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 DRAFT Minutes June 4, 2014 1. Call to Order Ms. Chandler called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Members present were Kathy Chandler, Charley O’Hara, Leslie Rye, and Steve Selby. Staff members present were Danny Schlitt, Director of Recreation & Parks, and Krissy Loerch. 2. Receipt of Public Petitions and Board Member Petitions Ms. Chandler asked if there were any petitions from the public or board members. There were none. 3. Minutes Mr. O’Hara moved to approve the minutes from the April 2nd meeting. Mr. Selby seconded the motion. Ms. Rye abstained from the vote. Upon voice vote, the motion passed. 4. Recreation Director’s Report  The Memorial Day Parade and Festival was a success this year. The City staff was well prepared for the event. There were a few new groups in the parade and we received positive responses from the public.  The summer camp season will begin on June 23rd and the staff is busy preparing.  The annual Independence Day Celebration event will be held on Friday, July 4th at George Mason High School. Live music will begin at 7 p.m. and the fireworks at 9:20 p.m. Please let Mr. Schlitt know if any board members are interested in assisting at the donation boxes.  The dedication of the Falls Church Community Center Kenneth R. Burnett Building will take place on Saturday, June 14th at 12:30 p.m. Mr. Herman and Mr. O’Hara will speak at the event. 5. New Business a. Downtown Small Area Plan presentation  Development Services is in the process of completing small area planning throughout the City.  The “Downtown Plan, kickoff meeting will take place on June 1st. The plans are currently being referred to all boards and commissions for input. On June 23rd the City Council will adopt the plans.   The features of the “Downtown Plan” include a core entertainment area with restaurants and small businesses. This area will not be zoned for large development. The focus will be an area to live, work and play. The plans include revitalizing existing areas and creating open space.  Transportation improvements such as the addition of sidewalks and bikes lanes are needed. Pocket parks are an important focus and assist with connectivity.  Mr. Schlitt expressed that the City needs to find a new space for the popular and growing Farmers Market. It has outgrown its location and needs more space for vendors as well as parking. The “Downtown” area could be the perfect location for this new space. As plans are made for this area, the market should be a consideration.  Mr. O’Hara stated that the boundary for the “Downtown Plan” should be extended to include Big Chimneys Park. This park was the key open space area in the previous “City Center” plan. Voluntary concessions and target funding should be explored for the revitalization of the park. b. Comp. Plan review kickoff  The City is commencing an update and review of the Recreation & Parks Comprehensive Plan from 2005. The City’s parks, open space and recreation will be examined.  This process will take approximately nine months through a series of meetings with the Open Space Committee, Recreation & Parks Advisory Board and the public.  Funding for parks through Federal and State grants or loans should be researched during this process. Additional alternative sources of funding must be explored. 6. Old Business a. Lynn Place Property  Mr. Schlitt met with the City Council this week about acquiring the property at 500 Lynn Place adjacent to Roberts Park.  Council requested more information and potential plans or designs for the property. b. West End Park 1. West End Park  The peer review of the bid documents is completed. The language in the documents needs to be adjusted to exclude company names that are providing certain features.  Mr. Schlitt will request a meeting with the City Manager and other key personnel integral to the entire process to brief the Council members. c. Tennis Courts  The CIBERT hearing is complete in regard to the construction at Cavalier Trail Park.  Mr. O’Hara suggested examining the lighting at Cavalier Trail and possibly replacing it if necessary. 2   The Cherry Street tennis courts will be closed early this summer until November 2014. 7. Other Business  Mr. O’Hara motioned to recommend adjusting the boundaries of the Downtown plan to include Big Chimneys Park. In addition, any development should include the redevelopment of Big Chimneys Park in their voluntary concessions or proffers. Mr. Selby seconded the motion. Upon voice vote, the motion passed.  Mr. O’Hara motioned that the board explore and identify an alternate location for the Farmers Market within the small area development plans. That recommendation should be forwarded to the City Council as well as Development Services. Ms. Rye seconded the motion. Upon voice vote, the motion passed. 8. Adjournment Mr. Selby moved to adjourn the meeting; Ms. Rye seconded the motion. Following a unanimous voice vote, Ms. Chandler adjourned the meeting at 9:13 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). 3