Centre Region Council of Governments
CENTRE REGION PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
CENTRE REGIONAL RECREATION AUTHORITY

Approved Minutes of Regular Meeting
Thursday, 8 Feb 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 (5 of 6): Sue Mascolo, Donna Conway, Cindy Solic, Kathy Matason, Roy Harpster. Borough Council Liaison (nonvoting) Craig R. Humphrey also attended.

Absent: Dr. Ken Mawritz

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, Parks Supervisor Greg Roth, Senior Center Director Barbara Lindenbaum, Office Manager Diane Ishler.

Guest: James Steff, COG Executive Director

II.       COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC - none

III.      APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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

IV.      ACTION ON VOUCHERS

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

V.        COMMITTEE REPORTS

Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Advisory Committee - Ms. Matason reported that the Committee met on 17 January, reorganized and confirmed the subcommittees. They reviewed the End-of-Season Report that reflected slightly higher revenue. They also reviewed a Smith Partnership letter concerning Thompson Woods. Dr. Marboe reported to the Committee that the total dollars pledged for the Capital Campaign is $685,850. The 2007 fee policy revision was reviewed and referred to the CRRA board for action. Also, the Committee reviewed the 2007 goals for the staff and for the committee.

COG Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee - Mr. Harpster related that in January the Committee worked on further clarification of the proposed lease for the Welch Pool lands. They also discussed the Whitehall Road Parkland: the status of the Clean and Green program on that tract. Mr. Kunkle had researched this matter with Centre County and found that since the land will be a park, it will remain in the Clean and Green program with no back taxes owed. The Committee authorized Nittany Engineering LLC to perform the topographical survey of the Oak Hall tract. The committee will not be meeting in March.

Municipal Boards & Committees: Issues & Updates by Board Members

- College Twp. Parks & Recreation Committee: Ms. Matason reported that College Township P&R Committee reorganized with David Schulte as Chair. They also reappointed the committee members to their park assignments. They reviewed a letter from Mr. Woodhead to James Everhart (a neighbor of the Oak Hall parklands) and from Mr. Woodhead to the Smith Partnership regarding the operation of Thompson Woods Preserve.

- Harris Twp. Park & Recreation Committee: Mr. Harpster reported that the Committee reorganized and appointed Bruce Lord as Chair. Some projects that were discussed: a path or trail to the Rothrock State Forest, updating playground equipment, and the status of their application for the DCNR grant. Also, they discussed a “Day at the Fasick Park” event, reviewed the 2008-2009 Master Plan for Harpster Park, and discussed new development in the township to ensure all developments have enough park space. It was also noted that the results of the HT Citizen Survey showed that 98% of the respondents thought the parks were well-maintained.

- Patton Twp. Rec. Advisory Committee: Ms. Solic reported that they are planning a road trip to the Playworld Systems factory in Lewisburg as well as the new park that Playworld has equipped for the Lewisburg Area Rec. Authority. They are continuing to work on the Master Plan for the Bernel Road Park.

- Ferguson Township: No report.

- Borough of State College: No report.

- State College Area School District: No report.

VI.      STAFF REPORTS

2006 Program Report - Mr. Woodhead noted that the Annual Program Report lists a summary of all the programs offered for 2006; a total of 769 recreation programs. He noted that this is only part of the picture since it is impossible to count all those who use the parks on their own.

Annual Forms-of-Payment Report - Mr. Woodhead mentioned that the credit card fees will be reduced when we transition to the eTrak + software. During 2006, 35% of all customer revenue ($233,295) was paid by credit card.

January Activity Report - Mr. Woodhead had no further comments on the activity report.

$8,000 State Grant to Senior Center - Ms. Lindenbaum reported that the Centre County Office of Aging was awarded a state grant. The Centre Region Senior Center will receive $8,000 of that grant. Ms. Lindenbaum indicated that the grant would be used to replace the sofa in the entry way, new exercise equipment, replace the 4 computers in the PC Learning Lab, purchase a paper shredder to be compliant with state security regulations and to purchase a hand truck. She is obtaining the specifics of the reimbursement process.

Winter Registration Update & Summer Camp Update - Ms. Lee reported that Winter/Spring registrations are going well. From January 8 - February 8, the office processed 1,058 registrations for a total of $53,000. Camp registrations began 1 Feb and we have registered 180. Notification was received this week that due to renovations in school buildings, there would be no space available for the summer camp we usually hold in the Park Forest Elementary School. The staff is having some dialogue with the school district. There was a lot of discussion as to where we might hold the camp. Ms. Lee indicated that if it was away from the Park Forest Pool area, there would be a problem with the campers getting to the pool. Ms. Solic suggested that Ms. Lee look at the church space available in that area.

Supervisor Highlights:

Todd Roth, Aquatics Supervisor - Mr. Roth is working on the aquatics schedule, setting up the Youth Triathlon, special events nights. The swimming lessons for Winter/Spring have increased slightly this year. Todd relayed a thanks to the Parks Crew for checking on the pool building heaters to keep the plumbing from freezing.

Jeff Hall, Recreation Supervisor - Sports and Fitness - Fitness and Volleyball are doing well. Mr. Hall related that he attended a Youth Sports Conference sponsored by PA Recreation and Park Society for recreation personnel all over the state. Those in attendance had the same problems losing youth from team sports to traveling teams and other activities. The Start Smart Soccer that we have offered was one of the bright spots relayed at the event. Ms. Solic asked if Mr. Hall heard any ideas from the others as to what else could be offered for youth. Mr. Hall indicated that archery was mentioned but most of the other programs were struggling with the same issues as CRPR.

Beth Lee, Recreation Supervisor for Programs & Special Events - CRPR will be represented at the Summer Youth Fair for camps. Also, Ms. Lee, Ms. Hetrick, and Mr. Hall will be attending summer job fairs. The Hip Hop classes are going great and the PinBlasters are going very well. Ms. Lee is continuing to promote the programs and working on the summer Leisure Guide.

Barbara Lindenbaum, Senior Center Director - Ms. Lindenbaum reported that the Senior Center will be offering a new program “How to Boost Your Brain Power.”

Molly Hetrick , Recreational Supervisor - Nature Center - The Nature Center will be again offering the Fly-fishing Camp, Canoe Camp, and Wetlands Camp this summer. Ms. Hetrick is also working on group programs for the spring and summer, as well as the Capital Campaign.

Greg Roth, Park Supervisor - The ice rink partners decided not to install the ice rink at Blue Spring Park due to the warm temperatures and the length of time typically remaining for its use. The parks crew has been working inside on equipment renovations, etc. The PCC crew is working on benches, puppet stands, and cleaning habitat boxes.

Status of Parks Capital Projects -

- Park Forest Community Pool Renewal Master Site Plan - The final Master Site Plan reports have been received and a request for grant reimbursement ($22,000) has been submitted to DCNR.

- Park Forest Community Pool Renewal Construction Grant - The grant announcement is expected some time in June 2007.(Note: DCNR has since announced a new grant application schedule, and they now expect to announce the grants from the Fall 2006 application period (PF Pool Renovation) in March 2007.) The COG Finance Committee is moving forward in developing the funding strategy for the two pool renewals to recommend to the COG General Forum.

- William L. Welch Community Pool Renewal Master Site Plan - The land surveying and mapping for the new pool site has been completed by Sweetland Engineering. The lease should be finalized by mid-March. PA DCNR has unofficially approved the proposed Scope of Work, pending the execution of the land lease.

- Whitehall Road Parkland Acquisition (75 acres) - This project is moving ahead under the COG Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee. The expected closing is in 2007.

- Oak Hall Parklands Master Site Plan - The topographic survey contract was approved, and work is now underway. The Scope of Work for MSP is under development by staff.

VIII.   COMMUNICATIONS

Mr. Woodhead distributed a letter written by Susan Younkin, State College Area School District, concerning the 2007 fees for Millbrook Marsh Nature Center. (See below.)

IX.      OLD BUSINESS

2007 Fee Policy for Millbrook Marsh - Ms. Hetrick referenced the draft 2007 fees for the Millbrook Marsh. In December the Authority approved the CRPR Fee Policy with the provision that the 2007 nature center fees be reconsidered by staff and the MMNC Advisory Committee. Early last fall the school district had asked to instruct their own programs using the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center facilities. Ms. Hetrick researched what other centers do when groups wish to provide their own instructors using center facilities. After researching, staff presented a revised proposal as a one-year pilot program. This proposal would charge $5 per child if the program is provided by CRPR staff. If the program is not provided by Nature Center personnel, there would be a rental fee and the teachers also would be required to attend a scheduled training session outlining the sensitive areas of the marsh and what can/can’t be done there (at a fee of $25 per teacher; the resulting training would be valid for 12 months).

            The letter from Susan Younkin, State College School District, outlined two major concerns:

1) Grants have been obtained to cover the fees in previous years. These grants are ending while the proposed fees to use the Nature Center are increasing;

            2) the fee for training the teachers is excessive.

A discussion followed that included the history of the Nature Center fees and recent exchanges with school district staff. Since the Advisory Committee had reviewed the draft policy and referred it to the Board members, Ms. Solic asked if we have to go back to that Committee to change the policy. Ms. Conway indicated that the individual fee increase was too much at one time. After a lengthy discussion, Ms. Mascolo moved that the revised MMNC 2007 fee policy be approved - reducing the per student rate to $4.50 but retaining the teacher training class fee at $25. Ms. Conway seconded. All in favor. The groups will also be advised that the group rate will probably continue to increase each year. For the record, listed below is a table which reviews the group fee history:

Welch Pool Renewal -

Lease - Mr. Woodhead related that the COG Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee had made additional suggestions for changes to the lease. Mr. Terry Williams, Solicitor, has reviewed these suggestions and made the necessary revisions. The Ad Hoc Committee will be reviewing the draft lease at their meeting on 15 Feb 07. The shared-parking section of the lease was discussed. Mr. Williams recommended that separate shared-parking agreement be created, rather than complicate the land lease. The lease indicates that the shared-parking must be on the south side of Westerly Parkway and available for use by Welch Pool patrons. Ms. Solic recently attended a school district facilities meeting where the attendees were told that “there is an agreement between CRRA and the school district for showers, locker rooms, etc. (for athletic field users) as part of the pool bathhouse on the Welch site.” The Authority members confirmed that there is no such agreement; there had been talks previously as that possibility, but nothing more than discussion. The lease doesn’t contain any provision for shared locker rooms or showers. Mr. Harpster made the motion to approve sending the lease to the Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee and then the school district. Ms. Conway seconded. All in favor.

Master Plan Process/Schedule - There is nothing that can be done until the lease is signed by the school district and CRRA and sent to DCNR. (As noted above, DCNR has revised the annual grant application schedule.)

X.        NEW BUSINESS

Discuss the Proposed 2007 Agency Work Plan - Mr. Woodhead introduced the 2007 Agency Work Plan for Board consideration. Ms. Mascolo moved to accept the plan. Ms. Matason and Mr. Harpster seconded. All in favor.

XI.      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, 8 Mar 07 at 12:15 PM, COG Forum Room.

Meeting summary prepared by Diane Ishler, CRPR Office Manager