Recreation & Parks Advisory Board

Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks Meeting Agenda Wednesday, April 6, 2022  7:00 P.M. DRAFT MINUTES Virtual Meeting: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup- join/19%3ameeting_MDFmZWI4ZmMtZDhlOC00NzQyLTk1NDAtNGZkZGZjMDcwYjRm%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 7:01 p.m. Members present were Charley O’Hara, Chair, Leslie Rye, Vice Chair, School Board member Kathleen Tysse, Liz Weatherly, Jenna Schroeder and City Council Liaison Caroline Lian. Student Representative Thomas Downs was 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: March 2, 2022  Motion to approve by Leslie Rye, seconded by Jenna Schroeder  Approved 5-0 4) Recreation Directors Report  Preparing for summer season with full summer camp and summer class offerings.  Recruitment for Recreation Specialist position ongoing.  Recruitment for Administrative Assistant position has closed.  As of April 1, 2022 most restrictions in response to COVID-19 have been lifted. Returned to a pre-COVID opening of the building with regular schedule. Now permitting non-residents to attend open gym with a fee increase from $3 to $5. 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).   Summer Class Brochure is available online. Print version available soon. Registration to open in early May.  Early release Wednesday program continues and is going well.  Cherry Hill Farmhouse returns to hosting Girl Scout programs and teas, conducting docent recruitment and training.  New alarm system installed at the farmhouse and barn.  LED light installation continues at the Community Center.  National Walk Through a Park Pop Up on March 30 was successful. Cherry Hill Park, Howard E. Herman Stream Valley Park and Crossman Park featured in the event.  Annual Easter Egg Hunt scheduled for Saturday, April 16 at 10am. CommuniKids is a sponsor this year.  Planning for Memorial Day has begun.  In the middle of our second annual Mayor’s Fitness Challenge.  Youth Basketball is over and spring soccer has begun. Jimmy Ruby has transitioned from Youth Sports to Camps and Teen Programs.  Recruitment for Program Supervisor position for Camp programing.  Park maintenance crews have begun preparing parks for the spring and summer season.  CIP funding to redo pathways through parks has been put to use. Some asphalt pathways have been redone. Looking into solutions to prevent erosion of blue stone dust pathways and have collaborated with Zach Bradley of Public Works to look into engineering options. 5) New Business A) Current Board makeup and meeting dates  Will likely return to in-person meetings in September 2022. Can return to in-person in May and June 2022 if the Board is ready to reconvene in person.  The Board will continue to meet virtually in May and June. Discussions will be had over the coming months with a decision to be made for the September meeting.  Charley O’Hara opened a discussion regarding the makeup of the Board.  City Council designates the Board must be made up of 5 members at large, a Planning Commission member, a member of the School Board and liaison from City Council.  Planning Commission member unable to attend due conflict with Planning Commission meeting. It has become difficult for the Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks to have a quorum.  Kathleen Tysse suggested keeping the meeting on Wednesday but moving the meeting to different week of the month. All members presented agreed notice was sufficient to move the meeting to the second Wednesday of the month beginning in September.  Danny Schlitt will check with Planning Commission to see if their representative is available for the second Wednesday of the month. Will confirm with City Clerk that Council approval is not needed to change meeting date. 6) Old Business A) Ongoing updates to the draft plan - Fellows Property Master Plan Draft  Slideshow of ideas for natural play areas for Fellows Property  Suggestion to consider a water feature relying on recycled water for a mud kitchen area.  Possibility to work in conjunction with Corey Price and Arts and Humanities Council to incorporate public art into Fellows once the City finalizes an Art Policy.  Kathleen Tysse recommended a natural playscape designer.  Will bring a draft plan that is ready to be vetted by other groups to the May meeting for review.  Plan to schedule a time to discuss the plan with the Planning Commission prior to submitting to Council.  Request for clarity on process and funding  Danny Schlitt responded that there is $200,000 for A&E design phase. In next year’s CIP $500,000 is earmarked for FY24. We do not have the money yet but have the expectation of funds to be ready for construction in FY24 if the project is ready to enter that phase. B) West Falls Economic Development Project need for Board volunteer  Charley O’Hara volunteered to be the representative from the Board.  Staff will respond to the developers of Founders Row II requesting clarification on designated open space areas for dogs to exercise as well as designated areas to meet dogs bathroom needs and waste management solutions. C) Closed Session pursuant to Virginia Code §2.2-3711. (A) 11. Discussion or consideration of honorary degrees or special awards; [Recommendation for 2022 Grand Marshal]  Motion made by Leslie Rye to go into a Closed Session pursuant to Virginia Code §2.2- 3711. (A) 11. Discussion or consideration of honorary degrees or special awards; [Recommendation for 2022 Grand Marshal]. Seconded by Kathleen Tysse. o Motion approved 4-0; 1 abstention  Charley O’Hara certified that the group only spoke about what they said they were going to speak about when entering the closed session. All affirmed. 7) Adjournment  Motion to adjourn made by Kathleen Tysse, seconded Jenna Schroeder.  Approved 5-0. Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks Staff liaison: Jessica Hilgendorf, 703-248-5027 (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. Select Join now. 4. Depending on meeting settings, you'll get in right away, or go to a lobby where someone in the meeting can admit you. 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