Approved Minutes of Regular Meeting
Thursday, 14 Sep 06 at the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Barn

• PUBLIC HEARING FOR GRANT APPLICATION

At 12:15 PM, Chair Cindy Solic opened the public meeting for the Authority to receive public comments related to the proposed Grant Application to the PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources in the amount of $350,000 for the Park Forest Community Swimming Pool Renewal, as outlined in the Master Site Plan.

Attendees were the CRPR staff, Board members, Alan Popovich of HPArchitects, Ferguson Township Manager Mark Kunkle.

Mr. Todd Roth read two emails that were sent for this public meeting.

1) Kathy Rhule emailed in support of an indoor facility rather than an outdoor facility with large slides.

2) Debbie Rhoads also emailed in support of an indoor facility that was really an indoor aquatics center.

Mr. Todd Roth and Mr. Woodhead responded to these emails based on previous Board and elected officials comments that did not support an indoor facility.

Mr. Woodhead talked about the arithmetic of the grant application. The total cost estimate is $3.2 million and to finance 90% ($2.85 million) for 20 years would mean $142,500 plus interest commitment from the municipalities.

I.       CALL TO ORDER and ROLL CALL

Chair Cindy Solic called the meeting to order at 12:30 P.M.

Board members attending (5 of 6): Roy Harpster, Sue Mascolo, Donna Conway, Dr. Kenneth Mawritz, Cindy Solic. The Borough Council Liaison (nonvoting) Craig R. Humphrey also attended.

Absent: Kathy Matason (prior notice was provided)

Staff members present: Director Ronald J. Woodhead, Recreation Supervisor Sports & Fitness Jeff Hall, Recreation Supervisor Programs & Special Events Beth Lee, Aquatics Supervisor Todd Roth, Recreation Supervisor - Nature Center Molly Hetrick, Senior Center Director Barbara Lindenbaum, Office Manager Diane Ishler.

Absent: Parks Supervisor Greg Roth

Guests: Alan Popovich of HPArchitects, Ferguson Township Manager Mark Kunkle, College Township Parks & Recreation Committee representative Dave Schulte

II.      COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC - none

III.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES

          The minutes of the regularly scheduled August meeting were approved as amended on a motion by Ms. Mascolo and seconded by Ms. Conway. All in favor. The amendment changed the next to last sentence under New Business to read “At a prior meeting, Ms. Solic expressed some concern about the dog park”.

          The minutes of the special meeting held on 28 Aug 06 were approved on a motion by Ms. Mascolo and seconded by Ms. Conway. All in favor.

IV.     ACTION ON VOUCHERS

          The vouchers for August (included in the meeting packet) were approved on a motion by Mr. Harpster and seconded by Dr. Mawritz. All in favor.

V.       COMMITTEE REPORTS

COG Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee - The two regional parkland agreements have been approved by General Forum and passed to the municipalities to approve by ordinance. In addition, the General Forum approved a Development Lease for the Oak Hall parklands. The next meeting of the Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee will be 19 Oct 06.

Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Advisory Committee - Ms. Hetrick reported that Dr. Marboe made a presentation to the COG General Forum on behalf of the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Advisory Committee to update the elected officials on the Nature Center Capital Campaign. Ms. Hetick indicated that over $500,000 had been raised during the private phase and now municipalities would be requested to consider financial support. The public phase of the campaign will be kicked off at Spring Creek Day scheduled for Sunday, 17 Sep 06. Ms. Solic asked if the Nature Center Capital Campaign would affect the pool requests? Mr. Humphrey questioned the total of the campaign. Ms. Hetrick explained. Ms. Solic still had some concern about asking the municipalities to share in several large projects at one time. Mr. Woodhead indicated that it was unfortunate that several projects were happening at the same time, but he related he thought pools would be first on the priorities with regional parks next.

Municipal Boards & Committees: Issues & Updates by Board Members

- College Twp. Parks & Recreation Committee: Ms. Matason asked Dave Schulte (CTPR Committee Chair) to fill in for her at this board meeting. No report.

- Harris Twp. Park & Recreation Committee: Mr. Harpster reported that Harris Township will be dedicating Stan Yoder Preserve on 29 Oct 06.

- Patton Twp. Rec. Advisory Committee: No report

- Ferguson Township: Ms. Mascolo reported that a Dog Park was opened at Tudek Park annex. There were about 70 dogs on opening day. In answer to a question about who owns Tudek Park and where the dog park is located, Mr. Kunkle explained how Tudek Park was established and that the extended 26 1/2 acres(located off Park Crest Lane) are owned by The Tom Tudek Memorial Trust and leased to Ferguson Township. In approximately 2010, the extended acres will become part of the present Tom Tudek Memorial Park - and owned by the township.

- Borough of State College: No report

-State College Area School District: No report

VI.     STAFF REPORTS

Grant Status - Mr. Woodhead reported that the grant status would be reported every month while we have so many grants being processed. The Master Site Plan for Park Forest Community Pool Renewal ($22,000) is underway. All of the other grants have been approved: Master Site Plan for William L. Welch Community Swimming Pool Renewal ($33,000); Parkland Acquisition (75 acres) off Whitehall Road ($159,000); Master Site Plan for Oak Hall Parklands ($38,000).

August Agency Report - Mr. Woodhead stated that 798 registrations were taken since the Fall Leisure Guide was published on 27 Aug 06. The staff has been discussing the possibility of postponing the start of programs for next fall until after Penn State begins classes.

2006 Fall Leisure Guide - A Fall Leisure Guide was distributed to each Board member.

Supervisor Highlights:

Jeff Hall, Recreation Supervisor - Sports and Fitness - Over 100 youth are registered in seven different programs for the fall. The Start Smart soccer, golf, and football programs are very popular. Especially Start Smart Soccer; two additional classes had to be added and there is still a waiting list. There are 89 adults in fitness classes, 14 teams in Flag Football, 21 in each night of indoor Volleyball, and 18 in tennis. A discussion followed with Jeff explaining that we only have instructional soccer now; the CRPR Youth Soccer League was discontinued due to lack of participation.

Beth Lee, Recreation Supervisor for Programs & Special Events - Gymnastics is getting started for fall and two new programs are starting Parents Night Out and Car Care for Women. Ms. Lee is recruiting staff and volunteers while getting everyone more acquainted with Centre Region Parks & Recreation. The Halloween Parade is Oct. 29 with the line up at 6:30 PM.

Molly Hetrick , Recreational Supervisor - Nature Center - Ms. Hetrick has been working on the Nature Center Capital Campaign, Spring Creek Day, and scheduling school programs up to November. New programs are being offered that partner with outside groups (PSU Adventure Recreation): Backpacking for Teens, Orienteering Class for Kids, and Fly-Fishing Clinic for Adults.

Todd Roth, Aquatics Supervisor - It was a slow start for the first session of swim lessons but hopefully the later sessions will be full. Mr. Roth is working on pool renewals. The pools have been closed for the season so we can concentrate on fall cleanup. There was a minor fire at the Welch Poll filter building on Labor Day - involving the pool boiler flue igniting the roof decking. Mr. Roth is getting estimates from Joseph Hazel and from R. W. Marcon. There is a $500 insurance deductible.

Barbara Lindenbaum, Senior Center Director - A popular new program at the Center is guitar lesson classes. Ms. Lindenbaum is working with the Arthritis Association for the spring. Thirty-eight seniors went on a bus trip to a lunch cruise at Raystown Lake.

Mr. Woodhead reported for Greg Roth, Park Supervisor - Mr. Greg Roth is at a Pesticide Workshop. September is the busiest month for turf work; the crews are busy aerating, seeding, and fertilizing. The new dog park in Ferguson Township is heavily used but there have been no problems. The loss of seasonal workers requires the crews to work on the essentials and not complete some of the other projects. The PCC crew have been installing playground equipment at Blue Spring park and have also been working on the trails at Mt. Nittany.

VII.COMMUNICATIONS

Mr. Woodhead referred to the copy of the email from Ed Poprik from the SCASD that was included in the Board packet. The email indicated that SCASD still has space for Welch Pool on the their latest plans and intend to continue their work with the space for Welch Pool included.

VIII.  OLD BUSINESS

Park Forest Pool Master Site Plan - Mr. Todd Roth reported that we are in the final report stage. A copy of the report will be sent to everyone so they can review and discuss/approve at the October meeting. A copy of the report will be sent to DCNR and when their approval is received, the “officially-approved” version of the report will be issued.

Mr. Woodhead asked that the Authority approve Resolution #2-2006 that authorizes the grant application to be submitted for the detailed design and construction of the facility. Ms. Mascolo moved that Resolution #2-2006 be approved. Ms. Conway seconded. All in favor.

Building Plans for Spring Creek Park Maintenance Building Expansion - Mr. Alan Popovich,of HPArchitects updated the Board members on the final plans for expanding the Spring Creek Park Maintenance Building. He distributed a plan that shows a 16' x16' addition. Mr. Harpster made the motion approving the continuation of the project pending approval from Centre Region Code Administration. Dr. Mawritz seconded. All in favor.

Outfitting the Nature Center Wetlab - Mr. Woodhead explained that on 9 Mar 06, the Authority approved a contract, not to exceed $3,900, with HPArchitects to develop a plan for outfitting the Nature Center Wetlab. It is now proposed that the contract be amended to provide for the Code-compliant Electrical System Design by Ling Partnership at a cost not to exceed $1,000. The cost is covered by a designated donation. Mr. Popovich distributed the plans and explained them. After a brief discussion, Ms. Mascolo moved to amend the contract (and purchase order) to include up to $1,000 in electrical system design by Ling Partnership for the Nature Center Wetlab. Ms. Conway seconded. All in favor.

Tom Tudek Memorial Park - Mr. Woodhead reminded everyone that CRPR had received a request from Ferguson Township to add portions of the 26.5 acres adjacent to the Tudek Memorial Park to the maintenance schedule for 2007. It was noted and discussed in previous Board meetings. Mr. Woodhead, Mr. Greg Roth, and Mr. Kunkle have been meeting to resolve some of the concerns expressed. The memo attached to the agenda as Attachment #7 shows the Township and Trust’s willingness to make adjustments. Mr. Woodhead contacted Mr. Scott Etters, CRPR solicitor, concerning the liability exposure and he indicated that liability is not an issue. Mr. Woodhead related that the staff recommends CRPR accept the maintenance responsibilities for the specified portions of this acreage. Ms. Solic asked if this was just for one year? She was concerned what would happen over time if the different parties didn’t uphold their agreement. Mr. Woodhead stated he was not concerned because he thought that the parties would be willing to work with us. Mr. Kunkle indicated that if the users of these portions of the acreage did not continue their responsible use of the area, their usage would be discontinued. Ms. Mascolo moved to accept these specific sections of the 26.5 acres for CRPR maintenance beginning in 2007. Mr. Harpster seconded. All in favor.

XI.     NEW BUSINESS

2007 Budget Process - The 2007 Detailed Budget included in the Board packets is Version 2. This budget will be presented to the COG Finance Committee on 2 Oct. 06. Mr. Woodhead stated that the increases in municipal contributions were a result of added parkland, increases resulting from the effects of the change in minimum wage on salaries, the pay plan Cost of Living adjustment, and the increasing cost of medical insurance. Mr. Woodhead thanked everyone for their efforts in preparing the budget. He also thanked Mr. Todd Roth for the great effort at the pools this summer enabling the pools to pay back the money borrowed from Parks and Recreation and still end with a fund balance for 2007.

Ms. Mascolo suggested that the Board members get together to go over the budget so that everyone could understand it.

Resolution 3-2006 - Dr. Mawritz moved to approved Resolution 3-2006, allowing CRRA to renew the “Associate Membership” in the Central Westmoreland Council of Governments (CWCOG) for 2007, in order for CRRA to participate in CWCOG “Cooperative Purchasing Program” for municipal vehicles. Mr. Harpster seconded. All in favor.

X.       ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Ms. Mascolo moved to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Conway seconded. All in favor. Meeting adjourned at 1:30 P.M.

THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING has been scheduled for
Thursday, 12 Oct 06 at 12:15 PM, COG Forum Room.

These minutes were approved at the Board meeting on 12 Oct 06;
they will now be distributed to Municipal Managers, SCASD, and posted on the CRPR website.

Meeting summary prepared by Diane Ishler, CRPR Office Manager