Parks & Recreation Board

200 South Hamilton Road City of Gahanna Gahanna, Ohio 43230 Meeting Minutes Parks & Recreation Board Donna Simmons, Chair Chrissy Kaminski, Vice Chair Kevin McGinn, Secretary Sue Horn Eric Miller Jan Ross Ken Shepherd Nichols Butler, Clerk Wednesday, September 14, 2022 7:00 PM Gahanna Senior Center 480 Rocky Fork Blvd. A. CALL MEETING TO ORDER Simmons, Chair called the September 14, meeting to order at 7:01pm. The agenda was published on September 9, 2022 B. ROLL CALL Staff in Attendance- Stephania Ferrell, Director, Brian Gill, Recreation Superintendent, Sarah Mill- Recreation Supervisor and Nichole Butler, Clerk Present: 5 - Donna Simmons, Eric Miller, Chrissy Kaminski, Jan Ross and Ken Shepherd Absent: 1 - Kevin McGinn C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2022-0265 P&R Board Minutes 7.13.22 Motion was made by Shepherd, seconded by Ross, that the minutes be approved. The motion carried the following vote: Yes: 6- Simmons, Miller, Kaminski, Ross, Shepherd and Lofton Absent: 1- McGinn 2022-0266 P&R Special Meeting Minutes 07.28.22 Motion was made by Ross, seconded by Miller, that the minutes be approved. The motion carried the following vote: Yes: 6- Simmons, Miller, Kaminski, Ross, Shepherd and Lofton City of Gahanna Page 1 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes September 14, 2022 Absent: 1- McGinn D. ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA E. HEARING OF VISITORS Timothy McClurg, 935 Leaflock Ct. Gahanna, OH 43230 , expressed he would like to have an entrance/exit light added to Friendship Park, that will allow for left and right hand turns. He expressed the need for parking to utilize the trail behind Shepherd Nazarene Church, for ease of access. He would also like to see a suspension bridge added that allows you to access Friendship Park from the trail over by the Gahanna Swimming Pool. He expressed concern regarding lighting at Creekside in the mill run waterfall. He states that he would like to see it lit with the ability to change color for multiple occasions. He also states that the QR codes at the tree’s in the arboretum are not linking correctly. Mr. McClurg also expressed concern regarding not having access to the yard waste dumping piles behind the service complex. Director Ferrell states that they no longer allow public dumpling of yard waste as people were dumping things that were not yard waste. There are alternative locations for dumping such as Kurtz Brothers and Ohio Mulch. F. OLD BUSINESS Master Plan Update Ferrell states that the program assessment done by PROS has been received, as well as the first round of results from the mailed statistically valid survey. The goal was to receive 316 responses and nearly double is what was received. Ferrell states that none of the results were surprising. Most people value trails and connectivity and want more of it. Ferrell states the next step is to receive the information from the virtual survey. Shepherd asked if the survey resulted in anyone requesting to get rid of some of the smaller parks that are not are utilized to be repurposed. Ferrell states that the survey does not currently reflect that however based on deed restrictions and easements some of these would not be doable. G. NEW BUSINESS Summer Camps and Youth Programming Update Sarah Mill, Recreation Supervisor gave an overview of the 2022 summer camp summary as attached in the minutes. Mill mentioned that City of Gahanna Page 2 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes September 14, 2022 the overall theme for the summer was The Art of Being a Kid. The theme allowed for the department to bring in many groups such as the Columbus Blue Jackets, a balloon artist and more. Mill states that there were nine full week sessions at Hannah Park and eight full week sessions at Friendship Park. Mill mentioned that this year the department was able to bring back the half day program for the younger campers, called Little Adventurers which replaced the formerly known Nature Bugs, for the first time since 2019. Mill states that overall, for Camp Hannah, Camp Friendship, and Little Adventurers the programs saw 1,111 spaces sold and 218 unique campers. Spaces would be defined by 1 child enrolled in 1 week of camp. Mill stated that percentages of fullness for the weeks were based on staffing for the summer and that the capacities are set well before staffing is complete. Mill states that the department was still onboarding staff in July which allowed for more participants. Mill mentioned that for special interest camps, Bally Sports was able to offer 8 weeks at Woodside Green Park and were well attended and were primarily full for the summer. Jump Bunch sports offered a half or full day option at Academy Park for the younger kids that were well attended. Mill states that the department was able to offer one two-week program for 10-13 year-old teens, from Women Just Like me, called Girls of Destiny for leadership development. Mill also states that a survey went out to camp parents that goes out annually, the overall response rate was lower, but the feedback was overwhelmingly positive and the staff were well liked. Brian Gill, Recreation Superintendent mentioned that one thing the department was not able to offer this summer that would be good to offer again in the winter would be Rec Club and Rec Teens which are supplemental to the existing traditional camps. The staffing for the summer currently did not support running those drop-in programs. Mill states that there was some feedback in the survey regarding priority registration for returning participants regardless of if they are residents of Gahanna. Mill said that this year for the first time, residents were able to register three days prior to non-residents. Ross asked how many of the participants were able to receive scholarship assistance for summer camps. Nichole Butler states that $4248.00 was issued in scholarships for summer camps. Miller asked if we have started recruiting for next year. Gill stated that the staff are meeting with Human Resources in September to start the process for next year, and jobs will be posted in December. Mill stated that in 2022 the department was able to lower the hiring age for counselors to 17 to widen the pool of available applicants. This created the challenge of child labor laws and breaks however they were able to work it out. Miller asked if the department would like to increase staffing for next year to increase City of Gahanna Page 3 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes September 14, 2022 the number of kids. Mill states that is the ideal plan but does not always happen. 2022-0291 Summer Camp 2022 Board summary 2022-0293 2022 Summer Camp Summary Newsletter Fee Waiver Request- GLHS Band- Mr. Cebriak for Friendship Park Shelter on 10/29/22 Butler stated that Mr. Cebriak the band director at Gahanna Lincoln High School has requested a fee waiver for use of the shelter on October 29, 2022 for a band gathering. Ross asked if there were any other requests to use that date. Butler states not currently. Note: Scott Lofton left the meeting at 8:10pm prior to the voting making him absent for the remainder of the meeting. A motion was made by Ross, seconded by Miller the decision carried the following vote Yes: 5- Simmons, Miller, Kaminski, Ross and Shepherd Absent: 2- McGinn and Lofton Fee Waiver Request- GJEF 5k Hannah Shelter Rental 10/29/2022 Butler states the Gahanna Jefferson Education Foundation has requested a fee waiver for use of the shelter at Hannah Park during their already scheduled 5K event, the Monster Dash. Miller asked what the rental fee was for the shelter. Butler states the rental fee would be $200.00 for the shelter and $100.00 refundable security deposit, however as a non-profit they would be eligible to receive a ten percent discount. Miller asked if there would be staff involved. Butler states that only in the normal aspect of cleaning the restrooms and taking out the trash which would be done even if there were not a rental. Gill stated that fee for the 5k is already covering the set up and tear down of the 5k from the staff. Ferrell states that all 5k runs at Hannah Park are required to reserve the shelter as there is limited parking. A motion was made to approve the fee waiver by Kaminski, seconded by Shepherd Yes: 4- Simmons, Kaminski, Ross and Shepherd No: 1- Miller Absent: 2- McGinn and Lofton City of Gahanna Page 4 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes September 14, 2022 2022-0263 GJEF Fee Waiver Request Letter Fee Waiver Request- Toopes Show your Class 5k Butler states the Toopes Show Your Class 5k is requesting a fee waiver for their 5k race on October 9, 2022 to take place at Creekside. Shepherd asked what the fee for the 5k is. Ross stated that it was $250.00. The board referred to the city policy regarding 5k fees. A motion was made to approve the fee waiver by Ross, seconded by Shepherd Yes: 0 No: 5- Simmons, Miller, Kaminski, Ross and Shepherd Absent: 2- McGinn and Lofton 2022-0264 Toopes 5k Fee Waiver Request Letter H. CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTIONS I. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Ferrell mentioned that there was a vote by City Council on September 6, 2022, to approve the purchase of 825 Tech Center Drive, in Gahanna to move City Hall, The Senior Center and The Police Station. The next steps would be for architectural design plans to fit the space to the needs of the city. Ferrell stated that the splash pad is still open until October 2, 2022. Ferrell mentioned that in October there are a few new programs starting in different neighborhood parks, called Campfire at the Park. Gill states that this is an opportunity to get people in our smaller pocket parks. The employees will have smores and activities for people to come enjoy. Ferrell recognized that in August, the department had over 200 volunteers from Columbus Academy come and do service projects throughout the city parks. The jobs ranged from creek clean up, mulching, painting and more. Ferrell stated that this year, Gahanna will host the Great Gahanna Goblin Fest, at Academy Park on October 28, 2022 from 5:30pm- 9:30pm, which replaces the Goblin Trail in prior years. Ferrell encouraged the board to participate in this event. 2022-0267 Directors Report August 2022 J. COMMITTEE REPORTS i. Bicycle & Trail Advisory Committee (BTAC) City of Gahanna Page 5 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes September 14, 2022 Ferrell states that BTAC did meet. They discussed the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) attributable fund application submission to fund the last section of the Big Walnut Trail through Gahanna. Tricia Kovacs, BTAC chair, plans to come to the Parks Board, regarding changes she would like to see regarding bicycle policies. ii. Gahanna Active Senior Advisory Committee (GASAC)- None iii. Natural Resources Advisory Committee (NRAC)- None K. POLL MEMBERS FOR COMMENT i. Gahanna Parks & Recreation Foundation- None ii. School District Update Scott Lofton gave his report prior to leaving the meeting. Lofton updated the board that the field at Blacklick is about 90% done with the AstroTurf, they are just waiting on sand. The schools have installed temporary lighting for the field, and they have begun tearing out the old stadium. Lofton states that there are many projects going on and that this is a very busy time for the schools. iii. Veteran's Advisory Committee- None L. ADJOURNMENT City of Gahanna Page 6