GOOSE CREEK RECREATION

COMMISSION MEETING

August 9, 2010

Present

• Commission: Chairman Jerry Glass, Nancy Trevino, David Kennedy, Eddie Hiott, Tom Lindsay and Andrea Glover.
• Staff: Director Gary Stuber and Cheryl Heiselman
• Guests: Mayor Michael Heitzler and Martha Dunlap, DHEC

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Chairman Jerry Glass.

Public Comments

There were no public comments at this time.

Minutes

Mr. Kennedy made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 12, 2010 meeting; motion seconded by Mrs. Trevino; all in favor.

Financial Reports

Mr. Kennedy made a motion to approve the financial reports as submitted for the period ending July 31, 2010; motion was seconded by Mrs. Trevino; all in favor.

Project Status Report

Annexation of Devon Forest

Mr. Stuber reported that the Mayor has had several meetings regarding the annexation of Devon Forest into the City of Goose Creek.

Mayor Heitzler stated that it is difficult to get 25% of the registered voters to sign a petition for an annexation election because the voter records haven’t been updated in several years. However, he is optimistic that the Recreation District can be expanded to include Okatee and Devon Forest. He has spoken to County Councilmen Dennis Fish and Bob Call regarding this.

Once the annexation push is over at the end of August, the Mayor will approach County Council about the expansion of the District. He will also ask them to look at including Mt. Holly, Strawberry and the unincorporated areas of Crowfield.

Mayor Heitzler asked the Commission for their support on the severance of services to those outside the district or city.

Cultural Arts Commission

Mr. Stuber reported that he will be meeting on Thursday, August 12^th, 6 pm with City Council to discuss the Cultural Arts Commission.

Mr. Glass asked for clarification on the role of this Commission.

Mayor Heitzler stated that the Commission will be advisory. As it matures and evolves, the role will become clearer. As he sees it, the Cultural Arts Commission will assist in overseeing events like the Symphony Under the Stars.

Mr. Stuber explained that he envisions it having 5-7 members with interests in different areas like drama, music, photography, and culinary arts. They will be an advisory board that reports to him.

Budget 2011

Mr. Stuber reported that he is working on the 2011 Budget. There will be no cost of living or merit raises for 2011.

PARD Grant

Mr. Stuber told the Commission that we have a $15,000 PARD Grant to build a pavilion at Dogwood Park. The money must be spent by October 31, 2010. Our match is $3,000. The staff is currently working on the plans and then it will be put out to bid.

Dogwood Park Trailer

The owner of the trailer at Dogwood Park has offered to rent it to a Goose Creek Police Officer. We are checking with the Police Department to see if anyone is interested in living there.

Mr. Kennedy said if that doesn’t work out we should consider getting a decoy police vehicle or offer to rent the trailer to a Recreation employee or a City employee.

Community Schools Grant

Mrs. Glover presented information on three federal grants that will be available next spring. A community partnership would have to be formed to apply for the grants. The grant money would provide materials and resources for programs such as nutrition education, obesity prevention, environmental education, literacy, mentoring, and physical activity.

Martha Dunlap from DHEC will also be a key player in helping with the grant. She will assist with getting school nurses and health educators on board.

The first step will be identifying key people in the community and setting up a meeting. For the grant to be successful there should a partnership between the School District, the City, Recreation, the Faith-Based Community and the Health Care industry. Mayor Heitzler suggested inviting Helping Hands of Goose Creek and Bill Thompson from Metro North Church.

New Business

Parks Report:

The maintenance department is working on preparing the fields for the fall season. They are also working at Dogwood Park on the preliminary site work for the PARD Grant.

Recreation Report:

Mrs. Trevino inquired about what leagues other area recreation departments will be franchising with next year for baseball and softball. Mrs. Heiselman stated that the athletic directors will be meeting this fall to discuss this.

Director’s Report

None at this time.

Closing Public Comments

Mayor Heitzler asked the Commission if they had any plans for access to the Goose Creek Reservoir.

Mr. Stuber stated that the path now goes almost to the water and we would like to have a boardwalk and boat ramp in the future, but right now we don’t have a financial plan for this.

Mr. Kennedy said that DNR may have a watercraft tax to assist with this.

Mayor Heitzler stated that he would like to see a trail, plus kayak and canoe access to the reservoir.

Adjournment

Mr. Kennedy made a motion to close the meeting at 7:05 p.m.; the motion was seconded by Mr. Hiott. All in favor.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is September 13, 2010 at 6 p.m.