Parks & Recreation Board

200 South Hamilton Road City of Gahanna Gahanna, Ohio 43230 Meeting Minutes Parks & Recreation Board Wednesday, November 18, 2020 7:00 PM Virtual Meeting Call in details: 513-306-4583, Conference ID: 262 617 872# A. CALL MEETING TO ORDER Miller, Chair called the November 18, 2020 meeting to order at 7:02pm, via Microsoft Teams due to the continuing COVID-19 emergency. B. ROLL CALL Present: 11 - Kevin McGinn, Kevin McGinn, Jan Ross, Jan Ross, Donna Simmons, Chrissy Kaminski, Chrissy Kaminski, Scott Lofton, Ken Shepherd, Ken Shepherd and Eric Miller Staff in attendance: Stephania Bernard-Ferrell, Director and Pam Ripley, Office Coordinator. C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion was made by Ross, seconded by Lofton, to approve the minutes from the October 14, 2020 Board Meeting. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 8- McGinn, Ross, Ross, Simmons, Kaminski, Lofton, Shepherd and Miller 2020-186 PR Mins 10-14-2020 Motion was made by Simmons, seconded by Shepherd, to approve the minutes from the October 19, 2020, Special Meeting. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 8- McGinn, Ross, Ross, Simmons, Kaminski, Lofton, Shepherd and Miller 2020-190 PR minutes 10-19-2020 D. ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA None City of Gahanna Page 1 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 E. HEARING OF VISITORS None F. OLD BUSINESS None G. NEW BUSINESS i. 2021 Budget Request Ferrell shared the departments 2021 budget request that went to Council. Ferrell explained that several positions went unfilled in 2020 due to the closures and uncertainty of the health pandemic. We are requesting those positions to be filled for 2021. Other staffing request are for a full-time horticulturist, and facility maintenance coordinator (pool technician). The pool technician was funded in 2020. The Parks division has 14 part-time vacancies; instead of filling those part-time vacancies we are requesting to transition to four (4) full-time parks staff. There will be a savings of over $6,000 per year. Recreation Services is budgeted out of the Special Revenue Fund, Parks is out of the General Fund. For 2021 the Golf Course is budgeted out of the Special Revenue Fund. Simmons requested the projections for the Special Fund for Parks & Recreation. Ferrell stated there is an estimate for the city as a whole and not specifically for Parks & Recreation. Ferrell will provide the information to the Board. Simmons wants to make sure that all the expenses for Parks & Recreation aren't only coming out of the special revenue fund. Simmons asked if the department is still receiving money from the general fund for capital improvements and operating expenses. Ferrell shared that the capital improvement dollars are from a separate fund than operational costs. The capital improvement funds are coming from the additional 75% of the income tax that was passed. Simmons wants to make sure that the department is receiving its fair share of capital improvement funds. Ross asked if when comparing this year’s budget to last year’s budget the department is seeing the benefits of the levy money. Ferrell shared that the department is seeing a benefit of the levy money. The full benefit due to the impact of COVID and the loss of jobs will not be seen this year. Simmons just wants to give back to the community. The community has been very vocal regarding the swimming pools. The City of Gahanna Page 2 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 splash pad has been a hot topic in the community. It would be a big draw to get people buying memberships and coming back to our pools instead of going to other communities. Ferrell shared that at the last Finance Committee meeting Council had some questions about the Capital Improvement requests from the department. Big Walnut Trail, Section 8; ODOT is planning on rebuilding the bridge on Hamilton Road over I-270; this is part of the alignment for the trail. It makes sense to pair those projects together for overall funding. Also, the question was raised if the splash pad aligns with the plan for the Southwest Flood Plain Park and development. Ferrell shared there are only concept plans for the park development. No final decisions on the plan have been made, however the pools will remain a part of the park. Adding a splash pad to the park is a sustainable option to increase and improve the amenities of the pools. The last question from Council was regarding the plans for the Price Rd. house once it is renovated. Ferrell shared that the space will be used to increase our multi-generational programming and an added rental space for the community. 2020-187 2021 P&R Proposed Budget ii. 2021 Pricing Policy Ferrell shared the attached 2021 Pricing Policy is the same as approved in 2020. No changes have been made to the 2021 Pricing Policy. Motion was made by Simmons, seconded by Lofton, to Recommend to Council the 2021 Pricing Policy. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 8- McGinn, Ross, Ross, Simmons, Kaminski, Lofton, Shepherd and Miller 2020-188 2021 Pricing Policy H. CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTIONS None I. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Ferrell shared the attached Director's Report with the Board. We are very fortunate that Ashford on Broad continues to be a great sponsor for the weekly senior meals. Supporting Gahanna Together Day received a third place award with Ohio Parks & Recreation Association. City of Gahanna Page 3 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 Miller asked what the damages to the parks were. Ferrell shared that at McCorkle Park, the sinks were completely torn off the walls. Parks staff were able to replace the sinks. At Sunpoint Park the toilets continue to be vandalized with rocks, and branches. There was a three (3) foot branch in the line, a plumber had to be hired to clear the line. Ferrell stated that staff is working with IT to install cameras. 2020-189 DirectorRptNov2020 J. COMMITTEE REPORTS i. Bicycle & Trail Advisory Committee (BTAC) None ii. Gahanna Active Senior Advisory Committee None iii. Natural Resources Advisory Committee None K. POLL MEMBERS FOR COMMENT i. Gahanna Parks & Recreation Foundation Ross shared the Foundation is meeting on November 19, 2020. They will be working on the budget for 2021. The Foundation will discuss if the CORA will impact Creekside Live or Hops & Vines. There are three new candidates for the board. ii. School District Update Lofton shared that the levy lead went from two (2) votes to 76 votes. They are very appreciative of the district and their support of the levy. The schools are still in hybrid mode, no plans to go back full time as of yet. Additional restrictions regarding COVID were given from the State and County today. iii. Veteran's Advisory Committee City of Gahanna Page 4 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes November 18, 2020 L. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business of the Board the meeting adjourned at 8:10pm. City of Gahanna Page 5