Approved Minutes of Regular Meeting
Thursday, 9 Aug 07 at the COG Building Forum Room

I.       CALL TO ORDER and ROLL CALL

Vice Chair Sue Mascolo called the meeting to order at 12:15 P.M.

Board members attending (4 of 6): Sue Mascolo, Donna Conway, Kathleen Matason, Roy Harpster. Absent with advance notice: Cindy Solic, Ken Mawritz, and Borough Council Liaison (nonvoting) Craig R. Humphrey.

Staff members: 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, Office Manager Diane Ishler.

Absent with advance notice: Senior Center Director Barbara Lindenbaum

II.      COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC - none

III.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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

IV.     ACTION ON VOUCHERS

The vouchers for July were approved on a motion by Mr. Harpster and seconded by Ms. Matason. All in favor.

V.       COMMITTEE REPORTS

COG Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee - Mr. Woodhead reported that the committee would be meeting on Thursday, 16 Aug 07 to discuss the funding strategy for the future development of the Regional Parks.

Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Advisory Committee - The Committee did not meet in July. Ms. Hetrick relayed that a status report on the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Capital Campaign will be presented at the COG Finance Committee meeting on 14 Aug 07. In addition, the annual update of the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center will be presented to the COG General Forum on 27 Aug 07.

Municipal Boards & Committees: Issues & Updates by Board Members

- College Twp. Parks & Recreation Committee: No report

- Borough of State College: No report

- Harris Twp. Park & Recreation Committee: No report

- Patton Twp. Rec. Advisory Committee: No report

- Ferguson Township: No report

- State College Area School District: No report.

VI.     STAFF REPORTS

July 2007 Activity Report - Mr. Woodhead reported that it has been a very good summer and the final summer report will be issued after Labor Day.

YTD Revenue Status - Mr. Woodhead reported YTD that the revenue is ahead of last year by $75,000.

Pool Operational Updates - Mr. T Roth reported that the heater at the Welch pool had to be replaced and has been installed. The surge tank at Park Forest must be replaced and is scheduled for this fall. After Park Forest Pool is renewed, there will be other park uses for the plastic tank. Welch Pool is still leaking approximately one inch of water a day (down from the five inches it was leaking). Mr. Roth indicated that only the worst leaks were detected and that he will continue to identify the smaller ones. Ms. Mascolo asked if it would be worth having the leak detection company come back. Mr. Roth indicated that some of the water lose is due to evaporation and carry-out from pool users, so it would probably not be worth the expense.

2008 Senior Center Funding Formula - Mr. Woodhead reviewed the report showing how the Senior Center programs visits (31,087 in 2006/2007) determine the 2008 Funding Formula. Ms. Mascolo asked if all the visits listed come into the center. Mr. Woodhead indicated that some of the visits were at other locations.

2008 Budget Process - Mr. Woodhead related that the 2008 COG Program Budget has been sent out to the municipalities for comment. A copy of the Parks & Recreation sections were included in the Board member packets.

Supervisor Highlights:

Jeff Hall, Recreation Supervisor - Sports and Fitness - Summer activities are almost over; Adult Softball playoffs start on Monday , 13 Aug 07, with tennis ending 10 Aug. 07. He is also getting ready for fall.

Beth Lee, Recreation Supervisor - Programs & Special Events - Camps are finished with a great summer and the 8^th week of camp worked out well. The Fall Leisure Guide will be published and distributed in the Centre Daily Times on 26 Aug 07. We are conducting a Spikes fund raiser for the 26 Aug 07 Spikes game, tickets are on sale at the office for $7. Ms. Lee is also getting ready for fall.

Molly Hetrick , Recreational Supervisor - Nature Center - The Nature Center camps are winding down with the second week of Canoe Camp ending this week and Wetlands Camp beginning next week.

Todd Roth, Aquatics Supervisor - Tomorrow, 10 Aug 07, is the last day of swim lessons for the summer. The pools had a great summer with increased programs and season pool passes. This was the third year for the Triathlon - with 85 participants this year.

Greg Roth, Park Supervisor - The crew is beginning to build the Spring Creek garage extension; the Boardwalk extension is progressing. The PCC has been moved to Curtin Village until a new Crew Leader has been hired by the PCC managers in Harrisburg, since the Crew Leader resigned from PCC.

Ronald J. Woodhead for Barbara Lindenbaum, Senior Center Director - Summer picnics and outings have been going smoothly, despite the heat, but many people prefer the pleasure of the cool indoors instead. A variety of new fee-based programs involve a series of speakers on a related topic such as strategies for protecting your home investment, legal and financial strategies relative to health care & issues of independence, and preventive health issues. To boost revenue in 2008, a new advertising option is being considered for the annual and monthly calendars called “Business Sponsor of the Month”. More information will be presented about this option in a future meeting.

VII.COMMUNICATIONS - none

VIII.  OLD BUSINESS

Welch Pool Renewal - Master Site Plan Schedule - Staff have been working with the consultants on the Welch Master Site Plan. A presentation was made at the July COG General Forum meeting and two public meetings on 23-24 Jul 07. The consultants will be here for the next series of meetings 24-25 Sept 07 to present a range of concept plans. Mr. Woodhead then asked the Authority to authorize a special meeting at 3 PM on 24 Sept 07 for the consultants to present a range of options for the Welch Pool renewal. The consultants will then present to the COG General Forum that evening. Ms. Conway moved that the special meeting be held. Mr. Harpster seconded. All in favor. Ms. Conway then asked if it was important that Board members attend the COG General Forum meeting. Mr. Woodhead indicated that it would be better for the Board to come to the Public meeting on 25 Sept 07.

Park Forest Renewal -The consultants submitted a joint proposal for architectural and engineering services for the construction of Park Forest pool. That proposal was forwarded to PA DCNR who approved it. The proposal was presented to the Ad Hoc Regional Park committee and now is to be considered by the Authority. The staff is recommending the following motion:

“That the Authority authorize execution of the proposal by the Chair, subject to the pending recommendations of the Solicitor, in an amount not to exceed $269,500 including reimbursable expenses.”

          Mr. Harpster moved and Ms. Conway seconded. All in favor.

2006 Audit Report - We are still waiting for a response from the auditors on Ms. Conway’s question about the revenue categories listed in CY 2006 Audit Report.

SportsLog Software Replacement: “The Active Network” - Mr. Woodhead reported he had registered the Agency to a two-year term with the Active.Net Parks & Recreation database service - since the firm offered to not change their service fees during that 2-year period. This service will replace the current SportsLog software program beginning December/January for staff and possibly March 2008 for the public via the Internet. Staff training will take place in November and December.

IX.     NEW BUSINESS

Central Westmoreland COG - Vehicle Purchasing Program - The Authority is asked to approve Resolution #3-2007 which authorizes an Associate Membership in the Central Westmoreland COG Vehicle Purchasing Program for a $150 fee. Ms. Conway moved to approve Resolution #3-2007. Mr. Harpster seconded. All in favor.

X.       ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 12:35 PM.

 THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING has been scheduled for
Thursday, 13 Sept 07 at 12:15 PM, Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Barn

These minutes were approved at the Board meeting on 13 Sept. 07.
They will now be distributed to Municipal Managers, SCASD, and posted on the CRPR website.