Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission

Bristol Tennessee Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Meeting March 8, 2018 6:00pm Present: Susie Chandler David Akard Mahlon Luttrell Sherry Willinger Bennett Cowan George Laoo Ginny Senter Lance Tudor Lea Powers Curt Rutherford Absent: Chris Connally Jason Booher Staff: Terry Napier April Norris I. Call to Order – The Parks and Recreation Commission meeting was called to order at 6:03 pm by Chairman, David Akard. II. Introduction of new Commissioner A. Councilwoman, Lea Powers III. Approval of January 11, 2018 Minutes – Mahlon Luttrell made a motion to approve the minutes. Susie Chandler seconds the motion. All in favor, motion passes. IV. Board and Commissions Manual A. Danielle Kiser, City of Bristol TN Attorney provided the Boards and Commissions Manual to each member of the commission. She went over several key topics in the manual. V. Old Business A. TN Department of Health Grant – TN Department of Health contacted Terry about applying for the grant. The grant covers $80,000 to set up a community park. If awarded the money would be used to set up an outdoor fitness park at Clay Park which is located behind Edgemont Towers. The park is about an acer and only has a circular sidewalk. Terry is also working with the Chamber of Commerce on a grant that would aid in paving using recycled tire rubber. B. Greenways & Trails – The trail that will more than likely be started first will be the Beaver Creek Greenway from Charlie Robinette Park south or from Charlie Robinette Park north. Public Works, Parks and Recreation and Community Development were all ask to identify properties and easements that need to be obtained to be able to begin applying for grant funding. Terry discussed several different options on how this will be accomplished. Ben Cowan asked about offering to put up a barrier as a bargaining tool. David Akard asked was there another section of trail that the city already owns all of the right of ways so that the grant money could be applied for sooner. Terry advised not at this time. C. Shelter B area improvements - Crews are making ADA improvements on the area surrounding shelter B such as level surfaces and parking. Storm water drains will be installed and in Fiscal year 2020 funds will be requested to pave the park. I. New Business: A. 2018/2019 Youth Basketball Program Complete - The season wrapped up in February with a total of 125 boys and 35 girls. In the girls division all age groups were  combined in order to have enough to have game play. Overall, it was a great season with very few complaints. B. Splash Pad – An additional 5 foot of concrete has been added all around the Splash Pad at Steele Creek Park as a dry zone. This additional 5ft should retain 99% of the water. It will be painted green at the close of the summer season. The additional 5ft will also help with the mud and stench that comes with it. Susie Chandler advised that she likes the “No Smoking” signs that have been placed around the splash pad. Terry advised those type of signs have been added in several different locations. Additional Parking will also be added for the Splash Pad this should be completed by mid-May. The drive way will be paved and the handicapped parking spaces but the rest will more than likely be gravel. C. Youth Football 2019 – Ten years ago Jr. Viking Football took over the Parks and Recreation Youth Football League. Recently, Terry was contacted by community members and THS staff asking about re-starting the Parks and Recreation Youth Football League. The program will have to start from the ground up. The program would identify with the elementary schools. Terry advised that there is a placeholder in the Fiscal year 2019 budget to support the program. Mahlon Luttrell asked about homeschool students participating in the league. Terry advised as long as they were in the city limits they would play for the school they should actually go to. Terry shared the statistics of the Jr. Vikings program, this data shows that a large number of kids are not with in the city limits and not attending city schools. Ben Cowan mentioned that he has heard that football is not as popular for the youth as it used to be due to the chance of injury. Terry advised that is true but the need is still here in our community. Ben Cowan asked about the liability of the sport. Terry advised that the equipment required and the training provided to coaches by the THS staff will help avoid injury. Lea Powers provided the commission with an overview of the inception and the intent of the Jr. Vikings Youth Football Program and what it has now evolved into. George Laoo spoke about his experience with the Jr. Viking Program and his concerns. Terry advised that he has asked for a representative for/from each school. Pre-registration will be held to gage interest in the program. Terry asked the commission to make a motion showing their support for the program. Ben Cowan made a motion to support the program, David Akard seconds the motion. All are in favor for the motion, motion passes. Terry will share this with City Council. D. Food City Park/Dog Park – Terry has requested drawings for the proposed dog park. Terry advised that there was playground on the grounds at one time that was under- utilized. Terry went over the concept of the park with the commission and advised that once drawings are complete he will approach Food City for funding. Terry ask the commission to make a motion showing support for the proposed dog park. Susie Chandler makes the motion to support, Ben Cowan seconds the motion. All are in favor of the motion, motion passes. Terry will share this with City Council. E. Purchase of Coyne Textile Building Completed – The purchase of the property is complete. Terry shared pictures of the building with the commission. Lea Powers suggested a site visit. Terry advised that the property was approved by TDEC. Terry has sent out for drawings to show his proposed plan for an indoor Farmer’s Market and community event space. Terry gave an overview of the property and its possibilities. Lea Powers advised that it is so important to look at these opportunities for economic development. She encouraged the commission to look at everything and its  opportunities. David Akard advised that with the addition of the hotels to the downtown area many things will change. F. Nature Center Expansion Report – The first five (5) exhibits are finished and the Friends of Steele Creek Nature Center and Park are donating the items to the city.  $90,000 for the Aquarium Array  $60,000 for the Woodland Animals Diorama  $45,000 for the Birders Forest Diorama  $35,000 for the Waterfowl Exhibit  $38,000 for the Crawl Through Cave Exhibit II. Board Comments: Sherry Willinger advised that she is excited about the Steele Creek Park programs and that several of them are being held on Saturdays and the Nature Center programs are featured in the brochure. Terry advised that we have started featuring sponsors in the brochure. Susie Chandler advised she was riding on the trails at Steele Creek Park and saw a tree that was being cut down with an axe. Ben Cowan advised that there is a tree hanging near the bridge near the Lakeside Ridge Trail. Terry advised that he will check on both of the trees in question. George Laoo advised that he is excited about football and Coyne building possibilities. Curt Rutherford advised that there are great things going on within the community. David Akard advised that since the Trails and Greenways Plan came out the downtown opportunities have changed. Which will bring a lot of downtown action. He also added that he feels like the commission is a great group and he is excited that the students are active and engaged. Ginny Senter advised that she is excited about the possibility of the dog park. She also shared that she mentioned the movies in the park to friends and they were excited. Lance Tudor advised that the football program would be good. III. Staff Comments: None IV. Next Meeting Date: May 11, 2018 V. Adjourn – The meeting was adjourned by Chairman, David Akard at 7:24pm. ________________________ Terry Napier, Director