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Recreation Commission Meeting <br />Page Six <br /> <br /> <br />member input on what should or should not go so that the Rec Center can put some numbers to <br />the brochure. As example, the Music Man, the Artist, and the Horseback Riding haven’t been <br />touched in ten years or so. The Rec Department is only getting 12% commission on these <br />programs. Ten years ago, that might have been fine, but now they’re getting free rein with what <br />they are doing. Ted intends to meet with the principals involved with these programs, review <br />them, and get more details. Any information received will be shared with the Commission <br />members. <br /> <br />Detailed program assessment is what the budget is looking to do. From Mr. DiSalvo’s <br />observations, as far as Supervisors go, he knows for a fact that once a lot of them get to the <br />Recreation Center, they sit around and sit around. He wants to get them up and walking for <br />security purposes. It all basically comes to direction; Mr. DiSalvo believes they have not been <br />told what to do. They show up and think, well, they’re here, and that’s enough. While they’re <br />here, they might as well make use of their time and be more effective with supervision. This was <br />discussed with Mr. Jesse. Perhaps getting around-the-neck name tags will help the staff and the <br />patrons at the Rec. The staff will be approachable this way and make Ted’s job a little bit easier <br />as well. <br /> <br />It was emphasized that the ticket booth hours must be made consistent. First help does not show <br />up until about 8:30 a.m. or 9:00 a.m. in the morning. Swimming starts between 7:00 a.m. and <br />7:30 a.m, so the City has no idea as to who is coming in or out. There must be a match of hours <br />of operation with the ticket booth or reception desk. In Mr. DiSalvo’s 17 years’ experience in the <br />fitness industry, he has never seen an empty reception desk during hours of operation, and for <br />some reason it’s happening at the North Olmsted Recreation Center, which is unacceptable. Any <br />incident, be it theft or injury, cannot be tolerated. It was asked if this was a pre-paid program or <br />if this is an open swim or why people walked through the doors in the early morning. Mr. <br />DiSalvo responded that some patrons have paid, but for swim, they pay on their way out. There <br />should be someone to greet them. To be honest, paying on the way out might be 40% or 50%, so <br />the Rec Center is losing money as well. This is one of the minor matters that needs immediate <br />attention. Mr. Baxter asked if an empty reception desk was a cost-saving effort. Mr. DiSalvo <br />said he did not know; perhaps no one was scheduled at that time. Agreement among the members <br />was voiced that someone should be in the ticket booth or reception area at all times. The <br />Commissioner said that there could be an emergency, that 911 would be needed, and no one is <br />representing the Rec Center for this purpose. This is a service the patrons should expect. Ms. <br />Hayes asked if the swim teams came in at this time; if there was a coach here. The Commissioner <br />said no, usually there is a guard and/or supervisor. The issue is that the Rec Center needs <br />someone at the desk, because there is currently no idea of who is coming in and out. Even if the <br />Center opens at 5:30 a.m. and the hockey players are in the building, they have the run of the <br />place. It’s a ghost town, and the Rec Center must staff accordingly. There should not be an <br />additional cost, only a trade-off. In other words, the Commissioner will get very specific with his <br />supervisors on an individual basis and get extremely specific with what is expected of them as <br />supervisors. He will leave it up to them but will follow up. It will not be given as an order, but <br />rather as observations for more efficient operations and accountability. <br />Page 6 <br /> <br />