Category: government

## **PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING** 

## **May 20, 2021 Regular Meeting** 

**Members Present:** Erin Pittman, Tammy Eads, Jessica Wilson, John Greenbaum, Duff Manweiler and Andy Dapkins 

## **Members Absent:** Sam Glesner 

**Public Present:** Mike Meredith 

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Tammy. 

Minutes from the March meeting were approved by John, seconded by Andy, and the vote in favor was unanimous.  Minutes from the April meeting were approved by John, seconded by Erin, and the vote in favor was unanimous. 

**Public Comment:** Mike Meredith said he saw surveyors in the Yellow Breeches Park so he came to the meeting to find out what was happening in the land adjacent to his property and to meet the board members. 

## **Recreation Report:** 

- Sarah distributed copies of the latest rendition of the master plan.  Many things were discussed and commented on.  It was pointed out that Hinkle Lane will end in a cul-de-sac and there will not be a road going thru Yellow Breeches Park.  There are plans for 6 diamond shaped fields for softball/baseball for various age groups.  There is also a boat launch on the drawing.  Erin suggested a bike service station be included.  Mike expressed concerns about lights in the parks.  He was told that all lights have been changed to LED and should help with any light pollution.  There will be a public showing of the proposed master plan on June 18[th] at the Friday Fest concert/food truck event.  It will be set up in Pavilion 2 for the public to view and comment. 

- The grant for the tennis courts was applied for and denied.  We can resubmit the grant to GTRP by the end of the month and hopefully hear by the end of 2021 if it is approved so it can be included in the 2022 budget. 

- South Middleton Soccer are using fields in Mt. Holly Springs.  They have more teams this year and with the Covid requirements needed additional space and they can use the Holly fields year round. 

- South Middleton Softball contacted us May 5[th] about a tournament they had planned to hold in our park the next weekend.  We were unaware of this and pavilions had been booked, other sporting events and a 5K Run were already scheduled.  They were expecting ten teams for the tournament. Sarah told them they could not hold their event and they would need to check with us in the future prior to scheduling events.   The Lions Club planned to sell food/drink during the tournament and were unable to get rid of any of the items.  We are working with them to help find a concert or other township event to sell their food/drinks. 

- We were contacted asking for field usage on May 8-9 for a baseball tournament.  It was approved and there was a lot of work put into field maintenance to prepare.  The Monday after the event was to be held we were contacted and told that they had not used our fields and would like a refund. We have a 

   - no refund policy.  Sarah asked the board to vote on making an exception or sticking to the policy. After some discussion Andy made a motion and Erin seconded. **MOTION:  We are to adhere to policy and no money will be refunded.   The vote in favor was 5 to 1.** 

- Sarah has been receiving requests to hold food truck events in the parks.  She asked the board if we should charge the groups to have food trucks at the events, how many trucks do we allow per event and do we restrict where they can park.  The board discussed these issues along with the increase of clean-up that will be involved and asked if our insurance will change.  Currently there is no food truck policy so they suggested a temporary policy be put in place.  John made a motion and Jess seconded. **MOTION:  Groups will contact P&R and pay the $100 special event fee plus $25 per food truck (limited to 2 trucks max per event).  The trucks are not to use township utilities, are responsible for their trash and will park only in designated food truck spots.  The vote in favor was 6 to 0.** 

- Nicole Weber from the school district informed Sarah that occupancy restrictions have been lifted at the schools.  This could allow us to utilize the pool.  SMSC has already been scheduled to use the outdoor pool for practice.  Matt Brenner will talk to coaches regarding changes, if any.  We have 58 kids signed up for SMSC.   Although this should give us opportunities to use the BSHS pool, Zack from the school is scheduling the waxing of the floors outside the pool area for two weeks following the end of school and he plans on draining the pool in August which will not allow us time to schedule swim lessons.  John expects things to return to normal in the fall and we should be able to schedule programs in the school buildings. 

- The newsletter was mailed and registration is going well.  Playground filled in one week. Drawing and Cartooning Camp and the various tennis camps are very popular. 

- ’ 

- Little Sprouts graduation was held at the park with about 50 people in attendance.  The year has gone very well, with only two short shut-downs due to Covid.  Parents were very appreciative for the great job the teachers did and a big thank you goes to St. John ’ s for allowing us to use their church to hold class. 

## **Parks Report:** 

- Parks personnel have been busy mowing as well as repairing park bathrooms, general maintenance, signage replacement, planting trees/bushes and weed spraying. 

- The farmhouse required numerous repairs and excavation/removal of septic tank. 

- Installed ice maker machine in Public Works building and completed various job in the admin building. 

- Mike asked if we have a mosquito problem in the park.  He was told that bat boxes were installed to assist with mosquitoes as well Vector Control sprays the area. 

- Duff asked if a sign could be placed to indicate the area designated as the Pollinator Gardens. 

## **Old/New Business:** None 

Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. 

Respectfully Submitted, 

Vickie Shatto 



Question: At the May 20, 2021 Parks and Recreation Board meeting, what temporary food truck fee policy was adopted, and how did the board vote on the no-refund request for unused tournament fields?
Answer: Groups must contact P&R and pay the $100 special event fee plus $25 per food truck (maximum 2 trucks per event); trucks may not use township utilities, are responsible for their trash, and park only in designated spots (vote 6–0). On the refund request, the board voted 5–1 to adhere to the no-refund policy and not refund the money.