Parks & Recreation Committee

PARKS + RECREATION COMMITTEE MAY 8, 2019 AT 8:30 A.M. CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM, 4​TH​ FLOOR MEETING MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting of the Parks and Recreation Committee was called to order by Councilperson Streetman at 8:30 a.m. on May 8, 2019, in the City Hall Conference Room. II. ANNOUNCE MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE Councilperson Stacey Streetman, Chair Councilperson Travis Holleman Councilperson Vondell Richmond Others in Attendance: Mayor Joe Pitts, Councilperson Ron Erb, James Halford, Jennifer Letourneau, Wayne Masterson, Dan Carpenter, Brad Damron, Michelle Austin Councilpersons Valerie Guman and Richard Garrett were absent. III. GOLF COURSE BUDGET REVIEW Jennifer Letourneau, Director of Parks and Recreation, shared highlights of the Mason Rudolph budget. She reported that revenue has increased by $20,000. The Department is repairing things that have been neglected for a while and it’s reflected in the budget request. The budget proposal also includes a greenskeeper conference for two employees and a software increase. Water/Sewer has increased due to the repaired to irrigation system. Councilperson Erb questioned the cost difference between the City’s courses and local private operations. Ms. Letrouenau responded that the City tries to stay competitive by checking local prices. Brad Damron, Golf Manager, added that the city charges $7.25 per round, plus $3.75 for a cart. Eastland Green charges the same. The River Club is significantly higher. He also added that APSU and high schools play for free. Parks + Recreation Committee Agenda Page | 2 May 8, 2019 Ms. Letournaeau then shared highlights of the Swan Lake Golf Course budget proposal. It includes an additional full time maintenance position, and a water sewer increase of $4,000 due to irrigation issues with Swan Lake and the State’s improvements to the lake. Also included are repair costs for clubhouse improvements. Councilperson Streetman questioned the Lawn Care item. Mr. Damron reported that this cost is to replace dying trees due to water line repairs. Ms. Letourneau continued with items such as a $27,000 bunker replacement and a $199,000 cart path repair. Richard Garrett arrived at 8:59AM. IV. PARKS AND RECREATION BUDGET REVIEW Jennifer Letourneau explained that her primary challenge in the Parks and Recreation Divisions is people. Through the years, the Department has added property, but not staff to maintain it. The Department is requesting two additional maintenance positions. Mayor Pitts added that the City’s Facility Maintenance Division is currently housed in the Parks and Recreation Department. He would like this to be a separate entity and plans to branch them off in FY21. Ms. Letourneau explained the challenge of hiring part time employees. The vacancies are currently affecting the mowing cycle. She asked members to be patient with high grass as they try to keep up. The Department is also struggling to fill Aquatic positions. This is an industry issue. They have implemented incentives such as a $25 department referral credit and reimbursement of class fees. Other notable increases in the FY20 budget include employee testing to require drug screens for all new hires, advertising increase due to new branding and facility maps identifying blueways and trails, vehicle repairs for the Department’s aging fleet, Heritage/Greenway construction services of $50,000 for asphalt repairs on the 10-year-old trail, Heritage Park seeding, and Trice Landing restroom demolition due to asbestos. Mayor Pitts noted that savings identified in the budget include funds for Stokes, Barksdale, and Mericourt ballfields. This County-owned property is going back to County to be maintained. The city has committed to transfer $175,000 to the County. The transition will happen mid-summer. Parks + Recreation Committee Agenda Page | 3 May 8, 2019 The Department’s budget also includes improvements to Clarskville oldest building, Sevier Station, additional parking at Ft. Defiance and its increase in events and guests. Councilperson Garrett asked about the Master Plan’s emphasis on aquatics and questions if the Department would continue to revisit future planning if this industry trend was declining. Ms. Letourneau explained that a new indoor aquatic facility would cater to year-round use by swimmers, programming and therapeutic/special needs. Dan Carpenter clarified that the City’s pools are not experiencing attendance declines. Ms. Letourneau continued with capital requests. These include a trail spur below the Kraft Street Bridge to APSU and Edith Pettus with the Red River Trail, improvements to the Billy Dunlop Pavilion, Regional Recreation Center, Pedestrian Bridge connecting the Red River Trail to the south end of the Clarksville Greenway, and improvements to Mason Rudolph and Swan Lake’s cart paths Councilperson Ron Erb commented on the Department. He mentioned that when her has guests come to Clarksville that visit park facilities and comment on how much we have to offer and do. V. ADJOURNMENT Councilperson Holleman made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Councilperson Garrett seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken. The motion to adjourn the meeting passed without objection. The meeting was adjourned at 9:51