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Minutes of a Meeting of <br />The Parks and Recreation Commission <br />May 2, 2005 <br /> <br />facilities NOW. Was Mr. Kelley correct in that assumption? The maintenance director (Tom <br />Stein) said that there was a 25 year facility; a pool was lost last year for a swim meet; the ice is 25 <br />or 30 years old with old technology. The schools had the direct correlation with the pools and <br />ice. <br /> <br />Mr. DiSalvo asked if the schools would begin paying a fee for use of the facility rather than being <br />responsible for paying for repairs or contribute to new facilities. <br /> <br />Mr. Lasko believed that there were two components to what the charge (of the Sub Committee) <br />was and is: the first part has to do with the existing and/or ongoing relationship regarding the use <br />and cost of the facilities that are owned by the city and being used by the schools or that’s owned <br />by the schools and being used by the city. If the costs can be quantified (the utilization rates and <br />the costs) that in effect could be something negotiated between the two governmental entities in <br />terms of an equitable arrangement that each party would then bear the appropriate cost of the use <br />of those facilities. That, to Mr. Lasko, is something that could be secured in what he would call <br />the normal course of business between the governmental entities. The second part of the equation <br />(which was presented here tonight by Ms. Wenger) is, as she so ably indicated, that the school <br />district is looking towards the development of under-utilized resources in the district; namely, <br />land, as one of the component pieces of the bond issue. Clearly, a large portion of that will do <br />with the development and construction of new recreational facilities. As a result, it would be very <br />good that the city and schools are on the same page so that ultimately the community comes out <br />with the most value for the dollars that they are going to expend. This type of study can be <br />conducted so that the city can come up to the level of the schools. The schools and city can see <br />what the overall utilization of recreational facilities are in the community and then work together <br />in a coordinated effort to provide the best possible return for the community. The community, the <br />city and the schools will come out ahead. For example, in Rocky River a few years ago, the <br />schools and the city came together and coordinated and redeveloped the revamping of the high <br />school athletic complex with the view towards sharing the city recreation programs with the high <br />school athletic complex. That is the type of hand-to-hand coordination that needs to be before <br />either entity is ready to go to the public and say, “This is our best effort.” Mr. Lasko said that <br />what Ms. Wenger proposes is the way to go. Mr. Kelley asked if this is dealing with the sense of <br />urgency that the Commission expects. Mr. Lasko replied that he understands that the wheels or <br />justice or government turn slowly. The expectation is that the city and schools will be on the <br />ballot in November, but the plans for what that will encompass are still in a state of flux. The <br />plans as they are being developed over the course of the summer, Mr. Lasko said in speaking for <br />himself alone, will be influenced by the city and its desire to work together with the schools. <br />Right now, the schools are waiting for the track the city wants to take. There are certain needs of <br />the schools that are needs of the schools alone. The question of whether or not to build a new <br />Middle School has no bearing on recreational activities per se in the City of North Olmsted. <br />Perhaps the issue will be refined to mean the question of a Middle School or the question of what <br />the existing Middle School may become. Maybe the whole question of the athletic facilities will <br />be tabled. Mr. Lasko could not speak for the board or the <br />Page 6 <br /> <br />