Recreation

Montpelier Recreation Department Advisory Board Meeting Minutes November 9, 2015 Attendees: Karlynn Koenemann, James “Buz” Surwilo, Andrea Talentino Absent Board Members: Sue Aldrich, Tom Goloka (City Council) Attending Recreational Department Staff: Jenny Bartlett-Hardy, Arne McMullen, Kaitlin Nelson Attending Community Members: Mark Campbell, Bob Cody Call to order 5:35 p.m. I. Approval of October 2015 Minutes a. Motioned: Andrea b. Seconded: Karlynn c. Approval: Unanimous II. Public Presentations a. Little League Baseball Presentation i. Registrations and equipment orders will come through the Recreation Department ii. Data entry will be conducted through the Montpelier Recreation Department’s program, Rec Trac. 1. People can come into the Recreation Department to register. 2. Can be mailed in. 3. Can also be brought in batches. iii. Registration fee will be a flat rate of $35 (no non-res fee) III. Financial Statements a. $6,800 ahead of last year in revenue b. $18,000 less than last year in expenses IV. Old Business a. Skating i. They requested liability insurance ii. Not a go yet iii. National Life put aside $7,000 to put up a roof over the skating rink to help reduce shoveling. b. Goals and Priorities i. Capital Needs Assessment 1. Where is this going? 2. Tough to say what or can be done with this at least during the transition. ii. What are the city’s goals? 1. Feel as though there is no general goal, feel as though they are forcing change based on a strategic plan that has not been conveyed. 2. Concern as to the lack of knowing what the plan going forward is. iii. Feel like the department is being “nickeled and dimed” is exemplifying a lack of support for community unity. iv. Concern that Recreation Department programs and events may be disbanded and no longer exist. v. Feel as though cuts are not being made on personnel evaluations. vi. Plan for addressing board concerns with merger to help smooth transition:  1. Meet with senior center board(s)—allow us to share our concerns and learn about theirs’s 2. Meet with city council—Discuss accumulated concerns 3. Discern who is making and approving decisions and have a meeting with them. vii. Would like to see an actual vision statement, more than just a request for “efficiencies” 1. What “efficiencies” are they looking for, other than in the budget? viii. Goals: “Smooth transition to the city oversight” 1. First year under the transition was supposed to primarily be observance and develop efficiencies and then building a plan for the future to merge. V. New Business a. Tentative Budget i. New budget coding makes it easier to follow specific budget lines ii. Concern: it does not include overtime budget for pool staff; very high concern iii. Trimmed $40,000 out of the budget b. Cultural Facilities Grant Recommendation i. They are looking for more shovel ready projects ii. Looking for letters of commitment iii. More clearly structured fund raising plan iv. Want a stronger cultural commitment v. Explanation of why elevator vs ramp vi. More detailed plans c. Advertising Summer Positions i. Ads are going out before holidays, while the kids are home ii. A lot of pool staff are planning on coming back d. Administrative Office i. They want to see movement towards integration VI. Program Coordinator/Pool Director’s Report a. Sugarbush Ski Program i. Registration closed today ii. Up ten participants (34 total) iii. Starts in January b. Basketball i. High numbers in girls ii. Boys’ team had two Northfield player this year iii. Had a lot of volunteer coaches 1. Hosted a free coaches’ training this year—a lot of positive feedback with a hope to continue next year. c. Skating with Frosty i. 12/20/ 2015 from 2-4pm ii. Event is airing on local 22 44 morning show this Friday (John from the Civic Center will be giving the interview) iii. Last year 144 attended d. New Events i. Kettlebells ii. Zumba  iii. Pickleball punch card e. Upcoming Events i. Father Daughter Dance ii. Mother Son Bowling iii. Egg Hunt VII. Other Business a. First Budget presentation will be Wednesday 12/16/2015 at 6:30 pm b. Second meeting is TBA VIII. Adjournment 7:30pm