Parks & Recreation Board

200 South Hamilton Road City of Gahanna Gahanna, Ohio 43230 Meeting Minutes Parks & Recreation Board Jan Ross, Chair Donna Simmons, Vice Chair Chrissy Kaminski, Secretary Scott Lofton Kevin McGinn Eric Miller Ken Shepherd Wednesday, April 14, 2021 7:00 PM Virtual Meeting Call-In Details: Tel +1 513-306-4583, Conf. ID: 969 805 79# A. CALL MEETING TO ORDER Ross, Chair called the April 14, 2021 Parks & Recreation Board meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. B. ROLL CALL Present: 7 - Donna Simmons, Eric Miller, Chair Jan Ross, Scott Lofton, Kevin McGinn, Ken Shepherd and Chrissy Kaminski Staff in attendance: Mayor Jadwin, Carrin Wester, Communications Mgr., Stephania Ferrell, Director and Pam Ripley, Office Coordinator. C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Simmons requested that her comment requesting that staff review the financial records of GSA be added to the March minutes. A motion was made by Simmons, seconded by Shepherd, to approve the minutes with edits. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Simmons, Miller, Chair Ross, Lofton, McGinn, Shepherd and Kaminski 2021-0062 PR BD Mins 3-10-2021 D. ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA NONE E. HEARING OF VISITORS City of Gahanna Page 1 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes April 14, 2021 NONE F. OLD BUSINESS i. Chapter 153 Ferrell shared that Chapter 153 is included in the Board packet. Shepherd requested Ferrell to share comments she received. Ferrell shared the following comment: Chapter 153.04 (c): Do you want defined how many members of the Board need to consent? Ferrell opened for comment. Ripley stated that the meetings follow Roberts Rules which state a majority vote of half plus one; does it need spelled out? Ferrell asked if everyone was comfortable with the original wording. No one objected. Simmons asked 153.03 (e) To review AND RECOMMEND the budget as prepared by the Director before submittal to the Mayor COUNCIL; Simmons asked it this shouldn't be reviewed by the Board prior to submittal to the Mayor. Ross shared that historically there has not been enough time for that to happen. Ferrell shared that the budget process is ultimately an Administrative function and the Mayor has the right to establish the budget being presented to Council. Simmons stated she isn't sure that the Mayor would want a recommendation after she has reviewed the budget and decided what the Administration is going to present to council. Ferrell stated that from an Administrative function the Board doesn't necessarily make those recommendations of what the budget will be; so maybe the word recommend isn't the correct word. Simmons said that could be; but if the Board doesn't have anything to do with the budget is there any reason for it to be in there? Ferrell stated the review makes sense to make sure that the initiatives are in line. Simmons asked that if they are not then what does the Board do; the budget would have already gone to the Mayor for review and approval. Ross shared that historically the budget has been presented while still being finalized; if there was something the Board brought up that had merit it would go back to the Mayor before going to Council. Ross stated there were times in the past that the Board never reviewed the budget. Ferrell stated that with the discussion tonight it would make more sense to keep submittal to the Mayor if there were any concerns or discussion it would be before the budget pushes forward. Simmons stated when the Board received this years budget it was too late for any input at all. Ross stated that once items can get on a timeline calendar it would be helpful to know when things will come up. Simmons said this is for the future Board members to help them understand that the budget has to go City of Gahanna Page 2 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes April 14, 2021 to the Mayor before Council. To Simmons it sounds like the Board makes recommendations then it is submitted to Council. The Board can not circumvent the Mayor. The Mayor is the author and presenter of the Budget to Council. Ferrell agrees with Simmons. Ross asked if recommend is the correct wording. Simmons said she believes it is ok to recommend the budget. Ferrell stated that recommend is the correct word, it is a recommendation from the Board and that recommendation based off the operational need is taken into consideration prior to being submitted to the Mayor for approval. Miller stated that the Board has seen the budget in different processes; the Board doesn't have the authority to change anything in it; however it can put in a recommendation to changes it would like to see. Miller said that the big thing is that the Board see it before Council makes their final vote; and that if there is something in it that the Board feels strongly about then the Board can go to the Council meetings. Miller stated the Board still needs to be a part of the process. Ross stated by the Board reviewing the budget if they are asked questions by residents they are better able to answer. Ross stated she was reading recommend as the Board is recommending the whole budget verses a particular item that should be revisited. Miller stated that in 153.01 (a.) that every year Council appoints someone and the Mayor appoints someone; somewhere along the lines it has gotten out of sync because in 2020 there were two Council appointments in the year and there are two Mayoral appointments in 2021. Do we need to correct something so that each appointing authority is appointing one per year? How does this get corrected? Miller said according to 153.01 (a) each appointing authority should be appointing one person per year. Miller would like the City Attorney to review the document and decide how to fix it; do we adjust the terms? 2021-0060 Chapter 153 DRAFT 3-24-2021 ii. Chapter 563 Ferrell stated that Chapter 563 was included in the Board packet. Ferrell received some comments from Board members. In section 563 Definitions; does the word designee need added to state Director or designee? Ferrell feels that it does not need included in the definition since it is stated in various sections of the document. Simmons asked who would stand in for Ferrell if she could not attend a meeting. Ferrell said that Alan Little would attend the meeting. City of Gahanna Page 3 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes April 14, 2021 Chapter 563.03 USE OF NATURE TRAILS OR OPEN AREAS - No person shall leave the official or improved trails or open areas while such person is within the boundaries of the park, unless written special permission is obtained from the Director. Ferrell stated there is a question to what it means? Ferrell shared that the section is Use of Nature Trails and Open Areas; it is stating that you are to stay to the official or improved trail in our parks. We are asking that you stay on the identified trails and not to stray off them. Miller stated that at Woodside Green there are a lot of trails off the bike path, so those are out of bounds. Ferrell said that a nature trail is not out of bounds, if it has been identified as a nature trail it is fine. Not all trails have to be paved; there are dirt and gravel trails also. Chapter 563.11 TOILET FACILITIES - No person except park maintenance employees on duty shall enter a toilet room set aside for the opposite sex. Ferrell shared that at Sunpoint Park the Toilet Facilities are unisex and not identified as male or female and that has been the progression of any type of new facilities. Unisex facilities are common in the industry. Ferrell stated there was a question regarding transgender or if you have a child of an opposite gender that you want to take with you the current language prohibits that. Kaminski would like to see some sample language; but gave an example of "use the restroom that best aligns with your gender identity." Kaminski suggested some type of language for accompanied minors. Ferrell will do some research and bring some suggested language back to the Board. Shepherd asked if the language should be run by the City Attorney. Ferrell stated that the City Attorney will review the entire document prior to submittal to Council. Chapter 563.13(b) ORDERS BY EMPLOYEES; COMPLIANCE - No person shall refuse to comply with any reasonable order or directive given in the performance of duty by any authorized agent of the Parks & Recreation Department; nor shall any person commit a nuisance or obstruction or use abusive, profane or insulting language toward such employee of the Parks and Recreation Department; and upon continued disregard of such lawful order, directive or prohibition, such person may be ejected from the park. Ferrell shared a comment from a Board member who recommended the word ejected be replaced with the word removed. Board members liked that change. Chapter 563.17 HUNTING, TRAPPING, COLLECTING OR MOLESTING City of Gahanna Page 4 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes April 14, 2021 WILDLIFE - No person shall hunt, collect, pursue in any manner, trap or in any other way molest any wild bird or other animal found within the confines of the parks, rob or molest any nest or den, or take or handle the eggs or young of any bird or other animal. Ferrell shared a comment from a Board member who recommended removing the word bird as it is redundant since it is also an animal. Kaminski stated that under US law birds have special protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, that gives them an extra layer of protection. No other comments Chapter 563.22 SWIMMING PROHIBITED - Swimming is prohibited within the parks. Ferrell shared a comment from a Board member who asked should it say except at Gahanna Swimming Pool and Hunters Ridge, since they would fall under the definition of "Parks". Ferrell said the language needs improved so that it isn't all inclusive or either call out the pools so that it does not restrict swimming at them. McGinn suggested "it would be swimming is prohibited within all natural water sources within the parks". Ross would like Ferrell to work on the wording for this section. Kaminski asked if wading is prohibited; they have waded at Creekside. Ferrell said that wading at Creekside in the Big Walnut Creek is encouraged; however wading in the lagoon at Creekside is not encouraged. Ferrell said wading in the ponds in parks is not permitted. Chapter 563.28 PARKING - No person shall park or store any motor vehicle, bicycle, wagon or other vehicle within any traveled roadway in the parks or any location where posted signs prohibit parking except in emergencies, or upon any sod, gravel or other surface not specifically designated as a "Parking Area". Chapter 563.29 STORAGE OF VEHICLES - No person shall leave any motor vehicle, wagon or other vehicle within the parks after closing hours except in an emergency and only after obtaining permission from the Director or his authorized agent. Any vehicle left within the parks after closing hours without permission shall be removed from the park at the owner's expense. Ferrell said the comment asked, is it necessary to include bicycles in these sections. If bicycles are called out in 563.28 should they be called out in 563.29 also. Ross asked if there is a problem with parking a bicycle? Ferrell said that bicycles left in a park overnight is not an issue; however if bikes are left parked in a roadway or parked in a location that is prohibited then that is something different and makes sense why City of Gahanna Page 5 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes April 14, 2021 bicycles are called out. If someone was to leave a bicycle in a park overnight that would not be a source of concern other than where is the person the bike belongs to. As far as the intent of 563.29 Ferrell doesn't feel the need to include bicycles. Miller suggested that the Bicycle & Trails Advisory Committee (BTAC) take a look at these sections, Ross agreed. Miller stated that most of the parks do not have designated bike parking. Ferrell stated that staff could work with BTAC on identifying the parks that would benefit from having bike parking. Chapter 563.30 - SKATEBOARD PARK and Chapter 563.31 - PIZZURRO PARK DOG PARK RULES - there are some formatting and spelling error that need corrected. Chapter 563.31 - PIZZURRO PARK DOG PARK RULES (a) - You are responsible for any injuries caused by any dog you bring to the park, users of this park do so at their own risk. Neither the City of Gahanna nor the Department shall be liable for any injury or damage caused by any dog at the park. Ferrell said the question is should the first line say responsible for any injuries or damages caused by any dog. Kaminski stated that the tone changes. Ross agreed that there is a shift in tone between 563.30 and 563.31. Kaminski said it should be more of any person and not "You", Kaminski agrees that damages need added. Several Board members agreed. That was all the comments Ferrell received. Ferrell asked if there were any additional comments. Simmons stated that in 563.30 (h) drugs are referenced; are tobacco and drugs referenced anywhere else in the document, Simmons couldn't find it referenced anywhere else. Ferrell stated that tobacco is not prohibited in any of our other parks. Ferrell stated drugs are not called out in other chapters. Simmons asked if it is called out at one park should it be called out at other parks to be consistent. Ferrell doesn't like that it is there; but if it removed it is almost implying that its ok now. Ferrell said where can we make this update that it is not specific; it is understood that illegal drugs can't be used in the parks. We shouldn't have to say that, but the fact that it is called out here is odd. Ferrell said the Skate Park and Dog Park Rules were added more recently, this would make sense why they might look a little different; but when you are looking at it as a whole package it calls it out a little differently. Ferrell will work on the section. Simmons had a question to 563.16 (b) (1) Lighted facilities. Simmons City of Gahanna Page 6 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes April 14, 2021 asked if there were any lighted facilities at Sunpoint or Hannah Park. Ferrell shared that neither park has lights; Hannah Park's shelter has lights. Ferrell will do some research as requested and bring the document back to the next meeting. Ross requested that the Board review the document again and send any additional items to Ferrell. 2021-0061 Chapter 563 DRAFT 3-24-2021 G. NEW BUSINESS i. Operational Updates Ferrell shared that the State of Ohio rescinded some of the Restart Ohio Guidelines that will impact pool operations, summer camp and events. There were specific guidelines for each of them. Still in place are the mask order, limiting groups to 10 or more unless in the same household and social distancing. Lifted are the stricter guidelines for barriers between groups. Staff is reviewing the operations of camp, pools and events. ii. Staff Updates Ferrell shared that in the Parks Division three of the part time staff are now full time employees. Brian Kennedy worked part time and is now the full time Facilities Maintenance Coordinator for Aquatics. The new Horticulturist is Tim Fletcher, a Gahanna Resident. Katherine Morehouse previously worked part time in Parks has been hired as a full time General Maintenance Worker. New to Gahanna is Venne Thomson who accepted a full time General Maintenance Worker position. H. CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTIONS None I. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Ferrell shared that the Splash Pad is moving along. The design was approved this evening by the Planning Commission. Playgrounds at Headley and Woodside Green Parks were also approved. We are City of Gahanna Page 7 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes April 14, 2021 hoping to have the playground installations scheduled soon. A vendor has been selected for the parking lot proposals and will be presented to Council on April 26, 2021. The Community Gardens are open and have always been popular. This year specifically they are in demand, staff is reviewing to see if we can add an additional location. Arbor Day Celebration and volunteering event is on May 8th, from 8 - 10 am trees will be planted at 496 E. Johnstown Rd. The property was purchased several years ago with the intent to make the connection to the Big Walnut Trail of E. Johnstown Rd. through to Hamilton Rd. Volunteers will be cleaning up sections of the trail. The Creekside Arboretum Ribbon Cutting is at 11am, Ferrell will send an invitation to the Board. 2021-0063 Director's Report 4-21-2021 J. COMMITTEE REPORTS i. Bicycle & Trail Advisory Committee (BTAC) Miller shared that at the BTAC meeting Ferrell discussed the Rapid 5 Project; Miller would like Ferrell to send the information to the Board. The Mountain Bike Trail at Academy Park was discussed. McGinn shared that they started out with the idea of the trail being within the Academy Park location and additionally have a skills park installed where the "clay mounds" are. Due to the location still needing a pretty substantial assessment for environmental reasons, we were starting to look at the Price Rd./Gahanna Pool area as an additional/back-up location. Our optimal location for the trail is still within Academy Park. There are currently trails that are already used throughout the woods so not much work would have to be done to prep the site. With the MORPC grant moving forward at Academy Park, it will provide us with details on if that location can be used for a trail. Additionally, we have the support of Trek, COMBO (Central Ohio Mountain Biking Organization), Bicycle One, etc. We've had numerous discussions over the past several years and we are currently working with the Architecture program at Gahanna Lincoln High School to have some students come up with potential design ideas for the trail. Currently a group from Gahanna Lincoln is in the process of working with NICA and are very close to getting an approval for Mountain Biking being recognized as a Varsity sport. If and when the trail is developed, the trail will be used as a "beginner trail" as well as a training location for the High School Mountain Biking team. Ferrell shared that the Wetland Delineation needed done in order to see City of Gahanna Page 8 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes April 14, 2021 where the trail could not go. It will help with the alignment of the trail. The Service and Engineering Department is doing a separate project for the Cherry Bottom stabilization; they have identified the Engineer S & ME to do the Wetland Delineation. Also there was a Brownfield grant application through MORPC. They are in phase I which means they take a look at the site soil borings and evaluate and tell us how to remedy any type of issues. Phase I should be completed in approximately 45 days. Miller shared there was discussion on a suggested bike trail that will go from the library through Shull Park and connect with Walnut Street. Also there is a new access trail that goes from W. Johnstown Rd. to the Alum Creek Trail that goes under I-670, which should be completed this fall. Gahanna is also review their ADA Plan, which will include curb cuts which is pertinent to bike travel. BTAC chair Tricia Kovacs gets a lot of bikes donated from the City, she repairs them and gives them to those who need a bike. She needs bikes and needs volunteers to help repair them. In May they are having a Gahanna Bike Scavenger Hunt. In the past there has been a monthly family bike ride that will start up again soon. BTAC will start meeting quarterly. ii. Gahanna Active Senior Advisory Committee None iii. Natural Resources Advisory Committee None K. POLL MEMBERS FOR COMMENT i. Gahanna Parks & Recreation Foundation Ross stated the Foundation meeting is on April 15th. The Hops & Vines Planning Committee is looking at October 2, 2021 for the event. ii. School District Update Lofton stated that the School Board approved DLR Group in association with Schorr Architects for the design services on Phase 2 of the Master Facilities Project. The School Board also approved Ruscilli Construction Company as Construction Manger for Phase 2 of the Master Facilities Project. Kids have been back in school for a month. iii. Veteran's Advisory Committee City of Gahanna Page 9 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes April 14, 2021 None L. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 8:45pm. APPROVED by the Parks & Recreation Board, this day of 2021. Jan Ross Chair City of Gahanna Page 10