Meeting Agenda for Thursday, 8 May 08, 12:15 PM
at the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center (Barn)

I.       CALL TO ORDER and ROLL CALL:

           • Ms. Sue Mascolo, Chair        Ferguson Twp. • Mr. Roy Harpster, Vice-Chair Harris Twp.

           • Ms. Kathy Matason, Sec.      College Twp.    • Ms. Donna Conway, Treas.   State College Borough

           • Dr. Donna M. Ricketts          SCASD            • Mr. Chris Hurley                  Patton Twp.

II.      COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC for any item not on the agenda (up to 5 min./person)

III.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES from the April meeting          (Attachment # 1)     (Action)

IV.     ACTION ON VOUCHERS from April                             (Attachment # 2)     (Action)

V.       COMMITTEE REPORTS

          • Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Advisory Committee: Kathy Matason

          • COG Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee: (did not meet; project updates provided below)

          • Member & Municipal Committee Updates:

                    College Twp.                      Ferguson Twp.                    Patton Twp.

                    State College Borough         Harris Twp.                        SCASD

VI.     STAFF REPORTS

          • Activity Report: April                                                 (Attachment # 3)

• Active.Net service update: Ms. Ishler & Mr. Woodhead

          • Special Events, Volunteer Days and agency displays: Molly Hetrick & Greg Roth

• 20^th Annual Centre County Senior Games (coordinated by CRPR): Ms. Lindenbaum will distribute event flyers at the meeting.

          • Status reports on grants or awards:

- PA Center for Local Government Excellence Award (for the cooperation related to the nature center): Mrs. Mascolo. The two certificates presented by the Lt. Governor at the Awards Luncheon will be displayed at the meeting.

- PA Conservation Corp Grant Application - Awarded for 7^th consecutive year. Local cash cost $5,000; total grant valued at $103,000.

- PA Fish & Boat Commission: $4,500 to assist in funding the new “CRPR Youth Flyfishing for Bass Camp” at the nature center (Awarded)

                    - PA DCNR: $40,000 to prepare a Master Site Plan for the Whitehall Rd. Parklands (Awarded)

                    - State Capital Grant for the Nature Center (seeking release by Gov. Rendell):                              Update by Molly Hetrick                           (Attachment # 4 & # 6B)

          • 2009 Budget Process: “The Program Plan”: Mr. Woodhead

Agency staff are starting to work on this document for June publication regarding 2009 initiatives. Given the current capital projects underway, Board members should share any new initiatives / areas where staff should concentrate for 2009: “What do we need to do better?”

          • Supervisor Highlights:

                    Ms. Hetrick                         Mr. Hall                             Mr. Todd Roth

                    Mr. Greg Roth                    Ms. Lindenbaum                 Ms. Lee (off)

VII.    COMMUNICATIONS - none

VIII.  ACTION ITEMS

          A. DISK GOLF COURSE OPERATIONS at Circleville Park: Mr. Woodhead

Staff recently met with representatives from the two local disc golf groups to help develop a process to consider group reservation requests for the (new) Circleville Park Disk Golf Course:

                              - Happy Valley Disk Golf Club

                              - Centre Region Disc Flyers

Our thanks to them for helping us to learn more about disk golf operations.

The CRPR webpage (with map) is attached (Attachment # 5A) for your info. Overall, it is recommended that the Board consider authorizing the following procedures for staff:

                    1.       That the Director may issue Group Event Permits for use of the course, but for not more than two group events per week (Monday through Sunday) in 2008; Please note that no group event may be conducted at any municipal park without a permit, as provided in the Municipal Park Ordinances.

                    2.       That any event fees charged by the reserving group cannot be levied to authorize access to or use of the course;

                    3.       That any group charging any fee for their event must also provide a liability release waiver to CRPR for any accidental injuries or property damages;

                    4.       That a Group Event Permit (provided with no fee for 2008) does not include a pavilion reservation (which is available via the standard process);

                    5.       That the agency devise a way to post the reservation schedule at the start of the course, along with the course map and course rules sign; the posting of any non-agency signs or notices would require the written authorization of the Director;

                    6.       That for 2008 all group permits issued will be non-exclusive (i.e., those not associated with the group event may still use the course during the reserved period) except by special action of the Board;

                    7.       That the Large Group Event Policy and related fees apply for any events with over 100 visitors;

                    8.       That all aspects of the municipal Parks Ordinance will apply to the Disk Golf Course; and,

                    9.       That for 2009 the Board consider including the Disk Golf Course in the “Sportfield Reservation System” and the associated fee policy.

Prior to the development of the proposals above, the Centre Region Disc Flyers asked for permission to conduct league play per the attached (draft) flyer. Action on that request has been tabled pending Board discussion of this item.  (Attachment #5A, 5B, 5C)   Action

IX.     INFORMATION ITEMS

A. POOL RENEWAL FUNDING PROCESS: Mr. Woodhead

The closing for the Pool Renewal Loan was held on 1 May 08. Our thanks to all those involved in the process. The funds will only be borrowed as they are needed to pay for invoices related to the two upcoming pool projects. We have offered Jersey Shore State Bank the option to post approved signs (that they furnish & install) at each pool during each renewal project.

B. PARK FOREST POOL RENEWAL (CONSTRUCTION): Mr. Woodhead

1. Project Schedule:

- On 29 Apr 08, PA DCNR verbally approved releasing the plans for bidding; they asked for some follow-up clarifications during the bidding process.

- As previously authorized by the Authority:

- The plans were submitted by the Architect on 1 May 08 to Centre Region Code Agency for review & approval.

- Advertising for bids is now proceeding. The Bid Opening is scheduled for Wed. 4 Jun 08. The bids will be presented for action at the Th 12 Jun 08 meeting of the Authority (at the Orchard Park Pavilion). However, raw information about the bid amounts will be relayed shortly after the public bid opening, pending a recommendation from the Design Team.

2. Reciprocal Parking Agreement:

The executed document, with no revisions since being approved by the Authority, is being recorded by the Solicitor. Final copies will then be available for distribution.

C. WELCH POOL RENEWAL - MASTER SITE PLAN (MSP): Mr. Woodhead

The Master Site Plan process is on hold pending resolution of the shared parking / access proposal with SCASD. Given the importance of the shared parking and access, the process can resume after that issue is finalized. As reported at the April meeting, a Joint Work Session was held on 1 Apr 08 at the COG Building with the School Board, the Authority and the COG Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee. The School Board invited the Authority and COG officials to attend their meeting on 14 Apr 08 as they consider action on the four requests. Shortly after that meeting, the two letters of support were provided.                                                                    (Attachments # 6A and # 6B)

                     Welch Pool Construction Grant Application for construction:

As authorized at the April meeting, the construction grant application in the amount of $400,000 was prepared and submitted to PA DCNR on 25 Apr 08. The application was based upon the approved Concept Plan, since the Master Site Plan is not yet complete.

D. REGIONAL PARK UPDATES: Mr. Woodhead

1. Oak Hall Parklands - Master Site Plan: Pashek Associates has submitted a draft schedule for consideration by the Project Study Committee (the CRRA and the COG Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee). Since both groups are involved in this process, the Board should discuss how they wish to coordinate their efforts with the COG Committee - and to discuss the draft schedule. (Attachment # 7)

2. Whitehall Road Parkland Acquisition: It is expected that the closing for the 75-acre tract will occur on 30 May 08. Details are now being finalized by the attorneys.

                    3. Whitehall Road Parkland: Grant Application for a Master Site Plan

In mid-April, PA DCNR announced the award of a $40,000 grant to prepare a Master Site Plan for the Whitehall Road Parklands. This request was submitted in September. The timing of this grant announcement is perfect for synchronizing with the Oak Hall Parkland Master Site Plan project. (Attachment # 8)

X.       ADJOURNMENT                                                                                          (Action)

NEXT REGULAR MEETING:  
Th 12 Jun 08, 12:15 PM at the Orchard Park Pavilion, State College Borough
- award construction bids for Park Forest Pool Renewal