BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS October 18, 2018 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Cincinnati Board of Park Commissioners was held on this day at 950 Eden Park Drive. Commissioners present: President Brad Lindner, Vice President Jim Goetz, Commissioner Susan Castellini, Commissioner Linda Thomas, and Commissioner Kevin Flynn. President Lindner called the meeting to order at 9:04 A.M. PUBLIC COMMENTS President Lindner declared public comments should be turned in before 9 a.m. and will be presented at the start of Park Board Meetings. He then called the first speaker, Rama Kasturi. Rama Kasturi asked if the Board had authorized Clifton Cultural Arts Center (CCAC) to conduct an environmental study. She also asked for clarification on the difference between the Park Board and the Board of Park Commissioners, and what Mr. Walcutt's role is. President Lindner stated he is not aware of any authorization of an environmental study. President Lindner clarified that the Commissioners themselves are the Board of Park Commissioners and the Park Board is the entire organization including Park Board staff. Director Walcutt agreed. President Lindner called the second speaker Joyce Rich of Clifton Town Meeting (CTM) to the podium. Ms. Rich said CTM has not taken any stance on CCAC relocating to Burnet Woods and CTM would like a continuation of the Park Board's investigative process. She added there are people in Clifton who support CCAC relocating into Burnet Woods. President Lindner called the third speaker, Malcolm Montgomery of Clifton Town Meeting (CTM) to the podium. Malcolm Montgomery, speaking on behalf of CTM, requested the Park Board to not make a decision regarding CCAC or the Camping Education Foundation during the October 18th 2018 Board Meeting, to continue the process of gaining input from the surrounding community of Burnet Woods, and that adequate notice is given when an official decision is made. Brad Lindner called the fourth speaker, Gerald Checco to the podium. Gerald Checco spoke of the opportunity of moving CCAC into Burnet Woods. He described a list of prominent cultural centers within parks around the world including the Cincinnati Art Museum in Cincinnati Parks' Eden Park. He added it is an assumption that building in Burnet Woods would harm the environment. Park Board staff is talented and experienced and could handle building CCAC inside Burnet Woods. President Lindner called the fifth speaker Cindy Herrick, President of the Clifton Cultural Arts Center (CCAC) to the podium. Cindy Herrick complimented the Camping and Education Foundation as a great organization and stated support for them in Burnet Woods. She wanted to see the community engagement process continue, and stated there should not be a decision made regarding CCAC that day. CCAC has not presented drawings or conducted a study on the environment yet. Commissioner Castellini stated that in a community meeting it was decided that both CCAC and Camping Education Foundation should move forward with presenting suggested plans, including building drawings, and financials. Commissioner Castellini asked why CCAC has not yet presented any ideas. Cindy Herrick answered by saying CCAC had a scheduled meeting on September 7, 2018 to present ideas, but CCAC was told there was an understanding that Camping and Education Foundation would go into Burnet Woods, and because of the controversy CCAC was given word to not continue working on the project. CCAC submitted a potential environmental proposal, and received two quotes, and is willing to continue working on a proposal for Burnet Woods. Vice President Goetz stated that based on previous meetings and notes he was unclear if CCAC was asked to move forward with an environmental impact study. Vice President Goetz shared Cindy Herrick's concern about mixed messages in the Burnet Woods Community Engagement Process and understood the Clifton community perspective of the process being short circuited. Cindy Herrick clarified CCAC was asked to pursue an environmental study at the June 28, 2018 meeting. The Clifton Cultural Arts Center (CCAC) was told the Burnet Woods process ended. Vice President Goetz questioned the process because Clifton Town Meeting (CTM) received word that the Park Board was not moving forward with CCAC and the Burnet Woods process. Cindy Herrick stated CCAC received word that Camping and Education Foundation (CEF) was going in Burnet Woods, but weeks passed without that information reaching the public. Clifton Cultural Arts Center (CCAC) did not ask CTM to put forth a resolution on CCAC's behalf. Cindy Herrick added miscommunication has been an issue in the Burnet Woods process. President Lindner called the sixth speaker Steve Slack to the podium. Steve Slack commented on how Preserve Burnet Woods has strengthened the Cincinnati Parks Advisory Council (CPAC). Steve asked the Board to support CPAC's involvement with the removal of invasive species in Burnet Woods. Steve gave an opinion that Burnet Woods should remain tranquil and he doesn't support CCAC's potential move to Burnet Woods. He stated The University of Cincinnati is already a cultural center on what was originally Burnet Woods. APPROVAL OF MINUTES President Lindner motioned for approval of the September 20, 2018 minutes. Commissioner Castellini moved to approve the minutes. Commissioner Thomas seconded the motion. Motion was approved by vote. PARK POLICE REPORT Captain Neville stated Vice Mayor Smitherman asked Captain Neville to give a presentation on the situation in Piatt Park. The presentation will be given in conjunction with Parks Staff and DCI on Monday October 29th 2018 at the Law and Public Safety Committee of City Council. STAFF RECOGNITION Dave Gamstetter, Interim Division Manager, introduced Johnnie Taylor Jr. for staff recognition. Johnnie Taylor Jr. has multiple accommodation letters from multiple supervisors for his dedication as a Laborer. President Lindner was impressed with Johnnie's dedication and commitment to the job and his attendance despite challenges. STAFF APPOINTMENTS The Park Board was asked to approve the promotion of Johnnie Taylor Jr. and Louis Sand Jr. as full-time laborers for East District. The candidates were ranked as the number one and number two recommendations for the appointments. President Lindner asked for a motion to approve the promotions. Vice President Goetz motioned to approve, and Commissioner Flynn seconded. The motion was approved by vote. The Park Board was asked to approve the appointment of Mary Unterreiner as an Administrative Specialist with a working title of Executive Assistant. Mary Unterreiner's experience stood out amongst 500 applicants. She served as Executive Director for The Boone Conservancy, and has volunteered as a Secretary for the Kentucky Land Trusts Coalition and Rabbit Hash Historical Society. President Lindner asked for a motion to approve hiring Mary Unterreiner. Commissioner Flynn motioned to approve. It was seconded. The motion was approved by vote. OLD BUSINESS Camping and Education Foundation Director Walcutt introduced Hugh Haller of Camping and Education Foundation (CEF) to provide an update on their proposed plan to partner with Cincinnati Parks and join Burnet Woods. Hugh Haller stated he wanted to bring more clarity to the proposal and ask for approval. The new Camping and Education Foundation center in Burnet Woods would involve a renovation of the Trailside Nature Center and some additional space added. Hugh Haller stated it would not be a new building, but the utilization of the existing Trailside Nature Center. Camping and Education Foundation also wanted to be involved in the revitalization of Burnet Woods, including trail maintenance. Burnet Woods is important because ofits central location adjacent to The University of Cincinnati, a planned partner. Camping and Education Foundation is about giving kids an opportunity to experiment, engage with nature, and provide the opportunity to fail and learn. The Foundation is also engaging with teenagers, an area Cincinnati Parks is looking to engage more. The Foundation has partnered with Cincinnati Parks, and the University of Cincinnati for years, both are interested in expanding these partnerships. He added becoming a part of the Clifton community and getting to know the community is critical. The programming teaches camping education including fire building, woodworking and boat building, canoeing, and Native American culture and crafts. The design of the addition to Trailside Nature Center will most likely be on the lower backside of the building. Some of the addition may include the woodworking and a boat building shop, outdoor classroom space, storage, and concession building renovation. Existing space is to be determined. The budget is estimated to be $150,000 to $200,000 a year with about a million dollars going into the building; and $250,000 already committed. The next steps mentioned were working collaboratively with Cincinnati Parks and coming up with actual building and finance plans. Director Walcutt clarified the presentation was an update and no action is required from the Park Board. Commissioner Flynn commented that Mt. Airy Forest should not be forgotten as a potential location for Camping and Education Foundation's programs. In response, Hugh Haller said he does imagine a phase two where Burnet Woods is a hub and programming expands to other parks. Vice President Goetz asked what it was Hugh Haller was looking from the Park Board that day? Hugh Haller requested that there be a vote to approve going in the presentation's stated direction, so Camping and Education Foundation could dedicate more time to a more thorough plan. Commissioner Castellini said she had heard that Camping and Education Foundation would not come to Burnet Woods if the Clifton Cultural Arts Center (CCAC) was approved to be in Burnet Woods as well. Hugh Haller answered that this was in fact their stance. From what has been presented on CCAC in Burnet Woods Hugh Haller said it does not match up with what Camping and Education Foundation is about.