Parks, Recreation & Tourism Advisory Board

CHESAPEAKE PARKS, RECREATION AND TOURISM ADVISORY BOARD Meeting Minutes February 2, 2023 This meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Advisory Board was held on February 2, 2023, at The Portlock at South Norfolk. Chair Leedom called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Leedom welcomed new board member Casey Shackleford. ROLL CALL Ms. Fuqua took the roll. Attendance reflected a quorum with 15 voting members present, 2 were absent. Members Present: Christine Arrasate, Catina Bondhill, Donna Cannatella (non-voting ex- officio/CCC, Bryan Carey, Jean Carideo (non-voting ex-officio/GBBWHF), Kevin Cole (non-voting ex-officio/CPS), Susan Dixon, Paula Faivre, 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, Susan Starkey, Neta Stephens, Michael Williams, and Jessica Woodyard Members Absent: James Brown, and Deloras Freeman City Staff Present: Mike Barber, Monica Christiansen, Thurman Diamond, Kim Murden and Cori Fuqua MINUTES: A motion was made by Ms. McCambridge and seconded by Vice Chair Kelley to approve the January 5, 2023, minutes as presented. The minutes were unanimously approved by the board. HEARING OF CITIZENS: Jean Holt and Marciela Moore attended as visitors. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: ATHLETIC MAINTENANCE Mr. Charlie Harrelson, Turf Manager, gave a PowerPoint presentation and overview of the Athletic Maintenance division. REPORTS: a. Ex-Officio Reports: • Chesapeake Public Schools – None. • Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge – Mr. Lowie gave the following updates: o He has Gold Star Memorial National Park Passes available. They are free National Park passes for current US military members, and dependents of current military  members, US military veterans, and Gold Star Families and the pass covers entrance and standard amenity fees. If you qualify and would like one, let him know. o Culpepper Landing – there is some open land that butts up to the refuge. Will that be connected to the Swamp? Mr. Barber said that the Culpepper Landing Park property is scheduled to be turned over to the City later this winter and then we can look at ways that property we can connect to the federal property, perhaps by pedestrian bridge. • Chesapeake Conference Center – Ms. Cannatella gave the following updates: o The HVAC shutdown has been finalized for the following scheduled dates: June 1 – November 1, 2023. Some of the conference center staff will be utilized in areas of PRT during that timeframe. There are also events that were booked during those months that we are trying to assist in relocating to another venue and/or date. o There are several events coming up in February including the Princess Ball this Sunday. Only 4 more tickets are available and then it is sold out. Check out the calendar of events on our website. • Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways History Museum – Ms. Carideo gave the following updates: o February Valentine’s & Wine on February 11th. More information is available online. o Ms. Carideo handed out a 2023 Calendar of Events. o The 2023 John Newbery Medal for the year’s best children’s book was awarded to Amina Luqman-Dawson’s ‘Freewater’ which is about two enslaved children’s escape from a plantation and how they end up in a secret community called Freewater deep in the Dismal Swamp. b. Tourism Report – o Staff will be attending the American Bus Association’s Marketplace conference. o The division is continuing work on the strategic sales plan. o Please refer to the Tourism section in the Department Report for additional updates. 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 Paddle for the Border sold out in one day! o The department is in the final planning stages for summer events, programs, and activities. o Recreation & Environmental Services – Mr. Diamond said that Environmental Services (Housekeeping) was called upon to do a major extraction and cleaning after a 2  major leak in the Public Safety building. This is something they do not normally do, but they handled it and did a great job. d. Director Updates: • Mr. Barber gave the following updates: o The Portlock at South Norfolk – Mr. Barber and Ms. Murden gave a brief history of the building. It was built in 1908 as a school and used for educational purposes until the 1960’s. In 1997 it was renovated and dedicated as the Chesapeake Museum and Information Center. Since then, it has been used in a variety of ways including recreational programs for seniors and therapeutics, leased office space, and as an event rental venue. o Summit Pointe Feasibility Study – An initial meeting was held with stakeholders (such as schools, hospitality groups, arts organizations, library, the conference center, etc.) who were able to provide input. Dollar Tree has recently had some significant changes in leadership. More to come. o Greenbrier Area Plan – The purpose of the Greenbrier Area Plan is to evaluate and respond to current market conditions and to develop strategies to guide future development, maintaining Greenbrier’s economic advantage in the marketplace and attracting new businesses and residents by improving the qualities that make Greenbrier a unique place in the city. There will be regular opportunities for community input during the 16-month course of this project. For more information, see the Planning department’s web page. o Portsmouth Boulevard Beautification Study – Had kickoff meeting with Public Works and architects on the project scope to include phased areas to study, landscaping, utility plan, streetscaping, interchange modification, pedestrian friendly options and enhancements, and overall beautification of the major roadway system. o Historic Village at the Dismal Swamp – The master plan is almost finished including the stormwater area, which is a significant piece that must be finalized. The plan within the village pods is to build and landscape multiple areas around the water to be able to showcase different aspects of the history of the area (example: swamp area for the Maroon Communities, Underground Railroad, moat for canal, etc.). o Cornland School Open House – The first one was earlier this afternoon from 2- 4pm and the second one is on February 28 from 10am-12pm. We had good attendance today even with the suspect weather including a news outlet. We are very close to having the design specs completed for the school renovation. o Arboretum Farmhouse – Renovations are finally out for bid. o Blue Heron Park – This project is out for bid again. 3  o NWRP Ranger Station – Good progress has been made on the design specs so expecting them to be completed soon with hopefully bidding in late Spring. o Newton Neck Park – Should be opening in another month or so. Signs need to be fabricated and installed, with some perimeter fencing before opening. Working with several departments to finalize a parking lot under the Veterans Bridge. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: • None. NEW BUSINESS: • Utilization of Community Centers – Mr. Barber wanted to mention that sometimes we get questions or complaints from the public regarding use of the community centers for programs like basketball, pickleball, etc. What is difficult is to be multi-purposed with limited sized facilities, and it is a fine line we are constantly trying to balance. There are many factors involved in decision making for use of the community centers and other facilities including staffing, and scheduling of other structured programs among other things. • Review of Bylaws and SOPs – Mr. Pippin, Mr. Johnson, and Chair Leedom have volunteered and will form a committee for the review. They will meet, discuss, and then present any recommendations to the board. HEARING OF BOARD MEMBERS: • Vice Chair Kelley received an email from a Ms. Brenda Harris recommending that the department consider installing a “Telephone of the Wind” in a park. Mr. Barber asked Ms. Kelley to forward the email so staff can review it. • Ms. McCambridge mentioned that she really likes the landscaping on Volvo at Summit Pointe. Mr. Barber and Ms. Cosmas presented drawings of the Cornland School to the Cornland School Board – it was amazing, and everyone was so happy! She attended the Cornland School Open House today. It was chilly but was a good event. One of the council members mentioned to her that more pickleball courts were needed. Also, there is a Cooking Demo and Tasting on February 24, 6:00 p.m., at Now You’re Cooking. $25 per person. See flyer that is being passed around (or visit registration link) for more information. • Mr. Barber said there was an interesting development with the Superintendent’s House. Apparently, there are endangered bats living there so they need to figure out with state agencies how to best deal with that issue. • Mr. Pippin attended the River Star Luncheon. Congratulations to the department for their sustainability award. • Vice Chair Kelley asked whether repasses were permitted at Community Centers or other facilities. Thurman mentioned that “Yes, they are held there all the time.” • Ms. Faivre asked if City summer jobs will be available? Yes, they should be posted soon. 4  • Vice Chair Kelley reminded the board members to please share PRT Facebook postings. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at the Public Safety Operations Center, 2130 S. Military Highway, at 6:30 p.m. Minutes submitted by Cori Fuqua, Secretary 5