Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission

Bristol Tennessee Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Meeting January 14, 2016 6:00pm Present: Susie Chandler Cade Owenby Jason Booher David Akard Karen Combs Erin Yates Robby Johnson Absent: Chris Connally Sherry Willinger Randy Frye Staff: Terry Napier April Norris I. Call to Order – The meeting was called to order by Jason Booher at 6:06pm II. Approval of November 12, 2015 Minutes – Robby Johnson made the motion to approve the minutes. David Akard seconded the motion. All in favor, motion passes. III. Old Business A. Central Tennis Court/Building Project Progress- Terry advised the commission that the project is moving along schedule. The courts are complete. Parks and facilities crews along with Bobby Godsey’s crew are finishing up the building. The first serve match is scheduled for March 14th between Tennessee High and Virginia High. B. SCP Splash Pad- The contract for the builder has been approved by city council. Terry is currently working with the contractor on setting a date for ground breaking. Parks and facilities crews will be constructing a 16x16 pump house/storage building. C. Nature Center Addition- Terry advised that he is working with the architect on finalizing the layout. After the plans are reviewed it could be finalized as soon as next week. D. Avoca Fees- Terry advised that currently a formal payment arrangement is being drafted to provide to Avoca. E. Baseball Facility Improvements- At Friendship Park the T-ball field has about a 2ft slope so the crews have removed the fencing and are bulldozing the field. Terry advised that about 10 loads of dirt have been ordered to level the field. The score tower/concessions roofing system was built and the concession stand was gutted to renovate and level the floor. Funding will be requested for the 2017 fiscal year to renovate the primary field. F. Baseball Facility Study- The study has been requested to look at the area to determine where to put and the cost of a baseball facility. The study is funded by the City of Bristol TN and Bristol baseball. Terry shared the possible locations- exit 74, downtown and the speedway area. G. Aquatics Need Study- Interviews have started for the study. This is not something that will start in 2017. Haynesfield Pool will not be closed unless it just is not safe or feasible to open. H. Comprehensive Trails and Greenways Plan- This study is basically looking for community input. The study will be a guide for a plan for future trails and greenways. IV. New Business A. Designated Bike Lanes (added)- Jason Booher made a motion to make it a priority to City Council to create bike lanes where possible. Jason stated that a bike path increases  awareness that is much needed after the biking accidents that have occurred this past year. David Akard seconds the motion. Karen Combs stated that this should not be something that the commission is ask to vote on right away because there has been little discussion and it was new business added at the table. Terry advised that bike lanes are actually a part of the Trails and Greenways Study. Jason says “put the paint down and save a life”. Susi Chandler says that she is not truly a proponent of bike lanes because she feels like the road lane is safer and the bike lanes get trashed up. Susi also feels like it is just as much the cyclist responsibility to be safe. Terry suggested adding an educational program on BTN TV about bike safety. David Akard made a motion to amend the original motion to ask council to look at bike safety in the City of Bristol TN. Karen Combs seconds the motion. All are in favor with the exception of Jason Booher who is opposed. B. Proposed funding/Naming rights for new rental shelter at the Splash Pad- Terry explained the current Naming Rights Policy and how it is outdated. Terry is asking the commission to accept the recommendation for a new/updated policy. Susi Chandler makes a motion and Erin Yates seconds the motion. All are in favor, motion passes. C. Request for Naming Rights for court #1 at New Tennis Facility/donation- Terry is asking the commission the make a motion to accept a donation from a local family of $42,500 towards court #1 in their son’s honor. The family’s name will be withheld until the board has approved. David Akers makes a motion to accept and Susi Chandler seconds the motion. All are in favor, motion passes. The other courts will be made available for the same type of naming for $40,000. Terry hopes that the wording would include these types of request to go through the Parks Commission for approval. Susi Chandler said this is a great opportunity but guidelines do need to be established. D. Request for naming if the music park (Shelby and 8th Street)-Terry is requesting that the Parks Commission make a motion to make a recommendation to city council for the music park to be named in honor of Jerry Goodpasture. Susi Chandler makes the motion and David Akard seconds the motion. All are in favor, motion passes. E. Tennis Programing- Terry and Nell Bieger working on a Tennis Program and there is a tennis pro that is interested in programming. He would take appoints for tennis lessons and run the NJTL program. David Akard asks about fee’s being set aside to maintain the courts. Terry advised that the fees are not set aside but he will be able to show revenue and expense to justify more money in the budget. F. SCP improvements/summer event planning-The erosion of the beach was taken care of in house and the beach has been cleaned up, terraced and grass placed. This has added more seating area to the amphitheater. Terry is hoping to do movies and music this summer. Coke will be donating a concessions trailer. V. Board Comments: Karen Combs really enjoys and appreciates the ability to debate and come to an agreement amongst the commission. She asks that everyone speak-up and add a human factor to the meetings. David Akard asks that Parks and Recreation look at adding another senior golf day to Steele Creek Golf Course. He also asked about the ASD Food Truck day in the park and if it was happening again this year. He would also like more communication about the city events. Susi Chandler asks that the bridges in the park be cleaned and painted. Terry advised that the work order is already in for that and will be done as soon as weather permits. Jason Booher advised that effective immediately he is resigning as the chairman of the Parks Commission. He stated with this being an election year he will not be able to attend many more meetings and he doesn’t feel like it fits his style of running a commission. A new chairman will need to be elected at the next meeting. Terry advised the commission that their input is much appreciated and needed and that their service does matter. VI. Next Meeting: March 10, 2016 VII. Adjourned: David Akard made the motion to adjourn the meeting and Erin Yates seconds the motion. Meeting adjourned at 7:43 pm. ________________________ Terry Napier, Director