Centre Region Parks & Recreation Board / 
Centre Regional Recreation Authority

Meeting Agenda for Thursday, 10 Jul 08, 12:15 PM
at the Tudek Park Picnic Pavilion, Ferguson Township

I.       CALL TO ORDER and ROLL CALL:

• Ms. Sue Mascolo, Chair    Ferguson Twp. • Mr. Roy Harpster, Vice-Chair     Harris Twp.

• Ms. Kathy Matason, Sec.  College Twp.  • Ms. Donna Conway, Treas.         State College Borough

• Dr. Donna M. Ricketts      SCASD          • Mr. Chris Hurley              Patton Twp.

II.      COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC for any item not on the agenda (up to 5 min./person)

III.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES from the June meeting          (Attachment # 1)     (Action)

IV.     ACTION ON VOUCHERS from June                             (Attachment # 2)     (Action)

V.       COMMITTEE REPORTS

          • Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Advisory Committee:

                              Ms. Matason, Board representative on the Advisory Committee

                              Dr. Rick Marboe, Chair of the Advisory Committee

As noted at the June meeting, it is necessary for staff, the Advisory Committee and the Authority to evaluate efforts and donations to date and to consider the various options to move forward. The Advisory Committee discussed this at their June meeting and staff has prepared two “update” documents for Board discussion and direction. 

Specifically, the Authority is requested to authorize staff to obtain from HP Architects a proposal for architectural services to proceed with a version of the Spring Creek Education Building to meet the available funds. This proposal could be presented for Authority action in August.                                                (Attachments # 3 A/B)        (Action)

          • COG Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee: Mr. Woodhead

The committee met on 16 & 19 Jun 08 for a Park Planning Meeting and for a regular monthly meeting. Two meetings will be held in July: (1) for their regular meeting on Th 17 Jul 08, 12:15 PM in the COG Forum Room and (2) on either Mo or Tu 21 or 22 Jul 08, 12:15 PM (location TBA) for a Park Planning Meeting. The priority is to review & comment on the draft Resident Survey that will be mailed to 2,000 households in early-August. Board members are invited to all their meetings.(Attachment # 4)

          • Member & Municipal Committee Updates:

                    College Twp.                      Ferguson Twp.                    Patton Twp.

                    State College Borough         Harris Twp.                        SCASD

VI.     STAFF REPORTS

          • Activity Report: June                                                 (Attachment # 5)

          • Staff Roster for Summer 2008                                    (Attachment # 6)

• 2007 Audit Report: It is expected that the Auditors will present the 2007 Authority Audit Report at the August meeting.

          • 2009 Budget Process: “The Program Plans”: Mr. Woodhead

Staff has prepared and submitted to COG Administration the eight “2009 Program Plans.” Copies of the final versions will be available at the meeting (on CD) for Board member review.

          • Supervisor Highlights:

                Mr. Greg Roth              Ms. Lindenbaum                 Ms. Lee

                   Mr. Hall                             Mr. Todd Roth                         Ms. Hetrick

VII.    COMMUNICATIONS

• Mr. James A. Pawelczyk has donated funds to assist with the Park Forest Pool Renewal and is working to solicit other donors. A copy of his letter and a staff letter of thanks is attached.                                                               (Attachments # 7 A/B )

• ClearWater Conservancy has requested a fee waiver for their 2008 “Spring Creek Day Family Festival” at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center (for Sun 28 Sep 08). The MMNC Advisory Committee has recommended that the Authority grant the waiver. (Attachment # 8)

• The Centre Regional Planning Agency requested comments on a proposal to create a higher-density development zone adjacent to Patton Township. Since they asked for those comments prior to the regular Board meeting date, copies of their request and the staff reply are attached. Additional comments of the Board are welcome and will be relayed to the planning agency.       (Attachments # 9 A/B )

• The COG Executive Director has asked the agency to provide an update to the COG General Forum on Mon 28 Jul 08, 7:30 PM at the COG Building. Mr. Woodhead will coordinate the presentation to include summer activities and the capital projects now underway. Board member input and attendance is welcome.

VIII.  ACTION ITEMS

A. PARK FOREST POOL CONSTRUCTION: Mr. Woodhead

• The Authority action last month to award the four construction contracts was unanimously endorsed by the COG Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee per an email vote after their regular meeting on 19 Jun 08. The email vote was necessary due to several questions they asked for the Solicitor. It is expected that the contracts will be executed this week, following Solicitor review.

• Proposed Change Order Process

The following Change Order Authorization Process is requested by staff so as to provide the ability to efficiently respond to construction issues:

                    1.       That the Director is authorized to evaluate and execute those individual Change Orders recommended by HPArchitects that propose a net change (increase or decrease) in the Contract Amount of up to and including $5,000 and that keeps the Total Project Cost within the amount specified by the COG General Forum.

                    2.       Change Orders that result in a net change of more than $5,000 would be evaluated and executed by the 3-member team of the Authority Chair, Vice-Chair and Treasurer - and coordinated by the Director. If one of those officers is not available, the Secretary would complete the 3-member Board team.

In all cases, the action on any or all Change Orders would be reported at the next regular meeting of the Authority for official endorsement.

B. 2009 BUDGET PLANNING: Mr. Woodhead

Each year the participating municipalities must request by 30 Jun new or expanded park facilities for regional operations (programming and maintenance). For 2009, the following park expansions have been proposed:

                    1.       Ferguson Township: the expansion of facilities at Tom Tudek Memorial Park                (Attachment # 10)

                    2.       Patton Township: the expansion of facilities at Circleville Park  (for 2009: the first sub-phase only) (Attachment # 11)

                    Each municipality also provided plans for their park, available at the meeting. The Board may consider the following motion:

“That the proposed facilities be accepted into the regional system for 2009 pending the approval of the necessary funds in the 2009 Budget and with the full and acceptable completion of the facilities for regional operations as determined by the CRPR Staff.”  (Action)

IX.     INFORMATION ITEMS

A. WELCH POOL RENEWAL: Mr. Woodhead

As noted last month, the Authority and the COG Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee has been invited to attend the 14 Jul 08 meeting of the SCASD Board (7:30 PM in the SCASD Admin. Building). The Superintendent has been asked if the School Board could instead appoint a committee to meet with the municipal officials for those discussions.

X.       ADJOURNMENT                                                                                          (Action)

NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Th 14 Aug 08, 12:15 PM at the COG Building Forum Room