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Parks and recreation director to retire

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After 18 years as executive director of the Ramona Parks and Recreation Association (RPRA), Cindy Galloway is retiring and will be replaced by Dawn Perfect.

RPRA directors approved Perfect’s appointment at a rate of $18 per hour during its July 19 meeting. The position is part-time. Galloway said she works two mornings a week, about a total of eight hours. Also working for RPRA is Carol Stipp as office assistant. Galloway said she will assist Perfect during the transition.

While Galloway said RPRA is considered a public agency, it functions as a nonprofit organization. Its bylaws state that whenever possible it will use volunteer services, but the board has full discretion in adding paid staff as necessary.

The association was established in 1994 to ensure the continual use and development of the grounds of Ramona Community Park, also known as Wellfied Park. The 166-acre park is owned by the Ramona Municipal Water District. Water from the wells irrigates the grounds.

The water district also owns the Ramona Community Center, which it leases to RPRA. While the parks and rec association operates out of the community center, it also subleases to the Ramona Senior Center, which serves weekday lunches in the main room. RPRA also rents rooms to other organizations and subleases areas of the park to different sports associations.

According to Galloway, the water district pays RPRA $80 a month to use the main room for its board meetings. Through the county, RPRA receives rent for the Ramona Design Review Board and subcommittees of the Ramona Community Planning Group that meet in the center.

Funding for RPRA comes from District A tax money that is specifically targeted for parks, said Galloway, and amounts to $32,500 per quarter, or $130,000 a year. The water district receives the funds and writes a check to RPRA, she said.

Galloway was concerned about additional insurance costs cutting into RPRA’s budget. The association has been paying $8,000 per year for commercial liability for the entire park. With the insurance policy coming up for renewal, Galloway said she had an agent look it over and was told that the policy covers the restrooms and snack bars on the grounds, but it looked like the community center building was not covered. Galloway said she thought the water district covered the insurance cost of the building, but when she contacted staff was told it is RPRA’s responsibility, per lease agreement.

However, Galloway said, there appeared to be miscommunication by email. Tim Clement, Ramona water district human resources director, later sent an email notifying her that RMWD covers the community center building under its insurance policy. RPRA is responsible for insurance coverage on all structures on the park grounds, she said.

Groups that sublease areas of the park must carry their own liability insurance, and Galloway said RPRA must keep copies of the subletters’ policies on file.

Among organizations subleasing from RPRA are: Ramona Sports Association, Ramona Pop Warner, Ramona Trails Association, Ramona Emergency Assistance League, Ramona Soccer League, Ramona Chamber of Commerce, Ramona Adult Softball, Ramona Girls Softball, Ramona Junior Fair, and Ramona Outdoor Community Center.

RPRA executive board officers are: Artie Thomsen, president; Ray Cardona, vice president; Roger Rajcic, treasurer; and Art Thomsen, facilities coordinator. As executive director, Galloway also served as board secretary.

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