Citizens' Recreation Commission

Citizens’ Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Meeting of the Citizens’ Recreation Commission was held on September 9, 2025 at Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan. CALLED TO ORDER: 7:02pm PRESENT: ABSENT: Melinda Billingsley Amanda Starkey Barb Janutol Abby Klotz Amanda York Dave Andrews Gib Heim Lindsay Fratarolli ALSO PRESENT: Angela Coletti-Brown, Owen Gafa APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Motion was made for acceptance of the agenda for September 9, 2025 by Heim and seconded by Andrews. Approval of motion: Yes: Billingsley; Klotz; York; Andrews; Heim; Fratarolli No: None Absent: Starkey; Janutol APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Motion was made for the approval of minutes from July 8, 2025 by Heim and seconded by Andrews. Approval of motion: Yes: Billingsley; Klotz; York; Andrews; Heim; Fratarolli No: None Absent: Starkey; Janutol 1 DIRECTOR’S REPORT: ● Tennis lessons started ● Senior Picnic on Sept 18 ● Lakefront campout in the park has sold out, but more slots may be opened ● As of right now there has been no discussion of Farms residents using the Lakefront pool during the Farms pool renovation next year COUNCIL REPORT: ● 75th Anniversary - Edsel Ford House open to all GPW residents Sept 21 ● Sock Hop themed Fall Fest Oct 4 - based on Rec Commission suggestion TREASURER’S REPORT: ● Fishing Derby came in under budget for charges during FY2025-26 (some charges incurred during FY2024-25) NEW BUSINESS: ● AEW Presentation for New Pickleball Courts at Ghesquiere Park ○ Concept 1: $590,000 budget - includes fencing in between courts ○ Concept 2: $565,000 budget ○ Surface of asphalt and pickleball surface coating. Some stone from previous tennis courts ○ Pavillions could fit 2 picnic tables each ○ Flooding possibility in area of park will be evaluated as part of further design planning ○ 8 ft external fence ○ Potential timeline - construction would take a couple months ○ Maintenance would be comparable to current tennis and pickleball courts, and new courts would be placed on the same 5 year ○ Anticipated 15-20 year lifespan ○ Key fob suggested for potential use ○ Concept plans do not include additional lighting; city admin believes lighting from previous tennis courts is still viable ○ Commission will submit recommendations after October meeting ● Open commission seat ○ Candidate Jason G. interview ○ Commission will vote on decision at Oct meeting ● Fall Event ○ Disc Golf and Donuts, Oct 5, 3:30-5:30 ○ Tournament style event(s) from 4-5pm ● Youth Advisory Board ○ Goal: allow young residents an opportunity to share suggestions for services, recreation, events, etc. 2  ○ Will submit a proposal to city council after Oct meeting OLD BUSINESS: ● Fishing Derby debrief o Presented trophies at Music on the Lawn in August PUBLIC COMMENT: ● Tom Giger - would like pool open until 8:30 or 9pm ● Carol Kordich - spends a lot of time at the pool, has noticed a decrease in pool hours over recent years. Would like a return to pre-Covid hours of 10-9pm. Want to know what residents can do to get more lifeguards to have longer hours. Prefer to prioritize main pool being open over other places. ● Lynn Wiszowaty - complimented water temperature in recent years, as well as temperament of the life guards. Would also like a return to pre-Covid hours. Would like city to facilitate Park Director having LGIT certification to be able to train lifeguards. Wants to see more advertisement of lifeguard positions. Would like more picnic tables in Lakefront park. ● Rita Telegadas - Feels the lifeguards in Lakefront do not speak or aren’t as welcoming as other GP parks, that they do not seem to enjoy their work and aren’t proactive in policing park behavior. Complains of witnessing smoking marijuana and vaping while in the pool. Volunteers to help recruit lifeguards. ● Kimberly Hodge - RN who works 7am-7pm and specifically sees pool as a place for relaxation, and struggles with shorter hours with her work schedule. ● Jason Gaidis - Really appreciates how much residents care about the hours for the park and pool. Believes this issue should be taken very seriously. Asks what residents can do to support requested changes. ● Audrey Lopetrone - Lifetime resident of GPW. Compliments “how wonderful the park is.” As a senior, uses Lakefront Park a lot and hours are very important, especially being open earlier than 4pm. Wants to see more ideas for getting more kids signed up as lifeguards. Would like city to communicate to residents what needs to happen to recruit more lifeguards. ● Pam Solomon - Would like longer hours as a senior who uses the pool. ● Byron Hughes - Lifetime resident, former lifeguard. Really happy with new liner in the pool. As a working adult, often can’t get to the pool until after 7pm, so would like pool open until 9pm. Says pool is the only reason he has stayed in GPW. Would like to see gravel cleaned up on pool deck. Also recommends lifeguards or attendants do rounds in the locker room to address kids rough-housing or horseplay. ADJOURNMENT: Motion was made to adjourn the meeting by Dave Andrews and seconded by Barb Janutol. 3  Approval of motion: Yes: Billingsley; Klotz; York; Andrews; Heim; Fratarolli; Janutol No: None Absent: Starkey; Meeting Adjourned at 8:30pm. Respectfully submitted by: Melinda Billingsley, Secretary of the Grosse Pointe Woods Citizen's Recreation Commission. 4