Matthew Killam

The Board meeting included the recognition of volunteers and retiring staff members. Discussions featured reports from the Director and Chief Financial Officer, specifically regarding the budget, fund balances, and treasury activities. The Board reviewed and authorized several key resolutions, including the ratification of payables, funding requests, land purchases, haying licenses, and contracts related to boating development, riverfront activation, and reforestation projects. The Board also addressed and opposed the elimination of property tax and reviewed internal financial reports including debt status and credit card accounts.

The Board meeting focused on key administrative and financial oversight. Topics included the review of the Treasurer's report, updates on programming and volunteer efforts, and the consideration of various resolutions. Specifically, the Board addressed the 2026 annual appropriation, fund transfers, contract ratifications for electrical supply services and forestry mulching, and funding requests through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The Board also reviewed bid rejections for infrastructure projects, lease agreements, and amendments to governance policies and bylaws. Following an executive session to discuss employee compensation, the Board approved a bonus and a cost-of-living adjustment for the Executive Director.

The board discussed various operational and financial items, including volunteer and retirement recognitions, the Treasurer's report regarding fund balances, investments, and debt obligations, and the approval of the 2026 supplement and amendment of the Certificate of Estimated Resources and Appropriations. Key resolutions included authorization to request funding for various initiatives, the purchase of a compact track loader, participation in a road salt bid, and contracts for reforestation and environmental services related to the Glass City Riverwalk project.

The board meeting focused on several key items including the adoption of the consent agenda and progress updates on diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. The treasurer provided a report highlighting the decline in cash reserves due to planned payments for the Glass City Metro Park project and multiple land acquisitions. The board ratified several resolutions concerning contracts and land acquisitions, including an exchange agreement with the Marina District LLC for park headquarters, land purchases to expand the Glass City Metro Park, and additions to the Oak Openings corridor. Discussions also covered the progress of residential development projects, reforesting initiatives, and the acquisition of property near the Maumee River and Airport Highway.

The agenda for the board meeting includes non-resolution board items such as the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a consent agenda. Consideration of reports covers the 2025 Programming Update and the Treasurer's Report, which details revenues, expenditures, fund balances as of December 31, 2025, and fund advances. The board approval section includes numerous resolutions for 2026 blanket purchase orders for various services (e.g., utilities, insurance, bank fees), funding requests through external agencies (e.g., Ohio EPA, National Environmental Education Foundation), contract approvals (e.g., Electrical Supply Service, WGTE Public Media), and revisions to Board Governance Policies and Bylaws. Discussions from the floor involved public input on data centers and the potential elimination of a trail segment, as well as acknowledging the retirement of a long-serving employee.