Recreation & Parks Advisory Board

Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks Meeting Agenda Wednesday, November 4, 2020 v 7:00 P.M. MINUTES Virtual Meeting: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup- join/19%3ameeting_NDI4MTlkNmMtOGZjNS00ODk5LWJhMDktYThkYWU1MDQyODM3%40thre ad.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2273ba5b04-4ace-4ae3-a6b2- 65cbc403418b%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2265f3ba91-c46c-4751-957a-7ecacaaba5ab%22%7d 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/1276?view_id=2&redirect=true 1. Call to Order Charley O’Hara called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members present were Charley O’Hara, Chair, Leslie Rye, Vice Chair, School Board member Laura Downs, Kim Hicks, City Council Liaison Letty Hardi, Jenna Schroeder, and Liz Weatherly. Student Representatives Thomas Downs, Nate Kusic and Emma Roncoroni were also present. Staff members present were Danny Schlitt, Director Recreation & Parks, Amy Youngs, Deputy Director Recreation & Parks, Jimmy Ruby, Senior Program Supervisor and Ryan Amato, Program Supervisor. 2. Reading of Virtual Meeting Notice 3. Minutes for Approval: March 4, 2020, June 3, 2020 and September 2, 2020 Corrections submitted by Leslie Rye. Motion by Leslie Rye to approve minutes with Leslie Rye’s corrections. Laura Downs seconded the motion. Motion passes 6-0. 4. North Washington and East Broad Street Project Presentation Charley O’Hara abstained from discussion. Questions/Comments/Recommendations discussed included:  Effect on school enrollment.  Voluntary Concessions be divided between the Library and Recreation and Parks  Traffic on Lawton  Throughway park  Pets  Cost/process to use the plaza  Stormwater 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.   Relocation of existing businesses. Questions/Comments/Recommendations due November 20. Motion by Kim Hicks to have staff compile board discussion, comments and any additional emailed comments and send to Akida Rouzi to be forwarded to council. Motion seconded by Laura Downs. Motion passed 5-0. Charley O’Hara abstained 5. Board member introductions. 6. Fellows Property Public Input (8pm) Charley O’Hara provided introduction, background and process. Summary of written comments: 15 written comments were received. Twelve comments in favor of keeping the park in its natural state; two comments recommending community gardens and one comment recommending a dog park. Amy Crumpton, 104 W. Marshall Street: Provided written comments. Educate on the composition of forest/mature trees. Specimen tree onsite and others should be nominated as specimen trees. Obie Whichard, 309 Fellows Court: In favor of keeping the area natural – keep large trees – stormwater protections. Pleased to see children planning in the open area in the middle Priscilla Guthrie, 123 Gresham Place: Supports Amy Crumpton’s comments on the large trees Sandra Tarpinian, 105 Great Falls Street: In favor of leaving the space as natural as possible – Sandra is the City’s National Wildlife Federation coordinator. The City is a Community Wildlife Habitat. Recommended using the space as an educational environment for teaching about ecosystems and wildlife habitats. Bruce Byers, 405 Timber Lane: Century old forest with diversity of fire flies and mature canopy trees. Concerned about public survey and now more than 50 people have joined Friends of Fellows Forest. Keeping it natural is a benefit of all residents because of the property’s environmental and educational benefits. Protect old forest and restore forest that was cleared. Students can learn and residents can enjoy nature. Ross Litkenhous, 1105 Seaton Lane: Support Stacey Evers email regarding creating and maintaining an urban agriculture environment at Fellows. Create a community garden led by the community with educational opportunities. Preserve what is there now with the inclusion of urban agriculture. Survey results are posted at http://www.fallschurchva.gov/2066/Fellows-Property Jenna Schroeder – Support outdoor urban agriculture feature and low impact outdoor classroom – maintain canopy and natural setting. Next steps - the board will continue to seek additional public comment with at least one more public hearing before a draft master plan. The draft master plan will then again go through a series of public meeting. The park will remain in its natural state until additional public comment and Master Park plan is in place. Park will continue to be maintained with mowing and exotic invasive removal. 7. Adjournment Leslie motioned to adjourn. Kim seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0. 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).