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SALEM -- City Parks Commission members agreed to pass on using FoundationSearch, a company that requires a one-year subscription fee to point out foundations likely to give money to parks.
Members had discussed the idea last month, with Vice Chair Lucille Karnofel and commission member Lori Colian both expressing reservations after questioning what exactly the company would do for the one-year membership cost of $4,995.
In the time since that meeting, Colian said she spoke with Sustainable Opportunity Development Center Executive Director Julie Needs, who said part of her job is helping the city find grant funding to help the various departments, including the parks. She said the SOD Center is always ready to help. She also mentioned the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association (OMEGA), which serves eight counties, including Columbiana County, with grant writing assistance.
OMEGA helped write the grant the parks department was awarded a few years ago to renovate the restrooms at Waterworth Memorial Park near the duck pond and has helped the city with other grants.
Parks Director Shane Franks said he also spoke with Needs, who indicated she wants to help. Karnofel gave Franks the name of a company she found that assists with grants, but doesn't charge a fee up front. Franks said he'll check into that company. He suggested not moving forward with joining FoundationSearch.
Chairman John Panezott said he heard some of the same information, about using the SOD Center and OMEGA since there would be no cost to the parks for their services. No vote was taken but all agreed they didn't want to use FoundationSearch.
In other business, Franks reported he spoke with American Leak Detection of Youngstown about doing a leak survey at the Centennial Pool. The cost would be $1,950, but the earliest appointment wouldn't be until the end of September and even then, there was uncertainty on whether a technician could come up that day from Columbus.
The pool closed Tuesday and Franks was hesitant about having to keep maintaining the pool that long since it's closed, especially since the company wasn't positive about being able to send someone.
Franks confirmed with the board that if that day is finalized, to go ahead and keep the pool clean and clear until then. If the date can't be finalized, delay the leak check until next year.
Pool manager Amber Smith, who's also the Recreation Supervisor, reported 120 people attended an end-of-season pool party they hosted last week and co-sponsored with State Farm Bridgett Cutlip and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Stouffer Realty.
Smith announced the last movie of the season will be shown at 8:15 p.m. Saturday at the band shell at Waterworth Memorial Park, featuring the classic "Wizard of Oz" with Judy Garland.
The Go Wild in the Park program on Big Foot was cancelled this week and rescheduled for 6:30 p.m. Sept. 1 at the pavilion near the duck pond at Waterworth Memorial Park.
Parks Foreman Jim Grimm reported some tree issues, noting that a large shade tree near the band shell had to be taken down after it died and part of a maple tree landed on the pavilion near the playground and duck pond, but didn't do any damage. A section of a willow tree broke off also at Waterworth.
The crew also repaired some washouts along the nature trail at Waterworth and worked on cutting some low-lying limbs in preparation for a large cross country meet.
The next meeting will be 5 p.m. Sept. 22 at the parks office, 2222 Oak St.
mgreier@salemnews.net