Rapprochement

Rapprochement: the establishment of cordial relations (The Miriam Webster Dictionary)

David Ianiro, Highland Heights’Recreation Director, appeared at the January 19th Committee of the Whole meeting, to discuss proposed fees for the 2010 summer baseball program

Councilwoman Cathy Murphy, who is the new council rep to the city’s Parks & Recreation (P&R) Commission, reached out and personally invited David Ianiro to attend the meeting. When his turn came to speak, Murphy made sure to invite Ianiro to join council at the council table for the discussion.

It was pretty apparent to those of us in attendance that, after receiving her new appointment, Cathy Murphy did something that her predecessor apparently had not---she sat down and read the Highland Heights ordinances, which spell out in fairly good detail how P&R is supposed to operate and the how the checks and balances between P&R and council are supposed to work. (Excerpts from the ordinances are set out below).

Councilwoman Murphy declared that she was “looking forward to fostering good relations with P&R,” and she pledged to be “as good a liaison to P&R as I possibly can.” She also said:

"By no means do we (council) want to have another meeting like we did at the December 1st Legislative & Finance Committee, where park overages were brought to our attention that had occurred in the summer.” Murphy said that she did not want to “blame or point fingers.” What she wanted was “open communication” between council and P&R, “so that financial issues can be addressed at the time they arise, not months after the expenses are incurred.”

For his part, Recreation Director David Ianiro came forward with a recommendation to raise baseball fees (except for the instructional league for 7 & 8 year olds) a total of $ 5 for residents and $ 10 for nonresidents—the first baseball program fee increase in his six years as Recreation Director. He estimated that the fee increase would net the baseball program approximately $ 3,000 to $ 4,000 in additional income if the participation levels remain the same in 2010. That, of course, is always an unknown. As David Ianiro wryly pointed out, “We don’t have any children under contract” (to play baseball in Highland Heights).

Councilman Bob Mastrangelo asked whether the proposed new fees were comparable to surrounding communities. David Ianiro replied that they were not; that “we are cheaper than Mayfield Heights, Euclid, and several other communities.”

When asked why the fees were not set at a competitive level, given the fact that the recreation department was operating in the red, David Ianiro initially responded, “I don’t really have an answer for you Bob,” but he then went on to point out that, at least with regard to Mayfield Heights, that city guaranteed three more regular games per season than did Highland Heights (engendering additional referee costs).

The conversation between council and the Recreation Director was mutually respectful and congenial.

As required by Highland Heights Ordinance 139.01, the proposed 2010 baseball fees will be placed on the agenda for formal approval at the January 26th council meeting.


Here are excerpts from Highland Heights’ recreation ordinances.
You can find them at the city’s website: http://www.highlandhts.com/city-council/agendas-minutes.php Select: “Codified Ordinances”
Or use this link: http://www.conwaygreene.com/Hlandhts.htm


139.01 ESTABLISHED

A Park and Recreation Commission is hereby established to operate and recommend fees to Council for the use thereof of parks and playgrounds, playfields, indoor recreation centers, swimming pools, acquire recreation equipment and plan and carry out a recreation program for this community.

139.03 ANNUAL BUDGET

The Park and Recreation Commission shall annually submit a budget by the first day of June to Council, setting forth the Commission's financial requirements for the ensuing year. The Commission shall not incur any expenses during the year not included in such budget, unless authorized by Council. If such budget or any amendment or modification thereof is approved, Council shall, within the time prescribed by law, budget and appropriate the necessary funds. Such budgeted funds may only be expended upon the issuance of a voucher signed by the Chairman of the Commission and the Mayor…

139.05 REPORTS TO COUNCIL

The Park and Recreation Commission shall make periodic reports to Council, showing in detail all expenditures made by the Commission. The Commission shall also report annually to Council the activities of the Commission.

139.06 PERSONNEL; HIRING

(a) (The Director of Recreation) shall annually submit to the Park and Recreation Commission a recreation program and shall administer the recreation program promulgated by the Commission…. The Director shall attend the first regular Council meeting in February, April, June, July, October and November of each calendar year for the purpose of discussing the City park facilities and the park and recreation programs. The Director shall be provided with such assistants as may be authorized by Council from time to time. The compensation of the Director shall be set by Council from time to time.


(b) The Park and Recreation Commission shall hire other qualified personnel to operate the City's recreation program within the limits of the budget.

152.02 COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

(d). The compensation for the members of the Park and Recreation Commission shall be at the rate of seventy-five dollars ($75.00) per meeting or Park and Recreation Commission sponsored activity attended up to a maximum of one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) per month.

end