Parks, Recreation & Tourism Advisory Board

CHESAPEAKE PARKS, RECREATION AND TOURISM ADVISORY BOARD Meeting Minutes November 3, 2022 This meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Advisory Board was held on November 3, 2022, at the Camelot Community Center. Chair Leedom called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. Leedom announced that the board has two new members whose terms begin January 1, 2023. Ms. Deloras Freeman is one of the new members and she is here tonight to observe and meet everyone. Ms. Susan Starkey is the other new member, and we will be welcoming her soon as well. ROLL CALL Ms. Fuqua took the roll. Attendance reflected a quorum with 11 voting members present. 5 were absent. Members Present: Donna Cannatella (non-voting ex-officio/CCC, James Brown, Bryan Carey, Susan Dixon, Paula Faivre, Lindy Huber, Phil Johnson, Annette Kelley (Vice Chair), Bob Leedom (Chair), Chris Lowie (non-voting ex-officio/GDSNWR), Patti McCambridge, Terrence McDuffie (non-voting Youth Liaison), Richard Pippin and Jessica Woodyard Members Absent: Christine Arrasate, Catina Bondhill, Jean Carideo (non-voting ex- officio/GBBWHF), Kevin Cole (non-voting ex-officio/CPS), Jean Holt, Neta Stephens, and Michael Williams Staff Present: Mike Barber, Monica Christiansen, Thurman Diamond, Kim Murden, Shawn Hopson, Meghan Roberts, Nakiesha Bridgers, and Cori Fuqua MINUTES: A motion was made by Mr. Pippin and seconded by Mr. Johnson to approve the September 1, 2022 minutes as presented. The minutes were unanimously approved by the board. HEARING OF CITIZENS: Marciela Moore – Attending for observation only, no comments. SPECIAL STAFF PRESENTATION: OUTDOOR PROGRAMS Meghan Roberts, Recreation Specialist II, gave an overview presentation on the department’s Outdoor Programs. REPORTS: a. Ex-Officio Reports: • Chesapeake Conference Center – Ms. Cannatella gave a preview of events coming up in November – the Holiday Craft Show 11/19-20, the Crisis Pregnancy Center of Tidewater banquet on 11/10, and the Chesapeake Sports Club luncheon on 11/14. Also, the Conference Center is a drop off location for Toys for Tots. Still taking orders for a pre-cooked Thanksgiving feast starting at $190 for 6, or you can increase to 12 or  18 servings. Order forms are on the website under “Attend An Event.” Princess Ball tickets went on sale October 31st – the Ball is February 5, 2023, and it sells out quickly! Lunch with Chef this Friday starting at 11:30 a.m. so get there early (by 11:20 a.m.) to avoid the rush. • Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways History Museum – Ms. Carideo asked that Mr. Barber remind the board that James Madison will be visiting the Museum on November 19th. Tickets are $30 each and seats are limited. • Chesapeake Public Schools – None. • Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge – None. b. Tourism Report – o Tourism staff has attended a number of trade shows and were very productive returning with several RFPs. o Restaurant week was October 14th-21st and online survey comments from the restaurant partners have been very positive. Online Google stats were also strong with lots of traffic. c. Parks and Recreation Reports – Refer to the Department Report and Park Project Updates. o Events & Misc. – Ms. Christiansen gave the following updates: o Events in November and December – The Holiday Craft Show at the Conference Center: Saturday 11/19 from 10am-5pm and Sunday 11/20 from 11am-4pm, Deck the Hall Lights will open Thanksgiving evening and will run through 1/2/23 from 6- 9pm, and Fa La La Land is on two Saturdays, the 12/10 and 12/17, from 5-9pm. The holiday parades are on Saturday 12/3 – Western Branch starting at 10am and Great Bridge starting at 5pm. The Great Bridge Community Center will be open again during the parade so stop by for some hot chocolate or to use the restrooms. The Battle of Great Bridge Reenactment at Battlefield Park South is also the first weekend of December - 12/3 from 10am-4pm and 12/4 from 10am-2pm. There is also a wreath-laying ceremony at the Museum on 12/3 at 11am. d. Director Updates: • Mr. Barber gave the following updates: o A photo of the new gateway signage along the waterway by Battlefield Park South is featured on the cover of the October Department Report. We will continue to move forward on enhancing that area to make it more attractive and connected for boating tourists and those desiring to visit the waterway. The sidewalks will connect the parking lots in the park, along the waterway, to the monument to Battlefield Boulevard. o Several of our CIP projects with historical services are still rolling. We will be renovating the Sunray building (located in the Sunray Agricultural Historic District) which will then likely also house the city’s Agricultural department and master gardeners. The renovation will also include “community center-type space” 2  for holding classes and programs. The architect has been selected and we will be working with the user groups and community for input as we move forward on developing the plans. There is also an old fire station located adjacent to Sunray which will also be renovated and some of human services and volunteer groups will have workable space in that building. o Arboretum renovation has finally moved to purchasing. City Council will be asked to approve an amendment to the current ordinance that will keep the Arboretum farmhouse in the historical district yet eliminate it meeting national standards in which the building is not eligible. o Blue Heron Park – The original bids came in much higher than originally anticipated so the plans were modified and separated to help make it more attractive for individual contractors to bid on different items rather than as an “all or nothing” project. o Historical Village – The paperwork for the $2M funding from the state was filled out and submitted. The paperwork for the $3M federal money was also finally completed, submitted, and approved. It took several weeks to complete due to the number of stipulations and regulations. Hopefully funds will be coming soon. o Pool – The kick-off meeting was held last month with the architect and City staff. We expect to get the feasibility study soon which will look at programming to see how it can be configured at the Cuffee Center. Then we can move ahead with citizen and user group meetings. o New gym floor at Camelot looks like wood but isn’t. Should be able to stand up to hard use in an elementary school setting. o Kelleher Challenge Course at Cornland Park – Council approved the naming recommendation, so we are having the sign made and installed. o Heritage Park – The public meeting was held October 24 at Great Bridge Community Center and there were approximately 70 people with mostly equestrian interest in attendance. We’re also working with Public Utilities for a master multi- use trail system in southern Chesapeake which should help make the equestrian community very happy with additional trails. o Newton Neck – A community meeting on park usages is scheduled for November 29th at 6:30 p.m. at River Crest Community Center. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: • 2023-2024 Athletic Rules Board Committee – The committee’s recommendations were presented to the board by Chair Faivre, and the document will be sent out to the board for review and voted on at the December meeting. NEW BUSINESS: • Election of board officers (Chair and Vice Chair) for 2023 – Ms. McCambridge volunteered to coordinate nominations. She will contact board members to assess 3  interest in running for office and will present the slate at the December meeting for a vote. HEARING OF BOARD MEMBERS: • Mr. Leedom attended both the Indian River Park and Heritage Park public meetings and said they were very well attended and extremely well run. • Ms. McCambridge said that she receives a lot of emails of historical relevance so if anyone is interested, she would be happy to pass them along. • Ms. Kelley asked if there was a low cost or free meeting place for civic groups and Mr. Barber and Mr. Diamond said that civic groups can meet for free at community centers and libraries. • Ms. Dixon went to a couple of restaurants during restaurant week, and both were very good. • Ms. Huber said it’s great to live in Chesapeake! ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:07 p.m. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at the Great Bridge Community Center, 212 Holt Drive, at 6:30 p.m. Notes submitted by Cori Fuqua, Secretary 4