Meeting: Monday, October 17, 2022 at Big Creek Park Meyer Center, 8:30 am.
This meeting was in person with no virtual option.
The meeting began at 8:30 am on October 17, 2022. All Commissioners were in attendance, Mr. Howard Bates, Jolene Carnabuci, Mr. Ray Guarino, Mario Innocenzi, and Mr. Pat Preston although Mr. Preston arrived 10 minutes late. Also in attendance, Jessica Alpers, a substitute for Sheryl Hatridge, Administrative Service Manager, Dawn Sweeney, now interim Treasurer and Fiscal Officer, Matt McCue, Deputy Director, Park Biologist John Kolar, Chief Naturalist, Sandy Ward, Marketing and Communications, and Mr. Todd Hicks, legal counsel from Thrasher, Dinsmore and Dolan.
The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Minutes – Park Board Commissioners approved minutes from the September 19, 2022 Regular Meeting
Finances
Mr. Oros made several announcements prior to the Financial Report discussion.
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Dawn Sweeney, Finance Assistant, has been working to prepare reports.
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A fiscal officer from Perry Twp has provided accountingl support through the State Auditor’s traveling fiscal officer program.
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NMS Certified Public Accountants has been hired to provide accounting support on an as-needed basis.
Reviewer note: GPD’s Treasurer resigned unexpectedly in September. The cost of these accounting supports is unclear, as is the expected duration.
Payment Report – It was announced by Mr. Oros that they have switched back to a line item and fund form for this report. Ms. Carnabuci asked a question about an expense item for IT and it was stated that they would email a response to all the Board members. It was generally for digital advertising and youth outreach. Ms. Sandy Ward, Marketing and Communications said that they have produced videos for TikTok, Facebook and other youth-friendly social media platforms. These have been done by Lake Erie Video and DSL (for the youth-oriented videos).
Naturalist Presentation
Naturalist John Kolar gave a 10 minute presentation on Monarch Butterflies – their life cycle and how individuals can assist them to survive. He also reviewed all the steps that the Park District has taken to plant vegetation, keep it maintained and participate in a tagging operation for Monarchs.
Planning and Operations Update
All projects on track including the roof at the West Woods. Veterans Legacy Woods interior work will start soon.
Holbrook Hollows contract
Park Commissioners voted to engage the firm of Peninsula Architects for Design and engineering services in connection with the Franklin St connection project in the amount of $91,500 which is within the budget set for the project.
ODOT Bridge Inspection Program
Park Commissioners approved this inspection program which is currently free and at present only covers the Bridge at West Woods. Other bridges are inspected by the Geauga County Engineer’s office.
Appointment of Interim Finance Manager/Fiscal Officer and Treasurer – This resolution to appoint Dawn Sweeney was approved with no discussion.
2023 Healthcare
Park Board Commissioners approved the new rates, which will be the same as those for Geauga County employees. It will be 2.3% for employees. Observer Note: Although the Geauga Park District has formally separated from the County, they have been able to maintain health care through the County program.
Commissioner’s Time
Mr. Preston mentioned that he thought Ms. Sweeney and Matt McCue should be involved in any training process with NMS Accounting to prepare for future Budget Commission presentations. Mr. Oros indicated that is the intention.
Ms. Ward discussed park programs – there were 83 park programs during the month of September, for the season there were 2,711 individuals who used a boat or kayak through the Headlands rental program and 919 individuals used the Claridon Woods rope course.
She also stated that it was reported that the Ohio Brook Trout Stream restoration project has been very successful. Prior to the start of the project, there were 16 brook trout identified and one year later there were 100 found in the same area.
Executive Session
Commissioners voted to go into Executive Session with their attorney and a representative of the Western Reserve Land Conservancy.
Observer Note: This observer was not present when the Commissioners returned from their meeting.
This observer reviewed a video that was taken by an independent non-profit group. It indicates that the Commissioners came back from Executive Session and made a motion to consider purchase of land in Hambden Township.
Mr. Dave Partington from Protect Geauga Parks asked the Commissioners why Public Comment was not on the Agenda since Mr. Preston and Mr. Bates had said it would be on the Agenda. Mr. Oros answered that Mr. Partington and other members of the public could email any of the Commissioners and him if they had questions. He further said that Mr. Partington was not a Board Member and seemed to indicate that only the Board could make a motion to put an item on the Agenda. There was no comment from any Board members.
Reviewer’s note: public comment was discussed during the Commissioner’s Time portion of the September 19, 2022 GPD meeting. From LWVG’s Observer Report:
“The Board moved to go into Executive Session and a Mr. Dave Partington, a member of the public who identified with Save Geauga Parks, asked for a public comment section to be added to Geauga Park Board agendas
Mr. Bates stated that in the past the Board voted not to have public comment but Mr. Preston suggested that this be put on the Agenda for the next meeting.”
Next meeting – Monday, November 21, 2022
Additional Information and Minutes available here:
https://www.geaugaparkdistrict.org/about-gpd/park-board-staff/
Minutes are posted through August 24, 2022
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Betsy Kubbins
Reviewer: Shelly Lewis
Submitted 10/20/2022
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