Approved Minutes of Regular Meeting

Thursday, 14 Jun 07 at the Orchard Park Pavilion

I.         CALL TO ORDER and ROLL CALL

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

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

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

Absent with advance notice: Recreation Supervisor-Programs & Special Events Beth Lee, Recreation Supervisor -Nature Center Molly Hetrick

Guest: James Steff, COG Executive Director and the two CRPR interns: Arinze Nwadiogbu and David Orlan.

II.       COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC - none

III.      APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of the May meeting were approved on a motion by Ms. Mascolo and seconded by Ms. Conway. All in favor.

IV.      ACTION ON VOUCHERS

The vouchers for May were approved on a motion by Ms. Mascolo and seconded by Ms. Conway. All in favor. Mr. Woodhead corrected the record for last month; he stated that the amount on the voucher was herbicide when in fact it was turf seed that was ordered.

V.        COMMITTEE REPORTS

COG Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee - Mr. Woodhead reported the Committee met 17 May 07 and focused on the possible structure of a standing Parks Capital Committee instead of Ad Hoc. The Committee will prepare a letter to the COG Executive Committee regarding the future operations of that committee which will be provided to the CRPR Board, when available. Ms. Solic asked if the committee would be involved in other issues beyond parks and recreation. Mr. Woodhead explained that it would be just Parks Capital for regional park items. The next meeting of the Committee is 19 Jul 07.

Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Advisory Committee - Ms. Matason reported that the Advisory Committee did not meet but they did review and comment on the proposal from HP Architects for the Spring Creek Education Building.

Municipal Boards & Committees: Issues & Updates by Board Members

- College Twp. Parks & Recreation Committee: Ms. Matason reported that at the 21 May 07 meeting the committee talked about the “adopt a road” program draft form that could be used. The Committee also reviewed and updated the five year plan. They again decided that park sites are not dumping stations for grass clippings. Next meeting is 19 Jun 07. Ms. Conway asked about grass drop off sites; she wondered why College Township did not want a grass drop off at Dalevue Park? She indicated that the State College Borough has drop off sites and has not had significant issues. Ms. Matason indicated that they didn’t think parks were an appropriate site for a drop off. Mr. Woodhead indicated that College Township did have drop off at the Spring Creek Park annex.

            - Borough of State College: No report

- Harris Twp. Park & Recreation Committee: No report

- Patton Twp. Rec. Advisory Committee: Ms. Solic reported that Patton Township took their Park tour and also looked at regional sites. The view at Oak Hall Parkland is really great. The Committee meets tomorrow, 15 Jun 07, with the planners to discuss the Bernel Road Park.

- Ferguson Township: No report.

- State College Area School District: The artificial turf project for the inside of the State College High School track has begun. The new fence will be placed around the outside of the track. In addition, the lights will be considered for 2008-2009.

VI.      STAFF REPORTS

Mr. Woodhead introduced the two summer interns for Parks & Recreation: Arinze Nwadiogbu and David Orlan.

May 2007 Activity Report - Mr. Woodhead emphasized the increase in revenue.

Winter/Spring 2007 Program Report - Mr. Woodhead thanked the supervisors for the great work shown in this report and to Mr. Todd Roth for coordinating the published report. The report is on the website.

Summer Program Registration & Revenue Update - In the first part of June revenue is about $15,000 ahead of last year.

Status of Agency Computer Software (SportsLog) Replacement - Mr. Woodhead reported that two years ago approved a move from SportLog to the e-trak system that was to be done in 2005 and then the Board approved to extend that time to December 2006. E-trak is still not ready so the staff has started to look at the demo of other software packages. There are 5 or 6 worthwhile providers that we have narrowed down to 2 or 3. At the July meeting the Board/Authority members will be asked to authorize the staff to acquire the service of a vendor. “E-Trak” was at no cost to us, the service was a use fee to the customer and we would like to keep that same cost structure. Active.com has been in the business for over 15 years and actively on internet applications for 5 years. The cost to CRPR/CRRA would be to train the staff to use the system at approximately $6,800. The training cost is a time and materials basis so it may not cost that much. The staff intends to ask the Board/Authority for approval to proceed to acquire that new service at the next meeting. There is no money in the budget for 2007 for this project so we need to determine how we would pay for it and present that at the same time. The staff would be the only users for about six months until everything is right, then the public would be able to use it.

“Indoor Sports Facility” Update - Mr. Hall attended the latest meeting of the focus group and the need is still the same. The Oak Hall Parkland cannot be used for an indoor facility due to the use of Federal grant funds to finance the acquisition. No formal request has been presented for the Whitehall Road project. Ms. Solic asked if any of the groups were building a for profit facility. Mr. Woodhead indicated that one, Baseball Heaven definitely was. Ms. Solic asked if anyone knew about the indoor facility that was being built on Route 26 near the Our Lady of Victory football field? A discussion followed; noone seemed to know very much about the possible facility. 3C Sports, building out on the Benner Pike, have their plans at the Code Office for approval and Baseball Heaven is proceeding to acquire land for their facility, possibly in Marion Township. The focus group is sending out a survey asking groups to list their needs. A person from Penn State was there indicating that Penn State would be supportive. Mr. Hall will continue to attend the meetings keeping the Board/Authority up to date.

Supervisor Highlights:

Jeff Hall Reporting for Beth Lee, Recreation Supervisor for Programs & Special Events - Ms. Lee is providing training for her summer staff so she could not attend the meeting. The registration for KidVenture camps are doing well and camps begin on Monday, 18 Jun. Fliers for Touch-A-Truck (June 16) and Spike game ticket applications for Parks & Recreation night 26 Aug 07 for ($7) were distributed. The revenue from the Spike game ticket sales will be used for scholarships.

Jeff Hall, Recreation Supervisor - Sports and Fitness - CRPR hosted a local Pitch Hit & Run event winners went to Sectionals. The Sectionals were also hosted by CRPR at Spring Creek Park; where four counties participated.. Two of the participants advanced to the State finals in Pittsburgh at the Pirates game. The participants and parents really liked the park and facilities. The Girls Softball league of 3-5 grades, 6 teams, has finished and the Adult Softball teams are in mid season. Thisweek tennis lessons started with 39 in adult beginning tennis, 24 adults in fitness classes, and 137 youth registered for youth tennis lessons.

Todd Roth, Aquatics Supervisor - Indoor swimming lessons began 4 Jun 07 and the outdoor lessons and One on One lessons will begin on Monday, 18 Jun 07. A new class, Springboard Diving, is almost completely full. The first event night, Disco night, at Welch was successful. Mr. Roth indicated that he had great sponsors for these event nights. Both pools opened on time and the minor things have been fixed. Two major problems, Welch pool heater broke down and was beyond repair so a new heater was ordered at a cost of about $10,000; it would be able to be used in the new facility. The Park Forest heater is also in bad shape but parts from the Welch heater may be used to fix the Park Forest heater since construction on the new pool is to start next year. The gypsy moths are really causing a problem at Park Forest pool; it is almost impossible to keep the pool clean with the infestation of gypsy moths in Park Forest. A discussion followed as to what could be done about the gypsy moths and who was responsible for controlling them.

Barbara Lindenbaum, Senior Center Director - The Senior Games are going good with over 200participants; Bowling is still the most popular event.

Ronald Woodhead for Molly Hetrick , Recreational Supervisor - Nature Center - Ms. Hetrick is on vacation and Mr. Woodhead reported for her. The Millbrook Marsh Nature Center camps are full and a second Canoe Camp has been added in August.

Greg Roth, Park Supervisor - Mr. Roth thanked everyone involved in passing the 2007 budget allowing him to purchase a Wood Chipper. With all the storms lately, the chipper has allowed them to clean up the parks quickly. The crews are working on the Spring Creek garage addition and putting a new roof on the Kaywood pavilion. The PCC crew is working on the Boardwalk extension and will be working at Circleville Park building two new pavilions and a Basketball court.

VII.COMMUNICATIONS

CRRA Awarded Visitor’s Bureau Grant - This grant application for $15,000 was authorized by the Authority in February. A $10,000 grant award is to complete the parking lot at the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center and represents the 5^th consecutive year that the Authority has received a Visitor’s Bureau grant. Matching funds will come from the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Capital Campaign and from Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc. Mr. Steff related that he totaled the grant funding that had been secured for the Agency through the efforts of Mr. Woodhead in the last six months, $630,000. Ms. Solic suggested that this be sent to the newspaper.

VIII.   OLD BUSINESS

Welch Pool Renewal -

Land Lease - The lease with the State College School District for the Welch Pool land was re-executed to incorporate insurance changes requested by the School District. The lease has been signed and will be recorded by the Authority Solicitor Terry Williams.

Master Site Plan - The proposals for consultant services from Counsilman-Hunsaker and HP Architects, based upon the Scope of Work developed by staff, were received and distributed during the meeting. The project budget for the Master Site Plan is $66,000 with one half, $33,000 provided by the State grant. The staff recommends that the Authority approve the service contracts with Counsilman-Hunsaker and with HP Architects for a total amount not-to-exceed $59,850 and subject to the approval of the PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Ms. Mascolo made the motion to accept that recommendation and Ms. Matason seconded. All in favor.

Park Forest Renewal - The consultants have also been asked to submit proposals for architectural & engineering services for the construction project based upon the approved Master Site Plan from 2006. The renewal schedule calls for construction bids to be solicited in early-2008 and the actual construction to begin in early-2008, pending approval by the participating municipalities. The costs for these services may be covered by the $350,000 PA DCNR grant for the entire construction project. The consultant proposals are expected to be presented to the Authority at their July meeting. The necessary planning meetings could then be held while the Welch Pool Master Plan is being developed.

IX.      NEW BUSINESS

Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Capital Campaign - Mr. Woodhead presented the proposal from HP Architects for architectural services for the proposed Spring Creek Education Building at the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center. The proposal was individually reviewed by the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Advisory Committee with 11 of the 16 person committee (5 members not available) recommending the proposal for approval by the Authority. If approved, the proposal would be funded by Capital Campaign funds. Mr. Harpster moved that this proposal from HP Architect for the Spring Creek Education Building be approved not to exceed $13,000. Ms. Matason seconded. All in favor.

2006 Audit Report - Mr. Woodhead reviewed a letter received from the Auditors today. Due to this letter’s arrival today, the Authority will not be asked to act on this audit until the July meeting.

X.        ADJOURNMENT

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

 THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING has been scheduled for Thursday, 12 July 07 at 12:15 PM, Tudek Park Pavilion

These minutes were approved at the Board meeting on 12 July 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