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Recreation Commission Meeting November 3, 2003 convenience of the Commission members and would take into account the cycle more cohesively. Ms. Hayes asked the earliest time of the month to meet for current financials. Mr. DiSalvo said that the second Monday of the month would provide enough time; however, this must be verified. Mr. Kelley said that the reason the date was changed to the first Monday was because of conflicting schedules of some of the members. Ms. Hayes said she would not change the date until all members of the Commission were present. Mr. DiSalvo said he still hadn't heard an answer from the Finance Director yet (respecting expense/income numbers), but he hoped by the beginning of April there could be up-to-date figures. The Commissioner then stated that the biggest factors bringing the income levels down for the Rec Department are the numbers for the rink and concession. If people aren't coming to the rink, usually concession goes down as well. The concession stand still gets business from the swimmers and tennis, but the main contributor is ice rink usage. Aside from groups going to Strongsville, and Mr. DiSalvo knows the pricing is higher there, he doesn't understand why there's such a flux going away from North Olmsted's rink. He continued that there is so much ice time not being used in North Olmsted; it makes no sense that local groups would go elsewhere. Mr. DiSalvo said he knows Rocky River is having the same difficulty in booking ice, and they have something similar for their Friday Night Skates as well. Generally speaking, Rocky River's numbers on the ice are down as well. He does not know if it's due to economic conditions or maybe there is a lack of interest in a generation. The Commissioner would like to have answers to the Commission by next month because, if this is a long-term trend, something must be done to salvage the rink. Mr. Baxter said that, looking at this year's (September) month ($30,621.20) in comparison to last year's (14,347.20), the figures have more than doubled. It seemed to him that whatever's being done now is being done right. Mr. DiSalvo said that the $30,621.20 figure might have been due to late billing and includes more than one month. Mr. Kelley stated that another thing to be taken into consideration is that the schools are through with their fall sports; football's over with, and the kids will be looking to go to the Rec Center for entertainment. August, September and October figures are a little bit slow because of that fact. Mr. DiSalvo's concern is in the learn-to-skate program because it has been going down for the last two years. That particular program is the key to the Rec's rink program. The Commissioner said he would get in depth about this next month because he's currently gathering information to share with the Commission. There will be some restructuring of the Rink Department. There must be a stronger learn to skate person to take care of the program, because at the present time it's under contract. Jeff Marshall cannot get into the program the way he wants to because he's not a city employee, and the rules for contract employees do not provide for supervisory roles. Mr. Kelley suggested that Mr. Gareau take a look at this matter, because it might be in a city ordinance. Mr. DiSalvo reported that before the last three years, there was a rink person in charge. Once Todd got promoted to Commissioner, many city employees were gone from the rink programs. In addition to this and with the Strongsville rink and now talk about Avon and many other surrounding cities getting rinks, long-term, the Rec must look into what's going to be best. Ms. Hayes asked if it would be possible to contact one of the groups that's gone to Strongsville and perhaps find out through survey why they did. Mr. DiSalvo responded that it was his Page 2