Parks & Recreation Committee

PARKS + RECREATION COMMITTEE JUNE 14, 2021 AT 3:00PM CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM, 4TH FLOOR MEETING AGENDA I. PUBLIC COMMENTS II. CALL TO ORDER III. ANNOUNCE MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE (Verify Quorum) IV. ADOPTION OF MEETING MINUTES ● May 10, 2021 V. COUNCIL ACTION VI. NEW BUSINESS ● Madison/Tanglewood Property (Councilperson Reynolds) VII. OLD BUSINESS ● Needmore/Hazelwood Property (Councilpersons Reynolds & Garrett) ● Heritage Soccer Field Update (Michelle Austin) VIII. DEPARTMENT REPORTS ● Human Resources Report (Jennifer Letourneau) IX. ADJOURNMENT  PARKS + RECREATION COMMITTEE MAY 10, 2021 AT 3:00PM MEETING MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting of the Parks and Recreation Committee was called to order by Chairperson Richmond at 3:00 p.m. on May 10, 2021. II. ANNOUNCE MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE Councilperson Vondell Richmond Councilperson Richard Garrett Councilperson Karen Reynolds III. PUBLIC COMMENTS None IV. ADOPTION OF MEETING MINUTES ● April 12, 2021 ● April 19, 2021 Councilperson Garrett made a motion to adopt the minutes as presented. Councilperson Reynolds seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken and the motion to adopt the minutes passed without objection. V. COUNCIL ACTION None VI. NEW BUSINESS Councilperson Reynolds inquired about the difference between Council Action and New Business on the agenda. Councilperson Garrett, Councilperson Richmond and Jennifer Letourneau all gave examples of each. Councilperson Garrett requested that the land purchase be included as a Council Action at the next meeting. Parks + Recreation Committee Minutes Page | 2 May 11, 2021 ● Heritage Soccer Fields Jennifer Letourneau wanted to make sure the Committee was aware of recent concerns at Heritage Park Soccer Complex. She reported that fields are not in good shape due to a poor judgement call made last fall. The Department has already met with the Montgomery County Soccer Association. They’ve also met with the Clarksville Soccer Club and will meet again tomorrow with the Mayor. They will get them through the end of the season and there is a plan going forward to get the fields back in good shape. Jennifer asked that any correspondence be sent to her in order to avoid any miscommunication. Councilperson Reynolds asked what happened. Jennifer Letourneau responded that the Department did not overseed with rye, which gives it that nice green color and makes the grass fluffy. She stated that a new crew chief will be coming on board in June and there is a plan going forward. Councilperson Reynolds inquired about other fields to use while we wait for the exit 8 complex to be built. Jennifer responded that the softball outfield will be used over the weekend to accommodate some of the younger players. She also informed the Committee that the County has allowed them to use the lacrosse fields at Civitan Park. Councilperson Reynolds asked about the athletic fields at Liberty Park. Jennifer reported that they offered but were declined. Councilperson Reynolds also wanted to know how long it would take for the exit 8 complex to be built. Jennifer Letourneau estimated that it would be at least two years but that it will have three artificial turf fields to help cut down on rain outs. Councilperson Garrett asked why all the fields wouldn’t be artificial turf. Jennifer Letourneau responded that it was due to the cost as it is about a million dollars per field. Councilperson Richmond inquired how large the soccer community is in Clarksville. Jennifer Letourneau gave him a breakdown of the numbers for each club. Councilperson Richmond asked if a press release had been issued regarding the field conditions. Jennifer Letourneau replied that an open letter had been issued the previous week. There was a brief discussion about the exit 8 complex including the amount of fields and phases of the project. Parks + Recreation Committee Minutes Page | 3 May 11, 2021 VII. OLD BUSINESS ● Discussion: Regional Recreation Center - Land Purchase Councilperson Garrett would like to maximize the proposed recreation center imprint by purchasing the additional available 10 acres. He stated that the value of the land would continue to rise and even if it was not used for the recreation center, the City could have control over who it was sold to and how it would be used. Councilperson Garrett detailed his experience with properties containing sinkholes. He would like to take advantage of this opportunity to meet the need, expand the imprint, have green space, cater to the different sports and do it right the first time. Councilperson Reynolds would like for someone to assess the property to see how many fields it could potentially accommodate and also the effect the project would have on the drainage in the area. Coiuncilperson Reynolds requested that a preliminary assessment by a civil engineer be done before the next Committee meeting. VIII. DEPARTMENT REPORTS ● Meet New Staff Members New staff members, Rachel Durham and Elizabeth McRae were introduced to the Committee before the meeting was called to order. ● Human Resources Report Jennifer Letourneau listed the open part-time positions currently available within the Department including Lifeguards, Cashiers, Maintenance Workers, Golf Groundskeeper, Pro Shop Clerks, Facility Managers, and Gym Assistants. Councilperson Richmond stated that several people had approached him about becoming a mowing contractor. Michelle Austin informed the Committee that the mowing contract was currently out for bid and it will be closing next week. More information can be found on the City’s website under the Purchasing Department. Jennifer Letourneau reported that the pools will be opening with a modified schedule due to staffing issues. Splash pads will also open at the end of May. Parks + Recreation Committee Minutes Page | 4 May 11, 2021 IX. ADJOURNMENT Councilperson Garrett made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Councilperson Reynolds seconded the motion. The motion to adjourn the meeting at 3:35 p.m. passed without objection.