CITY OF PICKERINGTON
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD
CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2004
REGULAR MEETING
7:30 P.M.
1. ROLL CALL. Mr. Campbell called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with
roll call as follows: Mr. Frazier, Mrs. Ball, Mr. Boetcher, and Mr. Campbell
were present. Mrs. Riggs and Mrs. Shankland were absent. Mrs. Riggs
notified the clerk in advance of her absence. Others present, Steve Carr.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 24, 2003m Regular Meeting.
Mr. Frazier moved to approve; Mr. Boetcher seconded the motion. Mr. Campbell, Mr. Boetcher, Mrs. Ball and Mr. Frazier voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 4-0.
3. ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING. Mr. Frazier moved that Mr. Campbell
become the Chairman; Mr. Boetcher seconded the motion. Mr. Boetcher,
Mr. Campbell, Mr. Frazier and Mrs. Ball voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 4-0.
Mrs. Ball, moved that Mr. Frazier
become the Vice Chairman; Mr.
Frazier seconded the motion. Mrs.
Ball, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Boetcher, and
Mr. Frazier voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 4-0.
Mr. Boetcher moved that the meeting day
and time remain the same; Mr.
Frazier seconded the motion. Mr. Campbell, Mr. Boetcher, Mr. Frazier and
Mrs. Ball voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 4-0.
4. COMMUNITY COMMENTS. Mr. Boetcher inquired as to the status of use
of the Fieldhouse.
Mr. Campbell stated some residents have asked him when the facility would re-open. Mr. Carr stated there has been no further
discussion formally on this matter.
Mr. Carr stated the Mayor has talked to School Board members and has
received some positive response from them.
Mr. Carr stated he was spoken with the Athletic Director who is
concerned about the hours that would be available to the community due to all
of the sports programs offered at the school.
Mr. Carr stated he does not anticipate the facility being opened back up
to the public until next school year.
Mr. Carr stated he also feels there is a need to have three part-time
employees working at the Fieldhouse. One
person would work the front desk, one in the weight room and one that would be
considered a roamer. He continued that
he felt there was a strong need to have a staff of three because if someone has
an emergency or a conflict and cannot come in and work their shift there would
still be two people that could adequately handle the shift. This would require a restructuring of the
membership rates so they could afford to hire the staff and operate at a
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 23, 2004
breakeven basis. Mr. Carr stated that the Athletic Director at Pickerington Central inquired as to whether he had discussed this with the Athletic Director at Pickerington North. Mr. Carr stated at that time they had not contacted Pickerington North. The thought was that one facility could be open to the public Monday and Wednesday and the other facility could be open to the public Tuesday and Thursday. Mr. Carr stated whatever they decide to do will have to be approved by the School Board and City Council. The staff would have to be hired and trained. Traditionally the Fieldhouse was not open during the summer because there is no air conditioning in the Fieldhouse.
5. COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT (Mrs. Riggs) None.
6. PARK DEVELOPMENT/IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
A. Parks Master Plan – Update. Mr. Carr stated the City will present
Safety Committee with an analysis of the results. He continued that he felt as many things went unanswered as where answered in this survey. The survey was sent out with the City newsletter and one thing that staff noticed while compiling the results was there was at least two large subdivisions that did not have a response which leads one to suspect the newsletters never made it to Windmiller Ponds and the Villages at Sycamore Creek. Mr. Carr stated he has not had the opportunity to compare these results to the survey that was completed in 1996. One item that was not addressed in this survey was the idea of a Joint Park District with the Township. Eighty percent of the responses were in favor of the City building a Recreation Center, however, the question on how to fund this project was not asked. Mr. Carr stated they only received 7.5% of all the questionnaires they thought went to the public. He continued that he feels there are some flaws in the process, some flaws in how they asked certain questions and when you analyze the results you have to be careful. Mr. Carr stated they would be moving ahead with the master plan with some drawings. The goal is to have a mini master plan for each one of the parks; however, the master plan that has been started was to be a park facilities master plan, not necessarily a parks and recreation master plan.
B. Skate Park – Update. Mr. Carr stated they will try to get the assembly
of the equipment scheduled with the Skatewave people this spring, so the park can be opened up
late spring. The concrete pad is down
and the fence is up. Once the weather
breaks the equipment will be installed.
Mr. Carr stated he has received one quote for the security camera, which
was extremely expensive. He continued
they might consider opening the facility without the
security camera and determine if there is a real need for it. Mr. Campbell inquired about the lighting for the facility. Mr. Carr stated as far as security lighting that should be easier.
C. Handicap Garden – Update. A grant was submitted for $22,000 to
develop a handicap garden at Sycamore Park. He continued they requested $11,000 in funding assistance.
D. Sycamore Park Improvements
(1) Dam Repair (NatureWorks Grant Project) – Update. Mr. Carr
stated he feels they are a little bit closer to getting ODNR to approve
their plan. ODNR’s funding has been cut and their staffing has also
taken a hit so they have a backlog of projects to review and approve.
He continued the City has been approved for the money but they have
to approve the repair plan before we can start this project. Estimated
start of the project would be mid-August so this does not interfere with
any of the summer activities.
E. DeWolfe Property (Clean Ohio Conservation Grant Project)- Update.
Mr. Carr stated the City has made an offer on the property. As of today’s date
Mrs. DeWolfe had not responded to the offer.
F. Putting/Chipping Green – Update. Mr. Carr stated the chipping green
was installed last fall and they hope to have the putting green installed this spring.
G. Sycamore Park Tennis Courts – Update. Mr. Carr stated this came out
of Safety Committee and he is in the process of obtaining cost estimates for the repairs to the Sycamore Park tennis courts.
7. RECREATION AND EVENTS
A. Winter/Spring Programs/Special Events. Mr. Carr stated the winter
programming sign-ups has been strong. They are currently planning for the summer programs, the Easter event, Summer Music series and the Summer Movie series as well.
B. Sports Programs. Mr. Carr stated the Volleyball and Basketball leagues
regular season has come to an end and the tournaments will begin. Softball information will be available March 1st.
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 23, 2004
8. OTHER BUSINESS. None.
9. ADJOURNMENT – There being nothing
further, Mr. Frazier moved to
adjourn; Mr. Boetcher seconded the motion. The Meeting of the Parks &
Recreation Board adjourned at 8:08 p.m., February 23, 2004.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
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Lori L. Aberman, Deputy Municipal Clerk
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Steve Carr, Director of Parks & Recreation