Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission

Bristol Tennessee Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Meeting October 4, 2012 6:00pm Present: Susi Chandler Sherry Willinger Chris Estep Jerry Greene Becky Wilkerson Chris Connally Richard Heller Absent: Bethany Russell Jim Goodwin Staff: Terry Napier Mike Ratliff I. Invocation by Chris Estep. II. Introductions – Chris Connally, new board member; Mike Ratliff – new Recreation Programmer III. Election of Officers: Chairman – Jerry Greene Vice-Chairman – Jim Goodwin Secretary – Susi Chandler IV. Approval of June 7, 2012 minutes – Becky made the motion to accept the minutes. Sherry seconded the motion. Motion carried. V. Old Business A. Rotary Park Update - Sod is down, fencing poles are up. Everything is on schedule for spring usage. VI. New Business A. Cortrim Property – The property now belongs to the City, and has been offered to the School System for the new middle school site. If the schools do not use the property, it will be another park. B. McDowell Street Property – The property is under 1 acre and will be used to expand the parking for the Slater Center. C. Old Sears Site – Flood Control Project by the Army Corps of Engineers, is now a park, featuring outdoor musical instruments. D. New SCP Trail Maps – Scouts helped re-blaze trees on the trails. There are 3 new displays with maps at Rooster Front, Mill Creek and new the Nature Center. E. New Park Maps – Color maps have been printed and are being distributed. F. New Trail Signs – The new trail signs have been installed. G. Wildlife Weekend – October 12 – 13th.- Activities are scheduled for Friday evening and throughout the day on Saturday. H. Storm Damage – Approval for the last 7 flat roofs has been obtained. Every structure in SCP has a new roof. Rotted wood on the Nature Center was found and replaced in the process. I. FY13 Projects – Renovations to SCP shelters, playground, etc. New doors to be installed in the Lodge. Upgrades to 2 primary soccer fields at Whitetop Creek. We have also obtained grant funding for canopy trees at Whitetop Creek.  J. December Meeting/Meeting Options – No meeting in December. Starting in January, the group will meet on odd months, with options for tours, etc on the even months. VII. Comments from Commissioners: A. Chris Connally - Hunting Season – some people still hunt illegally in the park. Enforcement is difficult, but violators found are escorted out. Disc Golf – 18-hole course is still in demand. May use regular golf course for some 1-day tournaments. B. Becky Wilkerson – Anderson Park playground is being used. Beavers at SCP are active. VFW Shelter renovation is excellent. City reception for Friends of Steele Creek was nice, Sonie Schermer was presented with a plaque. C. Sherry Willinger – Bikers need to be in control and courteous in SCP. Park Rangers would provide a good solution in the future. We need signage for bicyclists. D. Susi Chandler – DeFriece Park recycling in “unsafe area”. These will be moved in the future. E. Richard Heller – TN Municipal League insures recreation properties for the City. There needs to be a policy for donated properties named after donors. Are donors responsible for maintaining properties with their name displayed? May create more work for the City in some cases. F. Chris Estep – There was a great turn out for the Bristol Cross, with many comments on the good condition of the park. G. Jerry Greene – Patterson Property update – nothing new in the works. VIII. Meeting adjourned at 7:15pm. IX. Next Meeting Date – Thursday, January 3, 2013 @ 6:00. ________________________ Terry Napier, Director