WEST GEAUGA COMMUNITY JOINT RECREATION DISTRICT

Regular Meeting – October 21, 2025

West Geauga High School Library

President Greg Poe called the meeting to order at 6:55 pm. Board members present:  Ed Curtis, Rick Izant, Linda Palchick, Sara Sustin, Kristen Foerster, Greg Poe and Evan Byrum. Jason Abate and John Gromek were also present.

The minutes from the September 2025 meeting were presented by Monica Gromek. Evan Byrum 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; Evan Byrum, yes. All in favor, motion carried.

Treasurer report - Ed Curtis

Treasurer Ed Curtis distributed the October 2025 treasurer’s report. The treasurer’s report showed: checking balance forwarded: $41,117.07; total disbursements: $8,040.00; total deposits: $0; ending checking balance: $33,077.07: Ending Savings Balance $24,509.36; total disbursements: $0; deposits: $2.15:  Linda Palchick motioned to accept the treasurer’s report. Sara Sustin seconded.  Vote was taken: Ed Curtis, yes; Rick Izant, yes; Sara Sustin, yes; Linda Palchick, yes; Kristen Foerster, yes; Greg Poe, yes; Evan Byrum, yes. All in favor, motion carried. Linda Palchick motioned the following bill be paid:

 Minutes             $ 40.00     Monica Gromek                   

Kristen Foerster seconded the motion.  Vote was taken: Ed Curtis, yes; Rick Izant, yes; Sara Sustin, yes; Linda Palchick, yes; Kristen Foerster, yes; Greg Poe, yes; Evan Byrum, yes. All in favor, motion carried.  Ed Curtis said we have $8,893.00 left to spend in 2025. $4K goes to Maintenance; Plus Erosion Control and Improvement Fund.

Board discussed recent Pickle Ball Updates.  Initial estimates for the base are $8K.  The sand would be moved for Natalie, for her Girl Scout Project; on the west side of that volleyball court area now. Jason Abate will remove the nets and posts also, for Natalie. The volleyball court will be on the low side of that area.  Is Base gravel needed?  Jason Abate said no dirt should be under the gravel as it will sink.  Greg Poe will obtain a Pickle Ball quote from Hummel Construction. Sara Sustin’s biggest concern is that the Board hire one company to do the entire project.  Rick Izant has researched grant monies available for this project.  Geauga County will get their county appropriation from the State, and Rick will get the information when it is available.

Electricity for the Park – Ed Curtis sent an email to The Illuminating Company, and the project has been assigned a number.  There are questions.  Information may take 2 months to put together.  Information was obtained from Lake Erie Electric - $37,100 to run wire underground from the street to the maintenance building.  If CEI runs power to the maintenance building it would 10K to connect to a panel in the building.

Discussion on cyber security policy being in place. This will be an audit item in a year.  Russell Township will forward information to Ed.  The police department got hacked and there is now a new domain in place.

Facilities – Linda Palchick                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Soccer games are finished, and Jason has taken the nets down.  Russell Fire Department asked to use the Pavilion in October.  Waiting for more information.  Jason Abate will aerate the fields.  The Rec Council tournament last month was ok.  There was no policeman off Rt. 306.  A pick-up truck parked up front; no damage.  We will remind Rec Council at our spring meeting, about parking.  Bill took the nets down at the soccer field; end of the season.

PUMPKINS IN THE PARK EVENT                                                                                                                                                                                                                            The event was scheduled for Sunday, October 19, 2025, 2-4 pm at the pavilion at The Commons.  Mother Nature did not cooperate.  Very heavy rain washed out the event and it was cancelled.  Plans to have this event in October 2026.  The board thanked Sara Sustin and Kristen Foerster for their hard work organizing this event.  60 pumpkins were returned to Eddy’s Fruit Farm.  Clay Eddy is very supportive of our events.  Kristen Foerster says there is a desire for community events, and our park is a perfect venue.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Park Rules

Linda Palchick distributed copies to the Board of our present park rules, that she sends with every park usage request.  The Board reviewed each rule.  Linda will type the new revision of the park rules, incorporating updated needed information

New Business – Kristen Foerster questioned the trail erosion at the rivers edge. This situation will be monitored over the winter.  There is a sunken backwards bench at the river by the baseball field. 

Ed Curtis motioned for meeting adjournment at 8:08 pm.  Kristen Foerster seconded. Meeting adjourned.  Next meeting at WG High school library on Tuesday, November 18th at 7:00 pm

Respectfully submitted,

_____________________________                     _____________________________                                                                                                                                          

Monica Gromek, Clerk                                           Greg Poe, President