Parks, Recreation & Tourism Advisory Board

CHESAPEAKE PARKS, RECREATION AND TOURISM ADVISORY BOARD Meeting Minutes December 1, 2022 This meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Advisory Board was held on December 1, 2022, at the Great Bridge Community Center. Chair Leedom called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS None. ROLL CALL Ms. Fuqua took the roll. Attendance reflected a quorum with 13 voting members present, 3 were absent. Members Present: Christine Arrasate, James Brown, Donna Cannatella (non-voting ex- officio/CCC, Bryan Carey, Jean Carideo (non-voting ex-officio/GBBWHF), Kevin Cole (non-voting ex-officio/CPS), Paula Faivre, Jean Holt, Lindy Huber, Phil Johnson, Bob Leedom (Chair), Patti McCambridge, Richard Pippin, Neta Stephens, Michael Williams, and Jessica Woodyard Members Absent: Catina Bondhill, Susan Dixon, Annette Kelley (Vice Chair), Chris Lowie (non-voting ex-officio/GDSNWR), and Terrence McDuffie (non-voting Youth Liaison) City Staff Present: Mike Barber, Savannah Britt, Monica Christiansen, Karen Christy, Thurman Diamond, Shawn Hopson, Cori Fuqua, and Brian Solis MINUTES: A motion was made by Mr. Carey and seconded by Mr. Pippin to approve the November 3, 2022 minutes as presented. The minutes were unanimously approved by the board. HEARING OF CITIZENS: Casey Shackleford – Mrs. Shackleford is attending because of her interest in the equestrian aspect of recreation in Chesapeake and Heritage Park. She said she might consider applying for a seat on the advisory board. Her husband, Mark Shackleford, was an active board member a few years ago and passed last December. SPECIAL STAFF PRESENTATION: SENIOR PROGRAMS Karen Christy and Savannah Britt gave an overview presentation on the department’s Senior Programs. REPORTS: a. Ex-Officio Reports: • Chesapeake Conference Center – Ms. Cannatella gave a preview of events coming up – Henry Winkler, “the Fonz,” will be a 2023 Chesapeake Forum speaker in  February, Princess Ball is February 5, 2023, and the Black Hair and Wellness Expo on February 19. The first annual Winter Wonderland Forest showcase of holiday trees opened on November 21st and more trees will be added. Students from each Chesapeake Public School will decorate a tree. Visit the trees and vote for your favorite. Lunch with Chef is still going strong in Ballroom A and B so get there early (by 11:20 a.m.) to avoid the rush. And plans are in the works for the first annual WingFest on June 11. More details to come. • Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways History Museum – Ms. Carideo reminded everyone that the museum operations are funded mainly by donations and the Foundation. Please consider supporting the museum’s fundraising efforts with the purchase of a commemorative brick in the Bricks for History Campaign. • Chesapeake Public Schools – None. • Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge – None. b. Tourism Report – o Please refer to the Tourism section in the Department Report. c. Parks and Recreation Reports – For more information, refer to the Department Report and Park Project Updates. o Events & Misc. – Ms. Christiansen gave the following updates: o Events in December –Deck the Hall Lights open nightly 1/2/23 from 6-9pm at City Hall, and Fa La La Land will be on two Saturdays, 12/10 and 12/17, from 5-9pm. The holiday parades are this Saturday 12/3 – Western Branch starting at 8am and Great Bridge starting at 6pm. The Great Bridge Community Center will be open again during the parade so stop by for some hot chocolate or use the restrooms. The Battle of Great Bridge Reenactment at Battlefield Park South is also this weekend - 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. Holiday Brass is on Thursday, December 15th, at the Conference Center at 7:00 p.m. d. Director Updates: • Mr. Barber gave the following updates: o CIP Budget – submitted. Review meeting is next Friday. o General Operating Budget request was due last Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Due to all the new projects in the works now and coming up in the future, we are asking for funding for a new position – a Project Manager for the department as well as some operational positions for the new venues. • Brian Solis, Deputy City Manager, thanked the board for their time and service to the department, City and community, and wished everyone a happy holiday season. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: • 2023-2024 Athletic Rules – After board review of the committee’s recommendations, there were no questions or further discussion. Ms. McCambridge made a motion to 2  accept the athletic rule committee’s recommendations as presented, it was seconded by Mr. Carey and the motion passed with unanimous approval. The rule proposal must now be posted in the community centers for 30 days to allow for any public comments. NEW BUSINESS: • Election of board officers (Chair and Vice Chair) for 2023 – Ms. McCambridge presented the proposed slate to the board as follows: Mr. Leedom for Chair and Ms. Kelley for Vice Chair, both unopposed. Mr. Johnson made a motion to accept the slate as presented and close nominations. Ms. Stephens seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved by the board. HEARING OF BOARD MEMBERS: • Mr. Leedom attended the Indian River Park, Heritage Park and Newton Neck public meetings and said they were very well attended, and the public gave some great feedback. There was also good board representation in attendance. • Mr. Johnson presented Mr. Barber with a beautiful clock (handmade by him out of repurposed Bald Cypress tree wood from around Chesapeake!) and the back was signed by members of the board. • Ms. Faivre wanted to thank Ms. Holt and Ms. Huber for serving on the board and hopes they’ll be back after taking a year off. • Ms. Huber said she has truly enjoyed being on the board. • Ms. Holt enjoyed working with everyone over the years. She will be coming to the meetings and sitting in the public “peanut gallery” so save her a chair! • Mr. Williams has some complimentary tickets to the Tidewater Winds holiday concert at the Sandler Center on December 9th. If you’re interested, please get in touch with him. • Ms. McCambridge said that it would be nice if everyone would give some thought to areas they might want to get more involved in. There are so many varied opportunities. • Ms. Woodyard volunteers to be a senior in training so she can go to some of the fun senior events and activities! SPECIAL PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION Mr. Barber presented Ms. Holt and Ms. Huber with Certificates of Appreciation for their 6 years of service on the board. Their second terms are up at the end of this month. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:07 p.m. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be on Thursday, January 5, 2023, at the Chesapeake Conference Center, 700 Conference Center Drive, at 6:30 p.m. Minutes submitted by Cori Fuqua, Secretary 3