Recreation & Parks Advisory Board

Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks Meeting Agenda Wednesday, November 3, 2021  7:00 P.M. DRAFT MINUTES Virtual Meeting: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup- join/19%3ameeting_NTJlZGQ2MGUtYWY3NC00NmI0LTlhZWEtODlmY2NhYmVjMjNm %40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2273ba5b04-4ace-4ae3-a6b2- 65cbc403418b%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2288dcaad5-f9e7-4ed3-b8c9- 1d3cd1ec8369%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 Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Meeting (Virtual Meeting) (granicus.com) 1. Call to Order Charley O’Hara called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Members present Charley O’Hara, Chair, Leslie Rye, Vice Chair, School Board member Laura Downs, Liz Weatherly and City Council Liaison Letty Hardi. Student Representatives Nate Kusic and Thomas Downs were also present. Staff members present were Danny Schlitt, Director Recreation & Parks, and Jessica Hilgendorf, Senior Administrative Assistant Recreation & Parks. 2. Receipt of Public Petitions and Board Member Petitions  No Public Petitions or Board Member Petitions 3. Minutes for Approval: October 6, 2012  Motion to approve minutes by Liz Weatherly, seconded by Leslie Rye.  Approved 4-0 4. Recreation Directors Report 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).  Community Center and Facilities o Security cameras are being installed inside and outside the Community Center beginning next week. This was originally an FY21 project but could not be completed so funds were carried over into FY22 for the project. o An additional 3 or 4 cameras will be added both inside and outside the building. o The additional cameras will cover the back half of the gym, even if the curtain is down and all common areas but will not cover a number meeting rooms. o The front entrance, lower and upper level lobby are currently covered by existing cameras.  Recreation Classes o Fall classes are in full swing. o January through May programs will be selected this month and the brochure goes out next month for winter and spring classes.  Early Release Wednesday o Program continues to run and is going well. o Several school professional day camps have been held this fall. o Camps were held this Monday and Tuesday. One of the camps had double the number of participants we could accommodate with 18 registered and 18 waitlisted. Schools assisted in finding additional space for our use and we were able to offer another camp and enroll participants off the waitlist. The exact same camp offered was not run but we were able to offer an alternative. o Camp will be held on November 4, 2021 as well. o We are currently in the process of extending contract offers to those vendors whose proposals were accepted for camp programs. o Comment that looking forward to the 2022-2023 school year, the Early Release Wednesday program will remain a community need. The community would appreciate the continued support of Recreation and Parks through the Early Release Wednesday program.  Response that as long as facility, space and availability remain that Recreation and Parks will work with schools to offer some programing. The expectation is that extended care program will return in some form and we will have to work with them to make sure we are all working toward a common goal.  Special Events o Annual Halloween Carnival was held on Saturday, October 13 outside in Cherry Hill Park. There was a huge turnout with over 2,000 people in attendance. We offered carnival games, inflatables, scavenger hunts, popcorn, apple cider, apples and live music from Mount Daniel 2nd graders and King Bullfrog. We had 5 sponsors and the Sheriff’s department participate. o Since the event was well received and well attended the question raised as to holding this event outside in the future.  Response is that it may be considered and will be discussed. Planning to hold the event outside annually could present logistical challenges due to weather.  o Falls Church Veteran’s Council and Falls Church concert band on the Veteran’s Day Ceremony. The ceremony is scheduled for 11am on Thursday, November 11 at the Veteran’s Memorial. o Annual Holiday Craft and Gift show in person this year on Saturday, December 4 and Sunday, December 5. Right now we are 80% full. A number of past vendors are worried about indoor shows but I am receiving new vendor applications daily. o There are a lower number of vendors this year. The concern is that if we cancelled the event again this year then we may not be able to run it in the future due to low vendor turnout. This could be a decision year for this event. o Question as to how our numbers compare to Fairfax City. o Response that they are down about 20% in vendor turnout. o After the Holiday Craft & Gift Show we will start working on supporting the Watch Nigh Event that will take place on New Year’s Eve.  Youth Sports o Midway through the Flag Football season. Lower enrolment numbers but kids are having a great time. Season will end around November 20, 2021. o Comment requesting any theories as to why flag football is down.  Response that is a newer youth sport to the City and within 3 years numbers did drop.  Response that it could have been announced late and it may take some time to build the enrollment numbers back up.  Comment that it is possible that previous participants have gone to nearby flag football programs due to the program not running in fall of 2020. o Comment that scores and standings are important to participants. Starting to keep score for the older age groups by entice some players to return. o Response that if this is the reason it may be time to look into making the league more competitive. o Registration for youth basketball (grades 2-12) will continues. Player assessments will begin on November 6 and run through the end of the month. o Working with school to ensure our COVID-19 protocols are in line with their own since we are in their facilities. o Limited spectators at game sites (based on size of venue and additional time between games to minimize capacity and provide adequate social distancing at game sites o Enrollment numbers are down but we will look into accommodating as many people as we can should there be an interest in enrolling after more children have had the opportunity to be vaccinated. o Comment that older age group basketball does not have the same demand as lower age groups. o Comment that there is a limitation due to coaches willing to coach girls basketball at the Select level. o Comment the Jimmy Ruby has been open to discussing ways to increase enrollment in competitive girls basketball.   Farmer’s Market o Request from Board member for an update on the Farmer’s Market Manager position.  Response that the position has almost been filled twice. One candidate was scheduled to begin in early October but ultimately decided to go in a different direction.  Recruitment for the position has opened again and applications are coming in.  Some details of the position have changed in an effort to make the role more enticing.  SNAP program will be added to the Farmer’s Market. 5. New Business A) Founders Row II presentation o Joe Muffler of Mill Creek Residential Trust presented on the Founders Row II proposed development. Mill Creek Residential Trust are the owners, developers and operators of Founders Row Phase I.  Question on size of unit: o Average size of unit is +/- 857 SF. o This is on the smaller end for the City as the target is a younger or older renter and presents a lower price point to live within the City of Falls Church. o The number of 2+ bedroom units have been capped to take schools into consideration.  Question regarding areas for residents to exercise their dogs. Comment that as more of the City is developed there is less space for residents pets. Would like to keep pets in mind during planning. o Further comment regarding an increase in dog walking throughout the neighborhood as a result of similar projects on the other side of Washington Street.  Joe Muffler responded that the anticipation is that 50%+ of residents would come with pets and there is a focus on catering amenities to pets as well as their owners.  He further elaborated that across the street there is an interior pet spa on a roof element known as the “Woof Deck” as well as an outdoor area for pets to exercise.  He continued to mention that a pet area has not been defined for Founders Row II but there will be one. It will be similar to the area across the street but will be interior to the project.  Request for clarification of contribution difference between Founders Row I and proposed Founders Row II. Comment that Founders Row I contributed $500 per unit to Recreation and Parks. Founders Row II prosed contribution is $250 per unit divided between Recreation and Parks and Libraries.  o Joe Muffler responded by stating that there is a limited amount of money to go around and commitment to 12% of affordable housing is a significant commitment and cash contributions were impacted.  Comment that there has been a request to separate Parks and Recreation and Libraries in Voluntary Concessions. o Joe Muffler responded by confirming that Recreation and Parks and Libraries would be split during the next round of Voluntary Concessions. B) West End Development Street Naming/ presentation o Caroline Crawford, Development Manager at Hoffman and Associates presented on the West End Development Street Naming.  Caroline Crawford explained that their approach was to find names relevant to the Falls Church community and to ensure this project felt like it is part of the existing and vibrant community.  Elaborated that they were guided by the Tree City USA designation held by the City of Falls Church the approach was to leverage tree based names, particularly trees native to the mid-Atlantic and Virginia area that haven’t been used in the City.  Suggested names include – Magnolia Street, Mulberry Lane and Arbor Way, Cardinal Lane and West Falls Boulevard.  Arbor Way o Comment that Arbor Way is not a through street. o Question if consideration been given to not being able to connect via Arbor Way to Route 7 if you turn onto Arbor Way from Mustang Alley? Will any buildings based on Arbor Way have an Arbor Way address? Thoughts on two different names for the proposed Arbor Way off of Route 7 and Arbor Way off of Mustang Alley?  Caroline Crawford responded that it had been discussed internally. Preference for having fewer street names over having shorter, choppier streets. Main building addresses will not be on Arbor Way.  Caroline Crawford responded that a condo building is at the intersection of Arbor Way and Mustang Alley. The main address of the building will be on the proposed street name West Falls Church Boulevard or an alternative final street name.  Caroline Crawford responded that a medical office building is located at the intersection of Arbor Way and Cardinal Lane. The main address will be off of Cardinal Lane or an alternative final street name.  Caroline Crawford responded that a parking garage is also off of Arbor Way and Cardinal Lane. The main address is proposed to be off of Cardinal Lane.   Caroline Crawford responded that there is civic space in Block C off of Mustang Alley and Arbor Way. This address will be on Arbor Way.  Caroline Crawford responded that changing the street name of one portion of Arbor Way would be open for discussion if this was sticking point for the project. o Comment that Arbor Way at Route 7 looks as if it could also be called Cardinal Lane. o Comment that the use of Arbor Way where the street meets Mustang Alley makes sense but it the name is not needed where Arbor Way meets Route 7. o Comment that Cardinal Lane could go from Broad Street, take a right turn and extend to West Falls Boulevard. o Question regarding the use of West Falls Boulevard. Was it discussed that the use of West Falls Boulevard would not be allowed by Fairfax County as it is already in use?  Caroline Crawford responded that they are working with Carly Aubrey and the City to appeal to Fairfax County. Caroline elaborated that it is not uncommon to have jurisdictions next to each other with similar names.  Caroline Crawford clarified that West Falls Boulevard is not used and they feel it is worth Fairfax County taking another look at it. o Question on a possible alternative name if Fairfax County does not allow for the use of West Falls Boulevard?  Caroline Crawford responded there have been names mentioned but they are not at liberty to discuss the alternatives at the moment. Caroline commented that they would be open to suggestions.  Council would like a comment from the Board, if the Board chooses to do so, by November 29, 2021  Motion to support proposed names with the caveat of taking a second look at the naming of Arbor Way closest Broad Street and considering a name change to avoid confusion with Arbor Way at Mustang Alley. o Motion made by Leslie Rye, seconded by Liz Weatherly. Approved 4-0. 6. Old Business A. Park project update 1. Fellows Property o The draft has been revised. Board members determined that it would be best for to review the draft at their convenience. To move forward with this process the Fellows Property Master Plan Draft will need to be posted on the City’s website  to be accessible to all. Once the plan is posted it will be shared with the Board for review. 2. Student Representative Report o Thomas Downs explained that questions were being developed for a Schoology survey regarding different Recreation and Parks Activities offered and park amenities available. Would like to have the questions finalized by early December. They survey will need to be approved by school administration – possibly Mrs. Hardy, Head of Secondary Schools and/or Mr. Carey, Associate Principal at Mary Ellen Henderson, and posted to Schoology to receive responses from middle and high school students. o Examples of questions include:  1) Do you participate in a recreation sport? If you do, what was your favorite part?  2) How often do you or someone in your family use recreation and parks public amenities like parks and/or Community Center? What can be done to increase usage? o Comment to consider including the question, “If you use the parks, which one do you like the best?”  Thomas Downs responded that this is a question they were looking to include. Plan to ask respondents which parks they use the most and why. o Offer to have both Thomas Downs and Nate Kusic meet with the City’s Communication Director, Susan Finarelli, if they would like to expand their survey to the entire community.  Thomas Downs responded that creating two samples of data may be a good starting point. Would like to start with a student survey to poll youth responses separate from the community as whole. o Comment to consider including the question “Is there something that you wished Parks and Rec. offered but they don’t?” o Nate Kusic explained that they are moving away from volunteer hours for CAS/IB Diploma. Arrangements for volunteer opportunities have already been made by FCCPS science teacher, Mrs. Pollack in coordination with the City. 7. Adjournment   Laura Downs motioned to adjourn, Leslie Rye seconded. All approved 4-0. Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks Staff liaison: Jessica Hilgendorf, 703-248-5137 (TTY711), jhilgendorf@fallschurchva.gov Instructions for joining a Microsoft Teams meeting: Click here to watch a video with instructions for joining a Teams meeting Join a Teams meeting on a phone or tablet 1. Click the meeting link provided. 2. Download the Teams app for your device when prompted:  Type in your name.  Choose the audio and video settings you want. 3. 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