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Approved Minutes of Regular Meeting
Thursday, 12 Apr 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, Roy Harpster, Sue Mascolo, Donna Conway. Borough
Council Liaison (nonvoting) Craig R. Humphrey also attended.
Absent w/ advance notice: Dr. Mawritz, Kathleen Matason
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; Dennis Hameister, COG Ad Hoc Stream Buffer Committee;
Sebastian DeGregorio, Centre Region Planning Agency
II. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC - none
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the March meeting were approved on a motion by Mr. Harpster and seconded by Ms.
Mascolo. All in favor.
IV. ACTION ON VOUCHERS
The vouchers for March were approved on a motion by Ms. Mascolo and seconded by Mr. Harpster. All in
favor.
V. COMMITTEE REPORTS
COG Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee - No meeting was held in March. Mr. Harpster indicated he would
not be able to attend the meeting on 19 Apr 07. Mr. Steff explained that one of the agenda items for
the next Ad Hoc meeting is to discuss the status of the Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee and its
relationship with the Parks and Recreation Committee.
Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Advisory Committee - No Meeting
Municipal Boards & Committees: Issues & Updates by Board Members
- College Twp. Parks & Recreation Committee: No report
- Harris Twp. Park & Recreation Committee: Mr. Harpster distributed a flyer advertising a
Community day at Fasick Park where people will be able to learn about composting.
- Patton Twp. Rec. Advisory Committee: Ms. Solic reported the township is continuing to work on
the Bernel Park master site plan. The trip to Lewisburg to see their new “Multi-generational
Destination Park” and to tour the PlayWorld factory is scheduled for next week and some
members of Harris Township may also be going.
- Ferguson Township: No report.
- Borough of State College: No report.
- State College Area School District: No report.
VI. STAFF REPORTS
March 2007 Activity Report - Mr. Woodhead had nothing to add to the report.
Summer Leisure Guide Published on 1 Apr 07 - Ms Lee related that the Summer Leisure Guide was
published and distributed on 1 Apr 07. She is really pleased with the way it looks and that there are
a number of new programs in the guide. Mr. Harpster indicated he thought it was a really good
guide and asked that some be provided to Harris Township to distribute at their Fasick Park event.
Program Registration & Summer Camp Update - Mr. Woodhead compared last year’s revenue to this year;
there is $40,000 more than last year. In the nine working days since the Summer Leisure Guide was
published, 760 registrations/reservations with a total of $60,000 were received and the website
visits have increased.
“Indoor Sports Facility” Update - In an effort to keep the Board members informed, Mr. Woodhead
relayed information received at a focus group meeting on 1 Apr 07. There are three groups trying to
build and indoor sports facility in the area:
1. Baseball Heaven, a private venture the Durant’s are planning to build in the area;
2. C3 Sports, representing Christ Community Church, has started construction of an indoor facility
on 15-acres off Shiloh Road to include a church, daycare and indoor sport areas;
3. YMCA has approval from their board to take the lead to provide a centralized, all-inclusive
multi-sport facility.
Ms. Solic asked if these groups met together? Mr. Woodhead and Mr. Steff indicated that the
interests started as separate groups, and that they recently have met as one group, but it still appears
there are three initiatives underway. The Visitor’s Bureau is coordinating the group meetings; Mr.
Hall is attending as our municipal liaison.
In addition, SCASD may be installing artificial turf on the track.
Municipal Pool Survey Results - Mr. Todd Roth referred to the Butler County Parks and Recreation Pool
Fee Survey that was included in the Board packet. The 2006 survey listed daily admissions, season
passes and funding for 33 municipalities in PA. When compared to other municipal pools, CRRA
daily admissions are about the same and the pool passes are much less (2nd from the least
expensive).
Supervisor Highlights:
Todd Roth, Aquatics Supervisor - The weather has not been good for completing the pool work that must
be done before opening day. The Welch Pool was vandalized inside one building, however, the
damage was not substantial. Most of the aquatics staff are hired, but swim instructors are still
needed. Spring lessons will be over in about two more weeks.
Molly Hetrick , Recreational Supervisor - Nature Center - All summer nature center camps are full due in
part to the early registration that began on 1 Feb 07. School group programs start tomorrow and
there are birthday parties every weekend in April.
Greg Roth, Park Supervisor - The weather has not been good for working in the parks, but they are about
ready for the summer. The PCC is finishing the benches and then will be gone for training for a
week. When they return they will begin the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center boardwalk extension.
PSU donated the lumber (valued at $16,000) for this project.
Beth Lee, Recreation Supervisor for Programs & Special Events - The Flashlight Egg Hunt for 6-8th
graders was a success with 66 registered and about 75 attending. This will become an annual event.
Over 700 participated, in the wind and snow, at the annual Easter Egg Hunt, this year held at
Orchard Park (changed from Holmes-Foster Park due to the high winds). For spring, Rhythmic
Gymnastics and other gymnastic classes are full. She reported that we were able to work out the
space issue for Park Forest Elementary School for the summer camp. Early registration for camps
has been going very well.
Jeff Hall, Recreation Supervisor - Sports and Fitness -Adult participation in the spring was good with 30
registered for Volleyball and 30 for Indoor Soccer as well as the Adult Leagues. Some of the
outdoor sports have had to be postponed due to the weather.
Barbara Lindenbaum, Senior Center Director - There are over 40 registered for the “Boost Your Brain
Power” series. Next month is Older American Month and a special party is planned on 21 May 07.
VII.COMMUNICATIONS - none
VIII. OLD BUSINESS
Park Forest Pool Renewal -
- Mr. Woodhead reported that grant reimbursement for the Park Forest Master Plan of $22,000 was
received; that project is officially completed per PA DCNR..
-PA DCNR Secretary informed the Authority that the grant application for the Park Forest Pool
Renewal Project in the amount of $350,000 has been approved. The Authority may proceed with the
process to engage HP Architects and Counsilman-Hunsaker to prepare detailed plans and
construction documents. The target date to begin construction is August 2008.
-A service agreement between “Concord Public Finance Advisors, Inc.” and the COG (Finance
Committee) is being finalized to assist with the combined financing package for the two pool
renewals. It is necessary to finalize the Welch Pool Master Plan (and the related costs) before the
financing funding package can be developed for both pool renewals.
Welch Pool Renewal - Land Lease - Mr. Woodhead indicated the land lease approved by the Authority and
the Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee for submission to the State College Area School District was
presented to the school district by Solicitor Williams for comment. The school district
administration requested a few revisions which Solicitor Williams made to the proposed lease. Ms.
Solic asked what changes were made by the school district. Mr. Woodhead reviewed the sections
indicated by stars on the draft lease. Ms. Conway asked if there was any discussion about the
parking issue. Mr. Woodhead replied that there will be parking on the Welch Pool side of the street
but specific parking issues would be addressed in a separate parking agreement - once the school
finalizes their final plan for the South Bldg. Campus. Ms. Mascolo moved to have the Solicitor
present the revised draft lease to the school district for consideration and action. If the document
remains unchanged, the Chair is authorized to execute the lease on behalf of the Authority. Ms.
Conway seconded. All in favor. The lease will be considered by the School Board on Mon. 23 Apr
07 for discussion and Mon. 7 May 07 for action.
IX. NEW BUSINESS
Sponsorship of Grant Application (Planning Agency), Resolution #2-2007- Mr. Woodhead related that the
COG Centre Region Planning Agency has asked the Authority (since the Authority has the required
501(c)3 status) to sponsor the grant application for the public education component of the
development standards for stream side buffers and riparian zones on public and private lands. Any
costs to CRRA/CRPR associated with the grant application would be fully reimbursed by the grant.
A discussion of the project and funding streams followed. Mr. Hamiester and Mr. DeGregorio
explained how the funds would be used and the history of the stream buffer project. They reflected
that what happens here impacts the Chesapeake Bay watershed. There are new rules that will be
enforced concerning the Chesapeake Bay watershed that will effect what we can do here in the
Centre Region. Ms. Solic clarified the information by asking if the reason CRRA was being asked
to sponsor this grant was that the Planning Agency couldn’t apply by themselves. She also asked
that if an ordinance is established through COG would it be for all of COG or just the Borough of
State College. Mr. Steff explained that the COG would develop a proposed model ordinance that
each municipality could adopt or they could adopt sections of it. The participating COG
municipalities decide what they will adopt; they don’t have to participate just because they are a
member of COG. Ms. Solic then asked if this grant money would be used to make that model in
terms of a video, etc., that would be shown to municipalities, etc. The answer was yes. Ms. Mascolo
moved that the Authority approve Resolution #2-2007 to partner with Centre Regional Planning to
submit the $10,000 grant application to the Western Pennsylvania Watershed Program. Ms.
Conway seconded. All in favor.
Ms. Conway asked if there was anyway a group in Aaronsburg could promote the Aaronsburg festival in
the Leisure Guide. Mr. Woodhead asked if it was a nonprofit group and then asked Ms. Conway to
have the group call Ms. Lee or Mr. Woodhead.
X. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Ms. Mascolo moved to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Conway seconded. All
in favor. Meeting adjourned at 1:20 PM.
THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING has been scheduled for Thursday, 10 May 07 at 12:15 PM, COG Forum Room.
After these minutes were approved at the Board meeting on 10 May 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
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