Recreation Advisory Commission

TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION Wednesday, August 31, 2022 1:00pm Municipal Complex Police Training Room A 100 Ann Edwards Lane, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 Minutes Roll Call. Present: Frederick Rodewoldt, Ken Ayoub, Michelle Cormack, Edwin Cuttino, Keely Enright, Renken Carlin, John Dodds, Greer Hanlon, Perry Rourk Virtual: April Gift Absent: Kevin Kollegger, Thomasena Stokes-Marshall. Staff Present: Eric DeMoura, Steve Gergick, Marcy Cotov Mr. Eric DeMoura called the meeting to order at 12:48pm Mr. DeMoura welcomes and thanks the Board and introduces Elected Officials present, Mr. John Iacofano and Mr. Gary Santos, and Director of Recreation, Mr. Steve Gergick I. Welcome Mr. Gergick introduces present staff, Mr. Jimmy Millar, Mr. Matt Hansen, Ms. Shelli Davis, Ms. Nicole Harvey, Ms. Melissa Estrada II. Public Comments Mr. Gergick opens the floor to public comment after introducing missing or virtual Commission members Mr. Iacofano, 388 Overseer Place, in Mt Pleasant welcomes members to Commission and briefly mentions Commission members finding support for Referendum. Mr. Iacofano thanks Perry Rourk and Recreation Department staff for establishing Recreational Advisory Commission. III. Introductions Mr. Gergick opens the floor for Commissioners to introduce themselves  • Mr. Frederick Rodewoldt, Diamond Field Sports • Mr. Ken Ayoub, Rectangular Field Sports • Ms. Michelle Cormack, Aquatics Program • Mr. Edwin “Tripp” Cuttino, Teen Program • Ms. Keely Enright, Visual & Performing Arts • Ms. Renken Carlin, Therapeutic Recreation • Mr. John Dodds, Open Space/Trails/Bikeways • Mr. Greer Hanlon, Parks & Playgrounds • Mr. Perry Rourk, Community Events • Ms. April Gift, Tennis/Pickleball Mr. Gergick introduces, Erin Brewton, Executive Secretary, taking minutes Mr. Gergick reviews packets provided to Commission Members and reads the Recreation Commission guidelines. IV. Overview of Recreation Department offerings and financials Mr. Gergick opens and discusses the slide show providing an overview of Recreation Department including the Mission Statement, Organizational Structure, number of employees, outlines of the different divisions, programs, facilities, events, community events, athletics and number of participants for facilities and events. Mr. Gergick invites Ms. Marcy Cotov, Chief Financial Officer to podium for financial overview. Ms. Cotov describes general fund, operational budget, and capital fund. Ms. Cotov also touches on referendum. Mr. Iacofano asks about the impact of the referendum on budget. Ms. Cotov explains how referendum impacts funding. Mr. Iacofano reiterates question and Ms. Cotov clarifies dollar amounts. V. Organization of commission to include selection of chair and vice-chair Mr. Gergick calls for nominations for Chairman and Vice Chair. Mr. Dodds nominates Mr. Rourk for Chairman Ms. Gift nominated Mr. Rourk for Chairman Mr. Gergick gives a last call for nominations Mr. Rourk nominates Mr. Cuttino for Vice Chair Mr. Gergick calls for vote: Mr. Rourk for the Chair Position: Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 10).  Yes: April Gift, Edwin Cuttino, Frederick Rodewoldt, Greer Hanlon, John Dodds, Keely Enright, Ken Ayoub, Michelle Cormack, Perry Rourk, Renken Carlin. Mr. Cuttino for the Vice Chair Position: Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 10). Yes: April Gift, Edwin Cuttino, Frederick Rodewoldt, Greer Hanlon, John Dodds, Keely Enright, Ken Ayoub, Michelle Cormack, Perry Rourk, Renken Carlin. Mr. Gergick turns meeting over to newly elected Chair, Mr. Rourk. VI. Date and topics for next meeting Mr. Rourk and Mr. Gergick discuss dates available and locations available (provided in Commission packet). Mr. Rourk calls for informal show of hands to decide times that work for Commission members. Unanimously agree on 1:00pm meetings. Mr. Rourk calls for meetings to be held on Tuesdays beginning in 2023. Mr. Rourk proposes the following meetings, tentatively pending location approval: September 21st, 2022, at 1:00pm October 12th, 2022, at 1:00pm November 22nd, 2022, at 1:00pm December 7th, 2022, at 1:00pm Mr. Rourk informs the rest of the Commission members that town staff are not at liberty to legally comment on the current Referendum and to refrain from initiating conversation around the Referendum. Mr. Rourk proposes Commission members meet with their perspective groups to discuss and receive feedback for Commission consideration and suggests holding a Special Meeting in order to start initiatives. Mr. Dodds asks for clarification on the referendum and requests further information for the Board to consider. Mr. Rourk directs those interested to look to the Town of Mount Pleasant website to view some of the projects. Mr. DeMoura says they have previously provided this information to Council Subcommittee and can potentially make the same information available to the present Commissioners. Mr. DeMoura reiterated that state law prohibits the use of public funds to promote a referendum. Mr. Rourk proposes the presentation be presented to the Commission at the upcoming Special Meeting. Mr. Rourk discusses with Mr. Gergick and other Commission members the potential date for the special meeting providing space and time is available. Mr. Dodds proposes a Zoom or online platform for the special meeting to accommodate all members. Mr. DeMoura expresses his understanding of the urgency, and the Town will accommodate the Commission needs for meeting. Mr. Ayoub suggests utilizing other locations as potential meeting spaces as well as using the change of locations to spread information and meet with the public. Mr. Rourk, Ms. Enright, Mr. Dodds, and Mr. Ayoub discuss how to utilize the information from the referendum and the presentation from the special meeting to inform the public. Mr. Rodewoldt, Mr. DeMoura, Mr. Rourk, and Mr. Ayoub discuss how the Referendum funds are to be allocated and used and how current funds currently stand in budgeting. Mr. Rodewoldt encourages all Commissioners to visit all Recreation Department facilities. Mr. Gergick clarifies what week the special meeting will be held in person the week of September 12th-16th , or if space is not available, it will be held via an online platform. Mr. Rourk Mr. DeMoura reiterates the town will meet the Commissioners needs regarding providing space. Mr. Rourk and Mr. Gergick briefly review dates. VII. Conclusion Mr. Rourk adjourns the meeting at 2:07pm Minutes taken by Erin Brewton