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Lancaster Board of Park Commissioners
Minutes of Meeting
January 7, 2026
12:00 pm
The Board of Park Commissioners met with Ms. Kristina Crites, Ms. Kari James, and Mr. Bob
Lovell in attendance.
Attendance for the Lancaster Parks & Recreation Department were: Superintendent Steve
Gayfield, Shae Goss, Ann Morrow, Amy Pennell, Assistant Superintendent Jen Shamblin, and
Carla Young.
Members of City Administration present were: City Council Member Larry Ailes (4th Ward),
Assistant Law Director Mitch Harden, City Council Member Alayna Hoop (At-Large), Mayor
Don McDaniel, and City Service Safety Director Carrie Woody.
Guests present were: Dave Comer.
1. Call to Order
a. The meeting was called to order at 12:00pm by Ms. James.
2. Permission for Citizens and Guests to Address Board
a. No guests were present.
3. Communications
a. No communications received.
4. Approval of December’s Meeting Minutes
a. Mr. Lovell made a motion to approve December’s minutes. Ms. Crites seconded. Ms.
Crites abstained from the vote, which then passed unanimously and without further
discussion.
5. Park Budget
a. Expense/Revenue Report
i. Mr. Gayfield presented the Expense/Revenue Report, as well as the end of the
year review for the budget. Following the review, questions and discussion,
Mr. Lovell made the motion to approve and ratify payment of expenses of the
Parks Department. Ms. Crites seconded. The motion passed unanimously and
without further discussion.
6. New Business
a. Reorganization of Park Board
i. Mr. Lovell made the motion for Ms. James to be President of the Board. Ms.
Crites seconded. The motion passed unanimously and without further
discussion.
ii. Ms. James made the motion for Mr. Lovell to be Vice President and to keep
Ms. Keely Pearce as Secretary. Ms. Crites seconded. The motion passed
unanimously and without further discussion.
b. Permission to withdraw from Ohio Operating Engineers Apprenticeship fund offer
agreement
i. Mr. Gayfield provided context for the agreement with the Ohio Operating
Engineers (OOE) that has been in place since 2020 to do dirt work at Bowers
Park. As he was directed by the Board to complete the project sooner, a bid
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was won for the work by 2LMN. Mr. Gayfield requested permission to
provide a 30-day written notice to OOE, notifying them of the withdrawal.
1. Following discussion, Mr. Lovell made the motion to approve the
request to withdraw from OOE’s Apprenticeship Fund Offer
Agreement. Ms. James seconded. The motion passed unanimously and
without further discussion.
c. Permission to request legislation for funding for final engineering design services
i. Mr. Gayfield requested approval to go to City Council for the approval of the
contract with EMH&T. He shared that, at the time of budget planning, he did
not know the amount of money needed for the contract, but that there is plenty
of funds in cash reserve from the unencumbered balance. Mr. Lovell made the
motion to approve Mr. Gayfield’s request to go to City Council and ask for
approval of the contract with EMH&T. Ms. Crites seconded. The motion
passed unanimously and without further discussion.
d. Resolutions (Exhibit A)
i. All four resolutions were read for Park Board approval. Mr. Lovell made the
motion to approve all four resolutions. Ms. Crites seconded. The motion
passed unanimously and without further discussion.
7. Department Updates
a. Departmental updates were presented (Exhibit B).
8. Old Business
a. Bowers Property Development
i. Mr. Gayfield reiterated that we would be moving forward with 2LMN, once
OOE has moved out of the Bowers Park property. He stated he would need to
speak to Mr. Harden about the contract but would then hand the project over
to Mr. Goss. At this time, there are no further action items.
9. Tabled Business
a. Discussion new Public Sites & Open Spaces language
i. Mr. Harden indicated it is still in review and should remain tabled.
ii. Mr. Lovell indicated he would meet with the County Auditor about fees for
March’s meeting.
b. Discussion of new Park Financing options
i. Mr. Gayfield indicated this should remain tabled.
c. Commuter Tax
i. Mr. McDaniel briefly discussed the update on the Commuter Tax and the
possibility of it being voted for abolishment. If so, that would impact the
Parks Department. Mr. Gayfield indicated that the unencumbered carryover
balance the Department currently has is not normal; he stated that it is the
Department’s practice to be frugal, in case of decreased revenue.
10.Next Meeting
a. The Lancaster Board of Park Commissioners’ next meeting is Wednesday, February
4, 2026 at 12:00pm at the 2nd Floor of City Hall.
11.Adjournment
a. Mr. Lovell made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Ms. Crites seconded. The
motion passed unanimously and without further discussion.
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Minutes respectfully taken by Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Shamblin
Minutes respectfully prepared and submitted by Keely E. Pearce, Secretary to the Board
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Exhibit A
PERMANENT RESOLUTION NO. 26-1
A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE PARKS SUPERINTENDENT TO PREPARE AND
SUBMIT VOUCHERS FOR PAYMENT OF PARKS EXPENSES AND TO ISSUE TIME
REPORTS RELATED TO PARKS PERSONNEL AND TO COMPLETE 2026 BUDGET
TRANSFERS AS NEEDED TO MAINTAIN THE PARKS AND RECREATION FUND.
WHEREAS, the Parks Superintendent (the “Superintendent”) is authorized to pay
Parks expenses on behalf of the Board of Park Commissioners of the City of Lancaster, State
of Ohio (the “Board) and issue time reports related to Parks personnel; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Ohio Constitution, the City of Lancaster’s legislative
authority, City Council, passed a budget for fiscal year 2026 in Permanent Resolution 130-24;
and
WHEREAS, the Board acknowledges that even after the 2026 budget is established,
contingencies will arise which will require the Parks and Recreation Department to utilize fund
to fund transfers; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS FOR THE CITY OF
LANCASTER, STATE OF OHIO:
SECTION 1. That the Superintendent or his designee shall be authorized to prepare
and submit vouchers for payment of Parks expenses and to issue time reports related to Parks
personnel.
SECTION 2. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 5705.40, the Board acknowledges the
need to pay for contingencies and hereby authorizes expenditures pursuant to said
contingencies, as limited below, as long as it is for a lawful purpose which could not have
reasonably been foreseen at the time of the adoption of the appropriation measure. Therefore,
the Superintendent is hereby authorized to transfer monies between line items in the 2025 Parks
budget as he determines necessary for said contingencies not to exceed ten percent (10%) of
the department’s total appropriations for planned expenses, with the exclusion of salary,
benefits, or overtime line items.
SECTION 3. That this Resolution shall take effect and be in force from and after
the earliest period allowed by law.
SECTION 4. That this Resolution shall expire on December 31, 2026.
Passed: ________________ after ________ reading. Vote: Yeas ______ Nays ______
Date Approved:
President of the Board
Secretary:
Offered by:
Second by:

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PERMANENT RESOLUTION NO. 26-2
A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE PARKS SUPERINTENDENT TO COMPLETE
INTERDEPARTMENTAL FUND TRANSFERS WITH OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS FOR
THE PURPOSES OF THE DAILY MANAGEMENT OF PARKS AND PARK PROPERTY FOR
THE 2026 CALENDAR YEAR
WHEREAS, the Board of Park Commissioners (the “Board”) has the statutory right to
control and manage parks, playgrounds, and park property within the City of Lancaster, including
all improvements thereon, and the acquisition, construction, repair, and maintenance thereof; and
WHEREAS, the Parks Superintendent (the “Superintendent”), who is a Board employee,
may, from time to time, need to complete interdepartmental fund transfers with other City of
Lancaster departments to procure necessary goods and services; and
WHEREAS, at the request of the City Auditor, an annual resolution allowing the Parks
Superintendent to complete interdepartmental fund transfers with other City of Lancaster
departments will facilitate the Board’s needs and will be more convenient for the Parks
Superintendent; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS FOR THE CITY OF
LANCASTER, STATE OF OHIO:
SECTION 1. That the Superintendent is hereby authorized to complete interdepartmental fund
transfers with other City departments for the purposes of the daily management of City parks and Park
property.
SECTION 2. That this resolution shall not precede any Board authority or in any way preclude
the Board from authorizing any purchase to be made by the Superintendent. The Board shall maintain full
power and authority vested by law in controlling park finances and it shall continue to approve all
expenditures by the Superintendent. The purpose of this resolution shall be to only authorize
interdepartmental fund-to-fund transfers as requested by the City Auditor.
SECTION 3. That this Resolution shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest
period allowed by law.
SECTION 4. That this Resolution shall expire on December 31, 2026.
Passed: after 1 reading. Vote: Yeas Nays
Approved:
President of the Board
Clerk:
Offered by:
Second by:

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PERMANENT RESOLUTION NO. 26-3
A RESOLUTION TO REQUIRE THE PARKS SUPERINTENDENT TO RESIDE WITHIN
RISING PARK AND TO REQUIRE THE PARKS MAINTENANCE EMPLOYEES ASSIGNED
TO ALLEY PARK AND OLIVEDALE PARK TO RESIDE WITHIN THOSE RESPECTIVE
PARKS
WHEREAS, the Board of Park Commissioners of the City of Lancaster, State of Ohio
(the “Board”) maintain residences located on the properties of Rising Park, Alley Park, and Olivedale
Park; and
WHEREAS, in order to properly maintain Rising Park, Alley Park and Olivedale Park,
and for security reasons, Parks staff is required to reside in those parks full time; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS FOR THE CITY OF
LANCASTER, STATE OF OHIO:
SECTION 1. That the Parks Superintendent shall be required to reside in the residence at Rising
Park with water, sewer, wellhead fees, gas, and electricity provided by the Board.
SECTION 2. That the Parks maintenance employee assigned to Alley Park shall be required to
reside in the residence located at the entrance of Alley Park, with water, sewer, wellhead fees, gas, and
electricity provided by the Board.
SECTION 3. That the Parks maintenance employee assigned to Olivedale Park shall be required
to reside at the residence located at the entrance of Olivedale Park, with water, sewer, wellhead fees, gas,
and electricity provided by the Board.
SECTION 4. That this resolution shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period
allowed by law.
Passed: after 1 reading. Vote: Yeas Nays
Approved:
President of the Board
Clerk:
Offered by:
Second by:

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PERMANENT RESOLUTION NO. 26-4
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PARKS SUPERINTENDENT TO APPLY FOR
GRANTS
WHEREAS, the Parks Superintendent (the “Superintendent”) is responsible for seeking,
applying for, and complying with various federal, state, and local grants which are in the best interest
of and align with the mission, purposes, and/or objectives of the Parks Department; now, therefore;
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS FOR THE CITY OF
LANCASTER, STATE OF OHIO:
SECTION 1. That the Superintendent shall be authorized to seek out, apply for, and comply with
any and all federal, state, and local grants which are in the best interest of and align with the mission,
purpose, and/or objectives of the Parks Department.
SECTION 2. That this resolution shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period
allowed by law.
Passed: after 1 reading. Vote: Yeas Nays
Approved:
President of the Board
Clerk:
Offered by:
Second by:

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Exhibit B
Lancaster Board of Park Commissioners
Departmental Updates
Monthly Meeting
January 7, 2026
12:00 pm
Departmental Updates
Projects & Facilities
• Projects:
Bower’s Park
o
 Operating engineers’ demobilization in progress
 Completion of infield C excavation delayed due to weather
Elmwood
o
 Existing playground demo’d and new playground was constructed
• Events:
Winterlights
o
 Set up light features, facilitated parking, and removed features
Glasstown Countdown
o
 Prepped downtown parks and provided crane truck/operators to raise Glasstown
Countdown ball
Downtown
o
 Removed downtown tree and holiday decorations
• Maintenance:
Alley Park lodge septic pumps replaced
o
Twin Lakes overflow drain clearance
o
Cenci Lake shore clearing
o
Light switch replacements in rear entrance of Community Building
o
Snow removal and salt spreading
o
HVAC and plumbing maintenance
o
Vehicle and equipment maintenance
o
Picnic table, park bench, and pool chair refurbishing
o
Weekly trash route
o
Programs & Events
• Elmwood Park Playground finished up
Met with playground co on Tuesday to have final walk-thru inspections
o
Met with concrete company to get layout/pricing for sidewalk
o
Final step will be to finalize grant follow ups and have a ribbon cutting in spring
o
• 2026 Park guide is printed and we will distribute around town and in businesses
The electronic copy has been uploaded to website and facebook
o
• Cornhole and Shuffleboard will start at Community Building
• Basketball continues weekly at Community Building
• Finalized year end reports and 2026 goals

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• Sent rehire application to potential returning seasonal staff
Working with YMCA on getting lifeguard cert classes and in-service dates for staff
o
• Took my Certified Parks & Recreation Professional exam (CPRP)
Olivedale
• We had 98 attendees to play music bingo at our Christmas at Olivedale event.
• Olivedale members donated gift cards to the Fairfield County Guardianship Service Board.
• Donations to the Olivedale Giving Tree benefited Bottoms Up this year.
• We hosted 123 people at the New Years Eve, Eve dance.
• AARP volunteers will be back to help seniors with tax filing.
• Instead of Jan. Feb. trips, we will have our Wednesday Matinee with a different movie each
week. $2 buys popcorn and drink.
• We have scheduled our maintenance shut-down for the week of Feb. 9th. Work on the pool
ceiling will result in the pool being drained. The pool will be down for 1 week. We will take one
day that week to deep clean the other exercise rooms.
Outdoor Education & Events
• Offered a Night Photography Class by Kamal Kassouf with a sneak peek of snow-dusted Winterlights!
• Compared Tropical Rainforests to Ohio with the Mt. Pleasant 5th grade classes.
• Taught “Skunk InSTINKs” class to Creative Journeys.
• Winterlights had a successful start with about 2700 people in attendance on the first 2 nights.
Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate with the last 2 nights, and we were forced to cancel for
the safety of volunteers, staff and visitors. Thank you to maintenance for all their hard work and to
everyone that volunteered so we can offer this wonderful event each year! We will put the "park" in
sparkle again next year!
• Gathered V-Teens and Nature Volunteer Network to discuss the year and upcoming opportunities.
• Hosted the Annual Bean Dinner at Alley Park.
• Continuing to deep clean habitats and decluttering of the office area to start the new year fresh!
• Preparing for and posting upcoming activities and events:
Preschoolers in the Park Winter Session starts on Friday, January 16th.
o
Homeschoolers/Remote Learners will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 3rd.
o
Wise Walkers Senior Hiking Series begins Wed., January 14th on the Bike Trail by OU-L at 9 am.
o
Exploring Our Parks Series - Meet in front parking lot at Alley Park for a Winter Hike from 2 – 4pm on
o
Sunday, Jan. 18th.
Nature Volunteer Network Guest Speaker Series continues Tuesday, Jan. 27th from 6 – 7:30pm with
o
John Watts presenting Drink Your Tea & Bird ID.
Poppy's Prediction to be held at the Downtown Gazebo on Monday, February 2nd at 7:30am.
o
Volunteers needed for the Maple Tapping Festival on Saturday, March 14th from 8 – 11am.
o
Notifications
Personnel – Congratulations to Jennifer Shamblin CPRP