The Pataskala parks and recreation advisory board intends to amend the agreements it has with outside entities for park maintenance and operation.

The Pataskala Lions Club, Licking Heights Youth Association and Pataskala Select Soccer came forward to operate and maintain park programs after the city cut the parks and recreation department from its 2009 budget because of financial issues.

"I think all in all it was a success," said Jeni Ashbrook, chair of the city's parks and recreation advisory board. "We had quite a few entities that used the utilization agreements."

Ashbrook said the agreements worked well but a few details need to be changed.

"Some things worked; some things didn't," she said.

She said much of the changes include following a chain of command when equipment is broken or damaged, for example. She said people need to know whom to call.

The board also needs lists of groups using equipment, she said. Pataskala law director Rufus Hurst said the city could provide those as exhibits per the agreements, as opposed to changing the actual agreements.

Hurst said he would confirm how the city approved the agreements.

Pataskala City Council will have to use the same procedure to change the agreements.

Ashbrook also asked about the city pool, which the board is trying to open in 2010.

Hurst said the pool would have to be a separate issue and would not fall under the current utilization agreements.

Ashbrook said the city needs to review its records because the most recent review of the pool shows that there were some issues with caulking performed in 2004 and the installation of equipment. She said the city should request repairs by the contractors who did the initial work. The cover and some equipment also seem to be missing, she said.

She said the board has been in contact with the western branch of the Licking County Family YMCA, which operated the pool most recently -- until 2009, when it determined it could no longer operate the city's pool in Foundation Park without losing money.

During the Nov. 9 council meeting, Ashbrook was asked about an item in her report to council, which alluded to the fact that some property owners might be encroaching on property within Foundation Park. She suggested that the city look into it.

Hurst said that if encroachment has occurred, the city must stop it.

Ashbrook also mentioned to council that the members of the city's parks and recreation advisory board are not interested in being compensated for their work.

"We volunteer our time and don't feel that the funding that is available should be going toward that," she said.

Council had discussed compensating the board because it is the only city board whose members are not compensated.

Council president Barbara Triplett thanked Ashbrook and the others for their work and their continued dedication to the city. She said the city might need to begin compensating the board to attract good candidates for it.