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WEST GEAUGA COMMUNITY JOINT RECREATION DISTRICT
Regular Meeting August 19, 2025
West Geauga Commons
President Greg Poe called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Board members present: Evan Byrum, Ed Curtis, Chris Domonkos, Rick Izant, Sara Sustin, Linda Palchick, Greg Poe, Kristen Foerester, and Mark Vidmar. Jason Abate and John Gromek were also present. Chris Hare from Russell Township officers was also in attendance.
The minutes from the July 2025 meeting were presented by Monica Gromek. Rick Izant motioned to accept the minutes; Mark Vidmar seconded. Vote was taken – Evan Byrum, Ed Curtis, Chris Domonkos, Rick Izant, Sara Sustin, Linda Palchick, Greg Poe, Kristen Foerester, and Mark Vidmar. All in favor, motion carried. Chris Hare from Russell was also in attendance.
Treasurer report - Ed Curtis
Treasurer Ed Curtis distributed the July 2025 treasurer’s report. The treasurer’s report showed: checking balance forwarded: $24,951.36; total disbursements: $13,199.25; total deposits: $36,820.20; ending checking balance: $48,572.31: Ending Savings Balance $24,505.26; total disbursements: $0; deposits: $2.08: Linda Palchick motioned to accept the treasurer’s report. Evan Byrum seconded. Vote was taken – Ed Curtis-yes; Chris Domonkos-yes; Rick Izant-yes; Sara Sustin-yes; Linda Palchick-yes; Greg Poe-yes; Mark Vidmar-yes. All in favor, motion carried…
Linda Palchick motioned to pay the following bills:
Monica Gromek July 2025 minutes $ 40.00
Abate Landscaping Doggie Bags/Waste Trashcans $779.27
Alt Media Host website $498.48
West Bend Ins. Liability Ins. (8/9/25-8/8/26) $2,658.00
21st Century Media Public Notice (budget hearing) $123.05
Rick Izant seconded. Vote was taken: Evan Byrum, Ed Curtis, Chris Domonkos, Rick Izant, Sara Sustin, Linda Palchick, Greg Poe, Kristen Foerester, and Mark Vidmar. All in favor, motion carried.
The Budget Hearing was held today and our Board/Treasurer received nothing but compliments. The Geauga County Budget Committee approved the 2026 Budget. Said they heard our news that Pickle Ball Courts at the park are being discussed.
RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE WEST GEAUGA JOINT RECREATION DISTRICT
The Board of Trustees of the West Geauga Joint Recreation District of Geauga County, Ohio met in regular session on the 19th day of August, 2025, at the West Geauga Commons Park with the following members present: Ed Curtis, Evan Byrum, Sara Sustin, Greg Poe, Chris Domonkos, Rick Izant, Kristen Foerster, Linda Palchick, Mark Vidmar. Linda Palchick moved the adoption of the following Resolution: RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees of the West Geauga Joint Recreation District, Geauga County, Ohio in accordance with the provisions of law has previously adopted a Tax Budget for the next succeeding fiscal year commencing on January 1st, 2026, and
WHEREAS The Budget Commission of Geauga County, Ohio has certified its action thereon to this Board together with an estimate by the County Auditor for the rate of each tax necessary to be levied by this Board, and what part thereof is without and what part within the ten-mill limitation: therefore be it
RESOLVED. By the Board of Trustees of the West Geauga Joint Recreation District of Geauga County, Ohio that the amounts and rates, as determined by the Budget Commission in its certification be and the same are hereby accepted and be it further
RESOLVED. That there be and is hereby levied on the tax duplicate of said District, the rate of each Tax necessary to be levied within and without the ten-mill limitation as follows:
SCHEDULE A – SUMMARY OF AMOUNTS REQUIRED FROM GENERAL PROPERTY TAX APPROVED BY BUDGET COMMISSION, AND COUNTY AUDITORS ESTIMATED TAX RATES
GENERAL FUND $91,721.00 (amt approved by Budget Commission Outside 10 MIL Limitation); County Auditor’s Estimate of Tax Rate to Be Levied (IV) 0.20
SCHEDULE B – LEVIES OUTSIDE 10 MILL LIMITATION EXCLUSIVE OF DEBT LEVIES – FUND Current Expense 1988 levy authorized by voters on November 8, 2022;
Maximum Rate Authorized to be Levied 0.20; County Auditor’s Estimate of Yield of Levy (carry to Schedule A; Column II and be it further RESOLVED, That the Fiscal Officer of this Board be and is hereby directed to certify a copy of the Resolution to the County Auditor of said County. Ms. Kirsten Foerster seconded the Resolution and the roll being called upon its adoption the vote resulted as follows: Greg Poe, yes; Rick Izant, yes; Evan Byrum, yes; Linda Palchick, yes; Chris Domonkos, yes; Sara Sustin, yes; Ed Curtis, yes; Mark Vidmar, yes; Kristen Foerester, yes. Adopted the 19 day of August, 2025.
Facilities
Linda Palchick said she was contacted by Mindy Wood, a resident of Novelty about placing a ‘Little Library’ at the Commons for her grandson. She will incur the costs. Sara Sustin stated we must be careful to monitor the Library for bee infestation. The Board approved this project.
Maintenance – Jason Abate
Jason Abate reports the fields have been fertilized and asphalt grindings have been placed along the new asphalt. No new soccer nets have been ordered. The upper soccer field is not going to be used by Soccer Club– no scheduled games. Soccer Club only scheduled games on the junior field this fall. Discussion on the Soccer Club moving games to the Newbury fields. Need a plan going forward on how to use the soccer fields. Continued discussion on possible uses. During this discussion the idea of using the lower soccer field for practice was discussed. If Soccer Club and Rec Council are not going to use the field there should be no reason it cannot be used for practices. The Board thanked Jason and Abate Landscaping for planting beautiful begonias at the entrance of the Park.
Website - Chris Domonkos said the website is all up to date. Mark Vidmar motioned to accept the updated June minutes; Kristen seconded. Vote was taken: Evan Byrum, Ed Curtis, Chris Domonkos, Rick Izant, Sara Sustin, Linda Palchick, Greg Poe, Kristen Foerester, and Mark Vidmar. All in favor, motion carried.
Board discussion concerning condition of the baseball field. Dirt washed away. The field is now hard as a rock. No bases installed. The Baseball Federation only dragged and lined the field when there were scheduled games on off days other than Tuesdays and Thursdays when Innovative Companies maintain the field. Our Rec Board took back maintenance of the field for the remainder of 2025. The Field has been brought up to our standards. Innovative Companies submitted field applications $135.00 per spray; $55.00 for spraying. Question field maintenance needed for the winter, so we don’t have so much to do in the spring. Ed Curtis asked if we should encumber $1,000.00 for this project. Rick Izant motioned to encumber $1,000.00, Chris Domonkos seconded. Vote was taken: Evan Byrum, Ed Curtis, Chris Domonkos, Rick Izant, Sara Sustin, Linda Palchick, Greg Poe, Kristen Foerester, and Mark Vidmar. All in favor, motion carried.
Pickle Ball – Strategic planning meeting is now needed to proceed with this project. What are our next steps? Reach out to the commissioners? What funds are available? Next topic was our 2027 levy renewal. Rick Izant explained what was done in previous years. Most people in the community do not know that our Board is a volunteer group. Doing events at the park for more visibility like Dog Days with hot dogs. Rick Izant explained that $2,000.00 is needed for levy expenses: literature, newspaper articles, signs…etc. Contributed funds were used in the last campaign. Bring ideas to our next meeting. Mark Vidmar mentioned more advertising is needed about this awesome park. Greg Poe stated we need figures first, to then prioritize what is needed.
Discussion about the future of the Park. Greg Poe said there is not a single tennis court in our district. The high school tennis courts will not be repaired because of a serious drainage issue that would need to be addressed. Is there a grant from the State of Ohio available? Could an initial meeting of the ‘Pickle Ball’ committee be done before our September meeting?
Ed Curtis motioned for meeting adjournment; Linda Palchick seconded. Vote was taken: Evan Byrum, Ed Curtis, Chris Domonkos, Rick Izant, Sara Sustin, Linda Palchick, Greg Poe, Kristen Foerester, and Mark Vidmar. All in favor, motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________ ____________________________
Monica Gromek, Clerk Greg Poe, President
