Centre Region Parks & Recreation Board / 
Centre Regional Recreation Authority

Meeting Agenda for Tuesday, 17 Jun 08, 12:15 PM at the COG Bldg. Forum Room

NOTE: The meeting originally set for 12 Jun 08 was rescheduled & relocated.

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 May meeting           (Attachment # 1)     (Action)

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

V.       COMMITTEE REPORTS

          • Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Advisory Committee: Ms. Matason & Mr. Woodhead

Three letters are attached regarding the state funding for Millbrook Marsh Nature Center:(Attachment # 3 A-B-C)

                    - 29 Apr 08    From the COG Chair to the Governor (also distributed in May)

                    - 5 May 08     From M. Soderberg to the COG Chair

                    - 12 May 08   From M. Soderberg to Ms. Betsey Howell 

It is necessary for staff, the Advisory Committee and the Authority to evaluate efforts and donations to date, and to consider the various options to move forward.

          • COG Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee: Mr. Woodhead

The committee met on 16 May 08 where they established a recommendation to the COG General Forum for the 2009 funding amounts, and then discussed the Oak Hall Parkland MSP Process, meetings and “unit voting” when required.

                              2008 AD HOC COMMITTEE TASK SUMMARY (not listed by priority):

• Develop and maintain a history of the Regional Park process.

• Coordinate the Master Site Plan process for the Oak Hall parklands - including consulting firm selection and the plan development. (Added: proceed with the Whitehall Road Parkland MSP per the $40K state grant).

• Prepare a recommendation regarding 2009+ municipal contributions for Regional Park.

• Assist with the development and review of a COG-wide Capital Improvement Plan - as related to the pool renewals, the regional park initiatives and the COG Equipment Storage suggestion.

• Assist in reviewing a draft Joint Funding Agreement for financing the renewal of the two pools.

• Work with the Authority as the planning and construction phases for each pool move forward.

• Work with Harris Township as they develop a proposal to assure the continued operation of the Hess Softball Field Complex beyond 2008.

• Consider action on the need for COG Vehicle & Equipment Storage Area.

• Coordinate with the Authority as the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Capital

• Campaign moves into the Construction Phase.

• Monitor progress by the YMCA / Visitor's Bureau on the indoor sports facility

• Make a recommendation to the General Forum regarding "regional funding" for the proposed Musser Gap Greenway / Trail.

          • Member & Municipal Committee Updates:

                    College Twp.                      Ferguson Twp.                    Patton Twp.

                    State College Borough         Harris Twp.                        SCASD

VI.     STAFF REPORTS

          • Activity Report: May                                                                       (Attachment # 4)
          • Volunteer Days “Thank You” letter to the CDT: Mr. Woodhead          (Attachment # 5)
           • Active.Net service update: Mr. Woodhead
Active.Net has provided a letter regarding our agreement that no service fees be charged for donations or grant amounts entered by office staff. In the meantime, any of those service fees will be fully refunded annually.(Attachment # 6)

          • Winter / Spring 2008 Program Report: Mr .Woodhead                       (Available at meeting)
          • 2009 Budget Process: “The Program Plans”: Mr. Woodhead
Staff have prepared and submitted the eight “2009 Program Plans” to COG Administration. Copies will be available at the meeting (on CD) for Board member review.

• Park Forest Pool Reciprocal Parking Agreement:  Copies of the executed and recorded document are now available upon request.

          • Supervisor Highlights:
                    Ms. Hetrick                         Mr. Hall (off)                      Mr. Todd Roth
                    Mr. Greg Roth                    Ms. Lindenbaum                 Ms. Lee

VII.    COMMUNICATIONS

• Consider the complaint (via email) from Mr. Stephen Hilton regarding the Youth & Regular admission fees vs. the “Youth Rest Periods” conducted at each pool: Mr. Todd Roth    (Attachment # 7)

VIII.  ACTION ITEMS

A. POOL RENEWAL FUNDING PROCESS: Mr. Woodhead

It is necessary to modify the procedures for transferring funds (as needed) from the Pool Loan Fund to the Pool Construction Fund. The Solicitor has approved this modification as proposed by Jersey Shore State Bank and the State College Borough Finance Department. Staff recommends approval so as to more effectively manage the loan fund and the Pools Capital Fund.

1.Either Mr. Michael Groff, State College Borough Finance Director, or Ms. Norma Crater, State College Borough Accounting Supervisor are hereby authorized, on behalf of the Authority, to direct Jersey Shore State Bank (the "Bank") to draw-down available Loan proceeds, and direct Bank to disburse such proceeds, either by Cashiers Check or by wire transfer, to the recipient bank account for Centre Region Parks and Recreation at Citizen's Bank (Acct. #610001-221-2), and to incur, on behalf of the Authority, any costs associated therewith;

2.As part of the transfer process, those same individuals are authorized to execute, on behalf of the Authority, the following Bank documents: (1) Wire Transfer Agreement; (2) Wire Transfer Agreement Addendum; (3) Wire Transfer Security Procedures; (4) Wire Transfer Request Forms; and (5) any and all other documents related thereto, as directed by Bank.

3.The State College Borough Finance Department will then provide within 24 hours a copy of each transfer request to the Director of Parks and Recreation or his designee.

(Attachment # 8)   (Action)

B. PARK FOREST POOL CONSTRUCTION: Mr. Woodhead & Mr. Popovich

Upon the approval of the project by PA DCNR, staff issued a NOTICE TO BIDDERS on 12 May 08 with a Bid Opening Date of 4 Jun 08. Due to a request from four potential bidders, the Bid Opening Date was officially postponed to 12 Jun 08. Mr. Popovich will be in attendance to review the tabulation / evaluation of the various bids and his recommendations. This information will be relayed to each member as soon as it is available from Mr. Popovich (prior to the meeting date). If major revisions to the project scope are necessary to meet the budget, input from the COG Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee will be sought (on 19 Jun 08), and then a Special Meeting of the Authority will be called prior to 1 Jul 08. Therefore, depending on the bid amounts, the following motion may be considered for each one of the four construction contracts:

“That the Authority accept the bid for the  ________________ (General, Plumbing, Electrical or Swimming Pool) contract from ___________________________________________  in the total amount of $______________________ including the specified add / deduct alternates, and authorize the Officers to execute the contract documents pending the approval of the Solicitor and PA DCNR.” (Actions)

IX.     INFORMATION ITEMS

A. WELCH POOL RENEWAL - MASTER SITE PLAN (MSP): Mr. Woodhead
                  No report pending further discussions (when requested by the School District).

B. REGIONAL PARK UPDATES: Mr. Woodhead

1. Whitehall Road Parkland Acquisition:  The closing for the Whitehall Road parkland (75 acres) was held on 30 May 08:

                              Purchase price and closing costs:    $249,506.24
                              PA DCNR Grant:                            -$159,000.00 (to be reimbursed)
                              Ferguson Township Contribution:    $ 90,506.24

The lands were independently appraised at $15,000 per acre in Dec. 2005; the purchase price from Penn State University was $3,077 per acre. As noted in May, the state has approved a $40,000 grant to COG to develop a Master Site Plan (MSP) for this site, which is perfect timing for the obvious tie-in to the Oak Hall parkland MSP process.

2. Oak Hall Parklands - Master Site Plan (MSP): Mr. Woodhead

The firm of Pashek and Associates is ready to proceed with the first Planning Meeting involving the “Project Study Committee” (the COG Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee and the CRPR Board). After surveying the group, the first MSP meeting is scheduled for: Monday, 16 Jun 08, 12:15 to 2:00 PM, COG Forum Room. Lunch will be provided.

X.       ADJOURNMENT                                                                                          (Action)

NEXT REGULAR MEETING:                Th 10 Jul 08, 12:15 PM at the Tudek Park Pavilion, Ferguson Twp.