Approved Minutes of Regular Meeting
Thursday, 10 Jan 08 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 ( 5 of 6): Sue Mascolo, Roy Harpster, Dr. Donna Ricketts, Kathy Matason and newly appointed member Mr. Chris Hurley.

Absent: Donna Conway with advance notice. Borough Council Liaison (nonvoting) TBA

Staff members: Director Ronald J. Woodhead, Recreation Supervisor - Sports & Fitness Jeff Hall, Aquatics Supervisor Todd Roth, Recreation Supervisor Programs and Special Events, Recreation Supervisor - Nature Center Molly Hetrick, Senior Center Director Barbara Lindenbaum, Parks Supervisor Greg Roth, Office Manager Diane Ishler.

Guests: Craig Humphrey, former Borough Council Liaison, and just after the meeting adjourned, Cindy Solic, former Chair and Patton Township representative.

II.       BOARD RE-ORGANIZATION FOR 2008

Recognition of Volunteer Service to the Authority/Board - On behalf of the Board, Mr. Woodhead presented a Certificate of Appreciation and Sportstown Shirt for volunteer service from Jan 2004 to Jan 2008 to Craig Humphrey, former Borough Council Liaison.

Just after the meeting adjourned, Mr. Woodhead also presented a Certificate of Appreciation, a Sportstown shirt, and a Certificate from the PA House of Representatives to Cindy Solic for her 10 years of service as Patton Township’s representative to the Authority/Board.

New Patton Township Representative - Patton Township appointed Christopher M. Hurley as the representative to the Authority/Board at their meeting on 7 Jan 08. The Authority/Board officially welcomed him. His term expires 7 Jan 2013.

Election of Authority/Board Officers for 2008 - Ms. Mascolo, serving as Vice-Chair, was unanimously appointed as the acting Chair for the elections.

Ms. Mascolo was elected as the Chair of the Authority/Board for 2008 on a motion by Mr. Harpster and second by Ms. Matason. All in favor.

Mr. Harpster was elected as the Vice Chair of the Authority/Board for 2008 on a motion by Ms. Mascolo and seconded by Dr. Ricketts. All in favor.

Ms. Matason was elected as the Secretary of the Authority/Board for 2008 on a motion by Mr. Harpster and seconded by Dr. Ricketts. All in favor.

Ms. Conway was elected as the Treasurer of the Authority/Board for 2008 on a motion by Mr. Harpster and a second by Ms. Matason. All in favor.

Proposed 2008 Meeting Schedule - Ms. Matason moved that the proposed meeting schedule be adopted; Dr. Ricketts seconded. All in favor. The meeting schedule for 2008 will be the second Thursday of each month - continuing the schedule from prior years.

Confirm the Authority Representatives to the Named Committees:

            COG Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee: Roy Harpster

            MMNC Advisory Committee: Kathy Matason

Pool Renewal Advisory Committee: Roy Harpster, Sue Mascolo and Chris Hurley. Ms. Solic asked to remain on the Advisory Committee. Mr. Harpster moved that Ms. Solic be named as an at-large member of the Pool Renewal Committee; Ms. Matason seconded. All in favor.

III.      COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC - none

IV.      APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of the two December meetings were approved on a motion by Ms. Matason and seconded by Mr. Hurley. All in favor.

V.        ACTION ON VOUCHERS

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

VI.      COMMITTEE REPORTS

COG Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee -The committee did not meet in December; their next meeting will be 17 Jan 08.

Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Advisory Committee - The committee did not meet in December but will meet 16 Jan 08.

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: They meet Wednesday 16 Jan 08.

- Patton Twp. Rec. Advisory Committee: Mr. Hurley reported that on 14 Jan 08 the Bernel Rd MSP will be presented to the Planning Commission, then to the Supervisors on 30 Jan 08.

- Ferguson Township: Ms. Mascolo reported that Ferguson is developing the detailed plans to expand Tudek Park (into the Park Crest Farm tracts) with the DCNR grant. The Dog Park is to be expanded. The township is also going to be working on the Fairbrook Park pavilion and on planting replacement trees.

- State College Area School District: Dr. Ricketts brought copies of the SCASD Community Education program brochure for the CRPR office counter.

VII.     STAFF REPORTS

December 2007Activity Report - No other comments

Fall 2007 Program Report - Mr. Woodhead asked the Board members to share the information with their municipal committee.

CBICC Award - Mr. Woodhead report that an application had been sent for the CBICC Quality of Life Award based on the volunteer efforts of the Board. The application is one of three chosen and the winner will be announced on 21 Feb 08 at a dinner. Mr. Woodhead was asking for some Board members to attend. (Ms. Mascolo indicated she would attend and Mr. Harpster may also be able to attend.)

Review the 2007 Forms-Of-Payment Report - Mr. Woodhead reviewed the Forms-Of-Payment Report for 2007. These numbers may change for 2008 as the registrations begins on the internet in mid-March.

2008 Winter/Spring Leisure Guide - The 40 page Winter/Spring Leisure Guide was published and distributed on 6 Jan 08. Mr. Woodhead congratulated the staff for a great job with the Leisure Guide, especially Ms. Lee.

Active.Net Progress Report - Effective 1 Jan 08, the registration and reservation system moved from SportsLog to Active.net. The staff is happy with the change. The Board members will be asked to discuss how the schedule for accepting online registrations should be set (with respect to other ways to register such as phone, counter service, mail, fax and drop-off).

PCC Grant Application - The application for the PCC Grant 2008-2009 has been submitted as authorized by the Authority.

PA DCNR Update - Whitehall Road Parkland - The grant for the Master Site Plan for Whitehall Road was declined by PA DCNR. Mr. Woodhead indicated that the decline was not unexpected due to the delay of the acquisition of Whitehall Road Parkland and the fact that COG has 5 grant projects in process.

Supervisor Highlights:

Jeff Hall, Recreation Supervisor - Sports and Fitness - There are ten programs starting next week and 4 sports teams. He has been busy with field reservations and getting ready for summer.

Beth Lee, Recreation Supervisor - Programs & Special Events - Ms. Lee thanked the fellow staff for their work on the Leisure Guide. Hip Hop class is beginning and is very popular. Programming for camp has begun including hiring staff and promoting the Winter/Spring Leisure Guide. She thanked Dr. Ricketts for her efforts in continuing the Summer Camp Fair.

Barbara Lindenbaum, Senior Center Director - The popular Tai Chi class now has two levels, beginning and advanced.

Todd Roth, Aquatics Supervisor - There are three sessions of swim lessons scheduled for spring. He is also starting summer preparations, working on the renovations for the two pools. He related that he heard the SCASD will be doing extensive repair work on the high school natatorium over the summer so we may not be able to have our night swim lessons there.

Molly Hetrick , Recreational Supervisor - Nature Center - She is working scheduling school class programs at the Millbrook Marsh, searching for volunteers and preparing for summer. She and Ms. Lee will attend 3 different volunteer fairs.

Greg Roth, Park Supervisor - Playgrounds are being installed, 1,200 feet more of the Boardwalk has been completed, and the Boalsburg ice rink is ready to be filled (they will try for Monday). He also told everyone that O. W. Houts & Son is closing and it will affect the parks purchasing.

VIII.         COMMUNICATIONS - none

IX.      ACTION ITEMS

Millbrook Marsh Nature Center - Advisory Committee - Dr. Ricketts moved to appoint Carolyn G. Mahan, PhD, Associate Professor, Biology & Environmental Studies as ClearWater Conservancy’s representative to the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Advisory Committee. Her term would expire on 31 Dec 09. Ms. Matason seconded. All in favor.

Pool Renewal Funding Strategy - Mr. Woodhead informed the Board members that the Finance Committee is working through the pool financing which totals $7.9 million. They have engaged a financial advisor and are expected to engage Bond Counsel (lawyer) to guide the borrowing process. All participating municipalities must approve the borrowing.

Park Forest Pool Renewal Project Update - Mr. Woodhead reported that the December community meeting comments concerning the Park Forest Pool were positive; however, there were some concerns about the Park Forest bathhouse, especially the small size of the changing rooms. Mr. Todd Roth referred to a floor play of the bathhouse showing a possible new layout that provides a larger changing area. Mr. Woodhead recommended that this layout be approved to proceed. Following some discussion, Mr. Harpster moved that the new layout of the Park Forest bathhouse be approved. Ms. Matason seconded. All in favor. Mr. Woodhead related that he hoped to also have the draft of the parking agreement but it was still at the Solicitors. Since the Authority must see the agreement before it goes to the school board, Mr. Woodhead will send a copy of the draft to the Board members so they can take action (to release the draft agreement to the school board) at the regular Board meeting in February. Mr. Popovich is moving ahead with the bidding package then it must go to DCNR for approval. Mr. Woodhead would like the Authority to approve before being sent anywhere and at some point there will be a school district presentation (informational) about the Park Forest Pool project. The aim is to have the bids out in March; by May we need finalize the construction schedule..

Welch Pool Renewal - Master Site Plan - It is expected that several layout options based on Option #3 will be presented for Board consideration at the 14 Feb 08 Authority meeting. After presentation at the Authority meeting the layouts will be presented to the General Forum on 25 Feb 08. A presentation to the SCASD Board of Directors and to the community should be scheduled for March. Work has begun on the shared parking agreement with the school district. Ms. Mascolo said that, due to so many new school board members, it is important that the parking agreement be finalized before the project goes out to bid.

2007 Highlights and 2008 Work Plan / Goals - Mr. Woodhead referred to the 2007 Highlights and then ask the Board members to review the 2008 Work Plan / Goals and let him know if they have any suggestions or changes. A list will be presented for approval at the February meeting.

X.        ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 1:00 pm on a motion by Ms. Matason and seconded by Dr. Ricketts. All in favor.

THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING has been scheduled for
Thursday, 14 Feb 08 at 12:15 PM, COG Building, Forum Room

These minutes were approved at the Board meeting on 14 Feb 08.
They will now be distributed to Municipal Managers, SCASD, and posted on the CRPR website.

Meeting summary prepared by Diane Ishler, CRPR Office Manager