Pottstown Area Regional Recreation Committee

PARRC MEETING MINUTES August 23, 2023-A hybrid meeting In attendance: Jay Erb, North Coventry Township Cathy Paretti, Upper Pottsgrove Township Karen Nocella, East Coventry Township Craig Colistra, PAHWF Bill Keohane, Lower Pottsgrove Township Tricia McCloskey, PARRC Regional Recreation Planner Charlie Valentine, West Pottsgrove Township Emma Heffner, PARRC Recreation Assistant Rich Sichler, Washington Township Tim Konetchy, Montgomery County Planner McKenna Powanda, Douglass Township Steve Buck, Chester County Planner Meeting Notes: 1. Call to Order- 4:36pm and Pledge of Allegiance. 2. Welcome; no introductions were needed. 3. Meeting minutes from July 26, 2023, were motioned for approval by M. Powanda and seconded by J. Erb; motion approved with one abstention by M. Lenhart. 4. Public Comment-None. 5. Executive and Subcommittee Reports. a. Treasurer’s Report. C. Paretti previously provided the Financial Report and it was accepted by the Committee. C. Paretti stated that there is $20,405.98 in the checking account and $134,217.44 in the savings account. C. Paretti stated that she combined the Appalachian Mountain Club restricted funds with the Interactive Map restricted funds because the funds are for the same project. M. Lenhart provided background to the Committee regarding the Judo Club funds and the Pottstown Parks Foundation. PARRC is holding the funds and they are restricted. PARRC wants to transfer the funds to the PARRC Foundation’s account. C. Paretti indicated the account has not been opened yet. M. Lenhart stated that according to the agreement with the Judo Club, PARRC cannot dispose of the funds until 2027. J. Erb made the motion to move the Judo Club Funds in the amount of $4,000.00 into the PARRC Foundation bank account pursuant to a new agreement with the Judo Club with the same terms, with the authorization for M. Lenhart to sign the agreement on behalf of PARRC. K. Nocella seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. b. Events Subcommittee. J. Erb stated that the Committee hasn’t met. He is organizing a volunteer day on September 23rd to do vegetation management at the Fernbrook Lodge area of Coventry Woods. T. McCloskey stated that another potential Empower Your Park event being organized during Healthy Lands Week is painting at Hoffman Field in Upper Pottsgrove and Greg Churach is working on that. C. Valentine may also organize an event. B. Keohane stated that he is organizing a cleanup day at Gerald Richards Park. c. Financial Sustainability Subcommittee. M. Lenhart stated that the committee will have a closed session this evening to discuss the five-year funding resolution. 1 PARRC MEETING MINUTES, AUGUST 23, 2023 d. DEI Subcommittee. T. McCloskey stated she would send another email to the PARRC members and managers with the link to the training registration form. C. Colistra suggested that she also include PARRC partner organizations, such as SRG, DCNR and Schuylkill Highlands. 6. County Planner Updates. T. Konetchy stated that the PMRPC Minigrant program is set to open on October 1st and close on October 31st and that MCPC hosted a Farmers Gathering at Upper Salford Township Park on Sunday, August 20, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. The event brought farmers and farm owners from across the county together to connect, network, and learn. Montgomery County has prepared an Agri-Tourism Map and a Zoning and Planning Course is upcoming. The Ridge Pike construction project is underway. S. Buck stated that on Tuesday, September 26th, Chester County Planning Commission is holding its Sustainability Summit at Penn State’s Great Valley Campus. Rachael Griffith will lead the Summit. Information is now available on the Chester County Planning Commission website regarding Tree and Woodland Protection, including tree planting, reforestation, and input from municipalities, as well as mapping. 7. Planner Report. T. McCloskey did not review the Planner’s Report in the interest of time and requested that the Committee review her report, and anyone with a question or a comment contact her. 8. Old Business a. Trail Sensor Information. M. Lenhart stated that individual municipal needs regarding trail sensors varies. He directed the Committee to review the options prepared by E. Heffner and to discuss needs with other municipalities. 9. New Business. a. M. Lenart stated that the Closed Session regarding the five year funding resolution will be held after the PARRC meeting and PARRC Foundation meeting. He shared and reviewed the Five Year Funding Plan Powerpoint presentation prepared by T. McCloskey. The need for individual presentations to each municipality was needed. K. Nocella indicated she felt sure that E. Briggs would require a presentation to E. Coventry Township. T. McCloskey and C. Colistra will attend the meeting if required. 10. Grant Announcements. M. Lenart reviewed the upcoming grant deadlines including PennDOT’s TASA application, and the two Local Share Account Rounds. He also discussed upcoming EPA Equity grants. T. McCloskey stated she was able to attend a webinar several weeks ago regarding the upcoming EPA grants. 11. Partner Updates were tabled until the October meeting in the interest of time. 12. Action Items included T. McCloskey sending out another DEI training email to boost signups. 13. Next PARRC meeting-M. Lenhart stated that the next PARRC meeting will be held on 9/27, and to send all agenda items to T. McCloskey. 14. Adjournment- A Motion to Adjourn was made by J. Erb and seconded by B. Keohane; the meeting adjourned at 5:20pm. www.parrc.net 2