Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Recreation Commission Meeting <br />January 6, 2003 <br />(“babysitter”) Center, and kids will be kids without proper supervision. There is no visible <br />security presence. Perhaps even a camera with a sign indicating the premises are videotaped and <br />secure could be positioned properly. Mr. Stotz elaborated on the security fact that only one <br />person at a time is allowed in restrooms of certain buildings in the City of Cleveland. Perhaps <br />dropping off a driver’s license before being allowed to enter the building might help, with return <br />upon leaving. <br /> <br />Mr. Dial stated we are living in January of 2003 and should be aware of everything around us. <br />Both realized that money is at a premium in the City of North Olmsted right now, but there are <br />some things that can be done at low cost to see that the Recreation Center is safer and more <br />secure. Technology today is cheap and could be made available as soon as possible. At the very <br />least, put up signs indicating the Recreation Center is monitoring or taping the building. <br /> <br />The skate park is another issue. Again, the visitors asked the Recreation Center talk to the <br />maintenance employees. The maintenance crew goes back to the skate park and confronts <br />teenagers on the loose, again, with no supervision. The custodians have better things to do than <br />to clean up after fires in a canister. <br /> <br />The visitors continued by saying they don’t have all the answers but thought they had some good <br />questions. At least take the names and numbers of the people who are persona non grata. The <br />police need to drive back there (the skate park) regularly to show presence. <br /> <br />Mr. Stotz then said that the Recreation Center, though showing signs of wear and tear, could <br />offer many things: a cardio room overlooking the trees. The City could offer all the things that <br />other cities and private clubs do. He then complimented Betsy Drenski on her abilities at the <br />Recreation Center after he spoke with her. The whole community will pay for vision. We have a <br />lot of elderly people here; how about a jacuzzi? It’s been frustrating for Messrs. Stotz and Dial. <br /> <br />Anna Kanis then stated that, although she’s been on the Commission for a short time, she <br />understood the visitors’ concerns and accepted they have a number of good ideas. The <br />Recreation Center does need a crisis plan in place for implementation as soon as possible. She let <br />them know that, with just the last couple of meetings she attended and the new Recreation <br />Commissioner being hired, she could see some of the visitors’ suggestions brought to fruition. <br /> <br />The visitors continued by saying that everyone spoken with at the City and at the Recreation <br />Center seem to be very dedicated and committed, professional employees. They just seem to be <br />very frustrated, but Anna countered by saying that, with the new Commissioner finally coming in, <br />morale will be much higher and future improvements will take place. <br /> <br />Mr. Stotz began talking about grant money, and Mr. Gareau stated he brought it to the Rec <br />Committee of Council, who asked that the matter (lack of security) be brought before the <br />Recreation Commission on this issue. The Police Chief told Mr. Gareau that security measures <br />have been tightened at City Hall within recent months. It’s Mr. Gareau’s hope that the same <br />measures will be put in place at the Recreation Center. He said that he wanted to give the <br />visitors a timetable to allay their concerns. Mr. Stotz said that the plan of publicized security as at <br />City Hall would be more than adequate for the present time. Mr. Gareau said that sometimes <br />government works slowly, and issues don’t get discussed until they are brought up in <br />Page 9 <br /> <br />