a big difference.

Mr. Boetcher asked if there will be disc golf instructors in the spring program guide. Mr. Carr said that there will probably be instructions of some kind; Paul Jay has already committed to conduct workshops. Continuing the discussion, Mr. Boetcher asked about the composition of playing groups in disc golf. Mr. Carr answered that group sizes can range from one to four, just as in “ball” golf.

 

            COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT.  Ms. Sanders mentioned that she had

attended an organizational meeting of “PATCH,” which is intended for parents of at-risk teens. She attended with Mayor O’Brien and Interim City Manager Taylor. She suggested that the group do a parents’ initiative. Several parents will meet before the group’s next general meeting to draft ideas and directions. She described the group as “very driven.”

 

 

  1. BOARD DISCUSSION ITEMS:  The Board discussed the fact that a joint meeting with 

       the Tree Commission had still not occurred. Ms. Carter explained that she had a list of

       discussion topics, but that by the time the list was compiled and presented to City Clerk

       Lynda Yartin, it was too late for inclusion on an agenda for this meeting night. Mr.

       McKinley offered that the Tree Commission had decided to wait until both the

       Commission and the Park Board had filled vacant committee positions. Ms. Sanders was

       asked how soon the Parks opening would be filled by the City Council, since a candidate

       has been indentified and recommended. She answered that acceptance usually requires

       three council readings, but that she will ask council to combine all three into one

       upcoming council meeting.

           

 

 

6.     OTHER BUSINESS   Discussion was held on the resumption of the last Wednesday of

        each month at 7 pm for Park Board meetings. The meeting date had been changed to

        accommodate conflicts for the October, November, and December meetings.

        Mr. Pawlowski moved to return to the “last Wednesday” schedule beginning in January.

        Seconded by Ms. Sanders.  Mr. Pawlowski. Ms. Carter, Ms. Hammond, Ms.

        Sanders,  Mr. Boetcher all aye. The  motion passed 5-0.

           

7.      ADJOURNMENT.   Mr. Boetcher moved to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Pawlowski.

Mr. Pawlowski, Ms. Carter, Mr. Boetcher, Ms. Hammond, Ms. Sanders, all aye.

        Ms. Hammond adjourned the meeting at 7:55 pm.

 

 

       

 

 

 RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY: 

 

 

 

 ___________________________________

 Donald R. Ross, Recreation Coordinator

 

 

ATTEST: ____________________________

Stephen A. Carr, Director, Parks and Recreation