Recreation & Parks Advisory Board

ADVISORY BOARD OF RECREATION AND PARKS MEETING MINUTES Virtual Meeting - https://meet.lync.com/fallschurch-fallschurchva/amaltese/4K4QBJM0 Wednesday, June 3, 2020  7:00 P.M. NOTICE: This virtual meeting of the Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks was held pursuant to and in compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Section 2.2-3708.2 and state and local legislation adopted to allow for continued government operation during the COVID-19 declared emergency. All participating members of the Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks were present at this meeting through electronic means. All members of the public may view this video of this meeting on the City’s website at https://fallschurch-va.granicus.com/player/clip/1200?view_id=2 1. Call to Order Charley O’Hara called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members present were Charley O’Hara, Leslie Rye, Kathy Chandler, Bill Brew, Kim Hicks, City Council Liaison Letty Hardi, and Planning Commission representative, Melissa Teates. Student Representative Emma Roncoroni was also present. Staff members present were Danny Schlitt, Director Recreation & Parks and Amy Youngs, Deputy Director Recreation & Parks. City resident Amy Crumpton was in attendance 2. Receipt of Public Petitions and Board Member Petitions Resident Amy Crumpton would like to hear more about the plans for the Fellows Property. 3. Minutes for Approval: N/A 4. New Business A) West End Area Development (CPEDS Department staff) Presented by Shaina Schaffer West End Park, the carwash and funeral beside it is not within the boundaries of this plan. The board would like to know why the commercial property beside the park is not included. Board would like the City to ensure active recreation and dog runs/parks are included in any development as to not overwhelm West End Park. Plan adds a bike connection from the W&OD to the school, an NVTA grant for transportation and streetscape improvements on Haycock and another grant for improvements around Shreve Road. The board does not want the school fields to be the only open space. 5. Recreation Directors Report  Facilities and programs closed March 18  Tennis courts reopened May 29 with restrictions and signage  Most staff are working remotely with limited staff in the building during office hours.  Prorated refunds were provided for programs that did not finish and full refunds were provided for canceled programs that were never held. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability call (703)248-5077.   To date, we’re refunded about $173,000.  Renovations continue at Big Chimneys. Dominion Power line through the center of the park slowed the project but work continued underground. Berm has been cut down.  Fellows property home was demolished. A survey to the community closed today. Results were presented. Community meetings will be scheduled in the near future.  Virtual Community Center is going out biweekly.  All camps for June except Summer Fun have been canceled. Extended care, teen excursion camps and preschool camps have all been canceled for the summer. Some additional contracted camps have also been canceled. Staff are creating new operating procedures due to COVID-19.  Essential workers are being given priority spaces in camps.  Fields are expected to open soon  Spring virtual classes began in April. Summer classes are being held outdoors and virtually.  New virtual summer camps and preschool in a box are being advertised in the summer brochure.  Memorial Day ceremony was prerecorded and made available on FCCTV and online. Pop up park programs and the Tinner Hill Music Festival have been cancelled. Summer Concert series was canceled but will hold a July 9 virtual concert. A scavenger hunt will be held in place of the July 4 festivities.  Spring youth adult sports were canceled and are on hold.  Farmers market shut down for one week and reopened as a Farmers Market To Go the following week.  Cherry Hill Farmhouse and Barn are closed to the public. It may open for programs and rentals in phase II. Lots of virtual content on the farmhouse website.  Arts & Humanities Council having their first virtual meeting soon. FY20 grant programming wrapping up. Preparation is underway for FY21 grant program  No current timeline for resuming Senior Center programming. Senior Center Coordinator is in regular contact with seniors and trying to offer virtual programming.  The Community Center will open this building only for summer camps. All lobby furniture has been removed. Only campers and staff are permitting in the building this summer. Health checks will be in place for each camper every morning. 6. Revisit New Business  The Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks unanimously passed a motion requesting the City Council honor the life of Barbara Cram and her service to the City of Falls Church. The motion recommended naming the Frady Park Gazebo and/or designating a garden in Barbara’s honor.  The City is exploring a firearms ordinance. Recreation and Parks should be included.  Tennis court reservations – request to reserve both sides of the tennis courts. Other families are having trouble with webtrac. 7. Old Business A) Park project updates 1. Big Chimneys – No update  2. Fellows property – next step is to hold an in-person meeting. Friends of Fellows Forest is a community group looking to send additional comments. B) School project update 1. High school parking and utility connections are ahead of schedule. Currently working on FFE- Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment C) No smoking campaign – No update 8. Adjournment Bill Brew motion to Adjourn, Leslie Rye, seconded the motion. All approved. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability call 703-248-5027 (TTY711).