PARKS & RECREATION BOARD

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2010

REGULAR MEETING

1. ROLL CALL. Mr. Dean called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Present were Mrs. Carter, Mrs. Hammond, Mr. Boetcher, Mr. Dean , and Mr. Barletta. Absent was Mr. Pawlowski. Also in attendance were Parks Director Steve Carr, Recreation Coordinator Don Ross, Service Department Manager Ed Drobina, City Engineer Greg Bachman, and three students from Pickerington High School Central.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES.

A. APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY MINUTES. Mrs. Carter asked that “Mrs.” replace “Ms.” in roll calls and minutes. She also requested that it be recorded that she had brought up flower baskets, and that they should be revived at previous locations with volunteer help, at both the January and February meetings. She felt that recorded meeting material should reflect that, since previous minutes did not mention it. She agreed to have that information presented in an explanation of the approval of February minutes. Mr. Dean moved to accept the minutes. Mrs. Carter seconded. Mrs. Carter, Mr. Boetcher, Mrs. Hammond, Mr. Dean., Mr. Barletta, all aye. MOTION PASSED 5-0.

3. COMMUNITY COMMENTS. There were no community comments.

4. BIKE TRAILS PRESENTATION.

A. City Engineer Greg Bachman presented long range plans for city bike trails and their connectors, with aerial photography shots of various areas of the City. The plan incorporates six options, or areas of concentration. At the conclusion, Mr. Bachman asked that the Board think about and discuss sequential possibilities

and related bike trails topics.

Mr. Pawlowski arrived at 7:26. He assumed his role as Board chairperson.

5. REPORTS

A. Parks and Recreation Director’s Report. Mr. Carr began by announcing that

he has accepted a position as Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Whitehall, and that his last day at Pickerington would be April 9. He thanked his staff, the Park Board, and his colleagues for their contributions to his eleven years with the City.

He discussed the Spring Program tabs. They were distributed to 13,000 homes on March 10. Registration has already begun. Swimming pool passes went on sale March 15. The pool will open on Saturday, May 29.

Community Garden plots are available in the P&R office. Twenty-seven plots have been sold to date.

“Breakfast With the Bunny,” a joint project with the TWIGS #165, will be held on April 3. All proceeds go to Children’s Hospital.

Giant Eagle’s four-year financial commitment to the Summer Concert Series now totals $70,000; their 2010 sponsorship contribution is $18,000.

Mr. Dean inquired about the port-o-lets in the parks, wondering why restrooms aren’t open. Mr. Carr explained that continual vandalism had forced the situation. Renters of parks facilities can put a $50 deposit on restroom keys for their rental periods, however. Previous to this policy, the damage was extensive. Mr. Dean wondered if labeling them by gender would help. Mr. Carr answered that with a tight budget, there wouldn’t be funds to repair damage that would surely result if the restrooms were left open again.

Mrs. Carter asked about strange objects in the Sycamore Park Pond. Mr. Carr explained that they are the newest technology to rid areas of ducks and geese humanely, light devices that disturb their sleep patterns.

Mr. Pawlowski thanked Mr. Carr for his years of service to Pickerington, noting that his strong influence and legacy will last for many years.

B. Council Representative’s Report. Mr. Barletta reported on a Safety

Committtee focus on investigating ways to incorporate ideas and policies from

various area cities into Pickerington biking situations.

5. BOARD DISCUSSION ITEMS. Mrs. Hammond asked about a traffic situation in the

area of Sycamore Park School. To fully understand her concern. Mr. Bachman said

that he would bring an area aerial map to the next Park Board meeting.

6. OTHER BUSINESS. Mr. Pawlowski thanked Mr. Drobina, who was attending the

meeting, for the excellent work of the Service Department in clearing the city

streets of snow during the winter. He also recommended that the work session item

on the meeting agenda should be removed.

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

Pawlowski, Mr. Barletta, Mrs. Carter, Ms. Hammond, Mr. Dean, Mr. Boetcher, all aye.

The motion passed 5-0.

MR. PAWLOWSKI ADJOURNED THE MEETING AT 7:59.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY:

___________________________________

Donald R. Ross, Recreation Coordinator

ATTEST: ____________________________

Stephen A. Carr, Director, Parks and Recreation