Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission

Bristol Tennessee Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Meeting July 13, 2017 6:00pm Present: Susie Chandler David Akard Sherry Willinger Bennett Cowan George Laoo Absent: Jason Booher Chris Connally Staff: Terry Napier April Norris I. Call to Order – The Parks and Recreation Commission meeting was called to order at 6:25pm pm by Chairman, David Akard. II. Approval of March 20, 2017 Minutes – Susie Chandler makes a motion to approve the minutes. Bennett Cowan seconds the motion. All in favor, motion passes. III. Selection of Officers A. Chairman- Susie Chandler makes a motion to re-appoint David Akard as Chairman. Bennett Cowan seconds the motion. All in favor, David Akard is re-appointed as Chairman. B. Vice-Chairman- Sherry Willinger makes a motion to appoint Bennett Cowan as Vice- Chairman. Susie Chandler seconds the motion. All in favor, Bennett Cowan is appointed as Vice-Chairman. C. Secretary- Sherry Willinger makes a motion to appoint Susie Chandler as Secretary. Bennett Cowan seconds the motion. All in favor, Susie Chandler is appointed as Secretary. IV. Old Business A. Aquatics needs Study- Terry provided the commission with a copy of the Aquatics Study. He advised that the cost without the Natatorium was approximately 4.2 million. This study will be used as a guide should Haynesfield pool become inoperable. B. SCP Splash Pad • Additional Parking Lot- The parking issue is being address. The parking lot adjacent to the pavilion is only for use by the party reserving the pavilion. Parking for the Splash Pad is located at the top of the hill in the gravel lot. It is only about 300ft from the Splash Pad. • Benches- Benches may be added this year as funding becomes available. • Shade Structures- Several different options are being explored for shad structures. Such as huge umbrellas and cabana type structures. • Expand Pad- The pad will be expanded by 5ft over the fall months. This will allow 5 ft of “dry space”. Currently the water is running or being splashed off of the pad in to the grass and creating a few muddy areas which the kids in turn play in and bring back onto the pad. Plastic fencing has been added as a deterrent to these area as a temporary fix. C. Nature Center Expansion – The building is complete. The interior build out has begun. All of the upstairs exhibits should be complete by opening day in October. Aquariums and decor are in. The Blue Stocking Club is hosting a fundraiser to be able to sponsor an exhibit.  D. Comprehensive Tails and Greenways Plan / Bike Lanes – Mr. Sorah wants to move as we can on this project. Terry is asking the commission to focus on a particular section of greenway to recommend to council as a starting point. This will allow us to begin seeking grant funding. Terry is asking that the commission please review the plan and maps and be prepared to discuss at the next meeting. V. New Business A. Student appointment (Ginny Senter) – Ginny is on vacation and will be meeting with Terry next week. Terry ask the commission to make a recommendation to add a second student to council. Bennett Cowan made the motion and Sherry Willinger seconds the motion. All in favor, motion passes. B. Prepare a Strategic Plan for Steele Creek Park, Nature Center and programs- Terry would like to start working on this plan at the beginning of 2018. C. Addition of a Floating Docks – Boat rentals are up. We will be adding additional boats with canopies as the two that we purchased are very popular. D. Ida Stone Jones Community Tennis Facility- The courts received the USTA award as one of the 12 best courts in the country. The courts were nominated by META. The award will be handed out in October in Florida. Cabanas with benches have been added to the courts and Rogers McCall secured another $20,000 grant to purchase some additional items. E. Youth Baseball status-Avoca baseball is no longer operational. They merged with BTLL in early April. Avoca baseball still owes their fee for last year. However, they had assured us that they will pay the fees. F. Youth Soccer – BSA had moved their program to Sugar Hollow but have used our fields for the past two years. The Grahams are stepping down and should no one step up to take over Parks and Recreation may have too. G. Fall – Adult co-ed flag football league – Taylor Harman will be having an organizational meeting to try to organize an Adult Co-Ed Flag Football League. We are looking at several other area programs to establish rules/guidelines. H. Spring? – Adult co-ed kickball league- Taylor is also looking to form an Adult kick- ball league. We are hoping that the fall FFB participants will carry over to the kick-ball league. I. Completed or in progress renovations • Friendship Park Big Field Building Improvements – All electrical is done and new flooring. Both of which were unexpected. • New Batting Cage at Western- Batting cages are complete • Two new Batting Cages at Rotary Field- Two cages at Rotary for THS • Handrails, walkway and porch at Nature Center- Handrails will be put up at SCP bridges and handrails at the Nature Center. J. Pending renovations/projects • Rebuild of SCP Shelter A- This is in the FY 2018 budget. • Complete renovations at SCP Shelter B & Playground to include additional play structures, and walkways. - This will include sidewalks and ADA compliant playground equipment  • Anderson Park Electrical Improvements – The post for the lights will arrive this week. • Concession Stand at Friendship Big Field- Renovations will start in the off season • Concession Stand at Holston View Park-Renovations will start in the off season • Concession Stand at George Spinks Field - Renovations will start in the off season • Renovations of Haynesfield Tennis Courts- Currently seeking estimates. IT could cost around $10,000 • Construction of a New Dog Park (Possibly at Food City Park) - Seeking a partnership with Food City. • Expand playground at Anderson Park-Will add a few more swings. • 600 ft. of shoreline stabilization at SCP- Crews work on a different section each year. This year it will be across from the boat docks. • Rebuild dugouts on two lower fields at Holston View Park – This will be done using concrete in the off season. • Expand parking lot at Slater Center (East side) - This is in the FY 2018 budget. • Repaint exterior of City Hall/Justice Center- Pressure washing and painting will be completed by a contractor. • Replace and expand retaining wall above shelter C/VFW at SCP for additional parking and better access to the shelters and picnic area. - VI. Staff Comments: None VII. Board Comments: Susie Chandler advised that the park hours sig in missing from Rooster Front Park. David Akard encouraged everyone to attend the July 27th City Comprehensive Plan Meeting. He also suggest that an addition meeting be held in August just to discuss the Trails and Greenways plan. The commission decided on August 10th at 6pm at the Slater Community Center. VIII. Next Meeting: August 10, 2017 at 6pm at the Slater Community Center. IX. Adjourned: David Akard made the motion to adjourn the meeting and Sherry Willinger seconds the motion. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm. ________________________ Terry Napier, Director