Recreation

Montpelier Recreation Department’s Advisory Board Meeting January 14, 2015 Attending Board Members: Andrea Talentino, Karlynn Koenemann, Aubrey Boyles Absent Board Members: James Surwilo, Ena Backus, Tom Golonka (City Council), Sue Aldrich(School Board). Attending Rec. Department: Arne McMullen, Director, Jenny Bartlett, Program Coordinator Called to order at: 5:35 pm Public Presentations: None Public Guests: Janna Clar (Senior Center Director), Janet Ressler (Senior Center Board Member), Tina Murcy (Senior Center Board Member) Senior Center members are here to say hello and to introduce themselves at the Recreation Department Advisory Board Meeting. They were available to answer any questions about the Senior Center the Rec. Board may have. We talked a little bit about the possibilities of collaborating in the future. Andrea asked about programs that the Senior Center is currently offering. Their monthly newsletter was presented. Several activities are offered daily. The majority of activities are offered during the day and some run in the evening. Classes include arts and craft classes in addition to humanities classes. They have a partnership with first in fitness for swimming programs. They are offering computer classes with the middle school students. Lunches in addition to meals on wheels. They are starting to collaborate with the Barre Senior Center. Membership starts at 50 years of age. They have started to do intergenerational classes that are open to ages teenage and up. Many of their trips and programs are lead by volunteers, which helps them operate with a small staff. Minutes from December 17, 2014: Andrea motions to approve Aubrey 2nd Financial: Arne believes that revenues will meet their goals and some lines may exceed their goals before the end of the fiscal year. Revenue Comparison: The revenue is down about $7,000.00 compared to last year. There are a few areas in which we are behind. This is due to last year being a very successful year. Revenues up from last year in some lines can be linked to a better day camp facility, tennis programs and other recreation programs. In addition to program fees; our day camp programs are licensed childcare programs that accept state subsidy. Budget: We are about half way though our budget year and we have about 45% left to spend. This is good, as we head into spring we will be spending more due to spring and summer programs and outdoor facility maintenance. The budget is looking positive. Budget Comparison: $2,000.00 ahead of last year at this time. The one area that the auditor’s credited the budget back to last year is pool salaries. This is because of the time of year that the fiscal year starts. Budget is on track. Aubrey motioned to approve Andrea 2nd Old Business: Culture Faculty Grant: James Surwilo and Arne will be working on the Cultural Faculty Grant that will help fund the ADA improvements if we get the grant. Grants are being investigated and applied for because there is a shortage of funding within the Recreation Department budget. Summer positions- advertising – We are starting to advertise for summer staff – pool and day camp positions are available. Ad in The World Newspaper, Times Argus, The Bridge, Colleges, High Schools, Facebook, Front Porch Forum, Seven Days, and Twitter. Karlynn mentioned that this summer there might be an increase in the need of childcare. New Business: Community Development Block Grant- Arne is working with Kevin on this grant. If both grants where given to the Recreation Department, it would total $105,000.00 toward the project. Arne will need to find the history of the building and get letters of support from community members. The federal grant has a 25% match from in kind or moneys we have already put aside. Janna shared that there are businesses or organizations such as National Life and Banks that are willing to give donations to non-profit organizations. She would be willing to share the Senior Center’s information that they have gathered. They have to fund raise toward their budget. “Friends of the Senior Center is one fund raising idea that the Senior Center has used. Truck Bed: The paint is coming off the truck bed. It has been less than a year and it is concerning that this is happening. The truck is going to be brought down to Lucky’s to have it looked at. Director’s Report: The Pool is open for ice skating Outstanding payment bills have been sent out. Program Coordinator Report: Youth Basketball numbers are up especially for the girls programs. For a few years we were unable to make a girls team. It is great that the numbers are coming back up. Girls On The Run & Girls On Track are fully staffed with Head and Assistant Coaches. Some winter program numbers are down. We think that this is due to the programs starting too close to the holidays. Those programs have been pushed back. Karlynn, who attends Hiit Kick, informed us that the class numbers are way up. This class has been in the works of building for three years. Father/Daughter Dance is on February 12. Volunteers are welcome to come help for the evening starting at 6:00 pm at the Capital Plaza. Mother/Son bowling is on February 14. We are hoping to do more advertising to fill all the slots this year. Skating with Frosty was a big success. 144 people attended the event and generated $319.00. Other Business: The board asked Arne if had sent the City Council the one page Mountaineers expense information. He said that he had sent that to Bill Fraser. Terry (City Council Member) had asked for a one-page transparent expense sheet on what the Montpelier Recreation Department spends on the Mountaineers. The Recreation Board wants the Mountaineers updated budget. This is needed before we start thinking about a new contract. Should we plan to change the Board meetings to another day of the week & time? This would allow City Council members and School Board Members to attend. Mondays at 5:30 was suggested. Andrea motioned to adjourn at 7:15 Aubrey 2nd