Environment And Recreation Committee Meeting

Environment and Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, September 7, 2023 6:00 p.m. Present: Committee Members Wendy Margolis (Chairperson), Dennis Livrone, Joe Frederick, Recreation and Special Event Coordinator Caitlin Hernandez, Shade Tree Commission Chairperson Lisa Moscherosch and Borough Manager John Davis. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Ms. Margolis. The Minutes from June 1, 2023, were approved as submitted. Arts and Crafts Program Report was provided by Caitlin. Both sessions in July were full. Most enrollees were non-Borough children. Wendy wanted to talk about the fee schedule and how much is charged for the program. Park and Rec is on board with adding a 3rd session which will increase how much money is brought in by the program. Caitlin is recommending three 45- minute sessions in place of the two one-hour sessions. Summer Shows for Kids Report Caitlin reported the summer shows were great. They were all well attended, ranging from 150 to 200 children. Caitlin would like to change the performers for next year and would also like to try to find co-sponsors for the shows to bring in some more expensive acts. John told the Committee the shows have been the same for a very long time. He would like to give Caitlin an opportunity to expand this program and make some positive changes. Burpee Pavilion Mural Proposal John shared the renderings that are proposed to paint along the outside of the pavilion. The current mural is over 30-years old, is very tired, and it is time to freshen up the outside of the pavilion. Public Works will need to do some prep work to the surface. The proposed mural is Burpee themed, which will draw some attention to the history of the park. The Committee made a motion to bring this to Council to approve the mural painting. Dash Down Doyle Pop-Up Bike Lane There will be a ribbon cutting to open the bike lane. It will be the Sunday morning of the Bike Race. The road has been painted, it looks great, and we like the way it has been laid out. The bike lane is getting a lot of great publicity and we do not expect it to be removed after the trial period is over. East Court Street Tree Planting John shared an email from Building and Zoning Director Karyn Hyland. The Shade Tree Commission would like to do a planting on E. Court St. of a species not currently on the approved list in the Shade Tree Ordinance. The issue to be addressed is to either use an alternative species or change the tree ordinance. The tree in question, the Red Maple, is not on the Subdivision and Land Development list due to the threat of disease. The problem with the disease has been largely remedied and the STC would like to use it now. Wendy is unclear why an exception to the ordinance would be a concern. John explained that it is important we follow our ordinances the same as developers and homeowners are required to. John said that an amendment to the ordinance to include Red Maples in the approved plantings list may be a good option. After discussion, the Committee decided to recommend to the Council to advertise an ordinance adding Red Maples as an approved species. The Committee also asked John to explore with the solicitor whether the ordinance could allow future changes by resolution.  Environment and Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, September 7, 2023 6:00 p.m. Park Tour The Borough Pond will need a new aerator and we are hoping the Friends of the Borough Dam will contribute to the cost. We would also like to rename the Borough Dam in honor of Mike Stachel. Staff are suggesting we rename it “Stachel Pond.” We are continuing the effort to find someone to refurbish the tennis courts. We will also need to make some upgrades to the volleyball courts. The idea of adding a bocce court was brought to the Park and Rec Board. One option is to build it at Wood St. Park and the other is to add it to Burpee Park. We reached out to the Township to get some information on their bocce courts but haven’t heard back from them yet. Once we do, John will bring the findings to this Committee at a future meeting. The next phase of Broad Commons will be a picnic area. Recreation Director’s Report Caitlin met with Dave and shared their notes with the Committee. Broad Commons playground is on track to open in October. The Hillside Park vandals have been caught thanks to the trail cameras Dave Burger installed. First Saturday Chess had great turnout throughout the summer. For the indoor season, chess will be moved into Borough Hall. The Scenic Strolls will return this month. Softball fields are getting great use between DAA and Plumstead. John brought to the attention of the Committee that a third travel team is requesting a fee waiver to use the fields. This travel team is based in Newtown but has a majority of Doylestown Borough players. The Committee made a motion to waive the fees for this team as they did for Plumstead. All present members of the Committee were in favor of the motion. Old/New Business EAC is working on a tick awareness campaign. They are in the development stage of this program now. They are also working on an LCAP and updating the Green Points in conjunction with the updating of the building code. Dugout roofs will be pushed off until Spring 2024. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 7:02 pm.