WEST GEAUGA COMMUNITY JOINT RECREATION DISTRICT

Regular Meeting – April 21, 2026

West Geauga Library

President Greg Poe called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm. Board members present:  Ed Curtis, Chris Demas, Chris Domonkos, Kristen Foerster, Rick Izant, Linda Palchick, Greg Poe, Sara Sustin. Jason Abate and John Gromek were also present. The Board welcomed new member Chris Demas, representing the West Geauga Board of Education, 3-year term ends 2028.  Chris fills the unexpired term of Mark Vidmar.  Chris’s wife is Erin Demas, 15011 Surrey Downs, Novelty, Ohio 44072 cell - 216-233-1737.

 Pickle Ball April 2026

Quotes have been received from Vitale ( who did our path) and All Ways Paving.  Vitale was 18k cheaper.

Kristen had a fencing quote 1 K cheaper.  Ed Curtis said we have approx. 40 K to spend.  (pad, surfacing and painting.  Discussion on how to handle donations.  Flyers on our project should be made to distribute.  Sand and dirt material that is pulled out will be used to repair low spots around the park.

Will have a meeting with Ted Vitale to confirm his plans and dates for court installation.

Industrial Surface Sealer.  Chris Domonkos motioned to encumber $13,300 for lines, surfacer, topcoat and lines.  Ed Curtis seconded. How much lead time is needed for Sara Sustin to contact the company and how much cure time is needed for the asphalt before paintinf.  Vote was taken: Ed Curtis, yes; Chris Demas, yes; Chris Domonkos, yes; Kristen Foerster, yes; Rick Izant, yes; Linda Palchick, yes; Greg Poe, yes; Sara Sustin, yes; All in favor; motion carried.

Ed Curtis summarized we have $5,000.00 already encumbered for Vitale. Chris Domonkos motioned to encumber an additional $23,000 for Vitale. Ed Curtis seconded.  Chris Domonkos motioned to encumber.  Vote was taken: Ed Curtis, yes; Chris Demas, yes; Chris Domonkos, yes; Kristen Foerster, yes; Rick Izant, yes; Linda Palchick, yes; Greg Poe, yes; Sara Sustin, yes; All in favor; motion carried.

The minutes from the March 2026 meeting were presented by Clerk, Monica Gromek. Rick Izant motioned to approve the minutes; Chris Domonkos seconded.  Vote was taken: Ed Curtis, Chris Demas, Chris Domonkos, Kristen Foerster, Rick Izant, Linda Palchick, Greg Poe, Sara Sustin. All in favor, motion carried

Treasurer report - Ed Curtis

Treasurer Ed Curtis distributed the April 2026 treasurer’s report. The treasurer’s report showed: checking balance forwarded: $33,199.32; total disbursements: $18,165.00; total deposits: $48,205.57; ending checking balance: $64,239.89: Ending Savings Balance $24,521.58; total disbursements: $0; deposits: $2.15.  Chris Domonkos motioned to accept the treasurer’s report. Linda Palchick seconded.  Ed Curtis, Chris Demas, Chris Domonkos, Kristen Foerster, Rick Izant, Linda Palchick, Greg Poe, Sara Sustin. All in favor, motion carried. Linda Palchick motioned that the following bills be paid:

Abate Landscaping                                        $159.96                   doggie bags                                                                                                                                                                

Minutes March 2026                                      $ 40.00                    Monica Gromek                   

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

Facilities – Linda Palchick

There are multiple requests for the Pavilion.  1) Empower Baseball playing 1X a week for 6 weeks; after Baseball Federation games have ended for the season, on Friday July 16-August 13.  They will use runners for those players in wheelchairs.  2)  Planning has begun by Russell Twp Roads Department Head for Russell Days on Sunday July 18 at the park.  Kids, firetrucks, food trucks.  Proof of insurance will be needed.  Suggestions by Board – Banner at Pickle Ball site: “Coming soon”; Linda sent them permit information for this event.  Sara Sustin suggested we have a float in the July 4^th parade in Chesterland.   Linda Palchick sent a letter to the high school stating our Board has been locked out of the high school for several of our meeting dates, this year and last.  Permits were filed for all our meeting dates there – to be opened at 6:45 pm.  The custodian boss guaranteed the doors will be open in the future.  He can remotely open and close the doors from his house. 

Discussion of soccer games being played at our upper field.  24 games are scheduled at Newbury fields.  Only 4 at the Commons because the fields are not available in Newbury.  Bill Bryant told Greg Poe there will be lots of games at the Commons this year.  Linda Palchick will contact their Soccer rep. 

Baseball Federation – Kelly upset grass came up on the infield.  She was to have given our Board the quote she had for infield prep.  A quote was never received so we had the maintenance performed.  The field was flooded from a severe April rainstorm.  We had Innovative do the work.  Sarah Sustin talked with Kelly – The baseball field looks good and now the Baseball Federation will maintain the upkeep. 

Maintenance – Jason Abate

Our 2 bathrooms are clean.  Linda Palchick motioned to encumber $575.00 to replace the 4 big trees that were lost in the park over the winter; (2 were pear trees) and ½ cherry tree.  Ed Curtis asked Jason to give us a quote for the trees that need to be replaced.  Jason suggested lilac trees because they are very colorful in the spring, and not as fragile as the pear trees.  Linda Palchick motioned to encumber $575.00 for tree replacement and Kristen Forester seconded.  Vote was taken.  Yes: for Ed Curtis, Chris Demas, Chris Domonkos, Kristen Foerster, Rick Izant, Linda Palchick, Greg Poe, and Sara Sustin.  All in favor, motion carried. 

Sarah Sustin motioned to pay Steigerwald Septic Service $575.00 to pump our bathroom tanks.  Chris Domonkos seconded.  Vote was taken: Yes: Ed Curtis, Chris Demas, Chris Domonkos, Kristen Foerster, Rick Izant, Linda Palchick, Greg Poe, Sara Sustin. All in favor, motion carried. 

Webpage

Ed Curtis said we received a notice from the State of Ohio that our webpage must be ADA accessible.  Since we have less than 50K res in the community the deadline is April 2027.  We need to add Pickle Ball information.  Chris Domonkos suggested we contact the computer class at West G high school to help us.  Chris Domonkos will pursue information on this project.  Ed Curtis said we should not accept credit cards on our website.    Webhosting costs us $498.00/year.

Girl Scout Volleyball Court Update

Saturday May 16, 2026, will be grand opening day of the refurbished volleyball courts at The Commons.  30-40 people will help Natalie (Girl Scout) that day.  Natalie was able to obtain $2,000.00 in donations, which she will forward to the Board.

Our next meeting will be Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 7 pm at The Commons Pavilion. Kristen Foerster motioned for meeting adjournment at 7:00 pm, seconded by Ed Curtis.  Vote was taken: Ed Curtis, Chris Demas, Chris Domonkos, Kristen Foerster, Rick Izant, Linda Palchick, Greg Poe, Sara Sustin.  Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

__________________________________                           ___________________________________

Monica Gromek, clerk                                                                     Greg Poe, President