WEST GEAUGA COMMUNITY JOINT RECREATION DISTRICT

Regular Meeting – September 16, 2025

West Geauga Commons

President Greg Poe called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Board members present:  Ed Curtis, Rick Izant, Linda Palchick, Sara Sustin, Kristen Foerster, Greg Poe and Mark Vidmar. Jason Abate and John Gromek were also present.

Board discussion of possible future projects.

  1. Continue paving the path.  We now have about ½ of the path paved.  Swales have been put in the park.  Russell has acreage across the river, which is not really accessible.
  2. The ‘skunk bathroom’ needs updating.  May involve the EPA.
  3. Home run fence
  4. Well
  5. Girl Scout project in Volleyball Courts area.  A preliminary meeting was held about the ideas in this area
  6. New grills
  7. Bocce courts? Horseshoe pit?  What is involved with the maintenance of these ideas?
  8. More parking? Parking lot improvements?
  9. Basketball hoops are rusty, including the supports.  Jason Abate said this court gets a lot of use.

Rick Izant provided information about an Ohio grant that is due June 1, 2026, and would pay up to 75% of the cost of the project provided the requesting organization came up with 25%.  Last year the grant gave out a total of $60,000.

Discussion of upcoming levy monies.  Increase needed?  The levy is written for park maintenance.  A bond issued would be needed for funding.

Need to prioritize these projects.  Can they be done in stages?

Any donations received to our park go into Capital Funds account.

Question of any needed park signs.

Discussion of electricity at the dawn to dusk Commons Park.

 

 

General Meeting

The minutes from the August 2025 meeting were presented by Monica Gromek. Linda Palchick motioned to approve the minutes; Rick Izant seconded.  Vote was taken: Ed Curtis, yes; Rick Izant, yes; Sara Sustin, yes; Linda Palchick, yes; Kristen Foerster, yes; Greg Poe, yes; Mark Vidmar, yes. All in favor, motion carried.

Treasurer report - Ed Curtis

Treasurer Ed Curtis distributed the September 2025 treasurer’s report. The treasurer’s report showed: checking balance forwarded: $48,572.31; total disbursements: $12,455.80; total deposits: $5,000.56; ending checking balance: $41,117.07: Ending Savings Balance $24,507.21; total disbursements: $0; deposits: $1.95:  Rick Izant motioned to accept the treasurer’s report. Mark Vidmar seconded.  Vote was taken: Ed Curtis, yes; Rick Izant, yes; Sara Sustin, yes; Linda Palchick, yes; Kristen Foerster, yes; Greg Poe, yes; Mark Vidmar, yes. All in favor, motion carried. Kristen Foerster motioned the following bills be paid:

Path Grindings  $1,825          Abate Landscaping

Minutes             $ 40.00         Monica Gromek                   

Mark Vidmar seconded the motion.  Vote was taken: Ed Curtis, yes; Rick Izant, yes; Sara Sustin, yes; Linda Palchick, yes; Kristen Foerster, yes; Greg Poe, yes; Mark Vidmar, yes. All in favor, motion carried.

Facilities – Linda Palchick                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Linda said there are 2 pavilion requests for September.  There is a permit in progress for Morning Yoga event. A clambake event will be in October. Rec Council soccer has 12 games scheduled. Soccer Club is scheduled for their games to the end of the season. Linda questioned if there

will be any Rec Council soccer tournament this year, usually held the last Saturday in September (the 27th this year).  Mark Vidmar checked his Rec Council events and said yes, it is on the calendar.  Linda Palchick said there is not much cooperation from Rec. Council and no permit has been received. There were not too many teams participating in the 2024 tournament.  Is a policeman needed?  We are waiting for information on the registered teams.  Has the church been contacted to use the parking lot for overflow parking? Mark Vidmar will obtain more information from Tina about the paperwork needed for this tournament.  Greg Poe said there is a very nice complex now in Newbury.  Would we consider opening our lower field for practice?

Maintenance                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

 Leaves falling.  Boy Scouts expressed an interest to widen the path from the Park to the Church for the Rec Council Tournament. Jason Abate has no knowledge of the lower field maintenance that needs to be done/prepared for games?  Verification needed from Rec Council,

New Business

Kristen Foerster said one her friend’s mom love and used our park regularly; had passed away.  Question was if the family could donate a park bench.  If approved, they would need guidance as to where this bench can be placed.  They could also place a stone in the Memorial Garden. The board approved the bench; and will forward the vendor’s name that we have used for our other memorial benches.

Sara Sustin opened discussions with thoughts about opening the park more to expose our park’s beauty - by sponsoring some family events.  In the fall, there could be a fall themed event:  pumpkin painting, scavenger hunt, competition for all kids: 1) high school, 2) elementary, 3) toddlers. Competition for pumpkin carving/decorating with voting and earning tickets for prizes. Snacks.  Music. This would get more people in the park to become familiar with how beautiful it is.  Costs: table coverings, pumpkins, cider, candy and other beverages. Rick Izant motioned to encumber $500.00, and Ed Curtis seconded.  Vote was taken: Ed Curtis, yes; Rick Izant, yes; Sara Sustin, yes; Linda Palchick, yes; Kristen Foerster, yes; Greg Poe, yes; Mark Vidmar, yes. All in favor, motion carried. Sara Sustin visited Eddy’s Fruit Farm to get some costs for pumpkins, Bart Alcorn gave her excellent pricing.  Eddy’s has always been very supportive to us.  Mark Vidmar explained that Rec Council has done a trick-or-treat event at the camp. 

New Business – Sara Sustin and Kristen Foerster distributed a Pickle Ball Breakdown of obtained information on many contacts as they began investigating what would go into building 1 or 2 pickle ball courts at the site of two of our volleyball courts.  Lengthy discussion of each of 5 options. If we proceed, we will need to determine which option is most affordable.  

Mark Vidmar motioned for meeting adjournment at 7:30 pm.  Rick Izant seconded.  Meeting adjourned.  Next meeting at WG High school library on Tuesday, October 21 at 7:00 pm

Respectfully submitted,

 

_____________________________                     _____________________________               

Monica Gromek, Clerk                                           Greg Poe, President

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