6/1/2009 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Minutes of a Meeting of the North Olmsted Parks and Recreation Commission June 1, 2009 Mr. Groden asked if there were any questions for Mr. DiSalvo. Mr. Mahoney said he was approached by some constituents about the Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts and th now NOSO representatives have indicated to me that NOSO Cup is coming up the 4 of July and that the fence is still up and that there is a baseball tournament ongoing. What’s the status of events? Mr. Dailey said that the baseball season is extended for the high school. Coach Murphy and the City made the decision to get an extra 20 baseball games on the field more than one soccer game or two days of camping, it made more sense to let the kids play more ball up there this. Again this is another decision we’re going to review next year at the end of the season to see how it works out. We will take out the fence for All Scouts Weekend – then it will be reassembled; for NOSO we’re not going to take it down at all. There are enough other areas where they can play. Mr. DiSalvo asked if Miguel was talking to Mr. Mahoney. Mr. Mahoney said yes, Miguel and someone else - two officers of NOSO. Mr. DiSalvo said that every time we try to do something to help someone out, it ends up blowing up in our face. He asked John (Dailey) to get the fence down; the Scouts will have nothing to worry about, NOSO won’t. It’s extremely frustrating to accommodate everyone; and no one is willing to budge, especially NOSO. Mr. Dailey said that there are no longer any more “sacred cows” in North Olmsted, as stated before. Just because we did something one way doesn’t mean we always have to do something that way. Again, it should help Coach Murphy build a better team for next year for the high school team. Mr. Mahoney asked for an alternative for NOSO. Mr. DiSalvo said that it will be up to NOSO to arrange it. Even at Barton Bradley – they can have all those fields there. Norm Baxter said that tonight, when Cathy Troyer and friends were here, they were very courteous; it was a well thought-out presentation. Norm did not know how many years ago it was, but this was nothing compared to what we had here as far as the fence and I can assure you, positively, and anyone who says otherwise is not speaking the truth, that the agreement was the fence would come down as soon as the season ended. Mr. Mahoney said that’s a Resolution. Mr. Baxter said that it was agreed that there were other uses for the park than a ball field. There’s nothing wrong with open space; flying a kite; kids running around. There’s nothing wrong with those things – not to make that field become Softball World, and that’s what we’re doing. Mr. Baxter thinks it’s wrong – and he likes baseball – he played on a League for 25 years; but that doesn’t mean that the entire field has to be fenced in. There’s no way you will convince me otherwise. Mr. Dailey said that this was thought through – that the park is available for other things the rest of the year. Mr. Baxter said this isn’t quite fair, being winter and all the rest of the year; it’s not the same. You are also reneging on what was promised at that very heated meeting; and now, just like that, you’re discarding it. Mr. Dailey said he went back and pulled the legislation, and we’re trying something different this year. If we find out if it doesn’t work out, it will be back next year the way it always was. Mr. Baxter said he doesn’t know what Mr. Dailey meant be “doesn’t work out” – obviously, if kids use the field, why wouldn’t they enjoy it? Mr. Dailey said if we get a number of complaints from the citizens about the situation of there, we will obviously review it, but I’m not going to change something for one or two or three residents that aren’t happy. Mr. Mahoney said he apologizes to Mr. Baxter, but asked Mr. Dailey how long the Boy Scouts have used the Park. Mr. Dailey said for as long as it’s been there, probably. Page 10