Parks, Recreation & Tourism Advisory Board

CHESAPEAKE PARKS, RECREATION AND TOURISM ADVISORY BOARD Meeting Minutes December 7, 2023 This meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Advisory Board was held on December 7, 2023, at the Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee Community Center. Chair Leedom called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS None. ROLL CALL Ms. Fuqua called the roll. Attendance reflected a quorum with 10 voting members present, 7 absent. Members Present: James Brown, Donna Cannatella (non-voting ex-officio/CCC, Kevin Cole (non-voting ex-officio/CPS), Susan Dixon, Paula Faivre, Monte Jenkins (non-voting Youth Liaison), Phil Johnson, Bob Leedom (Chair), Chris Lowie (non-voting ex-officio/GDSNWR), Patti McCambridge, Richard Pippin, Casey Shackleford, Susan Starkey, and Neta Stephens Members Absent: Christine Arrasate, Catina Bondhill, Bryan Carey, Jean Carideo (non-voting ex-officio/GBBWHF), Deloras Freeman, Annette Kelley (Vice Chair), Michael Williams, and Jessica Woodyard City Staff Present: Mike Barber, Brian Solis, Thurman Diamond, Ana Elezovic, and Cori Fuqua MINUTES: Ms. Cannatella asked that a correction be made to the November minutes to update the number of actual attendees at a private event at the Conference Center to 903 instead of the anticipated number of 1,100. A motion was made by Mr. Pippin to approve the November 2023 minutes as amended, and it was seconded by Ms. McCambridge. The minutes as amended were unanimously approved by the board. HEARING OF CITIZENS: None. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Ana Elezovic, Park and Facility Planning Administrator, gave an overview presentation on Park and Facility Planning including current and upcoming projects. Regarding the Earthwork Fort at Jolliff Road, Mr. Barber added that we are waiting to get comments back from the state environmental study, such as whether any impacts exist on the property that are from when the roadway was built as well as damage from bikes, if any, over the years. This will give us guidance on how it should be restored back to what was really there, and what was added later that can be removed. It became City property in June, 2023. As far as the Arboretum, the house renovation will be hopefully going out to bid again tomorrow or Monday. We hope to have a better outcome this time around and expect to have some updates to give at the February meeting. Mr. Brian Solis, Deputy City Manager, said that what Mike Barber has done by creating a capital program here in Chesapeake has really been amazing. He has a very talented team, and it will be really exciting to see department growth, and projects developing. REPORTS: a. Ex-Officio Reports: • Chesapeake Public Schools – Mr. Cole mentioned that school winter sports (basketball and wrestling) started Monday. • Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge – Mr. Lowie reported there was a biannual meeting held in Suffolk today with the Great Dismal Swamp stakeholder’s collaborative. Chesapeake was well represented. This is a group that was put together to do more education and outreach highlighting the significance of the Dismal Swamp. The 50th anniversary of the Refuge (in 2024) was kicked off at that meeting by announcing the anniversary, and showing the draft logo, etc. The vision for next year is to use the 50th Anniversary to market the Refuge as a valuable community asset and do more community outreach. One of the collaborative’s leadership team projects was an online story map with oral history videos, and it’s really good. Also in attendance was the National Park Service and they also announced the kickoff of the National Heritage Area Feasibility Study and shared the two+ year process, so we’ll see if the Dismal Swamp meets the National Heritage Area criteria. Mr. Barber added that Chris will be helping us with some programming at the Historical Village. • Chesapeake Conference Center – Ms. Cannatella said that she is so thrilled that the Conference Center is open again! If you haven’t seen it lately, please stop by and check out its awesome facelift! A Director of Operations, a Director of Food and Beverage and an Executive Chef have been hired. Lunch with Chef is being reimagined so stay tuned. This has been the best November financially in the history of the Conference Center. To see upcoming events, visit the events calendar. • Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways Historic Foundation – Ms. Carideo was not present, but she emailed her updates which were read out loud by Mr. Barber as follows: o The Tidewater Winds performance Monday night was just what I needed to feel better about the world- the musicians, the conductor, the music…wonderful. o The Battle of Great Bridge reenactment was also terrific, except for the musket firing, which caused me to spill my grog, more than once…. And no surprise as to the victors of the day! o This Saturday is a Colonial Christmas at the museum from 10-4. Included with the price of admission, you can visit with Santa Claus, learn about historic holiday traditions, get your time travel passport stamped and have a holiday photo taken with our green screen so that you can pick your backdrop. The gift shop will be 2  open where you can find unique gifts and perhaps buy a brick, which is even longer lasting that fruitcake. • Youth – Mr. Monty Jenkins, the board’s Youth Liaison, relayed the following: o He attended the meeting back in August for the annual athletic rules hearing and one of his teachers, Mr. Williamson, was at the hearing too, and suggested some changes for soccer. Mr. Jenkins emailed Mr. Williamson and Mr. Williamson said that there were a couple of items he was still fighting for – team selection and parent/player team choice. The parents should have a say about whose team their child should end up on and players should have the option to stay with their team if the team stays together in the next age division. Personally, as a student who plays baseball, Mr. Jenkins agrees with the concept, saying that it increases bonding and brotherhood. Chair Leedom said that was a valid point, but there were pros and cons to any situation. The purpose of the rule in the recreation league is to limit the ability of coaches to be able to stack their teams and win year after year. Mr. Barber added that at the rules hearing meeting, Mr. Williamson also asked for the option of holding more practices and because we were able to add lighting to more fields this year, we should be able to accommodate that. b. Parks and Recreation Reports • Tourism o Mr. Barber said that Ms. Murden told him holiday ornaments are going fast but are still available! The bears are gone though. • Recreation – Mr. Diamond gave the following updates: o Stay and Play is planning their Winter Break program for the end of the month. They have also partnered with our instructional programs to plan a Parents Night Out next Friday at Indian River Community Center from 6-8 p.m. There will be food and games for the kids and lots of fun. o The Seniors Holiday Lunch is coming up in December on the 15th. Registration has closed and there is a waiting list. o The 2024 Chesapeake Abilities pageant is coming up on January 14th at the Conference Center. o Deck the Hall opening weekend was a success. The first FaLaLa Land event will be on Saturday, December 9th from 5-9 p.m. and the second will be on the 16th. d. Director Updates: Mr. Barber gave the following updates: • Monica is still working remotely with us but is settling in fine. Her last day will be January 6th. Our new Deputy Director, Suzi Davidson, will be starting on January 8th. • Blue Heron Landing Park work is moving ahead. They drove test pilings down around 100 feet and found things like shoes down there! Also, there is a lot of rock which is a little unusual in that part of the river. Permanent pilings have been started which will be the basis of the bulkhead. The property has been pretty much cleared and looks a lot bigger now. 3  • Historical Village – The ceilings, floors and windows have been removed from the Cornland School and work on those will be completed at the contractor’s shop. Earthwork removal has already begun for the stormwater pond and the earth removed will be used to help build up the foundation area around the school. We are still on target for an April timeframe finish. • Sunray – We have a meeting next week with the architect to start our next phase of design to get full specs, and it should only take about six weeks. The first phase of the design work consisted of conceptual drawings and space needs with the Agricultural Department was discussed. Hopefully by February/March, the handyman/contractor will be able to start work. We are looking to having it possibly completed during the summer so the Agricultural Department can move in. • Greenbrier Sports Park – The lights at both ballfields are being replaced with LED lights. Signs have been replaced and perimeter fencing will be replaced. The facility will be looking really nice when spring softball season begins in March. • Deck the Hall and FaLaLa Land – The lights have been a challenge this year as they always are when they get wet. We think we figured it out though. At this Saturday’s FaLaLa Land, there will also be a tree-lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. with the Mayor. This is the tree that was planted last year. It’s still small but will grow a little every year. • Holiday Brass – Coming up on Thursday, December 14th at 7:00 p.m. at the Conference Center. It’s free to the public. Please join us. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: • Officer Elections – Ms. Fuqua reported that there were no board members who came forward to run for Chair or Vice Chair. Chair Leedom and Vice Chair Kelley have agreed to serve again in those same positions and would be running unopposed. Ms. Stephens made a motion to accept the slate of Bob Leedom for Chair and Annette Kelley for Vice Chair. Ms. McCambridge seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS: • Naming Policy – Mr. Barber said that Council Member Carey is leading the effort to come up with some policies/processes regarding naming of parks, facilities, buildings, streets, etc. and that he will report back with information as this moves forward. HEARING OF BOARD MEMBERS: • Ms. Dixon said that The Messiah concert was one of the best concerts they’ve ever performed. They are now called the Chesapeake Community Chorus and they would like to do other performances like some patriotic song(s) at Celebrate Freedom, or the National Anthem at the 9/11 Ceremony of Remembrance. Mr. Barber said that we would be back in touch about that! • Ms. McCambridge and her husband attended The Messiah concert, and both agreed it was amazing. They also went to the Tidewater Winds concert and there was a 70- voice children’s choir from Old Donation and female vocalist. The last song was 4  remarkable – they took the Sousa march “Stars and Stripes Forever” and interwove it with Christmas carols! She also went to the First Citizen dinner at the Conference Center and said the facelift looks wonderful! Ms. McCambridge and Jessica Cosmas will be going over there to take a look at rearranging the framed photos. • Mr. Solis, on behalf of the City Manager’s office, thanked the board for their leadership, volunteering their time, and lending their expertise throughout the year. Same for the ex-officio youth members, and the Parks, Recreation and Tourism staff for all that they do throughout the year. It makes a difference in the community and is really appreciated. Happy Holidays to everyone! • Mr. Johnson wanted to thank Brian and Mike. This year has been a stellar year with lots of challenges and changes, but you got it done. Mike might even get another clock! Happy Holidays. • Mr. Leedom thanked Ms. Fuqua for her efforts as well. To everyone, best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Hope you have a nice time with friends and family and enjoy the season! ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be on Thursday, January 4 , 2024, at The Portlock at South Norfolk, 3815 Bainbridge Boulevard. Minutes submitted by Cori Fuqua, Secretary 5