MINUTES

RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD:                                                                     LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

REGULAR MEETING                                                                                                     OCTOBER 28, 2015

The following were in ATTENDANCE:

BOARD MEMBERS                                              TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL
Greg Mahon, Chairman                                       Donna Paul, Township Representative
Susan Parry, Vice Chairman                               H. Edward Black, Commissioner
Richard Grove, Secretary                                    Julie Echterling, Recording Secretary
Scott Duncanson
Bob Pelles
James Kaiser
ABSENT:
Carolyn Kohr

Mr. Mahon called the October 28, 2015 Regular Meeting of the Recreation and Parks Board to order at 7:04 pm.

APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES:
Mr. DUNCANSON made a motion to approve the minutes from the September 23, 2015 meeting. Ms. PARRY seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT:
Beacon Hill (all areas)
There were no comments.

LIAISON REPORT – COMMISSIONER H. EDWARD BLACK:
Commissioner Black stated they are wrapping up summer season and finishing the park for the winter. He stated he is here to hear the Board’s ideas about the Yellow Breeches Park.

RECREATION AND PARKS STAFF REPORT/ACTIVITIES REPORT:
Mrs. Paul discussed the following activities from her monthly memo:
     • Ball field grooming for fall leagues will continue through late October.
     • She asked everyone to review the dates below for 2016 and report back about them next meeting
          • March 19, 2016 for Easter Egg Hunt.
          • April 30, 2016 for the Gardeners Gathering.

Mrs. Paul stated her report outlined the tasks completed by the Parks Operational Staff in October. Ms. Parry asked about volunteers for cleaning the rain garden for the fall this Sunday. She stated it would take about an hour of work. She thanked Donna for all her efforts.

OLD BUSINESS
Park Recommendations – Follow-Up
Mr. Mahon thanked Mr. Duncanson for presenting the Board’s recommendations at the Board of Commissioners meeting. He stated Mr. Vernau sent the Board a letter outlining a response to each of their suggestions. He stated he would like to follow-up with the Township about the trail around LACP. Mrs. Paul stated there is a need for the loop trail and the Township will seek grants for building the trails. The Board would like to be part of the discussions for a potential trail system at LACP. Discussion ensued.

Yellow Breeches Park
Mr. Mahon stated he saw what was going on at the park during their park tour in May. He feels the park has a natural area feeling and should stay that way. Ms. Parry stated she believes the Yellow Breeches Watershed could be involved in discussions for the park.

President Black stated he has spoken with Upper Allen and Messiah College who have had the same issues this summer. He spoke about the Fishing and Gaming Commission issue this weekend in Upper Allen with kayaking and duck hunting. He stated the bulk of the problem is coming from Fairview. He believes there needs to be a meeting with Upper Allen, Fairview, Yellow Breeches Watershed and Lower Allen to come up with a solution. He stated they would like the park to reopen.

Mr. Duncanson asked if an outfitter with more official knowledge of putting in and taking out would help on the weekends. Ms. Parry isn’t sure this would be feasible. He asked if the garden plots expanded. Mrs. Paul stated they were expanded a few years ago but she isn’t sure there is a demand for more of them. She mentioned Mr. Vernau’s memo from last month that outlined questions/suggestions to consider. Mr. Duncanson agrees with the dawn to dusk hours.

Ms. Parry would like to have a meeting to come up with ideas with the other parties that are having similar issues. She doesn’t think this is a new issue and believes a meeting of the parties could help. She spoke about Lori Keiffer-Yeich of PA DCNR who would be a great person to facilitate a meeting. Mr. Grove believes there needs to be an iron clad plan and believes the park should be open for trout season. Ms. Parry will reach out to Mrs. Keiffer-Yeich to setup a meeting. President Black suggested about having meetings with the other parties and listen to them and come up with a solution.

President Black suggested the group take their comments tonight and give them to Mr. Vernau and he can reach out to the other managers and set up a meeting. Ms. Parry is going to reach out to DCNR. Mrs. Paul asked to be cc’d on the e-mail along with Mr. Vernau, Recreation and Parks Board members and President Black.

NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Grove provided an update on Charter Homes. He spoke about the letter sent to the Planning Commission from the Board about recreation. He stated it was shared with Charter Homes. The Planning Commission tabled their plans. They were at the Board of Commissioner’s meeting on Monday and stated they would be submitting a recreation plan. He stated the next Recreation and Parks Board meeting is a day after the Planning Committee. He stated they were granted an extension on their plans until December. Ms. Parry thanked Mr. Grove for preparing the letter. President Black asked the Board to make specific suggestions to Charter Homes on active recreation. He spoke about their master plan and how he wants to see their master plan before any action is taken. Mr. Mahon spoke about their previous meeting with Charter Homes. Discussion ensued.

ADJOURN
The Regular Meeting of the Recreation and Parks Board adjourned at 7:47 pm.

Next meeting is Wednesday, November 18^th at 7:00 pm.