South Central Reporter

City of Centralia Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee met April 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

I. Call to Order

Jones _____ Agee _____ Young __X__ Pracht __X__ Garrett __X__ Lawson _____ Graham __X__

Ex- officio members

City Manager- Mahle __X__

Community Development Director-Harting __X__

CRC- Executive Director- Junghanel _____

CRC Program Coordinator- Allen _____

Youth Center Representative __X__

Director of Public Property – Harris ___X__

1. Public Participation None John Paskavich was present but did not ask to speak and stated he was just there to observe.

2. Approval of Minutes

• March 13th, 2025, minutes M: Graham 2nd: Young

3. Treasurers Report

• March M: Young 2nd: Garrett

4. Monthly Reports

• Youth Center:

Favors gave details of several new Clubs and/or Programs, including New Mentoring Program, Martial Arts, Astronomy, Dungeon & Dragons, NA meetings, Men’s Basketball Legue. Wrestling will be starting back up. They’ll have a benefit on May 10th that will include Pro Wrestling. An Easter Party on April 19th at which time they’ll be distributing meals for 300 – 500 people. A free basketball camp on April 18th. They’ve gotten donations from Land of Lincoln and WOW. They Afterschool program is doing well with 25 per day.

• City –

Galen Mahle reported 169 registered for Ball, coaches meetings have started this week, Rotary field has been challenging with the weather, Annies had one game, he’s working on Agreement with Pepsi for Concessions, T-Ball starts a little later than the others age groups.

Mahle let the committee know that April 21st the new Rec. Coordinator, Eli Cox, will start. He is bringing Eli with him from the Clinton County YMCA and looks forward to working with him again.

Harris gave an update on the new equipment being installed at Fairview Park and that he felt they were doing a great job, especially with all the rain that we’ve had. The Ground cover for that new area would be the last thing needed. There had been a swing that the City thought had been ordered with the Grant Funding but they’ve recently found that it was not. The City ordered a new one to be put in the place that they had planned for.

Harris reported Point Park has had a new bench installed at the new Pavillion. Everything out there looks nice, and he’s received several compliments on it. Graham mentioned noticing more people fishing than usual and that it was a good thing to see people enjoying the area. Harris agreed that there are a lot more people now using the area, since the updates have been completed.

5. Old Business:

• Garrett asked about what equipment the City provides for teams to use at Baseball / T-ball games. Mahle explained what is given to Coaches for all to use.

Pracht asked about money that is still available from the Oslad Grant. Mahle explained that it had all been spent. Pracht explained that they had previously been told there were funds left and asked for details of what the funding was used for. Mahle let the committee know that he’d have the Admin Asst. email that information out to the Committee. Pracht thank Mahle and said it would be good to be able to see an itemized list of what was used with the grant funding.

Favors asked about the funding for Laura Leake Park. Mahle stated that agreements for the Pavillion can start soon. Harris added that the old would be removed and new built.

Graham wanted to remind the committee that with Grants the funds must be spent on what was requested in the grant application. So, whatever is specifically applied for is what would have been done. A Change to that is a lot of paperwork and not something that could be done by choice. Mahle gave the example of a Grant for the City Water Line and what happened in that instance.

6. New Business: None

7. Adjournment: M: Garrett 2nd: Pracht

https://www.cityofcentralia.org/media/7676