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, Sue Mascolo, Donna Conway, Kathleen Matason, Roy Harpster, Dr. Donna Ricketts.

Absent: 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, Senior Center Director Barbara Lindenbaum, Park Supervisor Greg Roth, Office Manager Diane Ishler.

Guests: James Steff, COG Executive Director

II.      AUTHORITY / BOARD ORGANIZATION

Ms. Solic welcomed Dr. Donna Ricketts as the State College Area School District’s representative to fill the unexpired term of Dr. Kenneth Mawritz (through 31 Dec 11). Dr. Ricketts was appointed by the State College Borough Council on 17 Sept 07.

III.    COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC - none

IV.     APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of the Regular September (13 Sep 07) meeting were approved on a motion by Ms. Matason and seconded by Ms. Mascolo. All in favor. The minutes of the Special September (24 Aug 07) meeting were approved on a motion by Mr. Harpster and seconded by Ms. Conway. All in favor.

V.       ACTION ON VOUCHERS

The vouchers for September were approved on a motion by Ms. Mascolo and seconded by Ms. Conway. All in favor.

VI.     COMMITTEE REPORTS

COG Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee - Mr. Woodhead reported that the Ad Hoc Regional Park committee did not meet in September but will meet next Thursday, 18 Oct 07, with many issues to discuss: two regional parks and the status of the two pool renewals. There appears to be a new item - a request from the Harris Township Supervisors that COG acquire Hess Softball Field Complex rather then permit that land to be sold by the owner’s estate. It would not necessarily mean that COG would operate the park. There are approximately 1,800-2,000 softball games / year played there, including many statewide tournaments. The property has been for sale and currently is leased for one year (through the 2008 softball season). A discussion followed. Ms. Solic asked if the CRPR Board/CRRA Authority should make a recommendation concerning Hess Field. Mr. Woodhead related that the recommendation was not needed at the present time but may become necessary in the future.

Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Advisory Committee - Ms. Matason reported that the Advisory Committee met 19 Sept 07 and decided to respond to the letter they received from Penn State for Sustainability and offer support, but also voice concern of the possible duplication of services. The committee reviewed the architect’s designs for the Spring Creek Education Bldg. with several cost options. One design had two bays (for classroom space) and one had one bay. The committee decided to go with one bay and see how everything goes and if the money is released from the State. Mr. Harpster asked how much local funds have been raised; the local donations & pledges stand at $1,005,800 (including the $200,000 grant from the County).

Municipal Boards & Committees: Issues & Updates by Board Members

- College Twp. Parks & Recreation Committee: Ms. Matason indicated that the committee met 17 Sept 07 and discussed the Mt. Nittany Manor Plan (housing). They recommended approval of the proposal with the condition that the developer address the grading near the open space, correct some specific things about the parkland, and address an issue with Struble Road. The contractor is just starting work on portions of the project.

- Borough of State College: Ms. Conway reported that Mr. T. Roth made a presentation to the State College Borough Council concerning the Welch pool renewal options. She thought they were leaning toward the Option #3. The Council also talked about the new Bike Path that goes through Central Parklet.

- Harris Twp. Park & Recreation Committee: Mr. Harpster indicated that Option #3 seemed to be preferred. He also reported that the Township is working through the “Official Map” process and they plan to show trails that extend to Rothrock State Forest Lands.

- Patton Twp. Rec. Advisory Committee: Ms. Solic relayed that Patton took their park tour visiting the new parks. The Circleville Park expansion is looking really good. People really love the disk golf, especially since it has been expanded to 9 holes. She indicated that some items still to go into Circleville might be bocce and sand volleyball. The committee met with the consultants for the Bernel Road Park Master Site Plan but the price is very high and the committee wants to have Circleville Park completed before they begin Bernel Rd. Circleville Park has one more phase remaining to be built.

- Ferguson Township: Ms. Mascolo presented an update report to the Ferguson Township Council about a week and a half ago and they seemed happy with what Parks & Recreation is doing.

- State College Area School District: No report.

VII.    STAFF REPORTS

Summer 2007 Program Report - Ms. Solic asked if anything was being done about the fact that Wee Kids Venture camp had so little registration this past year. Is the camp being redone to use resources better? Ms. Lee indicated that she is evaluating the camp and what can be done for 2008.

September 2007 Activity Report - No other comments

“Governor’s Award for Local Gov’t. Excellence” - Mr. Woodhead advised the Board that CRRA/CRPR has been asked to submit an application to the state for a “Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence” with respect to Millbrook Marsh Nature Center.

Supervisor Highlights:

Jeff Hall, Recreation Supervisor - Sports and Fitness - The Start Smart sports have been very popular with 78 children registered. Adult football, basketball, volleyball leagues have also begun.

Beth Lee, Recreation Supervisor - Programs & Special Events - Gymnastics and Hip Hop Dance are very popular for fall. Dark in the Park will be held on 24 Oct 07 in cooperation with Schlow Library. The Halloween Parade will be held on 30 Oct 07. In addition, she is getting ready for winter, working on the Winter/Spring Leisure Guide and preparing for staff training on ActiveNet.

Molly Hetrick , Recreational Supervisor - Nature Center - Spring Creek Day was held at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center on 16 Sept 07 where the nature center also celebrated its 10^th birthday. The most popular attraction at Spring Creek Day was the boardwalk. Ms. Hetrick is wrapping up the 2007 programs with the last one scheduled for early November (the Harvest Festival on 4 Nov 07 in cooperation with Penn State students).

Greg Roth, Park Supervisor - The maintenance crew survived the Day of Caring; there were volunteers at seven sites. The crew has been winterizing the parks, working on the extension of the Spring Creek Park garage, and extending the boardwalk at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center. The boardwalk only has three feet before it reaches the Quonset Hut. Most of the Elm trees planted in the parks have perished from a new Elm disease known as “Yellows” and the maintenance crews will have to cut them down. The trees are located in Nittany View & Spring Creek Parks and at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center.

Barbara Lindenbaum, Senior Center Director - The Senior Center has 220 slots for flu shots - and Barbara expects that they will fill quickly, as usual. The Tai Chi program is doing very well with some liking it so well they signed up for the second session already. The seniors went on a Fall Foliage trip on Tuesday, 9 Oct and had a great time.

Todd Roth, Aquatics Supervisor - Swim lessons are in full swing at the State College Area School District natatorium. The Park Forest and Welch pools are just about winterized. Mr. Roth is coordinating details for Park Forest with the architects and the questions for Welch. So far the most popular of the Welch Pool Renewal options is #3. Each municipality is reviewing the options presented and will reply to the COG General Forum for an official endorsement. Mr. Roth was asked about the leak at the Welch pool. He has determined that the leak is probably not in the perimeter pipes, but rather in along the slab joints near the top of the sloping wall in the diving well.

VIII.COMMUNICATIONS - none

IX.     OLD BUSINESS

Welch Pool Renewal - Master Site Plan Schedule -

Unofficially, it would appear that College Township was favoring Option #3; their Council will act on their recommendation on 1 Nov. An inquiry from College Township about having other “park- type facilities” inside the pool complex has Mr. T. Roth and Mr. Woodhead looking into what is provided across the state. Some pool complexes have playground equipment inside the pool site but not in the pool water. An email inquiry was received from one of the appointees concerning the role of the Pool Advisory Committee. A discussion followed. Mr. T Roth stated that it sounded like other people received more information than the member sending the email. CRPR has been providing all the information to the website, so everyone can keep up to date. If a person would like more information, they just need to ask. The Pool Advisory Committee was not set up as a decision-making body but rather an important part of the planning discussion process. The COG General Forum is the decision maker. Mr. T Roth was going to thank him for his comments and expects to have a meeting with the group for feedback. Ms Solic related that the Advisory Committee had a lot of opportunity for suggestions and comments in the beginning but then the issue became available for public input.

Park Forest Renewal: Parking Agreement - A brief discussion was held concerning the “Reciprocal Parking Agreement” between the State College Area School District and the Authority for parking at the Park Forest Pool and the Park Forest Middle School. The Authority gave staff the approval to work with the Solicitor to draft an agreement for this shared parking.

Park Forest Pool Renewal Update - Discussion was postponed until the November meeting.

2008 Budget Proposal - Mr. Woodhead reported that the discussions went well at the 2008 Budget Hearing on 25 Sept 07. He then emphasized how Fund 45 request was revised prior to that hearing from a proposed increase of 19% in municipal contribution to a 9% increase. He also relayed that the COG Finance Committee agreed to increase the municipal contribution for Millbrook Marsh Nature Center from $20,000 to $25,000. The budgets now go to the COG General Forum and to the municipalities for comment.

Extending the Lease for Millbrook Marsh Nature Center - Mr. Woodhead indicated that there was some concern that a Capital Campaign was in progress to build on ground with less than 25 years left on the lease agreement. Two attachments were included with the Board packet sent to Board members prior to the meeting, #8A “Second Addendum to Lease Agreement”and #8B “Memorandum of First and Second Addendums to Lease Agreement”. These agreements provide for 35 years plus three 5- year extensions on the lease. Both the Penn State Counsel and CRRA Solicitor Etter approved the documents. Ms. Mascolo moved to approve the two agreements and Ms. Conway seconded. All in favor. The documents will now be considered by the PSU Board of Trustees in early November.

X.       NEW BUSINESS

Mr. Harpster asked about the new hotel that was proposed to be built near Millbrook Marsh Nature Center. Mr. Woodhead indicated that the hotel was going to be further away from the center than the Hilton Garden Inn, so it should not be a problem. The lighting from the first hotel impacts the nature center, but the Township has since adopted restrictions that would limit the spillover from the new hotel (if approved).

XI.     ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 1:18 PM on a motion by Ms. Mascolo and second by Ms. Conway. All in favor.

THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING has been scheduled for
Thursday, 8 Nov 07 at 12:15 PM, COG Building, Forum Room

These minutes were approved at the Board meeting on 8 Nov 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