PALMER TOWNSHIP RECREATION BOARD

NOVEMBER 17, 2009

The regular monthly meeting of the Palmer Township Recreation Board was held on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. in the meeting room of the Palmer Library Building. Present were Chairman Mark Knox, Vice Chairman Jeff Young, Treasurer Cheryl Nielsen and member Bob Walker.

Minutes of previous meeting – September minutes taken by Bill Webb who was not present and there was not a meeting in October. Approval of minutes was tabled until minutes were available.

Treasurer’s report – was reviewed. On motion by Walker, seconded by Young, and agreed by all the Board approved the Treasurer’s Report which was for expenses till the end of October. There were a few questions and Nielsen will follow up on them.

Knox read a thank you from adult volleyball league. They had submitted their year end financial statement also.

Baseball – Young informed the Board that he spoke with Bill Raven and the Palmer Softball Association is going to make time for our in house teams to use Riverview Park for the entire season next year and we may have some weekend time.

Board discussed purchase orders and it was agreed that all purchase orders will only be signed by the original liaison of each sport. The back up is only to submit a purchase order if the original liaison is absent and Diane will be notified of this.

Maintenance – Knox reported that soccer had money left over and it was agreed to use it for field maintenance. Marc spoke with Scott Kistler and the crews were going to aerated the fields at Mill Race and Keystone. They will do football field shortly.

SOFTBALL – Young reported that they did inventory of uniforms and they are going to need replacement of them. They are in bad shape. Have a decent replacement schedule.

Dan McKinney was present and asked the Board if there was a way signups be held same month every year for same sport. He was told that the Athletic Association sets up the schedule but this is a very good idea and will be forwarded to AA at their next meeting.

Football – Young reported that they are finished for the year and they had a good season.

Soccer – Knox reported that they had their end of season tournament. They had a very successful year and 80% of the uniforms have been collected.

La Crosse – McKinney informed the Board that Todd Doerner wants to hold an open house for LaCrosse on Sunday, January 3, 2010 using part of gym at Center. McKinney knows it is out of season but it is a clinic and wanted the Board’s input on this. Knox stated it could be a Community Center event or the Recreation Board could allow a clinic. There will be a fee. $5 per child paid to the Center. McKinney told the Board there will also be a few local vendors participating. It will be open to anyone interested. Young noted that basketball doesn’t restart until 01/04 so they wouldn’t interfere with each other. Nielsen made a motion to allow the clinic at the Charles Chrin Community Center. After discussion Nielsen withdrew her motion. On motion by Walker, seconded by Nielsen and agreed by all, the Board voted to allow La Crosse to use township equipment for their clinic on January 3, 2010 being held at the Charles Chrin Community Center noting there will be a fee of $5 per child participating.

Development – New Creations UCC – Young showed the proposed plan for this applicant for a new church. He said that the rear of this property will get cleaned up and have more landscaping along the bike path. On motion by Young, seconded by Walker, and agreed by all, the Board voted to recommend fees be paid in lieu of land.

New business –

Young asked if anyone would be interested in serving on the Planning Commission to please put your name in to the township manager.

Playground/Community Center – McKinney was present to highlighted what he proposes for a summer program at the center. He is proposing to the township to do a type of daycare at the center. Feels there is a need for this for kids throughout the summer. They have the facility and have some great program ideas that they could definitely handle. This is one of the purposes for a community center. He asked if the township playground program fits into this spectrum. The hours for the Palmer Camp would be from 9 to 4 with before and after care - 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nielsen thinks the idea is great but doesn’t feel it is something to replace the present playground program. Taking the programs away from parks – don’t think it is a good idea. The local park program allows the kids to walk and/or ride their bike to the park. McKinney also sated they would be utilizing the pool a lot during the summer and offering swim lessons, etc. Walker asked if they would have to sign up for a full day. McKinney stated yes, not like the present program that they can only go half a day if they want. The fee for the Palmer Camp will be a lot more, proposing $110 a week. Walker also stated this is a good idea but feels the present program is definitely cheaper and it is better at our parks. The fee would be $50 since the AA fee is going up. Nielsen noted she feels the township is trying to get the present summer recreation program self sufficient and it never will be. Young feels it would be a good idea to have both programs for the 2010 season and see what happens. McKinney noted they have so many ideas for the Palmer Camp. There will be a bus that could pick up the kids to get them to the center; take them to the pool, etc. Nielsen feels what is being proposed is definitely needed. Board members asked what the difference is with the township taking care of ball fields or having a program for other kids to utilize for 6 weeks during the summer. Not everyone uses the ball fields as compared to not everyone uses the summer recreation program. Knox feels the Center proposed program is a great idea and really helps the working parent and our present program helps another group of parents. You have to look at both programs. Everyone feels they both have merit. McKinney noted to get something like this off the ground is a very large undertaking. There is a demand for a camp type program, sports camps, traditional summer camps. They will definitely need a lot of publicity once they get this going. On motion by Young, seconded by Walker, and agreed by all, the Board recommended to the Board of Supervisors to have both programs for the year 2010 and that they support the new program at the Community Center and that this should be revisited at the end of the year.

There was no further business for the Board. On motion by Walker, seconded by Young, and agreed by all, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Diane Grube, Corr. Sec.