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WEST GEAUGA COMMUNITY JOINT RECREATION DISTRICT
Regular Meeting – May 19, 2026
West Geauga Commons
President Greg Poe called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Board members present: Evan Byrum, Ed Curtis, Chris Demas, Kristen Foerster, Rick Izant, Linda Palchick, Greg Poe, Sara Sustin. Jason Abate and John Gromek were also present.
The minutes from the April 2026 meeting were presented by Clerk, Monica Gromek. Rick Izant motioned to approve the minutes; Ed Curtis seconded. Vote was taken: Evan Byrum, Ed Curtis, Chris Demas, Kristen Foerster, Rick Izant, Linda Palchick, Greg Poe, Sara Sustin. All in favor, motion carried
Treasurer report - Ed Curtis
Treasurer Ed Curtis distributed the May 2026 treasurer’s report. The treasurer’s report showed: checking balance forwarded: $64,239.89; total disbursements: $8,974.96; total deposits: $42.62; ending checking balance: $55,307.55, Ending Savings Balance $24,523.60; total disbursements: $0; deposits: $2.02. Rick Izant motioned to accept the treasurer’s report. Linda Palchick seconded. All in favor, motion carried. Ed Curtis stated we have to increase our encumberment funds for Industrial Surface Sealer up to $15,300.00 in lieu of $13,300.00. Linda Palchick motioned to increase the funds $2,000.00. Kristen Foerester seconded. Vote was taken: Evan Byrum, Ed Curtis, Chris Demas, Kristen Foerster, Rick Izant, Linda Palchick, Greg Poe, Sara Sustin. All in favor, motion carried. The grommets at the volleyball court need to be in the ground ahead of time.
Kristen Foerster motioned that the following bills be paid:
Vitale $25,500.00 Two pickle ball court base
Monica Gromek $ 40.00 Minutes May 2026
Innovative $2,935.00 Baseball field prep
Steigerwald Septic $775.00 Bathroom septic tank
Sara Sustin seconded the motion. Vote was taken: Evan Byrum, Ed Curtis, Chris Demas, Kristen Foerster, Rick Izant, Linda Palchick, Greg Poe, Sara Sustin. All in favor, motion carried
Facilities – Linda Palchick
Soccer Club is not using our fields as there are not many games this year. Pavilion Usage has 5 confirmed permits. There are 16 picnic tables in the me Pavilion. There was a game being played with no permit. Email received from Tina (Rec Council) no game last Saturday. No permit submitted for it. There are communication problems with Tina. Their insurance expires on June 8. Need a new certificate of insurance for current year.
Nate Vargo, who coaches girls WGHS soccer, asked if they can scrimmage at The Commons Thursday (day/week) in June? Linda has schedule: on each Wednesday in July to July 29th, 2026. Need proof of Insurance; Jason Abate can stripe the field.
Linda heard the soccer fields at Newbury are too wet; games had to be cancelled and rescheduled to the Commons. Giovanni, at Russell Twp Road Dept. asked for Pavilion usage on Saturday, July 18. Jason Abate replaced 2 trees.
Pickle Ball
6” asphalt base will be done June 7-8. The cost of posts and nets to be installed is $6K if Industrial Surface Sealer is used. Gromets need to be installed prior to painting. Twenty-five days after asphalt cures, painting can be done. The Board thanked Ed Curtis for doing a great job with the Pickle Ball finances. Sara Sustin gave a full Pickleball Project report to Russell Township. We need some possible financial help from Russell Township. Another budget meeting will be held soon in Russell Township; as the Commons Pickleball project remains on their radar. Russell Township did a supplemental appropriation for a Fire Truck but our request for funding the pickleball court was not included. Another budget meeting will be held. Nets and fencing are needed. This project may go into the 2027 budget for both us and Russell Township. Projected Pickleball expenses: Vitale $25,500.00; Industrial $15,300 nets and posts; Fencing $13,500.00. Greg Poe asked if there are any other sources of income. Is a fundraiser needed? Suggestions: Post information at the site – Coming SOON! “Home of 2 Pickleball courts”. Send information letters to local groups: Kiwanis? Greg Poe will contact Fred Nevar at Rotary. Float at July 4th parade? Advertise financial donations can be accepted – give information to send checks to our PO Box. Prefer that no Credit Cards be accepted. Pickleball path will be ADA compliant for accessibility.
Update on Natalie’s Girl Scout Gold Award project at our Volleyball Court. Natalie raised $1,300.00. May 30, 2026, was date that Natalie will host the Girl Scouts. Question if sand could be added to the volleyball court area. Her project donations were listed on a banner next to the court.
Our website - $495.00 is the annual cost to host our domain. Our website needs to be updated to ADA compliance to make access more easily. Can we possibly get help from the students at WG High school to begin this updating process? Kristen Foerster will discuss with Chris Domonkos with information presented at our June 2026 meeting.
2026-2027 Election of WGCJRD officers
Kristen Foerster motioned to maintain the current slate of officers for the 2026-2027 term. Greg Poe, President; Rick Izant, Vice President; Ed Curtis, Treasurer; Linda Palchick, Secretary. Evan Byrum seconded. Vote was taken: Evan Byrum, Ed Curtis, Chris Demas, Kristen Foerster, Rick Izant, Linda Palchick, Greg Poe, Sara Sustin. All in favor, motion carried
Ed Curtis motioned for meeting adjournment at 7:37 pm. Rick Izant seconded. Vote was taken: Evan Byrum, Ed Curtis, Chris Demas, Kristen Foerster, Rick Izant, Linda Palchick, Greg Poe, Sara Sustin. All in favor, motion carried
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________________ ___________________________________
Monica Gromek, Clerk Greg Poe, President
