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Approved Minutes of Regular Meeting
Thursday, 11 Dec 08, in the COG Building - Forum Room
I. CALL TO ORDER and ROLL CALL
Chair Sue Mascolo called the meeting to order at 12:15 P.M.
Board members attending (5 of 6): Sue Mascolo, Donna Conway, Chris Hurley, Dr. Donna
Ricketts, Roy Harpster
Absent with prior notice: Kathy Matason
Staff: Director Ronald J. Woodhead Recreation Supervisor for Sports & Fitness Jeff Hall
Aquatics Supervisor Todd Roth Parks Supervisor Greg Roth
Senior Center Dir. Barbara Lindenbaum Office Manager Diane Ishler
Recreation Supervisor for Programs & Special Events Beth Lee
II. BOARD ORGANIZATION
Re-appointment - Mr. Woodhead related that Sue Mascolo’s term expires 31 Dec 08 and that Ferguson
Township will act on her 5-year re-appointment at their January meeting.
Board Election of Officers - The Election of Board/Authority Officers for 2009 will be held at the
January meeting. Mr. Woodhead asked if the Board members wanted to create a Nominating
Committee; they indicated they did not wish to create a committee.
III. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC - none
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the November meeting were approved on a motion by Mr. Hurley and seconded by Ms.
Ricketts. All in favor.
V. ACTION ON VOUCHERS
The November vouchers were approved on a motion by Mr. Harpster and seconded by Ms Ricketts. All
in favor.
VI. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Municipal Boards & Committees: Issues & Updates by Board Members
- Patton Twp. Rec. Advisory Committee: Mr. Hurley reported that Patton Township is still
working with the Circleville Park expansion. The bids that came in were good.
- Borough of State College: No report
- Harris Twp. Park & Recreation Committee: No report
- Ferguson Township: No report
- College Twp. Parks & Recreation Committee: No report
- State College Area School District: No report
Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Advisory Committee - This committee didn’t meet in November.
However, each member individually endorsed the proposed 2009 Fee Policy for the nature
center. On 17 Dec 08, the committee will host a building planning meeting with Architect Alan
Popovich and the Authority is invited to attend.
COG Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee - Mr. Harpster and Mr. Woodhead reported on the last meeting
of the committee on 20 Nov 08. It appears that the committee name will be changed to the
COG Parks Capital Committee during 2009. The committee:
- approved (with revisions) the proposed Welch Pool parking and shared bathhouse
agreements to be submitted to the State College Area School District.
- endorsed the Authority’s action to engage HP Architects for the nature center capital project.
- charged the Authority with evaluating and presenting a recommendation with regard to the
COG/CRPR Storage & Maintenance Facilities. Mr. Woodhead explained the current
maintenance shed is located within the State College Borough Maintenance Compound.
The Borough is planning a major renovation to the Maintenance Compound and it is
unclear as to whether there will be room for CRPR to remain on site. One possibility
that has been mentioned for the storage and maintenance facility or CRPR/COG is the
auction barn located on the Tudek extension. The staff needs to analyze their storage
and maintenance needs and present to the Board. The results will then be forwarded to
the Ad Hoc Regional Parks Committee.
- tabled consideration on a suggestion to engage Pashek Associates for the Whitehall Road
Parkland Master Site Plan pending the committee’s evaluation of the Oak Hall Parkland
MSP.
- The next meeting will be 15 Jan 09 and will include a joint meeting with the Authority to
finalize the Welch Pool Master Site Plan. The Authority agreed to set a joint meeting
(15 Jan. 09) with the Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee in addition to the Authority’s
regular January meeting on a motion by Mr. Harpster and a second by Ms. Conway. All
in favor.
Regional Park Planning Committee - A meeting is set for 10 Dec 08 at 12:15 PM to review various
design concepts for Oak Hall Parklands. The meeting will be held at the College Township
Municipal Building.
VII. STAFF REPORTS
Mr. Woodhead circulated a current photograph of the Park Forest Pool construction. The project
remains on schedule and on budget.
November 2008 Activity Report - No further comments.
2009 Budget Process: Mr. Woodhead reported that the COG budget is being discussed at the different
municipalities. Some are approving the COG budget; others are not. To approve the budget,
there must be a majority of the municipalities who approve it. Mr. Hurley asked if there was
anything operationally that we could tighten. Mr. Woodhead indicated that the agency is
known for the value obtained from each dollar and is always open for suggestions. Purchases
are always reviewed to spend the least amount of money. A discussion followed about the
economic problems and the effect these problems may have on the 2009 budget or future
budgets.
CRPR Rental of the High School Natatorium for Swim Lessons - Mr. Todd Roth reported that he
received notice from the high school to resume scheduling swim lessons for winter/spring as
usual. Mr. Woodhead and Mr. Roth thanked Dr. Ricketts for her support to make this happen.
Tom Tudek Park Expansion - The park expansion has been inspected and approved by PA DCNR. As
authorized, CRPR will assume operations of those facilities effective 1 Jan 09 pending COG
budget adoption and a final walkover in the Spring for any construction-related follow-ups.
Supervisor Highlights:
Greg Roth, Park Supervisor - The ice rink at Blue Spring Park is ready to be finished as the weather
permits. We will be starting a timbering project above Park Forest Pool and we would like to
complete it before school starts up on Jan. 5 due to the noise it will create. The PCC crew is
just finishing the Suburban playground project and then they will move to the boardwalk
extension at Millbrook Marsh.
Barbara Lindenbaum, Senior Center Director - The Senior Center distributed 219 free flu shots. Ms.
Lindenbaum is working on Winter/Spring Programs for the Leisure Guide and adding new
programs in an effort to cover the shortfall in the budget that may be caused by decreased
County funding. A new fund-raising program called “Murder Mystery Luncheon” will be held in
January. She then read a complimentary letter that was sent to the center.
Todd Roth for Molly Hetrick, Recreation Supervisor for the Nature Center - The Emerald Ash Borer
workshops were successful with 11 participants at the first workshop and 7 at the second. The
Nature Center hosted 9,706 visitors in organized programs for 2008 (including over 600 who
attended the Historic Harvest Festival). The Board members were invited to the Advisory
Planning Meeting with Alan Popovich on Wed. 17 Dec. 08 from 4-5 PM..
Todd Roth, Aquatics Supervisor - Swimming lessons finished for 2008 and we are preparing for 2009.
At a luncheon, the Red Cross awarded Centre Regional Recreation Authority with a recognition
plaque for the work CRRA does with the Red Cross.
Beth Lee, Recreation Supervisor - Programs & Special Events - Ms. Lee reported she is focusing on
preparation of the Winter & Spring Leisure Guide due to be published and distributed in the
Centre Daily Times on Sun. 4 Jan 09. She is also planning for summer, especially camps, and
getting ready for media promotions in 2009.
Jeff Hall, Recreation Supervisor - Sports and Fitness - The youth sports ended at the end of
November; adult leagues end next week. Some new fitness programs were added for late fall.
Mr. Hall reported that he is trying the Start Smart programs in the winter but may have some
space issues. Mr. Harpster asked about the advertisement he saw for youth basketball. There
is a new group trying to start a basketball program through the school for 6th through 8th grades (not part of the school teams). Mr. Hall said the deadline for CRPR youth basketball had
been extended to try to have enough participants to form a league (but the league was later
cancelled due to insufficient registrations).
VIII. COMMUNICATIONS
Welch Pool Construction Grant - Mr. Woodhead reported that the $375,000 Welch Pool Construction
Grant has been approved. A copy of the approval letter from PA DCNR was included with the
Board packet.
Nittany Nomads - The Nittany Nomads donated $100 to the Gifts for Parks program in appreciation of
their many visits to the parks. This donation will be applied to youth recreation scholarships.
IX. ACTION ITEMS
A. 2009 Fee Policy - Mr. Woodhead noted that some changes had been made to the original 2009 Fee
Policy that was provided to the Board at the last meeting. He reviewed the changes:
- increased the value of the discount coupon for rain checks at the pools,
- the groups allowed into the pool at any one time (using the discounted rate) was
changed from three to two groups,
- the fees for the Nature Center have not changed since the previous copy but now they
have been approved by the Advisory Committee,
- the large group event fee and the pavilion reservation fees have increased by $5
- an Orchard Park Amphitheater fee has been added.
The 2009 Pool Operation Policies will be distributed at the end of this meeting and proposed for
action at the next meeting. A discussion was held concerning the status of children visiting
their relatives for a week, several weeks or the summer. Are they residents because they are
staying with their extended families while they are attending the program or are they still
nonresidents? A discussion followed where Mr. Todd Roth indicated that the cashiers would
use their discretion on the (new) daily nonresident fees. Mr. Harpster moved to accept the
proposed 2009 Fee Policy and Ms. Conway seconded. All in favor.
B. Park Forest Pool Construction Updates:
An updated Project Financial Report was included in the Board member packets. It lists all
contracts, approved change orders, and other expenses. The project remains within the
authorized budget. Staff is recommending that the Authority authorize the staff to obtain
current quotes for restoring the two previously-deleted options (UV Water Filter and Leisure
Park Path). Mr. Hurley moved that the Mr. Woodhead be authorized to obtain current quotes
to restore these options. Ms. Conway seconded. All in favor. The financial report was also
distributed to the municipal finance directors. We are 50% complete with the project and 50%
complete on the schedule. Mr. Woodhead offered to provide guided tours to any Board
member who would like to visit the construction site. He reported that some of the neighbors
affected by the water easement that is located between homes are still not satisfied. The
residents received notification in writing of the easement. Thanks to the work of Solicitor Terry
Williams, the work is now proceeding.
Mr. Woodhead asked that the Authority endorse the Director’s prior approval of the following
Change Orders:
#G-03 - Accept - Lower ceiling height in entrance hallway to bathhouse and increase height of
two entrance gates. Add $816.81
#G-04 - Accept - Revise door hardware schedule Deduct $608.87
#G-xx - Decline - Furnish & install a vehicle gate in 8' high perimeter fence
#P-02 - Accept - Delete the specified drinking fountain w/chiller and install a CRPR - furnished
model by MDF Inc. Deduct $1,399.00
#P-03 - Accept - Furnish and install a 2nd Emergency Cut-off Switch for the gas boilers, per Code Agency Add $774.07
#E-03 - Accept - Revise room light fixtures to permit more flush mount instead of surface
mount (add); eliminate the “HotRock” related wiring to the water meter vault (credit) Deduct $441.80
Mr. Hurley moved to endorse the director-approved change orders listed above. Ms. Conway
seconded. All in favor.
Mr. Woodhead also asked the Board members to authorize the following Change Orders (no
staff action had been taken):
#G-05 -Lead based paint testing and disposal cost of $3,474.56 from $35,000 allowance in
contract. Deduct $31,525.44
#E-04 - Add electric conduit to the building and grounds to permit the future installation of 4
security cameras: 1 for main pool, 1 for tot pool, 1 for parking area and 1 for the cashier
counter. The Patton Police Department has approved the future camera locations and
commended the proposal. Add $2,054.14
Mr. Hurley moved that the Authority authorize the two Change Orders listed above. Ms.
Ricketts seconded. All in favor.
Mr. Woodhead then reviewed some potential changes that are being finalized for future
consideration by the Authority.
C. Welch Pool Renewal Grant - Although the requested grant was $400,000, PA DCNR approved $375,000 for the
Welch Pool Renewal. The Expenditures for the projects are $25,000 less than the expected
revenue, but the project should be able to meet the established budget. Since the economy is
slow it is possible that the bid prices may be favorable.
Shared Parking and Swimming Pool Bathhouse use Agreements - Mr. Woodhead indicated that
the draft agreements had been endorsed with a few changes by the Ad Hoc Regional Park
Committee and had been presented to the State College Area School District for their
consideration. The School Board meeting will be on Mon. 15 Dec 08 beginning at 7:30 pm
with the Parking and Shared Bathhouse Agreements on the agenda.
Master Site Plan - Mr. Woodhead related that the Master Site Plan (MSP) for Welch is
approximately 3/4 compete and that the planning for the plan is going ahead. It is hoped that
bids could be awarded in June - so the pool can close on 2 Aug 09 as planned. There may be a
presentation of the Master Site Plan in January with a public hearing regarding the final master
site plan (7:00 pm on Th 15 Jan 09). The development of the plans and specifications for the
pool would run concurrent with the completion of the MSP process in order for the renewed
Welch pool to open Sun 30 May 10.
X. DISCUSSION / INFORMATION ITEMS
Projects - Mr. Woodhead listed the projects currently underway: Oak Hall, Whitehall, Park
Forest (finish), Welch, Spring Creek Educational Building, and the Maintenance Garage.
2009 Swim Pool Policies - In January the 2009 Swim Pool Policies will be considered. One
of the items to consider is “soliciting” (for vendors, non-profits, selling and handing out
information). Included in the discussion would be whether the groups would be issued
permits.
Regional Comprehensive Parks Plan - Mr. Hurley is concerned that decisions for the region
are being made without a regional comprehensive plan for the future. He related that planning
for the regional parks would be much simpler if there was a comprehensive plan that noted all
the fields, etc. in the area. He also stated it should be the Authority or a sub group that would
tackle this project. Mr. Woodhead related that the Authority could mention this to the Ad Hoc
Regional Park Committee so they know it is not just the staff that is in favor of a
comprehensive plan. Mr. Woodhead will include this on the agenda for the Thur 15 Jan 09
meeting. A discussion followed concerning the joint park planning meeting held at College
Township.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Mr. Harpster and
seconded by Mr. Hurley. All in favor.
THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING has been scheduled for
Thursday, 8 Jan. 09, 12:15 PM, at the COG Building Forum Room
These minutes were approved at the Board meeting on 8 Jan 09. They will now be
distributed to Municipal Managers, SCASD and posted on the CRPR website.
Meeting summary prepared by Diane Ishler, CRPR Office Manager
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