CITY OF PICKERINGTON

PARKS & RECREATION BOARD

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2005

REGULAR MEETING

7:30 P.M.

 

1.         ROLL CALL.  Mr. Campbell called the meeting to order at 7:35 P.M.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Frazier, Mrs. Shankland and Mr. Campbell present.  Ms. Ball and Mr. Boetcher were absent and had advised the clerk of their absence.  Others present were:  Steve Carr, Lori Aberman, Adam DeCarlo, Evan Jablonka, Rachel Ellis, Kelly Dunton, Sarah Guzman and Traci Giles. 

 

2.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF January 24, 2005, Regular Meeting.  Mrs. Shankland moved to approve; Mr. Frazier seconded the motion.  Mr. Campbell, Mrs. Shankland and Mr. Frazier voted “Aye.”  Motion carried, 3-0.

 

3.         COMMUNITY COMMENTS.  None.

 

4.         PARK DEVELOPMENT/IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

 

            A.        Parks Master Plan – Update.  Mr. Carr provided each Board member with a revised timeline that has been approved by the City Manager regarding the Park Master Plan and going out for bid.  He continued the RFP’s (Request for Proposals) would go out in the mail this week.  The deadline for the City to receive the RFP’s is March 31st.  Staff will review those proposals, score them, and make a list of the top three proposals.  

Parks Board will need to interview the top three planning firms and then select a consultant from the top three.  Mrs. Shankland inquired who was the consultant the last time the City completed a Parks Master Plan.  Mr. Carr stated Scruggs and Hammond. 

The plan is to complete the interviewing the week of April 18th. There will be three different presentations each taking approximately an hour.  When the Parks Board meets on April 25 they will need to make a hiring recommendation that can be forward to Council in their packets on April 29th.  Safety Committee will review the recommendation on May 2nd, and then there will be three readings at Council with the contract being signed by July 21st.  From the signing of the contract to the completion of the plan and approval will be an 8 – 9 month process.  Council should adopt the plan in the first part of 2006.  Mr. Campbell inquired how would the potential Joint Parks District affect the Parks Master Plan. 

 

Mr. Carr stated he met with the City Manager and the Township Administrator to discuss mutual interests and options regarding a Joint Parks District on February 7.  He continued that he followed-up with the Township Administrator regarding the trustees’ interest.  The Township Administrator advised him that he has circulated a memo amongst the three trustees, however, between budget and perhaps the police service being reduced due

 

to the failure of the countywide sales tax that they have a few items that require their immediate attention and it would be a while until they could give their full attention to

whether or not they want to pursue the idea of a Joint Parks District.      

 

B.                 Handicap Garden – Update.  Mr. Carr stated the State budget was passed

therefore, the 11th round NatureWorks grant award announcement will be made soon.

 

C.                 Sycamore Park Tennis Courts – Update.  Mr. Carr stated he met with a

Contractor on site to fine-tune the project budget.  This contractor feels he can stay within the budget and still provide the new surface with the 15-year guarantee.  Mr. Carr stated the plan is to go out for bids in March.

 

D.                 Putting/Chipping Green – Update.  Mr. Carr stated there is a contract to

complete the putting green once there is dry weather.

 

5.         RECREATION AND EVENTS.  Mr. Carr stated the department is working on completing the 2005 Spring/Summer program guide.  Mr. Frazier inquired as to whether the department has ever put up signs in the community advising residents of sign-ups.  Mr. Carr stated the department has not done that in the past and they would have to find some kind of a sign that would be appropriate and would be within the City’s sign code.  Mr. Frazier stated if the Parks and Recreation Department would like to use a sign like the one used at the PYAA complex he would be happy to talk to the PYAA Board and see if arrangements could be made to use the sign to announce registration dates for Parks and Recreation programs.  Mr. Frazier stated he would take it the PYAA Board and will let Mr. Carr know whether they agree to allow the Parks and Recreation Department use the sign at the complex. 

 

Mr. Carr stated the department has entered into a partnership with the POP Arts group.  The Spring/Summer brochure will contain two full pages of art class programming for adults and some for kids.  The City Manager has made it a goal for the department to offer more in the area of cultural arts.  Mr. Carr stated a lady in the community has approached the City about starting a Community Choir in Pickerington.  He continued they are also trying to find someone to form a Community Theater group in the park. 

 

6.         OTHER BUSINESS.  Mr. Campbell stated the Skate Park is covered with mud.  The kids have not been able to use it.  Mr. Carr stated there was a lot of mud and debris from the flooding from the recent ice storm.  Park Maintenance reports that they have about 90 % of it removed, however, the remaining 10% will require the use of a power washer.  Mr. Carr stated they would have to hook up a watering tank to the power washer since the water is not on in the park at this time.  He continued some of the debris and mud is actually frozen to the surface.  The fencing and the ramps acted as a dam when Sycamore Creek flood trapping the floodwaters and the debris in the skate park.   

 

Mr. Campbell stated he would like to go on record that he is sorry to see that Mrs. Shankland is going to be resigning from the Parks and Recreation Board.  Mrs. Shankland stated she would be on the Board through the month of May.  Mr. Campbell stated it has been a good ten years serving with Mrs. Shankland.  Mr. Carr stated some of the things that Mrs. Shankland has been concerned about over the years are finally coming to realization.  Mr. Carr stated he really appreciates all of the effort and time Mrs. Shankland has dedicated to the Parks and Recreation Board and her community. 

 

7.         ADJOURNMENT.  There being nothing further, Mrs. Shankland moved to adjourn; Mr. Frazier seconded the motion.  Mr. Campbell, Mrs. Shankland and Mr. Frazier voted “Aye.”  Motion carried, 3-0.  The Parks and Recreation Board meeting adjourned at 7:55 P.M., February 28, 20053

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

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Lori L. Aberman, Deputy Municipal Clerk

 

 

 

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Steve Carr, Parks and Recreation Director