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Centre Region Council of Governments Meeting Summary from Thursday, March 20, 2008 held in the Boalsburg Fire Hall
Mr. Klees called the March 20, 2008, meeting of the Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee to order with the following individuals in attendance: Committee Members (6 of 6): Messrs. Klees, Warner, Luck, Rosenberger, Sieminski and Killian (filling in for Mr. Mascolo) Others: Ms. Farkas, Harris Township Manager Mr. Erickson, Patton Township Manager, Mr. Brumbaugh, College Twp. Manager Mr. Kurtz, Assistant Borough Manager, Mr. Kunkle, Ferguson Twp. Manager Mr. Woodhead, CRPR Director, Mr. Steff, COG Executive Director Ms. Conway, CRRA Board Member, Ms. Ishler, Recording Secretary Dr. Ricketts, CRRA Board Member CITIZEN COMMENTS: None FEBRUARY MEETING SUMMARY The February 21, 2008, meeting summary was unanimously approved on a motion by Mr. Warner and seconded by Mr. Sieminski. WHITEHALL ROAD PARKLAND - UPDATE ACQUISITION - The COG General Forum conditionally authorized the execution by the COG Chair of the Sales Agreement for the 75-acre Whitehall Road Parklands pending the approval of the agreement by (1) PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), (2) the Penn state University Board of Trustees and (3) the Township of Ferguson. Ferguson Township approved the Sales Agreement and two revisions changes suggested by PA DCNR were forwarded to Solicitor Williams. Mr. Sieminski reported that the sale of the Whitehall Road Parkland is on the agenda for the March Penn State Trustee meeting. MASTER SITE PLAN - Mr. Woodhead reported that the grant application to PA DCNR of $40,000 for the Whitehall Road Parkland Master Site Plan is now under final consideration. He had previously understood (from unofficial sources) that the grant application had been declined. POOL RENEWALS FUNDING PACKAGE - UPDATE On March 19, the COG Finance Committee approved the use of a bank note for 20 years in the amount of $7.9 million at 3.95% APR from the Jersey Shore State Bank. The use of this loan instead of a bond (at the current rates) will save the COG over $200,000. The Authority will officially implement the COG’s funding determination at their April 10, 2008, meeting. POOL RENEWAL PROJECT: JOINT MEETING WITH SCHOOL BOARD A joint work session involving the SCASD Board of Directors, Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee, and the Centre Regional Recreation Authority (CRRA) has been scheduled for April 1, 2008, from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM at the COG Forum Room. Although the meeting will include Park Forest Pool, the regional parks and Millbrook Marsh Nature Center, the main focus will be on the site concept for Welch Pool especially the shared parking issue. Mr. Luck asked how much the pool is used by the School District. He is concerned that the Welch renewal process will get “bogged down” in discussion. Mr. Klees stated that the uncertainty of what is going to happen to the school facilities makes it necessary to make sure we have a firm commitment from the School District. Mr. Luck indicated that if we are going to invest these funds in the Welch Pool site, the site and parking have to be protected no matter what happens to the school facilities. Mr. Rosenberger asked if a proposal has been presented; Mr. Woodhead indicated yes. Mr. Klees reminded everyone that the lease agreement between CRRA and the School District makes the School District responsible for providing parking on the same side of the street as the Welch Pool, so the School District does realize they have to provide parking. A concept for new access to the new pool and to the South Building will provide additional parking for both the South Building and the pool. There will be no parking on the pool site due to the new pool facilities. The question will focus on who will pay for the parking renovations. The off-site parking costs were not included in the approved project pool budget and no additional capital will be approved. Mr. Klees asked Mr. Woodhead to frame an agenda for the joint meeting. OAK HALL PARKLAND - MASTER SITE PLAN Seven consulting firms responded to the RFP to prepare a Master Site Plan for the 68-acre Oak Hall Parklands. The seven firms were scored and the top four firms were invited for an interview at this meeting on March 20, 2008. The following interview format was provided to each firm: • 20 minutes introductory presentation regarding the firm and the proposal • 20 minutes to respond to a number of standardized questions from the Committee. The Committee will work from a common group of questions for the 4 interviews. Those questions or topics were not provided to any of the firms ahead of time. • Up to 20 minutes for open Q &A about the project or the community. Copies of the proposals were available at the meeting. The Committee was asked to refine the questions. Mr. Kunkle suggested two additional questions: “What is the sites greatest asset?” “What is the sites greatest challenge?” Mr. Klees led a discussion on how the voting would take place. He suggested that Mr. Kunkle vote twice (once for him and once for Mr. Killian, who had to leave). Mr. Klees suggested that all the votes could go together, or the officials and CRRA members could vote in one group and managers and staff vote in another group. A discussion followed as to why the managers would be in a separate group. The decision was made to vote in two groups, then compare the results of each group. The Committee decided that Mr. Woodhead would ask all the questions and Mr. Kunkle would be the time keeper. Mr. Sieminski retired from the meeting. ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION Each of the four firms presented their proposal and answered questions from the Committee in line with the schedule. RECONVENED At 5:00 PM, the business meeting was reconvened. Mr. Klees asked if the Committee wanted to discuss first or vote first. It was decided that the vote would be first and then discussion. The ballot had all four firms listed and the vote would be 1-4 with one being the best and four being last. Mr. Woodhead will contact the references of the firm selected. Everyone received a ballot and cast their votes. The ballots were counted in two groups. The officials ranking was: #1: Pashek; #2: Simone Collins; #3: YSM; #4: Civil & Environ. Consulting. The Manager/Staff ranking was #1: Pashek; #2: YSM; #3: Simone Collins; #4: Civil & Environ. Consulting. Mr. Luck commented that he was disappointed that Pashek Associates used Tudek Park as an example because he didn’t think that was a very visionary design. Mr. Klees said that he also was concerned about the creative part. Mr. Brumbaugh related that Oak Hall Parkland has a strong element of engineering issues so whomever we select will have to be able to deal with that (this suggestion was later relayed to Mr. Pashek by Mr. Woodhead).. Mr. Luck moved this Committee recommend the bid from Pashek Associates be approved not to exceed $66,000. Mr. Warner seconded and the motion passed unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS The next meeting will be held Thursday, April 17, 2008, at 12:15 PM in the COG Forum Room. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business the meeting was adjourned at 5:45 PM. Respectfully submitted by Diane Ishler, Recording Secretary This meeting summary was approved by the committee on 15 May 08.
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