Geauga Park District Board - February 20, 2024
Meeting: The Geauga Park District Board met on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 (change due to President’s Day Holiday on Monday) at 8:30 am at Big Creek Park Meyer Center, 9160 Robinson Rd, Chardon, OH 44024. This meeting was in-person only with no virtual attendance option.
Public Comment Policy: The Park District Board does not have a formal policy and in practice never permits public comment.
Board Attendance: Commissioners Howard Bates, Jolene Carnabuci, Ray Guarino, Les LaGatta and Frank Stein were present.
Staff Attendance: John Oros, Executive Director; Dawn Sweeney, Finance Director; Matt McCue, Deputy Director, and Jessica Alpers, Administrative Assistant. Also in attendance were Park Ranger Chief Dennis Sloan, HR Manager Christine Ward, and Bridey Matheney, who is Legal Counsel from the firm of Thrasher, Dinsmore & Dolan.
Public Attendance - Members of Protect Geauga Parks, a Reporter from the Maple Leaf, and this observer.
Approval of Agenda/Addendum Items - There were no items added to the Agenda. The Agenda was approved.
Minutes: Minutes from the January 16, 2024 meeting were approved with one change in date and are now posted online.
Financial Report: Dawn Sweeney, Finance Director, verbally reported these individual fund balances as of January 31, 2023:
-
Beginning balance as of 1/1/24 in the General Fund: $3,725,729
-
Ending balance as of 1/31/24 in the General Fund: $3,504,180
-
Beginning balance as of 1/1/24 in the Land Improvement Fund: $1,858,239
-
Ending balance as of 1/31/24 in the Land Improvement Fund: $1,836,387
-
All Funds beginning balance on 1/1/24: $5,583,968
-
All Funds ending balance on 1/31/24: $5,340,567
There were no questions and no discussion.
Presentation of Payment Report for December 2023 - There was no discussion and no questions.
Observer Note: There was no vote on this payment report as the payments have already occurred.
Old Business - Planning Update. Mr. McCue reported that there wasn’t much going on yet, but they had gone out to bid on the asphalt for the Rookery and will be bringing that contract to the Board at the next meeting. Mr. Guarino asked if they were able to get a head start on projects due to the nice weather, and Mr. McCue indicated that they have some other in-house projects they are working on, such as Maple Sugaring. Observer Note: The annual Sap's-a-Risin'! event will occur on February 25, March 3, and March 10 at Swine Creek.
The list of Construction projects contained in the Board packet includes the following:
-
Veterans Legacy Woods - Cold Water Stream Restoration
-
The Rookery - Asphalt improvements
-
The West Woods - Entry bridge replacement
-
Orchard Hills - Asphalt improvements
-
Veterans Legacy Woods - Cuyahoga River reforestation
-
The West Woods - Trail improvements
-
Orchard Hills -Trail improvements
-
Swine Creek -Trail and Shelter improvements
-
Big Creek - Camping improvements
-
Claridon Woodlands - Upper Dam and Site improvements
New Business
2024 Aggregate Stone Materials - Bid Award Recommendation - The Board voted on the recommendation of Daniel McConnaughy, Park Planner, to award the bid to Arms Trucking as being the “apparent low bid.” All members voted to approve the award of the contract to Arms except for Mr. Howard Bates, who abstained. Observer Note: Mr. Bates is the owner and President of The Arms Group, and Arms Trucking is one of the companies in the group.
Surplus Property - The Board voted to send to auction the following items: chairs, tables, filing cabinet, a 2016 Ford F450 Dump Truck and a 2005 Sabre Tooth 72” mower.
Commissioner’s Time
-
State Wildlife Magazine - Mr. Oros stated that there was an article in this publication about the native brook trout program that Naturalist Paul Pira has been directing at the Veterans Legacy Woods Park. This publication is available through a subscription here. Mr. Oros also said that Mr. Pira will be speaking at the Ohio River Symposium.
-
Community Art Show at the West Woods - Mr. Oros displayed a picture from the recently opened Art Show at the West Woods. He commended Events Coordinator Holly Sauder for her work on the project. There was a reception for the artists on February 3rd. The Art Show will run through Sunday, April 21st.
-
Report on the Use of Facilities - Mr. Oros reported the following:
-
In January, 1,647 visitors came to the West Woods Nature Center.
-
In January, there were 81 programs that were attended by 1,392 patrons.
There were no comments from the Board members.
Executive Session - The Board went into Executive Session for the purpose of considering a contract extension for the Executive Director.
Following Executive Session - The Board approved a contract extension for current Geauga Park District Executive Director John Oros for another three years. The vote was unanimous.
Next Meeting – Monday, March 18 @ 8:30 am
See the GPD Website for Additional Information and Minutes
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Anne Ondrey
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: February 21, 2024
The League of Women Voters of Geauga is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. They do not support or oppose individual candidates or parties. Learn more about the LWVG at www.lwvgeauga.org.