200 South Hamilton Road  
Gahanna, Ohio 43230  
City of Gahanna  
Meeting Minutes  
Parks & Recreation Board  
Jan Ross, Chair  
Eric Miller, Vice Chair  
Ken Shepherd, Secretary  
Holly Haines  
Chrissy Kaminski  
Harvey McCleskey  
Donna Simmons  
Nichole Butler, Clerk  
Wednesday, August 20, 2025  
7:00 PM  
Gahanna City Hall, Council Chambers  
Holly Haines was sworn in by Mayor Jadwin on Aug 20, 2025 at 3:00 PM.  
CALL MEETING TO ORDER  
A.  
B.  
Chair Ross called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The agenda was  
published on August 15, 2025.  
ROLL CALL  
Staff in Attendance: Stephania Ferrell, Director; Nichole Butler, Clerk  
7 -  
Present:  
Chrissy Kaminski, Eric Miller, Donna Simmons, Jan Ross, Ken Shepherd,  
Harvey McCleskey and Holly Haines  
C.  
APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
PR- Board Minutes 07.16.2025  
A motion was made by Shepherd second by Miller, that the July 16, 2025  
Minutes be approved as published. The motion carried the following vote:  
7 - Kaminski, Miller, Simmons, Ross, Shepherd, McCleskey and Haines  
Yes:  
D.  
E.  
F.  
G.  
ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA  
HEARING OF VISITORS  
CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTIONS  
UNFINISHED BUSINESS  
H.  
NEW BUSINESS  
2026 Budget  
Director Ferrell presented a copy of the draft 2026 operational budget  
requests for the Parks & Recreation Department. Ferrell stated that the  
board will be able to review the request and bring questions to the  
September meeting, prior to the budget requests going to Mayor Jadwin  
and city council for approval. Ferrell explained that the document will  
show prior years 2024 and 2025 appropriations, and expenses as well  
for comparison for each line item. Ferrell noted the 2025 expenditures  
are as of the end of July 2025. Ferrell noted that revenue projections are  
also noted on the document. Ferrell noted that the document is broken  
out by divisions as they are separate accounts in the budget. Ross asked  
when the fiscal year runs. Ferrell stated it is January 1 to December 31.  
Shepherd asked why the request for general recreation materials and  
supplies was much higher than in the past. Ferrell stated that the Price  
Road Exploration Center will be opening in 2026 and will require the  
department to use more materials and supplies to get the facility stocked  
with the needed materials. Miller asked why there are two revenue totals  
under golf. Ferrell stated that one is for taxable items such as apparel  
and concessions, one is for non-taxable items such as memberships and  
greens fees. Miller asked if the fee increases are reviewed with the  
budget. Ferrell stated that fees are reviewed at the end of each season  
and compared to other municipalities. Ferrell stated the department also  
reviews prices to comply with the pricing policy which is reviewed by the  
Parks & Recreation Board. Kaminski asked if the increase in  
professional services requested for the senior center is due to the 825  
Tech Center drive senior center opening. Ferrell stated that yes, there is  
an anticipated increase in need for signage and brochures.  
Ross asked if salaries and benefits are included with the request. Ferrell  
stated that the Finance Department formulates the projections for  
salaries and benefits. Ross asked if any additional positions are being  
requested. Ferrell stated that they are reviewing the structure of the  
Senior Center operations due to the new facility.  
Shepherd asked why the request for street trees was so high when there  
have not been expenditures that high as of now. Ferrell stated that the  
2025 fall plantings have yet to occur as well as a completed tree  
inventory that is currently taking place which will increase the overall  
expenditures.  
Shepherd asked where paving of parking lots goes in the budget. Ferrell  
stated that it depends, as this draft budget is only for operational costs,  
and does not include capital projects.  
I.  
DIRECTOR'S REPORT  
Ferrell presented the directors report. Ferrell noted that the  
department received approval from council to go into contract on  
construction of the Price Road Exploration Center. Ferrell noted that  
construction is scheduled to begin in September. Ferrell stated that a  
new Recreation Superintendent, Sarah Ruff has been hired and  
began at the beginning of August. Ferrell stated that the new  
Recreation Coordinator is Nichole Butler, who currently serves as the  
Administrative Coordinator for the department and clerk for the Parks  
Board. Ferrell stated that the Administrative Coordinator position is  
posted and will close on September 2, 2025, and is anticipated to  
take over the role of Clerk for the October 2025 meeting. Ferrell  
noted that in the Directors’ Report under aquatics, the number of  
memberships sold in 2025 was 914, which is nearly 200 more than  
prior years. Ferrell stated that the staff have done a great job  
promoting the memberships and running the pools.  
Miller stated that he was at the Monday night council meeting where  
the supplemental appropriation for Price Road was approved. Miller  
asked if the request was due to needing additional funding. Ferrell  
stated that the supplemental was requested in order to secure the  
total funding necessary to complete the project, including project  
contingencies. Miller asked if they are going to begin construction in  
September, when they anticipate completion to be. Ferrell stated that  
they anticipate it to be completed at the end of summer 2026. Ross  
asked if they had to go back and request and extension on the  
previously awarded grant from the State of Ohio Capital Grant  
funding. Ferrell stated that yes, the department was granted an  
extension.  
Simmons asked if there would be enough parking at the facility to  
support larger events. Ferrell noted that there are slated to be 34  
parking spots, with a possibility of an agreement with adjacent private  
owners that has a large parking lot. Simmons questioned why the  
facility has 5500 square feet, but we are only using 2700 square  
feet. Ferrell stated that there is an upper and lower level, however the  
lower level is in a floodplain and is not able to be used for  
programming, only mechanicals and storage.  
Kaminski asked if the screened porch will be kept. Ferrell stated that  
the windows would be closed in with glass but still give the open  
aesthetic for programs and events. Ferrell referenced the  
presentation that was shown at council meeting on Monday August  
18.  
PR-2025 July Director's Report  
J.  
COMMITTEE REPORTS  
i. Bicycle & Trail Advisory Committee (BTAC)  
Miller stated that they have not met however on Monday, August 17th  
council declared August share the road and Distracted Driver  
Awareness month and representatives from BTAC were invited to attend.  
ii. Gahanna Active Senior Advisory Committee (GASAC)  
Simmons stated the next meeting is September 16th at the Senior  
Center.  
iii. Natural Resources Advisory Committee (NRAC)- None  
POLL MEMBERS FOR COMMENT  
K.  
Ross asked for clarification of the Sweet Celebration event scheduled for  
August 26,2025 from 4 - 7 p.m. at Creekside. Ferrell stated that it will be  
a public engagement session for the Citywide strategic plan. Ferell  
stated that there will be opportunities to provide feedback on the  
outcomes of the strategic plan.  
Simmons stated that the next Gahanna Market is on August 27, 2025.  
i. Gahanna Parks & Recreation Foundation  
Ross stated The Parks and Recreation Foundation Hops & Vines event  
is scheduled for Saturday September 6, 2025, and volunteers are  
needed. Miller stated that tickets to attend are also still available.  
iii. Veteran's Advisory Committee  
Miller stated the Veterans Memorial Traveling wall is coming to Gahanna  
in October 2025.  
L.  
ADJOURNMENT