Recreation & Parks Advisory Board

Regular Meeting of the Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks Held at the Falls Church Community Center 223 Little Falls Street, Falls Church, Virginia 22046 Minutes February 6, 2013 1. Call to Order Mr. O’Hara called the meeting to order at 8:03 p.m. Members present were Kathy Chandler, Charley O’Hara, Lori LaFave, Rob Meeks, Leslie Rye, and Steve Selby. Staff members present were Danny Schlitt, Director of Recreation & Parks, and Krissy Loerch, Senior Administrative Assistant. 2. Receipt of Public Petitions and Board Member Petitions Mr. O’Hara asked if there were any petitions from the public or board members. There were none. 3. Minutes Mr. Selby moved to approve the minutes from the January 2nd meeting as amended. Ms. Chandler seconded the motion. Upon voice vote, the motion unanimously passed. 4. Recreation Director’s Report • Jenny Paxton will meet with board members who would like to participate in reviewing the Grand Marshall Nominations for the 2013 Memorial Day Parade. Please show up to the next advisory board meeting 10 minutes early to participate. • The Winter/Spring class registration is going strong and is approximately equal to the revenue we generated last year so far. Classes have already begun. • Summer Camp registration began on February 4 and we have generated more revenue than last year at this time. Overall, Summer Camps generate approximately over $600,000 in total revenue. • The youth basketball league is nearing the close of the season. Payoff games for the older age groups are scheduled for late February. There were no cancellations at City facilities this season and only one for Fairfax County. • The GMHS softball and baseball field light poles are up with the wires and conduits run. The new backstop net is up at the baseball field and the new Bermuda grass was changed on the infield. The Recreation & Parks Department will begin using the lit softball field for the adult softball program. The lit softball field may also present an opportunity to hold soccer practices there in the spring and fall. • Development Services is not going to require that the Planning Commission review the West End Park Site Plan regarding the easement. Mr. Schlitt received the blue prints from PHR&A and delivered them to Development Services. We are currently waiting the signing of the site plan.  • Mr. Schlitt attended a meeting regarding groups hosting special events in the City of Falls Church. Specifically the Tinner Hill Blues Festival, Watch Night and Arts Festival were discussed. Groups that are interested in hosting an event here are required to complete and application. The City is attempting to identify the additional costs undertaken by providing equipment and staff time. • The Recreation & Parks Department has suspended all banner hanging operations. It is not possible for us to meet the VDOT standards at this time with the staff and equipment we currently have available. Mr. Schlitt will continue to look into all alternative systems to assist the City and community group in publicizing events. • Mr. Schlitt proposed replacing the banner system with electronic sign boards in medians at key points entering the City. These permanent signs would be well designed and fit into the City’s overall style. • Mr. Schlitt advised the board that as the school system projects growing numbers we should expect a rise in participation of Recreation & Parks programs. Moving forward we should anticipate the growing needs for more field and facility space as well as working with the school to share facilities. 6. New Business a. Operating Budget • Mr. Schlitt submitted the budget to the City Manager and the CFO last Friday. Mr. Schlitt was given guidelines not to increase more than 3.2%. Most of that increase was taken by salary increases for staff. • The remainder of the increase was used to increase funds in the revenue producing programs. In addition, our inter-jurisdictional costs (NVRPA, Fairfax County, and Larry Graves) rose again this year. • Mr. Schlitt increased the overall budget by $83,500 in the class contractor account with the expectation that our overall revenues will exceed the projected amount in FY 14 by $83,500. • The $24,000 we received last year for the purchase of a new van stayed in our budget. • Mr. O’Hara stated that beautification in the parks and money in the operating budget to do so is an unmet need of Recreation & Parks Department. Mr. Schlitt has spoken with and requested a follow up meeting with the City’s Green Space Manager and Arborist to address the needs of both departments moving forward. Once plantings are in the parks the maintenance side is assigned to the Urban Forestry Department. • Mr. Schlitt indicated that there are some funds in the CIP and operating budget to get started on beautification in the parks. Mr. Schlitt intends to replace park signs and place a bed of flowers around those signs. • Mr. Schlitt spoke with the Recycling coordinator about reviving the Adopt-A- Spot program. These groups could become involved with the planting and revitalizing the parks. 2  b. Open Space Railroad Avenue • Mr. Schlitt received phone call from a representative of the property to discuss the City’s interest in the property. • Mr. Schlitt had a discussion with the Zoning Department trying to determine how many buildable lots might be included in the property. The Zoning Department requested that the Open Space Committee make an official request to determine how many lots are possible and the value of the properties. • Mr. Schlitt is interested in potentially having community gardens at the location as well. This would be located in the triangular area off the proposed practice field. • The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA) is interested in supporting the land being used for park and open space purposes. The NVRPA stated that they would work the Recreation & Parks Dept. on providing parking. • Mr. Schlitt will check what the land is on the market for and the assessed value. 7. Old Business a. Lincoln Park • The $25,000 in insurance money from the accident is processed and we should receive it soon. • On Monday, February 11 the City Council will move to give consent for us to go forward with the Lincoln Park project. • The entire project is projected to be completed by this May or June depending on how quickly we can begin. The same company will remove the old equipment and replace it with the new equipment. • The exterior sidewalks and light pole replacement will be addressed with Public Works following the equipment replacement. b. CIP • Over then next 5 years we have approximately $500,000 designated to utilize in our CIP projects. • The Public Works project day lighting the stream at Howard E. Herman Stream Valley Park (HEHSVP) is underway. • An additional $100,000 was added in the FY 16 CIP for the HEHSVP. Engineering has been included in the recommended CIP. • Mr. Schlitt requested an additional $200,000 for the FY 16 Master Park Implementation and did not receive those funds. 8. Other Business • No other business to report. 3 9. Adjournment Ms. Chandler moved to adjourn the meeting; Ms. Rye seconded the motion. Following a unanimous voice vote, Mr. O’Hara adjourned the meeting at 8:33 p.m. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This document will be made available in alternate format upon request. Call 703-248-5027 (TTY 711). 4