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Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting March 7, 2005 losing a lot of money, mainly in payroll. We must facilitate payroll to meet the criteria of the State for lifeguard safety. Mr. Jesse stated that one of the concerns he has as the school proposal has been put together and then finalized as far as a levy offering is that it would be best to coordinate with the future facilities to be used for both (the schools and the Rec Center). For example, a facility could be built on the school property for $1 million that would accommodate the schools’ needs, but maybe for $1.3 million both could be accommodated. Rather than build two $1 million facilities, you could build one for $1.3 and accommodate both needs. The Safety Director wanted a clear idea of what the school’s proposal is so that if there is an opportunity for fit or an opportunity for coordination between the varsity sports needs and the community needs that that could be accommodated in that levy as much as possible. Mr. Jesse feels strongly that there be one real bite from the tax apple and not go back for another facility levy on the City’s part with the schools already having its in place. That is a concern. He was not saying that it’s not possible. It could be that because of the capital and renovation needs at the Rec Center it would almost cause the City not to be able to do that because the schools facilities were already built. If the City can coordinate with the schools as much as possible, that would certainly be of benefit. Mr. Lasko said that Mr. Jesse is aware, and there is a window of opportunity, not an extraordinarily long period of time. The levy request on behalf of the schools has been deferred until November in order that this campaign of educating the public as well as perhaps tweaking the proposal a little bit can be pursued. Mr. Lasko knows that Dr. Stanic, Mr. Ray and himself requested at a meeting of the whole of the City Council in December to approach the City about having exactly the kind of discussion that is being proposed again. Mr. Lasko thinks that the schools and the City are on the same path; it’s just that the paths haven’t crossed yet. This opportunity is on a fairly limited time frame. The chair then recognized Dr. Stanic. Dr. Stanic said that in prior places he’s maintained three different swimming pools, as well as in the last district he worked in, so he is very sympathetic and empathetic to the Rec’s situation and what it costs to maintain swimming pools, not to mention hockey rinks. The school district cannot afford to lose its swim program and/or hockey program. He can only speak as Superintendent and not to the Board of Education. Dr. Stanic is interested in either renovating or building new to maintain those facilities. The conversation in North Olmsted since coming here remains the same: there have been plans in the past, but not much has happened. Dr. Stanic plead guilty in moving the school district along the fast lane to implement some of the plans that have been talked about in the past. Nothing he talked about in any of the community meetings or in what the Board is suggesting to the public for November is new. It has been synthesized to be affordable. However, Dr. Stanic agrees with what Mr. Jesse said: there may be an opportunity to do something that’s good for both – within reason. As Mr. Lasko mentioned, there must be a cost attached to what you are proposing. The Board is not proposing a swimming pool or an ice rink, though it needs those facilities and understands that the District needs to be in a position to Page 4