EMPORIA RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES March 21st, 2011

The Regular Board Meeting was called to order by Chairperson Roger Hartsook. OTHER MEMBERS PRESENT: Britton Hart, Susan Rathke, Mike Helbert and Jim Markowitz. GUESTS PRESENT: Connie Smith (Assistant Director), Jennifer Bennett (Marketing Supervisor), Barb Rourk (Wellness Supervisor), Brian Erwin (Sports Supervisor), Al Slappy (Indoor Maintenance Supervisor), Liz Hollar (Bookkeeper), Leon Ramirez (Vice President of TRYSA Board), Daryl Carter, Jeremy Shapiro (Emporia Gazette), and Stephanie Dreasher (Clerk of the Board).

Mike Helbert moved to approve the Consent Agenda and Jim Markowitz seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0.

The Director reported that numbers are down overall in the building and significantly down in the Game Room. A few days the Rec. Center was closed due to snow.

The 1A State Basketball tournament was the second week in March and the tournament brought in more revenue and attendance than any of the 6A State tournaments that use to be hosted in Emporia.

The Director reported on the absorption of TRYSA operations and currently everything is at a stand still because no title can be found for the land TRYSA has their soccer fields on, and TRYSA will not dissolve until Emporia Rec. agrees to take over all financials. The Director is working with the City of Emporia on finding the title and will report back with the findings at the next regular board meeting.

The Director reported on the HVAC unit for Phases II/III (gymnasium, Fitness Room, locker rooms, racquetball, and pool) to make repairs the estimate is approximately $60,000.00 and to get a new unit would cost approximately $130,000.00. The “feeling of taking care of what you have” was spoken of and that “there is an obligation to the people who use the Rec. Center and to the people of Emporia to take care of the current building”.

Mike Helbert moved to approve the Director get local bids to replace the HVAC unit for Phases II/III and Jim Markowitz seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0.

The Director requested to move the next Regular Board meeting for April to the 11th because the Mid-West NRPA Conference is being held during the 18th of April and he will be attending the conference.

Jim Markowitz moved to approve the Regular Board Meeting be moved to April 11th and Britton Hart seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0. The Director and his committee interviewed several architecture firms and have selected two firms for Renovations/new Rec. Center (Emig and Associates and Gould Evans) and two firms for Renovating/new ball fields (CHA Sports and VSR Design). The Director would like each firm to present to the board spending about an hour with each. The Director is looking to have the presentations in May and June.

Next Regular Board Meeting is Monday, April 11th, 2011 at 4:30 pm.

Susan Rathke moved to adjourn the meeting and Mike Helbert seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0.

______Prepared by Stephanie Dreasher, Clerk Approved by Britton Hart, Secretary