Parks, Recreation & Tourism Advisory Board

CHESAPEAKE PARKS, RECREATION AND TOURISM ADVISORY BOARD Meeting Minutes September 1, 2022 This meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Advisory Board was held on September 1, 2022, at the River Crest Community Center. Chair Leedom called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS None. ROLL CALL Ms. Fuqua took the roll. Attendance reflected a quorum with 10 voting members present and 6 absent. Members Present: Christine Arrasate, Kevin Cole (non-voting ex-officio/CPS), Susan Dixon, Paula Faivre, Annette Kelley (Vice Chair), Lindy Huber, Bob Leedom (Chair), Chris Lowie (non-voting ex-officio/GDSNWR), Patti McCambridge, Terrence McDuffie (non-voting Youth Liaison), Richard Pippin, Neta Stephens, and Michael Williams Members Absent: Catina Bondhill, James Brown, Donna Cannatella (non-voting ex- officio/CCC, Bryan Carey, Jean Carideo (non-voting ex-officio/GBBWHF), Jean Holt, Phil Johnson, and Jessica Woodyard Staff Present: Mike Barber, Monica Christiansen, Thurman Diamond, Shawn Hopson, Kim Murden, Melody Beck, and Cori Fuqua MINUTES: A motion was made by Ms. McCambridge and seconded by Mr. Pippin to approve the August 4, 2022 minutes as presented. The minutes were unanimously approved by the board. HEARING OF CITIZENS: Marciela Moore – Attending for observation only, no comments. Gail Wilson – Ms. Wilson lives in the Fernwood Farms area near where the new Newton Neck Park is located. The concern is that there will be parking and an entrance in the neighborhood at the end of Mapleshore Drive. Mr. Barber said we are working with Public Works and hoping to locate the parking and main entrance off Bainbridge Point underneath the bridge. There may be walkway entrances into the park from the surrounding neighborhoods, but it would accommodate pedestrian traffic only. There will be a public meeting this fall with the community after we have a better idea of the conceptual parking options. SPECIAL STAFF PRESENTATION: THERAPEUTICS Ms. Melody Beck, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, gave an overview presentation on the department’s Therapeutic Recreation section which oversees specialized goal-based recreation programs for individuals with disabilities. REPORTS: a. Ex-Officio Reports: • Chesapeake Public Schools – None. • Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge – Mr. Lowie reported that the pier at Lake Drummond has been named “Reflection Pier” to recognize and acknowledge indigenous people, maroons, underground railroad freedom seekers and others for their sacrifice and contribution to American history. A plaque has been ordered and should be installed in about a month. • Chesapeake Conference Center – None. • Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways History Museum – Mr. Barber said that the museum has a new logo, and you’ll see it on new street signage in the next few weeks as well as on their website. b. Tourism Report – o The Tourism Quick Connect meetings with our industry partners kicked off in July. It’s an informal opportunity to get together once a month to network and share any updates. The feedback has been excellent. Please feel free to attend. The next meeting is Thursday, September 15th from 8:30-9:30am at the Recovery Sports Bar & Grill. Please RSVP to tourisminfo@cityofchesapeake.net. o Sales activity coming up in September – Going on Faith Conference in Wichita, Kansas, Demo Day at the New Kent Visitors Center, Oktoberfest at Wasserhund Brewery, and the AAA Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. Will also be attending some local events like Black Ink, Weekends on the Lake, and others. o We now have three new groups that have confirmed events in Chesapeake between now and 2024 – the Eastern Diocese Church of Christ Holiness Youth Conference in April of 2023, the Virginia Assisted Living Association Conference in October of 2023, and a portion of the Cross-Country National Championships in November of 2023 at Bells Mill Park. c. Parks and Recreation Reports – Also refer to the Department Report and Park Project Updates. o Events & Misc. – Ms. Christiansen gave the following updates: o Events in September – Symphony Under the Stars this Sunday evening at Chesapeake City Park at 7:30pm, and the Never Forget Ceremony of Remembrance on Sunday, September 11th at 8:30am at Chesapeake City Park. o Rangers – The August report was handed out to board members showing incidents, parks visited, and work orders completed. o Recreation – Mr. Diamond gave the following updates: o After-school Stay & Play childcare will begin next week when school starts and will be offered at 6 of our 8 community centers. o Grounds – Mr. Hopson gave the following updates: 2  o Grass mowing is still going strong but should start slowing down soon with cooler weather. New equipment additions include a mobile stump grinder and mobile pressure washer water tank. o Performing athletic field prep and maintenance – lots of sports going on this fall! o Supporting events as needed. o Will be transitioning over to the winter maintenance items (mulching, trimming trees, painting, etc.) as mowing slows down. d. Director Updates: • Mr. Barber gave the following updates: o Historic Village – Still moving along. We met with some specialty groups recently for interpretations and displays and have more meetings to come. o Superintendent’s House – Met with the Army Corps several times and we’re making progress on getting it deeded over to the City. Received the proposal for the Phase II archeological dig that must be performed as required by the ACOE. o Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) ▪ Pool – The Purchase Order to hire the architect for the feasibility study is making its way through Purchasing. ▪ Today the capital budget kickoff meeting was held for new CIP projects to be requested over the next 5 years. Not sure how many more new projects PRT can take on at this point without additional staff resources and project managers. We’re seeing some growing pains with staffing and projects. o Camelot Community Center reopens next week when school starts, but the gym will be closing for a few weeks starting in mid-September for full floor replacement. o Lighting Projects/Athletic Fields – We have four or five fields with lights installed but are waiting on Dominion Power to energize them. Expecting delivery of lights later this month for two fields at Greenbrier Middle School, the Indian River Middle School field and the Camelot multi-purpose purpose field and hope they all will be energized before next spring. Shawn and crew have been working on the Paramont field and we’re hoping that will also be done by next spring as well. The lights are already up at that field. o Indian River Park Trails meeting will be held at Indian River Community Center on Monday, September 12th from 6-7:30pm. We’re trying to get all the different interest groups together and give them some input and guidance on what can or can’t be done, and the right way to go about getting something done. o Eileen Olds Park Clock Tower should be in around the end of October so we will be working on the infrastructure and landscaping to hopefully have it up and running by the holidays. o Gold Star Memorial group completed their fundraising goals and are hoping to be able to break ground in October and finish the project by Memorial Day of 2023. 3 UNFINISHED BUSINESS: • Park & Trail Re-Naming (Oak Grove Lake Park and Trail) – there has not been further movement on this so it will be tabled for now and taken off the agenda. • Kelleher Challenge Course Sign/Naming Request – Mr. Pippin made a motion that the board endorse Fire Chief Elliott’s request to name the challenge course at Cornland Park the Kelleher Challenge Course. Ms. Kelley seconded the motion, and it was approved by unanimous board vote. • 2023-2024 Athletic Rules Board Committee – Ms. Faivre said the rules committee will be meeting on Thursday, September 8, at 6:00pm by Zoom to review all submitted requests and will submit their recommendations to the board at the October meeting. NEW BUSINESS: • None. HEARING OF BOARD MEMBERS: • Mr. Pippin had the opportunity to attend the EDAC (Economic Development Advisory Committee) meeting for the Kim Murden and Mike Barber show and they did a great job! • Ms. Kelley has an XL advisory board men’s shirt that has never been worn if anyone would like it. • Mr. Leedom reminded everyone that Symphony Under the Stars is this weekend. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:28 p.m. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be on Thursday, October 6, 2022, at the Deep Creek Community Center, 2901 Margaret Booker Drive, at 6:30 p.m. Minutes submitted by Cori Fuqua, Secretary 4