Recreation & Parks Advisory Board

Regular Meeting of the Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks Held at the Falls Church Community Center, Kenneth R. Burnett Building 223 Little Falls Street, Falls Church, Virginia 22046 Minutes February 1, 2017 1. Call to Order Steve Selby called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Members present were Charley O’Hara, Leslie Rye, Kathy Chandler and Lori Lafave. City Council Liaison Marybeth Connelly was present. Staff members present were Danny Schlitt, Director of Recreation & Parks, and Keke Sidik. 2. Receipt of Public Petitions and Board Member Petitions – No Petitions 3. Minutes Charley O’Hara motioned to approve the January Minutes. Leslie Rye seconded the motion. The motion was approved. 4. Recreation Director’s Report Danny Schlitt presented the Director’s Report: - FOIA Policy documents presented; Board discussed possibility of attending electronically in the future - High School Campus Project to be discussed Saturday - Concerns over construction disrupting programs, especially in the summer - Steve Selby: consider impact of disruption of programs on the community; it’s a revenue, equality, health, and community issue; there are financial, practical and community considerations - Leslie Rye: important to have ready access to relevant numbers that can be impacted; have asked schools for income numbers but no definitive answer given - Charley O’Hara: must get concerns heard by school officials themselves; it’s an issue we may have some control over but not full; need to inject this issue in early stages - Lori Lafave: parents of students rely on these programs to care for kids; will be concerned if gone - Board discussed the need to for relevant numbers to support discussion - Danny discussed more of Director’s Report: A. Spring Soccer registration has started B. In the 2nd week of Winter/Spring class; numbers about the same as last year C. Summer camp registration starts next week D. Staff and spaces at full capacity E. Will need to do our Grand Marshall Closed Session next month  F. Propose to bring public back for Cherry Hill project and put together something to present for them; we’ve done considerable community outreach and received feedback thus far G. Unmet need last year was storage unit; will have funds this year for storage shed that connects to gym - Board discussed the logistics of the next meeting 5. New Business a) Larry Graves Park (open space funds) a. Danny: met with Fairfax County Park Authority a few weeks ago to discuss synthetic turfing; impression that they would not have a problem if we came up with money; number 1 priority is rectangular fields b. Kathy Chandler and Danny discussed adding a field vs turfing current space, benefits of synthetic turf, usage of space, maintenance, contract timing and terms, and funding c. Charley: the more you turf, the less you have to maintain—not just good for sports but for spectators d. Danny: meeting finished in time to put this in FY18 CIP ask; going to Planning Commission on Monday e. Charley and Danny discussed who to speak with and the need to have answer ready for question of why funds to be used for this; f. Steve and Danny discussed the meeting with Fairfax; Steve: numbers will be helpful g. Kathy: our Planning Committee person should be informed h. Marybeth Connelly and Board discussed her meeting concerning construction, the various options for renovation, costs/risks, etc i. Board discussed uses and funds for Larry Graves 6. Old Business a) Park project updates (H.E.H.S.V.P.) a. Danny: have had good meetings; hoping to have something for Board to see in the near future—will send it once made b. Board discussed next public meeting; would like to be shown Cherry Hill designs before presentation to public c. Board discussed handing out flyers at schools b) Smoking ban in parks a. Steve discussed smoking issue and legislation; attended meeting with Delegate Simon; presented Bill SP938—local jurisdictions can have right to restrict smoking; started draft of a letter to Delegate and Senator; Arlington “Please don’t smoke” has been effective b. Board discussed smoking ban c. Danny: have discussed this with Communications Director; I’m not a fan of too many signs or ashtrays; will start with it as social responsibility  d. Steve and Leslie discussed possibly doing a school campaign and how effective it can be/has been in the past 7. Adjournment Leslie Rye motioned to adjourn the meeting and Lori Lafave seconded the motion. Under unanimous vote, meeting adjourned at 8:25PM. 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).