CENTRE REGION PARKS & RECREATION BOARD / CENTRE REGIONAL RECREATION AUTHORITY
Approved Minutes of Regular Meeting
Thursday, 8 Mar 07 at the COG Forum Room

I.         CALL TO ORDER and ROLL CALL

Chair Cindy Solic called the meeting to order at 12:15 P.M.

Board members attending (4 of 6): Cindy Solic, Kathy Matason, Roy Harpster, Dr. Ken Mawritz. Borough Council Liaison (nonvoting) Craig R. Humphrey also attended.

Absent w/ advance notice: Sue Mascolo, Donna Conway

Staff members: Director Ronald J. Woodhead, Recreation Supervisor Sports & Fitness Jeff Hall, Aquatics Supervisor Todd Roth, Recreation Supervisor - Nature Center Molly Hetrick, Parks Supervisor Greg Roth, Senior Center Director Barbara Lindenbaum, Office Manager Diane Ishler.

Guest: James Steff, COG Executive Director; Lori Paterno, interested resident

II.       COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC - none

Due to a lack of quorum, the agenda order was adjusted.

VI.      COMMITTEE REPORTS

COG Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee - Mr. Harpster reported that the committee approved the presentation of the draft lease for the Welch pool site to the SCASD by the Solicitor. They will begin discussions on a “Parks Capital Committee” and the operating relationship with the CRRA/CRPR Board at their next meeting in April. The committee is not meeting in March.

Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Advisory Committee - Ms. Matason reported that the committee met on 21 Feb 07. They reviewed the Wetlab design with Al Popovich and discussed the Building Code restrictions, specifically the occupancy limits. The Committee also reviewed the Centre County Community Foundation annual disbursements, the revised fee policy for the nature center, and the Capital Campaign entering its public phase. She also reported that the Puddintown Road bikepath is on track for bid this summer c/o College Township. Their next meeting will be on 21 Mar 07.

Municipal Boards & Committees: Issues & Updates by Board Members

            - College Twp. Parks & Recreation Committee: No report - Harris Twp. Park & Recreation Committee: Mr. Harpster reported that the survey results from Harris Township residents indicated that the Parks crew is doing a great job. The residents also indicated that they are interested in more bikeways/pathways, including from Boalsburg to Tussey Mountain.

- Patton Twp. Rec. Advisory Committee: Ms. Solic reported Patton Township is still working on the Master Site Plan for the Bernel Road Park and they will be making a trip to Lewisburg to view their new playground equipment when the weather improves.

- Ferguson Township: No report.

- Borough of State College: No report.

- State College Area School District: No report.

Dr. Mawritz arrived, providing a quorum.

VII.     STAFF REPORTS

February 2007 Activity Report - Mr. Woodhead had nothing to add to the report but did emphasize the Summer Camp registrations that began this year on 1 Feb 07.

Program Registration & Summer Camps Update - The registrations since 1 Feb through mid-March were 1,600 compared to 800 last year (Revenue: $90,000 vs.$50,000 last year. He extended thanks to Beth & Molly for preparing the camps information early.

Supervisor Highlights:

Jeff Hall reported for Beth Lee, Recreation Supervisor for Programs & Special Events - Since Ms. Lee was on vacation, Mr. Hall reported that she is working on the Summer Leisure Guide, getting ready for spring PinBlasters, attending Employment Fairs, and getting ready for Flashlight Teen Egg Hunt and the Easter Egg Hunt. The Hip Hop class held in the winter was full and a great success; there was a good response to the winter PinBlasters.

Jeff Hall, Recreation Supervisor - Sports and Fitness - He is busy scheduling fields and relayed that there are more requests for August uses compared to last year. There was a question if we were offering a lacrosse program. Mr. Hall indicated that the person in charge of the 2006 lacrosse program asked for additional protective gear for players, although this equipment is very expensive. He is checking into it. A discussion followed about the popularity of the high school lacrosse program.

Barbara Lindenbaum, Senior Center Director - Ms. Lindenbaum distributed a flyer advertising the new “Boost Your Brain Power” classes to begin at the Senior Center. The seniors are also participating in the Walk Across Pennsylvania / Walk Across America programs.

Todd Roth, Aquatics Supervisor - Swim lessons are in the middle of the second session with spring lessons through April. Mr. Roth is busy hiring summer staff with most of his pool managers returning. He is also planning to again hold the popular Family Fun Nights this summer.

Molly Hetrick , Recreational Supervisor - Nature Center - Ms. Hetrick reported that Fly-fishing Camp and Canoe Camp are about half full and the Wetlands Camp is almost full for the summer. She has the same staff returning for the spring Group Programs that have filled the calendar. She is also working on information for the Summer Leisure Guide, programs for the summer, the Visitor’s Bureau Grant, as well as the Capital Campaign. Mr. Harpster asked if any more concern had been expressed about the revised fees for the group programs. Ms. Hetrick indicated that the Advisory Committee had discussed the fees and Sue Younkin from the SCASD had attended. Ms. Hetrick is scheduling the spring groups and then will see what develops for the future.

Greg Roth, Park Supervisor - Penn State has bid out for materials for the 1,000 ft extension of the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Boardwalk. It will then be constructed by staff and the PCC.

End-of-Year Fund Balance Report - Mr. Woodhead reviewed the “End-of-Year Fund Balance” report that indicated overall the Agency had more funds going into 2007 than anticipated. The exception was Aquatics that was approximately $5,000 less than anticipated - resulting from some late-year expenses - which in turn generated a negative fund balance (loss) of $1,852 for 2007 (much less of a loss than prior years, though).

III.      APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of the February meeting were approved on a motion by Mr. Harpster and seconded by Ms. Matason. All in favor.

IV.      ACTION ON VOUCHERS

The vouchers for February were approved on a motion by Ms. Matason and seconded by Dr. Mawritz. All in favor.

V.        ACTION ON BIDS

Turf Top-dresser Unit - Mr. Woodhead reported that the sealed bids for the “Turf Top-dresser Unit” were opened at 10:00 AM today (8 Mar 07). He reported that the bids were advertised and three bid packets were requested by vendors. One bid arrived by bid opening time which was $17,288.43; everything required was presented and the references are known to CRPR staff. The amount bid was lower than written quotes received prior to the bid advertisements. Mr. Woodhead explained that the Board generally like to obtain more than one bid and that members had two choices: they could reject the bid and the unit would be rebid or they can accept the sole bid. Given that the sole bid was less than pre-bid quotations, Mr. Harpster moved that the $17,288.43 bid from Prosser LLC be accepted. Dr. Mawritz seconded. All in favor.

VIII.COMMUNICATIONS

Grant Schedule - Mr. Woodhead related that the annual schedule for applying for grants had been revised by DCNR. He also relayed some great news... approved grants were announced yesterday (7 Mar 07), $350,000 for PF Pool Construction; $48,000 for Harris Township; $15,000 for the Borough of State College; and $100,000 for Ferguson Township. Mr. Woodhead indicated that the grant for PF Construction is larger than grants they normally give and allows the Authority to keep on schedule.

IX.      OLD BUSINESS

Welch Pool Renewal - The School District has received the lease and they are now reviewing it. They will inform us when they are ready. Until the lease is signed, the Welch Master Site Planning cannot move forward.

X.        NEW BUSINESS

Visitor’s Bureau Grant Application - Mr. Woodhead asked the Authority to approve Resolution #1-2007 to authorize an application to the Central PA Convention & Visitors Bureau for a $15,000 grant to complete the visitor parking area at the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center. The parking lot would be unpaved and has already been approved by College Township. The entrance to the parking area has already been completed by Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc., and they have agreed to provide the labor to complete the project - if the grant is approved..

Seasonal & Volunteer Incentive Proposal - Mr. Woodhead related that the staff had developed a policy that would provide guidelines to appropriately recognize volunteers & seasonal staff. He asked for approval of the Authority / Board. Mr. Harpster moved to approve the Seasonal & Volunteer Incentive Proposal. Ms. Matason seconded. All in favor.

SCASD/CRPR - The Authority had asked that there be discussion with the SCASD on the cooperation and the relationship between the two entities. Mr. Woodhead noted the outline used for a meeting between he and Dr. Mawritz on 27 Feb 07.

KAZ Program - Mr. Hall reported that a program has been started across the state called “KAZ” (Keystone Active Zone). Each school child will receive a KAZ Passport at school for them to obtain a stamp at various activities in the region. This is a state program that then awards a number of trips to Disney and some other prizes. All who obtain a certain number of stamps are eligible to win a trip. CRPR would like to participate and asked the Board members to approve a revision to the 2007 Fee Policy for the following:

To authorize CRPR to offer free pool admission and a passport stamp to each KAZ Passport holder for Wednesday, June 13, 1-9 PM at the Welch Pool and Wednesday, June 27, 1-9 PM at the Park Forest Pool, with a rain date of Thursday, June 14 and 28 respectively. In addition, CRPR wishes to offer to KAZ Passholders a 50% reduction in the entry fee (along with the passport stamp) for the CRPR Youth Triathlon on July 28.

These revisions were approved on a motion by Dr. Mawritz and seconded by Mr. Harpster. All in favor

 XI.      ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Ms. Matason moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Harpster seconded. All in favor. Meeting adjourned at 1:10 PM.

 THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING has been scheduled for Thursday, 12 Apr 07 at 12:15 PM,
COG Forum Room.

These minutes were approved at the Board meeting on 12 Apr 07; they will now be distributed to Municipal Managers, SCASD, and posted on the CRPR website.

Meeting summary prepared by Diane Ishler, CRPR Office Manager