Centre Region Parks & Recreation Board / Centre Regional Recreation Authority
Approved Minutes of Regular Meeting
Thursday, 8 Nov 07 at the COG Building 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): Cindy Solic, Sue Mascolo, Donna Conway, Roy Harpster, Dr. Donna Ricketts.
Borough Council Liaison (nonvoting) Craig R. Humphrey also attended.
Absent: Ms. Matason, with advance notice
Staff members: Director Ronald J. Woodhead, Recreation Supervisor - Sports & Fitness Jeff Hall, Aquatics
Supervisor Todd Roth, Recreation Supervisor - Nature Center Molly Hetrick, Senior Center Director
Barbara Lindenbaum, Office Manager Diane Ishler.
Guests: James Steff, COG Executive Director; Alan Popovich, HP Popovich Architects; Todd Smith, ELA Group
(Landscape Architects).
II. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC - none
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the October meeting were approved on a motion by Ms. Mascolo and seconded by Ms.
Ricketts. All in favor.
IV. ACTION ON VOUCHERS
The vouchers for October were approved on a motion by Ms. Mascolo and seconded by Mr. Harpster. All
in favor.
V. COMMITTEE REPORTS
COG Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee - Mr. Harpster reported on the Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee
meeting held 18 Oct 07. Mr. Dennis Ditmer, State College Area Family YMCA Director, and Betsy
Howell, Executive Director of the Central Pennsylvania Visitors and Convention Bureau, were
asked to update the committee on their plans for a new indoor & outdoor sports facility. The site
they have chosen for this new facility is across from the Centre County Prison on SCI Rockview
lands. The site would be 80-100 acres with indoor (200,000 sq ft. = approx. 4 ½ acres) and outdoor
facilities (sports fields, primarily soccer but also softball, rugby, field hockey and Ultimate Frisbee -
ideally with artificial turf). The committee also discussed the various funding formulas for the pools
and for the Whitehall Road and Oak Hall parklands. Harris Township asked for support and
possible regional funding for acquiring the Hess Softball Field Complex, a 20-acre site in Harris
Township. Ms. Solic asked who would own the property. Mr. Woodhead indicated that ideally
COG would own it. She then asked if the purchase would benefit Parks & Recreation? Mr. Hall
related that if the field complex closed, those teams would be looking to CRPR to find space to play
(there are 1,800 games/year played there). Financially, Mr. Harpster said that Hess Field has
operated in the black with some reserve. A question about who would maintain/operate the
property was asked; Mr. Woodhead replied that it was not clear yet - hopefully the same volunteer
group that operates it now. Mr. Harpster explained the history of the field. Mr. Steff related that
the Harris Township Supervisors will play a key role in this acquisition and would probably be
expected to contribute additional funds - as had been done with the acquisitions of the other
“regional parks.”. Ms. Solic indicated that there were still a lot of questions but it seems like these
four ballfields should not be lost.
Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Advisory Committee - Ms. Hetrick reported in the absence of Ms. Matason.
The committee talked with Architect Alan Popovich about the proposed floor plans for the Spring
Creek Education Building. He presented two “funding levels” of plans (pending the release of the
state funds) and an update on the planning process.
Municipal Boards & Committees: Issues & Updates by Board Members
- College Twp. Parks & Recreation Committee: No report
- Borough of State College: Ms. Conway reported that she thinks the Borough will endorse Option
#3 for the Welch Pool with a dollar cap of $5.4 million. She also related that she had attended the
Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Historic Harvest Festival and it was wonderful.
- Harris Twp. Park & Recreation Committee: No report
- Patton Twp. Rec. Advisory Committee: Ms. Solic reported that Patton Twp. is trying to find funds
to finish Circleville Park and begin development of the Bernel Road Park. They have one
large phase at Circleville to finish before they start Bernel Road Park.
- Ferguson Township: No report
- State College Area School District: No report.
VI. STAFF REPORTS
October 2007 Activity Report - No other comments
Active.Net - Mr. Woodhead reported that there are 9 days of staff training scheduled for the new Internet-based software system before the end of 2007. The new Card Printers have arrived. The new,
plastic card will have a bar code and picture (a sample was circulated). The customer will swipe the
card for entrance to the pool and their picture will appear on the screen. Agency staff will begin
using the new system on 2 Jan 08, with the public being able to register on line in mid-March.
Supervisor Highlights:
Greg Roth, Park Supervisor - Mr. Roth had a last minute emergency at the Oak Hall rental house and could
not attend the meeting (the electric water heater was not working).
Jeff Hall, Recreation Supervisor - Sports and Fitness - Almost all the fall sports are finished and Flag
Football League will play the championship game on Sunday (11 Nov). Mr. Hall is getting ready
for winter sports and trying to find facility space for the programs.
Beth Lee, Recreation Supervisor - Programs & Special Events - Dark in the Park had to be held in the
Easterly Parkway Elem. Gym but there were still about 45 in attendance. The Halloween Parade
had over 2,000 participants with 40 volunteers and a great time. The very popular Hip Hop class is
ending next week. Ms. Lee is working on the Winter/Spring Leisure Guide that will be published in
the Centre Daily Times on 6 Jan 08.
Todd Roth, Aquatics Supervisor - This session of swimming lessons will finish before Thanksgiving and
then there will be one short session until the end the of the season. Mr. Roth is attending municipal
meetings concerning the pool renewals. He is also getting ready for 2008 operations.
Barbara Lindenbaum, Senior Center Director - “Health Steps in Motion” has been successful with 15
participants. 223 free flu shots were given at the center with the cooperation of Mt. Nittany Medical
Center and Home Health. The 2008 Senior Center calendar is available - Ms. Lindenbaum
distributed copies to the Board members.
Molly Hetrick , Recreational Supervisor - Nature Center - Ms. Hetrick reported that the 5th annual Historic
Harvest Festival was held on Saturday and was very successful. The Event Planning Class and
students from the Interpretive class at Penn State plan the event. The center is closed for the season
due to the weather. She is working on planning 2008 programs.
VII.COMMUNICATIONS
Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund - Mr. Woodhead distributed a letter from the
Pennsylvania Dept. Of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Waste Management acknowledging
receipt of the letter sent by the Authority to Governor Rendell supporting the Keystone Recreation,
Park and Conservation Fund.
VIII. OLD BUSINESS
Park Forest Pool Renewal Project Update - Mr. Woodhead relayed that he wants the Authority to be
updated as we go through the pool renewal process. Mr. Popovich then gave an overview of what
will be presented to the Patton Twp. Planning Commission. He reviewed the layout of the entire
pool site and stated that now they are looking for anything that might cause problems during the
bidding process. Mr. Popovich also wanted everyone to be comfortable with the direction the
architects and planners are going. He was looking for an endorsement of the plans to continue and
an approval to proceed to the Patton Township Planning Commission on 3 Dec 07.
Mr. Smith reviewed the Land Development Plan - part of Planning Commission submittal. He
indicated that all landscaping that is shown in the plan must be done. For the public water supply to
the pool site, a meter vault must be added in the recorded easement that goes between two
residential properties located adjacent to the pool site. Mr. Steff encouraged native plants be used
in the landscaping. Mr. Woodhead related that it was recommended that the perimeter fencing be
installed on the property lines; a suggestion which the Authority supported. He also indicated that
staff would be trimming trees on the site this winter to allow more sunlight to reach the pool area.
The suggestion was made that maybe someone would remove the trees for the wood.
Mr. Popovich reviewed plans for the buildings both inside and outside. PA DCNR is looking for
sustainability in all projects, so the plans are being reviewed to see what can be included, possibly
as Bid Alternates. There was a discussion on signage both for identification and information. Some
suggestions were made with regard to layout, color selections, building plans, interior lighting and
ventilation. The plans were then approved by a consensus of the Board/Authority members to
continue and to be presented to the Patton Township Planning Commission.
Welch Pool Renewal - Master Site Plan - Mr. Woodhead reported that the municipal comments concerning
the Welch Pool Options were due to Mr. Steff yesterday and will now go to the General Forum.
Mr. Woodhead distributed a draft “summary memo” in response to the various municipal concerns,
and he asked Authority members to advise him of any suggested changes.
X. NEW BUSINESS
CRPR Child Safety Policy - Mr. Woodhead asked that the Board members consider strengthening the
“CRPR Child Safety Policy”. A youth team coach in Lancaster was found to be a child molester in
another state but it didn’t show on his PA background check. The current policy requires a PA
State Police “Criminal Background Check” and a PA Dept of Public Welfare “Child Abuse
Clearance”. The Board is being asked to authorize the agency to obtain two additional verifications
to assist with searching for documented, out of state incidents:
- ChoicePoint “Social Security Number Verification”
- ChoicePoint “National Criminal File PLUS” Search
The notice to the applicant and permission to obtain this information would be included on the
agency application for employment and/or to volunteer. Mr. Harpster moved that the two additional
verifications be added to the CRPR Child Safety Policy. Ms. Mascolo seconded. All in favor.
2008 Fee Policy Discussion - Due to the late time, this topic was postponed to the December meeting.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Ms. Mascolo and seconded by
Ms. Conway. All in favor.
THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING has been scheduled for
Thursday, 13 Dec 07 at 12:15 PM, COG Building, Forum Room
These minutes were approved at the Board meeting on 17 Dec 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
|
