Allegheny County Parks Foundation

“The number of directors was changed from no more than 24 members to no more than 27 members. In addition, the nominating committee membership was changed to assign the board chairperson and the governance committee chairperson, in addition to the allegheny county executive and his or her chief of staff. The by-laws previously did not designate what other board members were assigned to the nominating committee beyond the county executive and his/her chief of staff.”

“The corporation shall be governed by a board of directors of not less than seven (7), nor more than twenty-seven (27), natural persons, who shall be voting members. In addition: (a) the allegheny county chief executive; (b) the president of allegheny county council, or another member of county council designated by the president of allegheny county council; and the executive director of the allegheny county parks foundation, shall each serve as exofficio members of the board with voting rights.”

“The completed form 990 will be reviewed by the executive director, audit committee and treasurer. Upon completion of their review, the form 990 will be provided to the governing board in advance of filing with the internal revenue service.”

“Each director, officer, senior management, and member of a committee with governing board delegated powers annually signs a statement which affirms that such person: a. Has received a copy of the conflicts of interest policy; b. Has read and understands the policy; c. Has agreed to comply with the policy; and understands the foundation is charitable and in order to maintain its federal tax exemption it must engage primarily in activities which accomplish one or more of its tax-exempt purposes.”

“Salary data for comparable not-for-profit organizations, as well as historical foundation data was reviewed in determining the executive director's compensation. This review process was conducted by the board of directors and documented in board meeting minutes.”

“Salary data for comparable landscape architect/project director positions in the non-profit section have been reviewed.”

“Allegheny county parks foundation makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available to the public upon request.”

“The following employees of allegheny county serve as ex-officio members without voting rights: (a) county manager; (b) county parks director; (c) county public works director; and (d) the county facilities management director. The following individuals serve as board members emeritus of the allegheny county parks foundation with no voting rights: john p. Surma carol r. Brown, and caren glotfelty.”

“Line 1: briefly describe the organization's mission (continued): allegheny county, the parks foundation brings together ideas, leadership and resources to make the parks more sustainable and enjoyable for all. Line 4a program service accomplishments (continued): making this the eighth park to have a plan completed and used for reforestation efforts and other environmental improvements. These studies evaluate each park's natural resources and ecological assets and recommend an implementation plan for improving the environment of the park. Other projects completed this year advancing our conservation mission included comprehensive stream assessments in boyce, north and south parks, completing a three-year study of nearly 50 miles of waterways across all nine county parks. These assessments evalulated water quality, habitat conditions and biological health, and will inform long-term land use and management strategies. We completed multiple ecological restoration projects to improve environmental health and public safety. At round hill park, we removed diseased maple trees from the historic allee and replanted the area with diverse, disease-resistant species. A new demonstration rain garden was installed near the visitors center to capture and filter 31,200 gallons of stormwater annually, reducing runoff and educating visitors through signage. Additional restoration efforts included riparian planting at beaver pond in settlers cabin park, phase 2b of the north fork pine creek restoration in north park and tree plantings in six county parks as part of ongoing ecological plan implementation. Past projects include the conservation of the carol r. Brown sculpture garden at hartwood acres park, offering visitors the opportunity to view the collection of 14 sculptures with the backdrop of nature; trail improvements to the north park lake trail; connector trails in south park to the montour trail, and in settlers cabin to the panhandle trail; renovations to the south park fairgrounds oval field and track; new directional signage at deer lakes park to serve as a model for future signage in other parks; interpretive signage at round hill, south and north parks; completion of a trail discovery guide; and installation of 100 chimney swift habitat towers in all nine parks, partnering with the audubon society of western pennsylvania. Eco-plan implementation projects have been undertaken, including planting meadows at boyce, south and hartwood acres parks; many new large trees in boyce and south parks, and riparian plantings in hartwood, south and north parks; planting over 2,000 native trees, perennials and shrubs. Completion of the second park users' study, gauging park use, quality, and perceived value of the parks. This study was a follow-up to the first survey completed in 2016. Results showed an increase from 20 million to 23 million visits to the nine allegheny county parks.”

“Special event expenses 288,727 special event expenses -288,727”