WEST GEAUGA COMMUNITY JOINT RECREATION DISTRICT

Regular Meeting – April 15, 2025

West Geauga High School Library 13401 Chillicothe Road, Chesterland.

President Greg Poe called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Board members present:  Evan Byrum (needs approval; term expired April 1, 2025), Ed Curtis, Chris Domonkos, Kristen Foerster, Rick Izant, Sara Sustin, Linda Palchick, and Greg Poe. Jason Abate and John Gromek were also present.

The minutes from the March 2025 meeting were presented by Monica Gromek. Ed Curtis motioned to accept the minutes; Rick Izant seconded. Vote was taken -sh Ed Curtis-yes; Chris Domonkos-yes; Kristen Foerster-yes; Rick Izant-yes; Sara Sustin-yes; Linda Palchick-yes; Greg Poe-yes. All in favor, motion carried.

Treasurer report - Ed Curtis

Treasurer Ed Curtis distributed the April 2025 treasurer’s report. The treasurer’s report showed: checking balance forwarded: $45,402.09; total disbursements: $36,109.00; total deposits: $44,967.95; ending checking balance: $54,261.04. Savings balance forwarded: $24,490.54; disbursements: $0; deposits: $5.19. Linda Palchick motioned to accept the treasurer’s report. Rick Izant seconded Vote was taken – Ed Curtis-yes; Chris Domonkos-yes; Kristen Foerster-yes; Rick Izant-yes; Sara Sustin-yes; Linda Palchick-yes; Greg Poe-yes. All in favor, motion carried.

Sara Sustin motioned, and Rick Izant seconded to pay the following bills:                                                                                                             

Chris Domonkos (reimbursement) AED’s                                               $ 4,252.00                             

Monica Gromek                              April 2025 minutes                           $ 40.00

Vote was taken – Ed Curtis-yes; Chris Domonkos-yes; Kristen Foerster-yes; Rick Izant-yes; Sara Sustin-yes; Linda Palchick-yes; Greg Poe-yes. All in favor, motion carried.

Facilities – Linda

Linda Palchick said that soccer starts April 20. The graduation party is still scheduled for June 15, 2025.  Mayfield Village Parks & Recreation Dept. has requested use of the pavilion and soccer field on July 9th for summer camp field trip.  Pavilion was approved and she is awaiting insurance coverage to approve field use.

Maintenance

 Jason Abate has fertilized and lined the soccer fields.  Jason also reported that with the heavy rains recently, a big chunk of land fell into the river.  The trail will need to be redirected away from the river.   Trucks cannot get back to this area of the park until June or July when it dries out.  Jason will install a post rail to block off this area.  Ed Curtis motioned to encumber $200.00 for this project.  Rick Izant seconded. Vote was taken – Ed Curtis-yes; Chris Domonkos-yes; Kristen Foerster-yes; Rick Izant-yes; Sara Sustin-yes; Linda Palchick-yes; Greg Poe-yes. All in favor, motion carried.

Board discussion on the plastic doggie pots in the park.  They are deteriorating since they are about 15 years old. Jason said they would be about $300.00 each. Linda Palchick motioned to encumber $1,000.00 to purchase 3 new metal doggie pots.  Rick Izant seconded. Vote was taken – Ed Curtis-yes; Chris Domonkos-yes; Kristen Foerster-yes; Rick Izant-yes; Sara Sustin-yes; Linda Palchick-yes; Greg Poe-yes. All in favor, motion carried. 

Jason leveled the baseball diamond.  Sara Sustin questioned striping of the diamond; it should be dragged before each game. Baseball federation to do?  It is in our rules that the field must be lined.

Old business

 AED’s – Both AED boxes have been installed – 1 at the lower bathroom and 1 at the park bulletin board.  The Geauga Health department states that Narcan kits are already included.

New business 

Pickle Ball – Discussion about the volleyball courts area.  A Girl Scout proposed to spruce up the volleyball court with new posts. etc.  Greg Poe will contact her. Lengthy discussion of possible placement of a pickle ball court(s) and costs.  With large park projects in the past, each township donated $5K each towards the project. Can we ask for corporate donations?  First this project will be presented to Russell Township as the park is in their township. This would be a 2026 project.  Permits needed?  Chester did an excellent job installing their pickle ball courts.  Court measurements will need to be taken for these courts in the volleyball area.  Volleyball posts are rotted.  Advertise this project?  Any donations? Kristen Foerster stated that no one applied for the 2024 ODNR grant in our area.  55K/year ODNR can be reimbursed up to 75%.  Should court be asphalt or concrete?  Have 3 volleyball courts presently – should pickle ball court(s) replace 1? 2? courts?  Still keep volleyball court?  Sara Sustin suggested a grassy division between these courts.  Jason Abate can drag the sand. 

Board members Sara Sustin and Kristen Foerster will be the project chairmen for this project; gathering information on project needs.   Kristen said maybe an ODNR grant could be obtained.  Discussion continued as to where the pickle courts would be placed in the volleyball area; nearer to the woods/better drainage there?  Will the area include 1 volleyball court or 2 courts? 

Chris Domonkos said there is an ODNR grant for park paths.  Deadline was March 15, 2025.  Chris will look at this project for 2026 including ADA compliance.

Board discussion to invite our governing entities to attend a WGCJRD meeting to see what we do for the park. 

Mark Vidmar will replace Frank Formicelli, who did not renew for an additional 3-year term, as our new member from West Geauga Board of Education. 

The WGCJRD slate of officers for 2026 presented:  President Greg Poe, Vice-President Rick Izant, Treasurer – Ed Curtis, Secretary – Linda Palchick.  Sara Sustin motioned to accept this slate; Kristen Foerster seconded.  Vote was taken – Ed Curtis-yes; Chris Domonkos-yes; Kristen Foerster-yes; Rick Izant-yes; Sara Sustin-yes; Linda Palchick-yes; Greg Poe-yes. All in favor, motion carried.

Ed Curtis motioned for meeting adjournment; Chris Domonkos seconded.  Vote was taken – Ed Curtis-yes; Chris Domonkos-yes; Kristen Foerster-yes; Rick Izant-yes; Sara Sustin-yes; Linda Palchick-yes; Greg Poe-yes. All in favor, motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

__________________________                     ____________________________

Monica Gromek, Clerk                                            Greg Poe, President