BOPARC

Minutes of the February 14th, 2024, Regular Meeting of the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners Location: Marilla Recreation Center, Morgantown, WV Call to Order: President Trumble called the meeting to order at 3:04 PM. Establish Quorum: Members present were Meridith Balas, Cal Carlson, Susan Klingensmith, Amel Morris, Jenny Selin, Jenny Thoma, and Danielle Trumble Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the January 10th, 2024 regular meeting and the January 18th, 2024 special meeting were approved by consensus. Correspondence: None. Public Comment: Amedeus (No last name), 40 High Street, said he represented the Morgantown Dog Owners Group and expressed concerns about the Krepps Dog Park. Jill Descoteaux (no address given) shared concerns about resources allocations and space for the ceramics classes at Wile Hill. Financial Report: Director Wiles reviewed the contents of the financial report. She noted that summer registrations begin March 11th. Jenny Selin moved to approve the Financial Report, and Jenny Thoma seconded the motion. The motion passed 7-0. Action Items: Paul Preserve Walking Track – Lowest Qualified Bid Approval Director Wiles provided information about the Paul’s Preserve walking track and bids. This will be around the perimeter of the of Paul’s Preserve in Jerome Park and will be crushed gravel, not paved. It will cut through where the basketball court was, but the basketball court will be reconfigured. Cal Carlson moved to approve the lowest qualified bid for the Paul Preserve Walking Track to Parrotta Paving for $69,981, and Susan Klingensmith seconded. Susan Klingensmith asked how many bids were received, and Director Wiles said there were 8 to 10 bids. Danielle Trumble asked if there was a wide range in price, and Director Wiles said yes. The motion passed unanimously 7-0. Executive Director’s Report: Director Wiles shared the content of the Executive Director’s report. Meridith Balas asked for a Eureka Café update. Director Wiles explained staffing rearrangements and weekly meetings with staff, was pleased with January, and is keeping the spirit of that community driven project that augments the community center alive. Danielle Trumble commented that Eureka was well used by the community and something desired, noting that 10,000 people came through the doors in 2023. Director Wiles also addressed the issues about class supplies at Wiles Hill. She explained that all instructors fill out a program sheet with supplies, times, etc., which are evaluated by Debbie Palmer and turned into the administrative office for the registration system. They are reevaluated periodically to make sure the classrooms are solvent. She also noted that with supplies, sometimes the way supplies are ordered can change, as well as the delivery and is working on that aspect. Danielle Trumble asked how long East Brockway would be closed for the pool construction, and Director Wiles said through the first part of March. Jenny Selin asked about the tree removal in the dog park. Director Wiles explained that they only remove dead and standing trees. Regarding the dog park and concerns brought up during the public comment, Director Wiles explained that the packet referenced was a general park improvement package to get a big picture before sitting down with groups and is standard operating procedure. A review is done twice a year, and there had been a review up in December that could have been returned if the packet had been returned. There was an engineering study done on the Krepps Dog Park and with lots of draining, gravel would not solve the problem, and with it being a difficult area due to its’ sloping and shade. Danielle Trumble added that BOPARC tries to minimize disruptions in the parks and can work with groups to see if there is an alternative. Director Wiles said that it is not possible to shut down one part of the park due to construction and safety for everyone. General Board Comments: Jenny Thoma is looking forward to getting back into the parks with her family. Meridith Balas shared that the city’s Health and Wellness Commission survey will be out soon. The commission recently elected new officers, and in April will have a volunteering opportunity to meet the commission, and the March meeting will have information about the future of Krepps Park and general updates. Amel Morris asked if the board could get the monthly Eureka Café Profit/Loss statements again. Cal Carlson complimented the Sister Cities exhibit at Wiles Hill and is excited to utilize White Park this spring. Jenny Selin attended the opening of the exhibit at Wiles Hill, saying that people appreciate the gallery and so much care has been taken by BOPARC with both partnering with other organizations, such as the Sister Cities Commission, and the care of creating the exhibits. People have been asking her about the courts at Krepps Park and hopes there is someone interested in bidding. She appreciates the BOPARC staff getting project bids out and completed, and it has been quite a lovely run of improvements. Danielle Trumble also attended the gallery opening at Wiles Hill and enjoyed the video shown at the exhibit. She shared that Morgantown Hockey would be having their annual Night at the Races cash bash on March 22nd and invited any member of BOPARC to attend. She is very excited to use the fields at White Park for kickball this spring. She also said that what some may perceive to be neglect of city facilities, particularly regarding BOPARC, is not willful neglect. BOPARC has worked to get itself in a better financial position with contingencies and sales tax and understands that it can be frustrating to the public when multiple facilities are receiving improvements at the same time. Executive Session: Cal Carlson moved to enter executive session pursuant to West Virginia Code Section 6-9 A-4 as it pertains to acquisition and/or development of real estate in 1st & 4th wards and 6-9 A-4 as it pertains to matters arising from the appointment, employment, retirement, promotion, transfer, demotion, disciplining, resignation, discharge, dismissal or compensation of employee(s), and Jenny Selin seconded. Executive session was entered at 3:42. Jenny Thoma moved to exit executive session and Jenny Selin seconded. Executive session was exited at 4:21. Adjournment: Meridith Balas moved to adjourn, and Jenny Selin seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 4:21 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Cal Carlson March 17, 2024 Entered Into Record: Melissa Wiles Melissa Wiles, Executive Director March 20 2024