PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES

AUGUST 21, 2007

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

MEMBERS PRESENT: Russ Jones, Cathy Dwertman, Rowland Seymour, John Howard, John Marshall 2 Vacancies

OTHERS PRESENT: Steve Conley, Clerk Patterson

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: There being no additions or corrections, the minutes for the meeting on May 15, 2007 were approved as distributed.

REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION: No report.

REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PARKS & RECREATION: Mr. Conley reported that Greenwood Park was recently seeded.

Trails are going to be put in in the near future. City has a bid for gravel, but Mr. Conley can get a better price by purchasing it separately from the same contractor. The contractor will do the excavating and dirt moving. If City can store the dirt somewhere in the park or make mounds from the dirt he removes, it will save half the cost of putting in the trails. Half of the cost is taking the dirt that he cuts out of the 10’ wide trails and hauling it over to the Public Service Center and putting it in the dirt farm.

The restroom/shelter/concession area at Mill Valley South is under construction. The bid came in at $86,000. Will be able to purchase picnic tables and set up a play area with the money that was budgeted for that project.

Concert in the Park this Sunday at 6:30 p.m. The Muleskinners will perform.

It was agreed to make mounds in Greenwood Park from the dirt removed from the trail and then seed the mounds.

COMMISSIONER’S REPORT ON INDIVIDUAL PARKS:

Mr. Seymour reported the parking problem still exists at Millcreek Park. Mr. Conley said there is money in next year’s budget to address that issue.

Mr. Howard reported no problems at Legion Park. Mr. Jones noted a gutter on the shelterhouse in Legion Park is about reading to fall off. Mr. Conley noted that the gutters are being cleaned. He’ll check with Mr. Stillings.

Mr. Jones got a call about smoking in Legion Park. Mr. Conley noted that Council has not put a no-smoking ban into effect. However, there is an ordinance which states that it is a minor misdemeanor to disobey a posted sign in a park. Mayor Kruse directed Mr. Conley to post no-smoking signs in the parks. No-smoking signs are posted at the City pool because it’s a safety hazard. Someone walking around barefoot is liable to step on a hot cigarette butt.

Mr. Marshall noted Mill Valley Park looks good. He notices from time to time that there are no doggie mits available. It could be vandalism or else they’re getting used a lot. Just a reminder to keep a supply of those at the park.

Mrs. Dwertman said McCloud Park is beautiful.

Mrs. Dwertman asked if there is construction going on at Lewis Park? Someone told her there were some trucks down by the goal posts. Mr. Conley was not aware of any construction taking place.

Mr. Jones asked about the lighting at McCarthy Park. Mr. Conley stated the only lighting is a security light. The park closes at dusk.

CITIZENS’ COMMENTS NON-AGENDA ITEMS: No comments.

OLD BUSINESS: None

NEW BUSINESS

Possible soccer field development on the area known as “Central Park”

There are 26/28 acres behind the Public Service Center. That area was given the working name “Central Park” because it was located in the central part of the City. City paid to have drawings done for that area, ball fields, soccer fields, etc. Then the Water Department had to drill a new well, and the best location for that well was in that area. Because of that well, Mr. Conley was informed that there could be no park development, because the Ohio EPA does not allow any building within a 300 yard circle. Last week Mr. Conley was informed by Ms. Tracie Davies that soccer fields or ball fields, without permanent structures, were permitted around the area. City is in dire need of soccer fields. Mr. Conley contacted Mark Kirsh of the Elite Soccer Group. They have some money that they would be interested in putting in, along with some money from the City, to level the ground, seed it and put in soccer fields. Mr. Conley was told that no pesticides or herbicides could be used unless they are organic. He asked Mr. Marshall, who works at Scotts Company, if they have a dandelion killer that is organic? Mr. Marshall said there are techniques, but he would have to do further research on what products could be used.

The addition of six or seven soccer fields could bring money into the City in the way of hotels, restaurants, etc. if the City could attract tournaments.

In reviewing the 5-year Plan, a project in Mill Valley Central, pave parking lot and trail entrances off of Creekview, is scheduled for 2008. Mr. Conley said that project is not going to happen next year because the reservoir will be started next year. A pump house and staging area for the reservoir will be down in that area. There is no use in spending $30,000 to put down new asphalt, only to have it torn up with the construction. Mr. Conley suggested moving the $53,000 allotted for that project and use it for the Central Park project. Project would have to be engineered to do it right.

Mr. Marshall expressed concern about the possibility of a replacement well being put in that area. City has one well that went down. Need to check with Ms. Davies to make sure a new well would not be drilled in that area. Secondly, there is a parking issue. Want to make sure the area can handle parking for all the additional soccer fields. Mr. Conley said that would have to be engineered into the plans. Another concern is indefinite certitude. It’s nice to have someone provide $20,000/$30,000 to level the ground to make it playable, but somebody is going to have to maintain it forever. You have to keep in mind you are committing the City or somebody, some money for an indefinite period of time. Mr. Conley said it would be considered a City park and the donation would be made to the Parkland Fund. Those particular funds would be earmarked to this project.

COMMENTS OF CITIZENS – AGENDA ITEMS: No comments.

COMMENTS OF INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONERS:

Mr. Jones noted that Parks & Rec Commission still has a vacancy. The member must reside in Ward 3.

Ms. Dwertman asked if anyone had thought about a dog park in Marysville. At one point, Mr. Conley talked with a lady from the Human Society about a dog park. One of the features preferred in a dog park is a water feature, along with trees. The park is set up with rules and guidelines. It would be fenced and controlled. Dogs would have to be up-to-date on their vaccines. It was decided that there is nothing in Marysville currently that could be converted to a dog park.

Mr. Seymour commented that he and the residents are happy and grateful for the work that’s been done in Greenwood Park. The work that has been done seems to be working because the water is gone. However, on Saturday morning, he noticed water coming from the Links area. He showed photos of the water to Mr. Conley. The water is coming from the south. Mr. Conley took the photos.

Mr. Seymour mentioned the $35,000 for a replacement bridge in Eljer Park in the 5-year Plan. He said that park was dedicated in 1998 and the bridges that were put in there were 30-year bridges. Mr. Conley said possibly that should read bridge repair and not replacement. Clerk Patterson will look at the minutes for that meeting.

Mr. Marshall stated he has been noticing and has witnessed some of his neighbors dumping grass clippings etc. over the hill, into the creek. He asked if the City had an ordinance relating to any type of dumping, whether it be litter or other types of debris, particularly on City property. If there is such an ordinance, he suggested a letter from the Zoning Department to those residents who live along the creek, reminding them what their obligations are or are not. Mr. Conley wondered if the Parks & Recreation Commission couldn’t put a letter together and do a canvass of houses along that area informing residents of the regulations.

Mr. Marshall noted a couple of places in the Frisbee golf area that the City may want to look at erosion control. There are slopes behind Mr. Marshall’s house that people have to climb to get up to the tee-off area. The vegetation cannot keep up with the foot traffic. That may be a project to put in the next Capital Improvement Plan. Mr. Conley thinks better signage should be put up where it goes under Rt. 33, because people are unsure of where the course goes from there. Mr. Jason Gardner is going have a competition at Eljer Park skate park . Any proceeds will go to towards the skate park. Also, Mr. Gardener would like to put in concrete pads where the tee-off areas are. $500 has already been donated for that purpose.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Parks & Recreation Commission, the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.