PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES

 

JANUARY 18, 2005

 

 

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jones at 7:00 p.m.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Russ Jones, Rowland Seymour, John Howard, Debbie Groat   Excused:  David Monk, John Gore     1 Vacancy

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  Director of Administration House, Superintendent of Parks & Recreation Conley, Clerk Patterson, John Rockenbaugh

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  There being no additions or corrections, the minutes for the meeting of October 18, 2004 were approved as distributed.

 

REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION – No report.

 

REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PARKS & RECREATION:  Mr. Conley requested that the Parkland Budget be an agenda item for the February meeting and discuss potential projects for available funds.   He noted this year’s budget appropriated $33,000 for storage building at Lewis Park.  Further discussion is needed.

 

COMMISSIONER’S REPORT ON INDIVIDUAL PARKS: 

 

Mr. Conley noted the fence surrounding the horseshow pits has been destroyed.  He will talk to the horseshoe people to see what they want to do.

 

Mr. Howard noted that the City is doing a good job of keeping Legion Park clear of snow.

 

CITIZENS’ COMMENTS NON-AGENDA ITEMS:  Mr. Conley reported that he had received a call from a resident who lives at the entrance of Creekview Park.  He reported cars coming and going all hours of the night.  Mr. Conley advised him to call the police when he saw cars in the park after hours.  City may look at putting a permanent gate at the entrance.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

q       Skateboard Park

Mr. Jones reported that no one called wanting the equipment.  Administration will arrange to have the remaining equipment removed from the park.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

q       John Rockenbaugh – Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) Special Project Application – South Park

 

Mr. Rockenbaugh distributed information giving an overview of South Park of where it’s at and what it wants to be.

 

He needs to know what direction the Commission wants to go.  What it is, is what it wants to be.

 

Area is Puamo soil.  Very little relief. Elevation 1020’ (+ 5’). Drainage goes towards Weaver Road.   Elevation about 1,000 feet.  Not sure there is a real clear drainage pattern and would have to be a priority item.  Any wetland going in there would have to have flood control, flood routing and be big enough to handle excess rain such as what happened these past two weeks.

 

Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program is a statewide program funded by the FDA Natural Resource Conservation Service.  It’s 75% cost share to establish based on state standards which means the standards apply to Ashtabula County as well as Vinton County and Union County.  This program works well with small wetland programs.  Feels this property would score very well because of where it is and where it’s at.  The only thing you have to do is promise for ten years not to destroy the practice, which means don’t decide in five years that you’re going to build houses there. 

 

Mr. Rockenbaugh asked if Clean Ohio Funds had been considered for this project?  Mr. Conley noted his experience with Clean Ohio Fund has not been good, but he’ll do whatever is necessary. 

 

It will take some engineering to figure out what’s been done in the area.  Puamo soil types are the natural soil types for wetlands.

 

Suggested doing a Sokkia topographic survey, which would show all elevations.  Greatest challenge will be finding out the drainage route. 

 

Ms. Groat stated the she would want to be sure wetlands would not affect the residents.

 

Mr. Seymour stated 90% of the people in that area do not want this area as a wetland.

 

Mrs. Groat asked about home values with wetlands in the area.  Mr. Rockenbaugh stated some people look for wetlands and it can be a selling factor.  It may enhance home values.

 

Options are:  A wetland.

  A pond, which would be a very expensive venture.

  A trail around the perimeter of the park and leave as is, knowing it may flood 2/3 times a year.

 

Drainage must be addressed.

 

Need to figure out where water outlet is.  An outlet is needed no matter whether a pond or wetland is decided for that area.

 

q       Resolution of support for Nature Works Grant for skate park equipment

 

Mr. Conley is is going to apply for a grant to purchase skatepark equipment.  He requested a resolution of support from the Parks & Recreation Commission.  Proposed equipment is modular and can be torn down and put back up.  With this grant, $64,000 is available and $20,000 would be required from the City.

 

Mr. Seymour is opposed to putting the skatepark at Eljer Park.

 

Commission suggested applying for the grant to be used for something other than skatepark equipment.  Mr. Conley has been instructed to apply for the grant to be used for skatepark equipment.  The Commission is against the idea of a skatepark in the City, due to all the problems encountered with the first one.   The Commission opposed the Resolution of support.  Mr. Conley will proceed with the grant for skateboard equipment.

 

q       Results of Frozen Nose 4-Miler

 

The race course was changed as a result of flooding and icy water on the trail.   There were 54 runners, 6 less than last year. 

 

Mr. Conley thanks those who helped at the event and those who donated supplies.  Mr. Jones suggested giving certificates to sponsors.

 

The race brought in about $700.00.

 

Overall, it was a good event.

 

q       MacIvor Woods

 

Property has been donated to the City for use as a Wildlife Preserve along with ¾ of an acre outside of the preserve to be used for parking, etc.   Mr. Rockenbaugh has offered his assistance with this land. 

 

q       Reservation Fees

 

Mr. Conley is proposing reservation fee for using athletic fields.  Only fee structure currently in place is for tournament play, $40/day field usage fee. 

 

A $5.00 fee was proposed.  Parks & Recreation members voted unanimously to establish a $5.00 reservation fee for athletic fields.  This fee will not affect the tournament fees.

 

COMMENTS OF CITIZENS – AGENDA ITEMS  - None

 

COMMENTS OF INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONERS

 

ADJOURNMENT:  There being no further business to come before Parks & Recreation Commission, the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.