MEMBERS ABSENT: Deb Osborne and Andrew Higgins

STAFF PRESENT: Tom Zechman, Rob Stanford and Chris Schmiesing

GUEST PRESENT: Kim Small

ITEM NO. 1:

Park Board Chair-person Kathy Ventura called the meeting to order.

ITEM NO. 2: APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES

It was moved by Ron Cooper and seconded by Cathy Oda to accept the minutes from the meeting of December 12, 2007. The motion carried unanimously.

ITEM NO. 3: KIM SMALL - PRESIDENT OF THE PIQUA KIWANIS CLUB

Kim Small was present to address the Park Board regarding the Kiwanis Park. Ms. Small said that members of the Kiwanis Club have received complaints from the community about the maintenance of Kiwanis Park. Because the park is no longer owned or maintained by the Kiwanis Club, she wanted to express her concern and ask if there were any future plans to spruce-up the park. Tom Zechman responded that some improvements are included in the 5-year plan. However, there is no complete overhaul or reconstruction included in the budget.

Denise Uhlenbrock said that, perhaps, the City could investigate Leather Parks. It is an organization similar to Habitat for Humanity. She has been involved with a similar project in Franklin, Ohio. Denise volunteered to make a presentation at the next Park Board meeting about the Leather Parks program.

The Kiwanis Club was encouraged to forward any calls about Kiwanis Park to the City staff.

ITEM NO. 4: GREATER MIAMI RIVER RECREATION TRAIL PROJECT

Chris Schmiesing presented the preliminary plans for the next section of the bike path from Lock 9 Park south to Peterson Road. He stated the project is a joint project between the City and the Miami County Parks District with approximately one mile being in Piqua and two miles being in the county.

The alignment options were presented as well as the final approved alignment running the new bike path from Lock 9 Park on the west side of the river south to the utility bridge behind the Piqua Municipal Power Plant. The path would cross on the utility bridge and proceed south along the east bank of the Great Miami River to Peterson Road. Chris stated that the project estimate is $635,000 for the design-build project. However, it is anticipated in the favorable construction bidding climate that the costs will be in the range of the $600,000, as budgeted for the project.

After board discussion Ron Cooper made a motion that the board endorse the proposed plan and the alignment as presented by Mr. Schmiesing. Kathy Oda seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

ITEM NO. 5: PROPOSED FACILITY RENTAL FEE SCHEDULE

Tom Zechman presented a proposed schedule for increasing fees for all facilities rented by the Piqua parks system. Attached is a copy of the proposal. Park Board members indicated that they could not support such drastic fee increases. Comments included:

The increases are too high

Graduate the increases over a 3-5 year period

The Hollow house should be increased because of the $14,000 improvements made by the City last year and, also, because of the $225 monthly rent currently.

One park board member suggested all the fees be raised now instead of an annual increase.

Tom Zechman said he would prepare a revised proposed fee schedule to be sent to Park Board members in advance of the next meeting and to be discussed as an action item at the next meeting of the Park Board.

ITEM NO. 6: PROPOSED POOL FEE SCHEDULE

Tom Zechman presented the propose increases to the fees charged at the Piqua Municipal Swimming Pool. Most of the fees were in the 7-8 percent range with the only major exception being swimming lessons and pool rentals.

After some discussion, Ron Cooper made a motion to recommend to the City Commission that the proposed fee schedule be adopted. The motion died for lack of a second. After further discussion the fee schedule was amended with pool rentals costing $200 for groups up to 100 and $300 for groups in excess of 100. Following the discussion, Ron Cooper made a motion and Cathy Oda seconded that that fees be recommended to the City Commission as amended. The motion carried unanimously.

ITEM NO. 7: MILESTONE DATES

Milestone dates for the Piqua Municipal pool were proposed including opening on Memorial Day weekend and closing when the Piqua City Schools return to session in the fall.

ITEM NO. 8: RECREATION COORDINATOR'S POOL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The board discussed some components of such a committee. Some of the comments included:

Include Park Board members

Include swimmers

It is an opportunity for feedback to the pool staff

It is an opportunity to share ideas

The purpose is to provide communication for insuring the best pool management possible for the summer

Rob Stanford said he would draft a policy and procedures document to be considered by the Park Board at its next meeting.

ITEM NO. 9: OTHER BUSINESS

Tom Zechman inquired about Park Board elections and learned that elections are in June.

ITEM NO. 10: ADJOURN

Ron Cooper motioned and Cathy Oda seconded the to adjourn, the motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 P.M.

Minutes as prepared by Thomas Zechman.