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WEST GEAUGA COMMUNITY JOINT RECREATION DISTRICT
Regular Meeting – July 8, 2025
West Geauga Commons
President Greg Poe called the meeting to order at 6:07 pm. Board members present: Ed Curtis, Chris Domonkos, Rick Izant, Sara Sustin, Kristen Foerster, Greg Poe and Mark Vidmar. John Gromek was also present.
The minutes from the June 2025 meeting were presented by Monica Gromek. Additions/corrections to add to document. Will be approved at our August 2025 meeting.
Girl Scout Natalie George discussed with the Board her wish to complete her Girl Scout Gold Award project to improve our volleyball court. Discussion on her costs of the project. Fundraising will be needed. Ideas: possible volleyball camp; asking for donations; Net and steel poles (+padding on the poles). Estimate cost of project $2200.00. Board looking at longevity of this project. Mark Vidmar suggested Natalie look at the courts at the Rec Council camp.
Treasurer report - Ed Curtis
Treasurer Ed Curtis distributed the July 2025 treasurer’s report. The treasurer’s report showed: checking balance forwarded: $43,869.15; total disbursements: $19,277.88; 79; total deposits: $360.00; ending checking balance: $24,951.36: Ending Savings Balance $24,503.18; total disbursements: $0; deposits: $2.58: Mark Vidmar motioned to accept the treasurer’s report. Sara Sustin seconded. Vote was taken – Ed Curtis-yes; Chris Domonkos-yes; Rick Izant-yes; Sara Sustin-yes; Kristen Foerster-yes; Greg Poe-yes; Mark Vidmar-yes. All in favor, motion carried.
Ed Curtis distributed and explained the 2026 Budget Detail, including an estimate of 2026 expenses. Our monies are generated from a .2 mill levy originated in 1988 – for the tax base in Russell, Munson, Chester, Hunting Valley, and Newbury. 2.70 per $100,000 evaluation.
The Annual Park District Budget for Geauga County was distributed. Ed Curtis, our Fiscal Officer, will sign this and then submit it to the County Auditor. Report summarizes 2023, 2024 actual spending amounts, plus 2025 (6 mo.) actual expenditures + 2025 estimates for the ending 6 months of this year. Estimated figures for 2026 also listed.
The Annual Appropriation Resolution for the West Geauga Joint Recreation District was read by clerk Monica Gromek.
The Board of Trustees of the West Geauga Community Joint Recreation District, Geauga County, Ohio, met in General Session on the 8th day of July 2025 at the West Geauga Commons Park with the following member(s) present: Rick Izant, Ed Curtis, Greg Poe, Chris Domonkos, Sara Sustin, Kristen Foerster, and Mark Vidmar. Kristen Foerster moved the adoption of the following Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees of the West Geauga Community Joint Recreation District, Geauga County, Ohio that to provide the current expenses and other expenditures of said Board of Trustees, during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026 the following sums be and the same are hereby set aside and appropriated for the several purposes for which expenditures are to be made for the and during said fiscal year as follows, viz:
60 Program Facility Expense $97,000
Total General Fund $97,000
CAPITAL FUND
Capital Improvements $29,000
101 Capital Improvement $29,000
TOTAL ALL FUNDS $126,000
Rick Izant seconded the resolution and the roll being called upon its adoption, the vote resulted as follows: Rick Izant, yes; Ed Curtis, yes; Greg Poe, yes; Chris Domonkos, yes; Kristen Foerster, yes; Sara Sustin, yes; Mark Vidmar, yes.
Adopted this 8th day of July 2025
Clerk, Monica Gromek
Facilities – Linda Palchick - No information yet on a date for starting of the fall soccer season but should be about the 3rd week in August. Campers from Highland Heights Recreation Department will be here tomorrow, July 9th with 85 campers (for the day). They will be divided into 2 groups – here and at the gymnastic facility in Chesterland. Jason Abate is on vacation. A message was sent to Maria, who is here every day, reminding her of the group being at the Commons. The pavilion, volleyball and lower soccer field will also be used. An additional permit for Pavilion-use in August was approved.
Pickle Ball - Sara Sustin showed concern on how fixed the budget figures are. Is the pickle ball project on or off the table? Ed Curtis explained the Capital funds come from donations and fees and this is a budget figure and not tied to a specific project. Mark Vidmar asked if money could be transferred between accounts. The explanation of what is General Fund and what is Capital fund was discussed and how it is appropriated. There was a discussion on the wording of our levy. The levy wordage says it is for “Recreational purposes” and maintenance of the park. There was a bond issue attempt in 2003-04 to seek funds to construct a baseball field for smaller children. Russell Township and the residents on Riverside were against the bond issue and it was defeated. Ed showed a map of the proposed baseball field and the park layout. A discussion of history of the park was given along with a recap of recent projects: new restrooms, junior soccer field, update of playground, paving of the path. Rick Izant noted that a new merry-go-round was purchased when the playground was updated and careful attention was paid to ADA requirements. There was additional discussion of the map and it was noted that our portion of the land is 37 acres, owned by Geauga County, and there is 32 acres across the river, owned by Russell Township, but is not accessible except through West River Drive. The addition of electricity at the park was discussed and noted that capital improvements must be approved by both Russell Township and the Geauga County Commissioners according to our lease.
Maintenance - The park is in very good condition. Backfilling of the new paved area of the path will be done next week. A lady now brings her mom in a wheelchair, and thanked the Board for paving the path. Decisions will be needed for further path paving; as the path by the river may have to be relocated.
Website – Chris Domonkos said all information is up to date.
Baseball Field – Lengthy discussion on the shape of the field last season and this season. Our Board does not have a full-time maintenance person for the field maintenance. In the 2024 season there were many complaints on the condition of the field; which was maintained by the Baseball Federation. Sara Sustin and Kristen Foerster had discussed this situation with Kelly of the Baseball Federation. All groups using our fields are asked to attend our Board meeting annually early in the year to discuss the upcoming use of our fields. Baseball Federation, Kelly Graham, did attend this year’s annual meeting.
Our Board made the decision to maintain the baseball field prep this year. The fields must be lined for the games as the umpires need the lines. Discussion on how this can be done. It was decided that Innovative Concepts would drag and line the field on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the Federation would be responsible for all other times. Chalk and liner can be put in baseball shed, so it can be easily accessible for lining. Question if the fall travel leagues will use our field. This month there were too many phone calls, and texts between our Board Members and the baseball federation concerning our baseball field. Sara Sustin suggested a Subcommittee be formed for field usage and guidelines. All the board would be included in the information. This could help streamline communications. Can groups be formed – under the Sunshine Rules. This subject may be easier to discuss during the fall/winter Joint Rec Board monthly meetings. A fall maintenance plan for the baseball field is necessary and will be discussed at the August meeting.
Discussions continued with questions - if Pee Wee Baseball and Pee Wee Football can play at The Commons. Rick Izant stated that we have had lacrosse games at The Commons. We are open to usage, but we need to maintain our fields. Since the Newbury field is now being used the lower soccer field has less usage. Mark Vidmar questioned what is the WGJRD mission statement? Ed Curtis explained that our founding fathers established the park for recreational use and the addition of pickle ball courts furthers our mission. The Pavilion was built as a shelter to get out of rain and bad weather. Ed Curtis stated the lower soccer field could possibly be used as a practice field. A running club was using the park and was told by someone they needed a permit to use the park. Sara will reach out to the group and handle any miss communication.
Ed Curtis motioned for meeting adjournment at 7:05 pm. Sara Sustin seconded. Meeting adjourned. We all then enjoyed a delicious BBQ – Chef John Gromek at the grill. Many delicious side dishes were brought by the Board members.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________________ _____________________________
Monica Gromek, Clerk Greg Poe, President
