Parks & Recreation Board

200 South Hamilton Road City of Gahanna Gahanna, Ohio 43230 Meeting Minutes Parks & Recreation Board Chrissy Kaminski, Chair Kevin McGinn, Vice Chair Eric Miller, Secretary Sue Horn Jan Ross Ken Shepherd Donna Simmons Nichole Butler, Clerk Wednesday, April 12, 2023 7:00 PM Gahanna Senior Center 480 Rocky Fork Blvd. A. CALL MEETING TO ORDER Kaminski, Chair Called the April 12, 2023 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board to order at 7:05 PM. The agenda was published on April 4, 2023. B. ROLL CALL Present: 6 - Sue Horn, Chrissy Kaminski, Eric Miller, Jan Ross, Ken Shepherd and Donna Simmons Absent: 1 - Kevin McGinn Staff in attendance: Stephania Bernard-Ferrell, Director of Parks & Recreation; Nichole Butler, Clerk C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2023-0061 Parks & Recreation Board minutes 2.8.2023 A motion was made by Simmons, seconded by Shepherd, that the Minutes be Approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Horn, Kaminski, Miller, Ross, Shepherd and Simmons Absent: 1- McGinn D. ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA E. HEARING OF VISITORS City of Gahanna Page 1 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes April 12, 2023 F. OLD BUSINESS i. Parks & Recreation Master Plan Director Ferrell states that the draft of the executive summary and full report of the master plan have been submitted to council for review. Ferrell mentioned that along with the master plan, the citywide Capital Improvement Plan, also known as the CIP, involves parks and recreation and connects to the master plan. Ferrell explains that the CIP was introduced from a process standpoint to council on Monday, 4/10. . Ross asked what the original timeline for master plan adoption was. Ferrell states that the original plan was to adopt the Master Plan in conjunction with the CIP to have them be approved alongside each other The estimated timeline for the full CIP to be introduced is June. Ferrell states that it would be beneficial to have the board recommend approval of the master plan to council. Miller asked if this would include funding. Ferrell states that the master plan does not have any dollars associated to it. Ferrell mentioned that the information gained from the master plan, and survey results are already being put into action by the department. . Kaminski asked how the CIP is developed. Ferrell states that the department uses the master plan process to strategize what that will look like. Ferrell explains that there are three categories used in the process; Maintenance, expanded services, and visionary projects. Ferrell states that they develop from things they have to do in order to sustain, things the community wants to see, and visionary projects like a community recreation center. Kaminski asked how the department will get their needs in the CIP. Horn states that the master plan lays out the priorities of the department, which will then feed directly into the CIP, and the requests of the department. Ross states that overall the executive summery provided by PROS consultants, was well done and that she thinks it would be good to move forward with the recommendation to council. Ferrell states that PROS consultants will be in town on May 8th, 2023 at 7pm for a committee meeting for city council, to answer any questions that they may have. A motion was made by Ross, seconded by Miller, that the Master Plan be Recommend for Approval to council. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Horn, Kaminski, Miller, Ross, Shepherd and Simmons Absent: 1- McGinn 2023-0063 2023 P&R Master Plan - Draft City of Gahanna Page 2 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes April 12, 2023 2023-0064 2023 P&R Master Plan Executive Summary - Draft G. NEW BUSINESS i. Request for GMAC fee waiver Butler states that a 5th grade teacher from Lincoln Elementary requested that the board approve an entire rental fee waiver for their end of the year party at Hannah Park on May 22, 2023. Ross asked what the rental fee is for the GMAC. Butler states that it is $250 rental fee as well as a $250 refundable security deposit. Simmons asked if they had paid the fee for rental of the park shelter. Butler states that no, per the current pricing policy approved by the parks board, the school district is not required to pay to rent park shelters for Monday thru Thursday rentals. Ross asked what the cost to the department was to rent it out. Ferrell states that the cost is essentially staff time for the parks team member to drop it off, and upon returning to do an inventory of items. After discussion the board determined that they were comfortable with providing a discount for the use of the trailer and its contents. A motion was made by Kaminski, seconded by Ross to approve a $50 discount on the rental of the GMAC. The motion carried the following vote: Yes: 4- Horn, Kaminski, Miller and Ross No: 2- Shepherd and Simmons Absent: 1- McGinn ii. Staffing Updates Ferrell states that as previously mentioned, Julie Predieri was promoted to Forestry Supervisor, which in turn left a vacancy in the Forestry Foreman position. Ferrell states that the department was happy to fill that position with an internal candidate, Kody Rubright. Ferrell states that the promotion of Rubright has created an additional vacancy of a maintenance worker, and that the pool of applicants looks promising as they are hosting civil service testing this week.. Ferrell stated that there is an additional vacancy created by the departure of Sarah Mill, Recreation Supervisor for Youth and Family Programming. Ferrell states that they are still working to fill that position. Ferrell states that this summer is an accreditation year for the American Camping Association (ACA) , and the department has luckily secured a Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) intern that will be able to assist in the accreditation process. City of Gahanna Page 3 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes April 12, 2023 iii. Link to Literacy Ferrell states that the department has studied a trail that would begin at the termination of Walnut street, thru Shull park, out and around 2 creek crossings to the library. Ferrell states that the trail continues behind the library and over 3 private properties which would need an easement all the way up to Hamilton Road. Ferrell states that the department has an opportunity to apply for an Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Clean Ohio Trails grant, that has a maximum award of $500,000.00 which would allow the department to expedite the plan which is in the proposed CIP . Ferrell states that the plan with this connection would allow for access to the Big Walnut trail as well, which would allow someone to travel from Academy park to North Hamilton, and Creekside to North Hamilton. Horn asked if the $500,000 would pay for this entire section of the trail. Ferrell states that no, the grant has a requirement of 25% match and the entire project is estimated at around two million dollars. Ross noted that the concept of going to the library on the trail is cool. Ross asked if the library built the new building and knew about the plan to add the paths. Ferrell states that the library is aware and the city have been working along with the library for the project. . Ferrell states that the trail provides opportunity for outdoor classrooms and joint programming with the library. Ferrell also states that the department envisions a story trail to be placed on this path, similar to the ones already in place at Hannah Park and Friendship Park. H. CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTIONS 2023-0071 COTF 2023 Support Letter-Parks Board I. DIRECTOR'S REPORT 2023-0062 Parks Board Director's Rept. March 2023 J. COMMITTEE REPORTS i. Bicycle & Trail Advisory Committee (BTAC) Bicycle & Trail Advisory Committee (BTAC) - Miller states that BTAC met just prior to the current Parks Board meeting. Miller mentioned that Patricia Kovacs who is the head of BTAC, is still working on the legislation to add E-Bikes to the wording to allow them on the trails. Miller City of Gahanna Page 4 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes April 12, 2023 states that once she has reviewed the updates with the city attorney, Ray Mularski, she will bring it back to the board for their approval, to which can recommend to council for adoption. Miller also mentioned that Kovacs has been working on repairing bikes that have been given to her to donate to those in need of a bike. Miller states that Kovacs is looking for funding to assist with this as she has been paying out of her own pocket, at around $1,000 per year for parts. Miller states that he is going to speak with the P&R Foundation and Kovacs will be reaching out to other avenues to seek support. Miller states that BTAC also discussed the Link to Literacy and Ferrell received feedback. Ferrell states that there is some damage to the trails at Woodside Green and there was discussion to repair the damage. ii. Gahanna Active Senior Advisory Committee (GASAC) Simmons states that GASAC met in March. Simmons states that Kevin Schultz came to the meeting and presented current plans for the senior center at 825 Tech Center drive. Simmons states the Isobel Sherwood, President of GASAC, made edits to the by-laws for the committee and discussed changes. Simmons states that there was a request made my Pat Donato who is on the committee, that the committee be able to elect all seven of their members of their committee rather than the Parks Board appointing any members. Ferrell states that GASAC would be required to put It in their bylaws and the Parks Board would still have to approve their bylaws, as GASAC is a sub-committee of the Parks Board. Simmons also mentioned that Jeff Caffee, who is a member of GASAC, stated he didn’t feel the vans were not accessible to those seniors who wish to attend trips. Ferrell states that the city can make appropriate accommodations. Ferrell mentioned that should there be a request for someone to go on a trip that is not able to get in the van, the department can accommodate by renting or ride sharing . Miller asked if there was an opportunity to use a Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) bus for transport. Ferrell states that there is a line near the senior center. Ferrell mentioned that to purchase, the department would need justification. iii. Natural Resources Advisory Committee (NRAC)- None K. POLL MEMBERS FOR COMMENT i. Gahanna Parks & Recreation Foundation Ross states that the Foundation was able to fund many donation City of Gahanna Page 5 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes April 12, 2023 requests for Parks and Recreation scholarships, 254 Teen Center, as well as Parks and Recreation projects. Ross states that Hops and Vines event will be held September 16, 2023. Miller states that tickets for the Hops and Vines event go on sale May 1,2023. ii. School District Update Horn states that Thursday April 13, 2023, will be the State of the Schools to be held at Gahanna Lincoln High School. Horn said that the many projects are going well with the good weather. Horn states that the stadium turf has already begun going in and should be on time for September. Horn states that the Blacklick athletic complex is busy with many sports, and they are making great progress. iii. Veteran's Advisory Committee- None L. ADJOURNMENT City of Gahanna Page 6