Parks & Recreation Board

200 South Hamilton Road City of Gahanna Gahanna, Ohio 43230 Meeting Minutes Parks & Recreation Board Chrissy Kaminski Kevin McGinn, Chair Daphne Moehring, Vice Chair Donna Simmons, Secretary Eric Miller Jan Ross Ken Shepherd Nichole Butler, Clerk Wednesday, April 10, 2024 7:00 PM Gahanna City Hall, Committee Room A. CALL MEETING TO ORDER Kevin McGinn called the April 10, 2024 meeting to order at 6:59 PM. The agenda was published on April 5, 2024. B. ROLL CALL Staff in attendance: Stephania Ferrell, Director of Parks and Recreation; Brian Gill, Recreation Superintendent; Annette Baxter, Recreation Supervisor, Lauren Gregory, Recreation Coordinator and Nichole Butler, Clerk Present: 7 - Chrissy Kaminski, Kevin McGinn, Eric Miller, Daphne Moehring, Jan Ross, Ken Shepherd and Donna Simmons C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Moehring, seconded by Shepherd, that the February 14, 2024 Minutes be approved.. The motion carried the following vote: Yes: 7- Kaminski, McGinn, Miller, Moehring, Ross, Shepherd and Simmons PR Board Minutes 2.14.24 D. ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA A request was made by Kaminski, to move fee waivers and new business in front of old business. E. HEARING OF VISITORS F. OLD BUSINESS City of Gahanna Page 1 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes April 10, 2024 Master Plan Action Plan Update Director Ferrell stated that the department received 6 proposals for the Aquatics Master Plan in 2024, and now the selection team will begin reviewing them to choose the vendor. Ferrell stated the department had a Recreation Coordinator II- events and volunteers position approved to be added and the department is actively interviewing for that position. Moehring stated that she receives emails from the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association OPRA and asked if the Parks and Recreation Board should be communicating with other communities in Ohio to collaborate on their experiences. Ferrell stated that as OPRA members the Board is free to interact with OPRA members, if requested she can set up some local communities to come speak regarding their experiences and process of building community recreation centers, and partnerships. Master Plan Action Plan 4.10.24 Orientation Manual Additions Butler provided the board with the additions or correction to the previously provided orientation manual. G. NEW BUSINESS Senior and Adult Programs Brian Gill, Recreation Superintendent, introduced Annette Baxter; Recreation Supervisor Senior and Adult Programs, and Lauren Gregory; Recreation Coordinator Senior and Adult to provide a recap of the 2023 year. Baxter stated they are still building the adult programming but have taken over yoga in March of 2023 and added a cornhole league in the fall. Gregory stated that the Parks Master Plan highlighted a need for adult programming. Gregory stated that in 2023, the department continued with the existing instructors and building the programming for both arts and fitness classes. Gregory highlighted that in 2024 the department was able to begin adult pickleball lessons as well as pickleball leagues and add an additional offering of the Creekside Cornhole League. Gregory stated that they are also planning to start a City of Gahanna Page 2 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes April 10, 2024 program in summer of 2024 called Fit for Moms to provide social time as well as fitness opportunities for moms with kids in strollers. Gill highlighted that Bea Sull is a seasonal employee, who has been with the city for two summers and has stayed on thru the Future Leaders program and has an interest in art classes. Gill stated that Bea has been teaching clay and art classes for adults and seniors. Baxter stated that with the Senior Center , memberships have increased significantly since covid. Baxter stated that currently the department was able to host the largest senior expo in 2023, 22 new programs were introduced, and 72 free or low-cost meals. Baxter states they have also received $25,000 in in-kind sponsorships. Gregory states that in 2024 the staff have been able to begin offering additional fitness classes and are looking to begin programs in the evening hours for those who may still want to be active in the evening as well as those who may still be working. Gregory stated that the most popular program for the Senior Center has been the day trips program. Gregory stated that the seniors were able to visit many different places including 22 locations such as Cleveland, Amish Country, the Wilds and to see the Solar Eclipse in totality. Gregory stated that the 2023 Senior Expo had 175 visitors and over 40 vendors and in 2024 they expect to host the event at the Gahanna Sanctuary. Baxter stated that previously the Senior Center had not had a significant spot in the program guide, however it will return in the summer 2024 guide. Gill stated that the department also created a post card to be mailed to the apartment complexes and multi family housing in Gahanna so that they may access the guide through a QR code. Capital Improvement Plan Ferrell stated that included in the packet was the Parks and Recreation Department Capital Improvement Plan. Ferrell stated that the Capital Improvement plan advisory committee is overseen by a committee made up of Mayor Jadwin, The Senior Director of Administrative Services, The Senior Director of Operations, members of Council, as well as the Finance Director. Ferrell stated that items on the plan in 2024 have been funded, and anything projected for 2025 and beyond is not yet funded. Ferrell stated that two large trails already have some work being started, with the Big Walnut Trail section 8 expected to begin construction in 2026 and the Link to Literacy Trail in 2025. Ferrell noted the Big Walnut Trail will be submitting a request to MORPC Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission for Attributable Funding.. Ferrell stated that roughly 56% of the allocated Capital Improvement funds are dedicated to capital maintenance and that during the Master Plan process the residents identified updating and improving current facilities are a priority. Ferrell stated that the Aquatics Master Plan Is part of the operational budget as City of Gahanna Page 3 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes April 10, 2024 it is not currently tied to a project, however it is tied to the community recreation center aspect of the Capital Improvement Plan once a project is established. Moehring asked Director Ferrell to provide an update on the Academy Park Mountain Bike Trailhead. Ferrell stated that the trailhead received grant funding in 2023, and it is being requested to move up to 2025 due to grant timelines. Ferrell stated that due to the location of the Mountain Bike trail and the proposed work, the Army Corps of Engineers requires a Nationwide Permit (no. 42) to comply with development in regulatory waters. The NWP (42) was verified for the Academy Park Mountain Bike Trail. The next steps are to comply with local floodplain permitting. Director Ferrell states she expects the construction of the mountain bike trail to start this summer. Capital Improvement Plan- Parks Fee Waiver - Columbus Metro Library- Staff Appreciation Butler stated that Jay Mantle from the Gahanna Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library is requesting a fee waiver for the rental of Woodside Green Park Shelter, for an Employee Appreciation Day on Sunday May 19, 2024. Butler stated that the fee being waived would be in the amount of $75 after the current 25% not for profit discount. A motion was made by Kaminski, seconded by Simmons, that the fee waiver request From the Columbus Metropolitan Library to use Woodside Green Park shelter on Sunday May, 19 2024 be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Kaminski, McGinn, Miller, Moehring, Ross, Shepherd and Simmons Fee Waiver- Highpoint Elementary (Friendship) May 17th Butler stated that Megan Glassmire, a 3rd grade teacher, at Highpoint Elementary wrote to request a fee waiver for rental of the Friendship Park Shelter on Friday, May 17, 2024. Glassmire noted that the students are taking a field trip to the Gahanna Historical Society and would like to use the shelter for lunch and the playground. Butler stated that the fee being waived would be in the amount of $105 after the current 25% not for profit discount. A motion was made by Kaminski, seconded by Moehring, that the fee waiver request From High Point to use Friendship Park shelter on Friday May, 17 2024 be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Kaminski, McGinn, Miller, Moehring, Ross, Shepherd and Simmons H. CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTIONS City of Gahanna Page 4 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes April 10, 2024 I. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Ferrell stated that the Ambassador playground has been installed. Ferrell stated that the parks team did an inspection of the installation to make sure everything was complete and safe. Ferrell stated that Upper McCorkle is slated to have a partial replacement in April. Ferrell provided the board with an update on seasonal hiring, noting that this year has been a vast improvement to what the department had seen previously. Ferrell stated that the aquatics supervisor Chris Simmons has been working with the YMCA of Central Ohio Gahanna location, to teach lifeguarding classes and thru the partnership the department is able to utilize their pool for training the city lifeguards as well as theirs. Miller requested an update on the Price Road Exploration Center. Ferrell stated that the original bids were double the engineers estimate, so now the project is being reviewed to improve the scope as well as including the parking lot with the project to make the project more enticing for bidders. Miller asked what point the decision would be made to tear down and start new. Director Ferrell stated that this was explored and the cost of renovation versus a new build was significant. Directors Report March 2024 J. COMMITTEE REPORTS i. Bicycle & Trail Advisory Committee (BTAC) Ferrell stated BTAC met and discussed the status of the Active Transportation Plan, and the Big Walnut Trail. ii. Gahanna Active Senior Advisory Committee (GASAC) Simmons stated that the next meeting is May 8th at 1:00 PM at the Senior Center. Simmons stated that the Committee is working on their process for elections for the open seats as well as term limits. Simmons stated that the board is very active and engaged. iii. Natural Resources Advisory Committee (NRAC) Kaminski stated that NRAC has met twice since the last meeting, trying to re-establish as a committee. Kaminski stated that they plan to get the committee out to lower McCorkle, to the place where the Action Park may go. Kaminski stated that they will also be working on using NRAC City of Gahanna Page 5 Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes April 10, 2024 members to help provide education to the community thru sessions, and possibly YouTube. K. POLL MEMBERS FOR COMMENT i. Gahanna Parks & Recreation Foundation Miller stated that the Foundation approved funding in the amount of $15,000 for communication boards to go in the parks, as well as $2,000 for senior golf league. Miller stated that Board also welcomed a new member and a new clerk with the retirement of Pam Ripley. Miller stated that the Foundation has also agreed to volunteer for the Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival again this year. ii. School District Update Moehring stated that the school board hired a new Treasurer, Cliff Hetzel; who was previously the Chief Operating Officer for the district. Moehring stated that the district also adopted a new language arts curriculum. iii. Veteran's Advisory Committee Ferrell stated that a member of the VFW in Gahanna has been working with former Mayor Tom Kneeland on bringing a traveling Vietnam memorial. Ferrell stated that the department is coordinating with them for an anticipated arrival in October 2025. L. ADJOURNMENT City of Gahanna Page 6