01/18/2000 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Council Minutes 1/18/2000 she participated in was cancelled due to low enrollment. Mr. Limpert noted that Westlake charges residents several hundred dollars to belong to their recreation center and wondered how Mrs. Scardina would feel about the same situation in North Olmsted. Mrs. Scardina said that in some instances, that's not bad. She is not closing out any ideas, but would like to see our programs expanded. North Olmsted does have great programs for kids, but we need more than that. She wondered if the city could re-capture the space now leased to Cablevision at the Rec Center. That would provide more area to expand activities. She also has concerns about the maintenance of the building as the aerobics and gymnastics area is dirty and the roof leaks. Mrs. Scardina would also like to see the Rec Center promoted/advertised more. She personally tried to secure advertising at the mall. Mr. Gareau commented that he had mentioned about eight months ago that he felt the city should take a good, long and hard look at its recreation program- specifically, at its facilities. People would agree that recreation today is not what is was six to eight years ago. It is a different environment as communities are now building rec centers. A few years ago, ice rinks on the west side were a hot commodity. It was difficult to get ice time, but North Olmsted was one of the few communities with a rec center and ice rink. The city does not have one indoor basketball court and our outdoor tennis facility could not be opened this past year because of a pavement upheaval. He believes it is important for Council and the administration to look at the city's recreational facilities. Our facility hasn't adjusted with the times, and we need to know what the residents want. Mayor Musial told Mrs. Scardina that the problem probably is worse than she can imagine. We have an aging facility which we are putting money into and running on a shoestring. He dreads the day when the pipes under the ice rink need to be replaced. During the past administration, the city channeled its resources into fixing flooding problems, which he agreed with. Fortunately, those problems have been resolved. We are now in a position to start channeling our money into the recreation area. However, it is not afirst-order system, and it's not going to happen overnight. Mr. Limpert, chairperson of the Recreation Committee, noted that there have been hundreds of thousands of dollars spent at the Rec Center. For example, there is a new roof over the ice skating rink. The ice skating rink is very important and is a major revenue source for the facility. At its last meeting, the Recreation Commission discussed over three million dollars of improvements they would love to do this year. But, the money is not there. Approximately, five to six hundred thousand dollars will be spent this year. However, during the next five years, residents will be able to see marked improvements at the facility. He appreciates Mrs. Scardina's support and hopes that she will continue to promote the city's recreational facilities. President Saringer thanked Mrs. Scardina for her comments and said that she is welcome to attend Recreation Commission or Council committee meetings. Mr. Gareau said that perhaps part of the process of reviewing the city's recreational facilities will be letting the people of North Olmsted decide what they want by way of a vote on a tax issue. Trudy Schooley, 30660 Bradley Road, along-time resident, runs a small boarding and grooming shop on her property. Mrs. Schooley expressed her concern because she received a letter from an appraisal company saying the city was interested in acquiring her property. She has been a good citizen, has helped to keep the property around hers :~ clean and believes her property is an asset to the city. However, the letter she received ;,~. 7 :,.. ,.: ~:~,