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Recreation Commission Minutes 11/19/09
Evendale Recreation Commission
November 19, 2009

Called to order at 7:34am

Roll Call: Stiney Vonerhaar, David Nichols, Alex Mosley, Wayne Mosley, Michele Gottschlich; Gus Janszen. Absent: John Doviak, Pamela Meyers

Recognition of Visitors: Jennifer Shapiro, Owner of Lifestyle Essentials

Motion to approve the October minutes with one change made by Michele Gottschlich; seconded by Stiney Vonderhaar. Motion passed.

Addition to the agenda: Bike Path Plans

New Business:
  • Jennifer Shapiro, Owner of Lifestyle Essentials
  • Attendance seems to be down from the first quarter; however a quick review by Lynne of the attendance numbers shows it is just the summer months which are low, which traditionally occurs. October and November attendance numbers are actually higher in 2009 than they were in 2008.
  • The Evendale 100 Challenge had 45 participants; and John Doviak reached the 100 mark first, with 29 others completing the challenge.
  • F.I.T. Workshops were tried but low registration caused them to be cancelled. These one class workshops will be tried again in the new year.
  • The current session of fitness classes are going well.  Evaluations were distributed to participants. 90% of respondents rated the program excellent; the other 10% rated it good.  A request for more evening classes, although tried before, will be explored again.
Jennifer is looking for ways to keep people motivated instead of letting them give up on their New Year’s resolutions.  A Biggest Loser style challenge may be tried, with multiple category winners. This program may also include a “biggest gainer” for those trying to add muscle.
A recent article indicates Ohio is heading for 50% obesity by 2018, while another article states childhood obesity is rising. Six years ago, the commission had the forethought to open the fitness center to 10-12 year olds (if they have gone through class and have a parent working out with them). Jennifer will investigate adding an after school program for kids.
The next session of fitness classes will be advertised in the December newsletter.

  • The Bicycling/Moving America Forward update
  • A multijurisdictional bike planning workgroup (BAGERS) has been working together for 4 months.  The purpose of BAGERS is to improve pedestrian and biking conditions and destination connectivity between the 5 communities of Blue Ash, Glendale, Evendale, Reading, and Sharonville.  Millcreek, Hamilton County Parks and Recreation, and also City of Cincinnati/Hamilton County representatives have attended BAGERS meetings as well.  The BAGERS believe that the best approach is for each community to first develop their own internal master plan.  Community plans would then be used to formulate a BAGERS Master Plan for coordinating village goals with their neighbor’s plans in the creation of a conscientious and strategic bike planning effort.
  • Phase 1 (gaining public input and creating a stakeholder committee) can be handled primarily by Stiney and Michele; while phase 2 (assess existing conditions) will need the assistance of experts to review what the village has and what we need for bike paths. Phase 3 is the development of the Village Bike master plan. URS is working on a cost analysis for each of the 3 phases. Blue Ash has already developed and implemented a bike master plan which has been approved by Blue Ash Council.  Blue Ash budgets approximately $200,000 per year for bike path construction. Reading and Glendale have not formulated plans to date; Sharonville has some plans already prepared that include Sharon Woods and HAMCO.
  • The Mill Creek Restoration Project is also on board with the creation of bike paths. This organization recently introduced the Queen City –South Mill Creek Greenway Trail. The bike enthusiasts’ long term hope is to create a bike path loop around the city of Cincinnati which would connect to the Loveland bike trail which heads north to Xenia, Ohio.
  • Discussion about adding bike paths and trails has already taken place with the village engineer.
  • Bike paths should be used wherever possible instead of just bike lanes.  Paths provide a divide for bikers from traffic making the paths safer and more comfortable to ride on and one does not have to worry about crossing the line into the path of a car.  Communities have used bike paths as an economic development tool as many businesses have sprung up along bike paths. Communities have added green space and shared paths requirements into their ordinances.
  • The goals should include a commuter traffic vision and village laws that all new development expansion must include bike paths.
  • Council should look at “green funds” to help develop these bike paths.
  • The sub-committee will meet during December and then attend the January council committee meeting.
  • The Bike Path Project will be placed on the commission agenda from now on.
A motion was made to create a bike path steering committee of the Recreation Commission to explore bike trails for the Village of Evendale and to interact with the other communities by Gus Janszen; seconded by Stiney Vonderhaar. Motion approved. Stiney Vonderhaar, Michele Gottschlich, Dave Nichol and Gus Janszen will serve as members for 2010. They will meet as needed and report back to the recreation commission.
A motion was made to accept the Bike Planning Draft #2 and the beginnings of the Bicycle Master Plan by Wayne Mosley; seconded by Stiney Vonderhaar. Motion approved. These documents will become part of the department’s master plan and should be reviewed yearly.
The next step is to fine tune the project goals and objectives then attend a council committee meeting to discuss bike paths with members of council.

A motion was made asking the Mayor to return Councilman Vonderhaar to the recreation commission as this body’s representative from council. The motion was made by Gus Janszen and seconded by Michele Gottschlich. Motion approved.

Old Business:
  • Lifestyle Essentials monthly report as noted in commission packets.
Director’s Report:
  • We are in compliance with the Graeme Baker Act requiring mandated covers and grates be placed on all pool and spa drains.
  • A participation agreement has been drafted by the village solicitor at the request of the village insurance company. This agreement will be completed by patrons starting with the 2010 membership drive. Commission reviewed and approved the agreement.
  • An announcement will be in the December newsletter highlighting the benefits of the recreation department and its programs.
  • Commission members should begin thinking about objectives and goals for 2010. David would like to list these on the agenda for our January meeting.
Phi Lambda Pi Report:
  • Rake n’ Run service project has begun.
  • The Haunted Trail was held in October.
  • Wednesday nights remain dominated by the younger age groups. It would help if parents encouraged their children to participate in Phi.
Open Discussion:
  • Luke Kuechly is on the front cover of the Enquirer Sports page and John Lloyd has a write up in the Tri-County Press as a top football (punter) recruit.
Motion to adjourn made by Gus Janszen at 9:11am; seconded by Stiney Vonderhaar. Motion approved.