Recreation & Parks Advisory Board

Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks Meeting Agenda Wednesday, June 1, 2022  7:00 P.M. DRAFT MINUTES Virtual Meeting: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup- join/19%3ameeting_NDg3NmJmY2EtNzcxOS00YTBmLWE5NjEtN2Q0NjlkNGU1NWQ3%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 and City Council Liaison Caroline Lian. Student Representatives Nate Kusic and Caroline Carmody 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: May 4, 2022  Motion to approve by Leslie Rye, seconded by Liz Weatherly  Motion approved 4-0 4) Recreation Directors Report  Kate Walker joined Recreation and Parks as an Administrative Assistant.  Brandon Powers joined Recreation and Parks as a Recreation Specialist.  Dylan McKissick joined Recreation and Parks as a Youth and Adult Sports Program Supervisor. He comes to us with a BA in Sports Management. 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).  LED light conversion is nearly complete. Community Center gymnasium to be transition to LED lights through an upcoming CIP project, which is tied replacing the HVAC unit. This is a Public Works project.  Dance recitals held in May at Meridian High School.  Summer classes began June 1.  Opening fall registration earlier due to the new school schedule, which starts before Labor Day.  This fall one day camps will be offered every school day when schools are not in session.  Early Release Wednesday program will be offered again this upcoming school year.  Preschool camps offered this summer. Leaving open the potential for a preschool program to return to the Community Center if need exists.  Docent recruitment and training at Cherry Hill Farmhouse.  Arts and Humanities made changes to voting memberships. Update approved by Council on May 16.  Arts and Humanities Council added two walking routes added to Falls Church Art Walk website.  Memorial Day was successful.  Farmers Market farewell to Howard Herman.  Tinner Hill Music Festival will be held on June 11, 2022.  Concerts in the Park run from June 23-August 7.  Hiring part-time staff has been difficult. This has limited the ability to increase camp enrollment for Recreation and Parks run camps. This applies to Recreation and Parks run camps - Summer Fun and Teen Excursion camps.  City staff, Directors and leadership met to discuss ways to implement City Council objectives moving forward.  Recreation and Parks discussed two main objectives: a) Ways to offer more special events for groups who would like to hold community events. b) Arts and Culture Group and the development of Public Art Policy. The idea for a Public Art Policy is featured in the Art and Culture Comprehensive Plan.  Annual Report requested by City Council.  Danny Schlitt mentioned asking for an extension of two months since we do not meet in June.  Would like to have the document brought to the September meeting to be reviewed before being sent to Council.  Belief that the September meeting will be in person.  Meetings to now be held on the second Wednesday of the month.  Caroline Lian questioned the Fee Reduction Program and if the program is adequately funded.  Danny Schlitt mentioned the Fee Reduction Program is mostly used by children ages 2-13. Pushing the program in brochures, kiosks. Qualifying for the program has become much more generous. The program is adequately funded at the moment.  Suggestion to make the program more visible on the City website.  Caroline Lian inquired into reasons behind seasonal part-time staff shortage.  Danny Schlitt responded that there typically is not a high return rate. Most of the part time staff are in high school or at beginning of their college career.  Raising of minimum wage to $15.00 was instrumental in hiring summer staff.   Kathleen Tysse inquired into enrollment in Early Release Wednesday and Holiday programs.  Danny Schlitt responded that in order to expand we would need more space at schools and staff.  Kathleen Tysse questioned the starting age of the preschool program once held at the Community Center.  Danny Schlitt responded that it had varied over the years. For the majority of the years the program was held, the program ran for 3 days a week for 4/5 year olds and 2 days a week potty-trained 3 year old and 4 year olds.  Charley O’Hara asked for a summary of staff roles.  Danny Schlitt provided staff roles.  Charley O’Hara questioned the possibility of a City wide pickleball tournament.  Danny Schlitt responded by mentioning that Dylan McKissick spoke of this in his interview. Tracy Browand, Senior Center Coordinator has seen a large turnout for pickleball. There has been talk about possibility of painting pickleball lines on school courts. 5) New Business  No new business. 6) Old Business A) Student Representative Report  Danny Schlitt shared Nate Kusic’s written reflection on his participation on the Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks. B) Park Master Plan and implantation updates  Forwarded draft plan to boards and commissions for comment.  Plan will be brought to the September meeting and updated based on comments received.  The next step is to submit the plan to City Council for approval. Once approved the plan will go to architecture and engineer to help design the new park.  Charley O’Hara mentioned that the focus would now shift to Berman Park updates.  Danny Schlitt responded that this would not be a park plan process. Would like to engage the community for input and replace the playground equipment. 7) Adjournment  Motion to adjourn made by Kathleen Tysse, seconded by Leslie Rye  Approved 4-0 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. 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