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Recreation Commission Minutes February 21, 2000 Page Three shutdown of the Recreation Center if we can’t keep qualified employees. You get what you pay for. Performance reviews/corresponding pay would be critical. Report by Safety Director: Revenue/expenses were opened for discussion. Mr. Morgan indicated an average receipt of $11,000-$13,000 in team sales. Mr. Jenkins stated that the $612,101 figure for the Recreation Department 1999 income statement for the pool line item was a clerical error and should read as $162,101. Projected revenue for 2000 from available resources is $2,087,286, with projected expenditures at $2,085,527. Mr. Jenkins would like a review and OK from Committee to present to Council. Mr. Morgan then said that information on wages for all employees should be presented to Council. Mr. Gardner indicated a need for greater general fund transfers over the next three years. Discussion ensued on the various transfers in the line items to keep the Recreation Department above water. The cutbacks year after year prove to be disastrous. Mr. Limpert expressed a look to City Council’s reaction to what we would like to accomplish and what would actually become reality. Wages are minus the Commissioner, Pro Shop, and Special Rec line items. The Department is looking to an across the board 15 percent increase in wages to address the problems we’re having. We will also have a bookkeeper in 2000 that we did not have in 1999 and need a program supervisor (rather than phrasing “assistant commissioner” to present to Council for a General Fund transfer). There are 12 or 13 full-time employees; but with part time, it’s not number of people, but number of hours/rate that is being paid. Mr. Morgan explained the special services contract employees. The Recreation Commission will present expenditures for repair/replacement projects to City Council for approval and will request funds to do so. Mr. Jenkins indicated that the only monies we have available are for emergency repairs on the roof. Internal line item transfers are presently being made. Mr. Jenkins will update his report after the operating budget is known. There was general discussion on ways and means to increase revenues. Marketing with annual identification cards through the use of the AEK point of sale system, e-mail and web pages was suggested. Who would maintain the web page? Mr. Morgan stated that the Recreation Center is running on a skeletal crew and that the brochure, and flyers twice a year to the schools and advertising through churches and schools is about all that can be handled. It was agreed that marketing is more than just advertising; we need to update the facilities and attract families. Generally, the Recreation Department must be made to be a service run as a business. We are affordable recreation. There must be a look to the tax base. Mr. Gardner suggested that we get the facility ready for 2000. As a non-profit organization, the Commission might be able to secure pro bono assistance from the business community, but once the facility is improved, it must be properly maintained at all times. Building repair and maintenance and wages are high priorities. The consensus was that we will never be all things to all people and do what we do best for revenue: focus on the rink. A new exercise facility, with equipment, was then opened for discussion among the members. Comparisons were made with other surrounding communities and possible ways to enhance the North Olmsted Recreation Department. Ways and means to better utilize and improve the pool and rinks were discussed. It was observed that a new exercise facility targeted for 2001 could possibly draw 300 people at $30 a month, with a view to the football players in the summer months. Mr. Limpert suggested we show more revenue to be better able to borrow from a Recreation Commission Minutes