Recreation & Parks Advisory Board

Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks Meeting February 14, 2024 MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF THE ADVISORY BOARD OF RECREATION AND PARKS FALLS CHURCH COMMUNITY CENTER, KENNETH R. BURNETT BUILDING, 223 LITTLE FALLS STREET, FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA 22046 1. Call to Order Jenna Schroeder (Vice Chair) called the meeting to order. Members present were Bill Ackerman, Brendan Kelly and Michael Bracken, Sharon Friedlander (Planning Commission Liaison), Jerrod Anderson (School Board Liaison), Erin Flynn (City Council Liaison) and Student Representatives Caroline Carmody and Anand Colby. Staff members present were Danny Schlitt, Director Recreation & Parks (R&P). Charley O’Hara (Chair) and Amy Youngs, Deputy Director R&P. Kate Walker, Administrative Assistant R&P, attended the meeting virtually. A motion to approve Charley O’Hara’s remote participation, because he was travelling for family reasons, was proposed, seconded and approved by roll call vote. 2. Receipt of Public Petitions and Board Member Petitions None. 3. Minutes for Approval: Draft minutes from January 10, 2024 were reviewed and approved unanimously. 4. Recreation Directors Report The Director’s report was incorporated into other agenda items. 5. New Business i. Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget: Operating and Capital Improvements Projects (CIP) Danny Schlitt reported on the operating budget, a draft of which was submitted for review on Monday, February 12th. For several years we’ve been asked to present a flat budget except for salaries and interjurisdictional expenditures. Departmental staffing vacancies have led to underspending on salaries which will add about 2.7% to our available FY25 operating funds. Our budget request includes funding for an additional permanent part-time administrative staff person. The potential impact of population growth on programming and space needs was discussed. For multi-family development projects, a per-unit contribution for Recreation & Parks is an important component of Voluntary Concessions. Repurposing of underutilized retail space was suggested as a way to find more space for programming, though it was noted that additional off- site space would require additional staffing. Amy Youngs reported on the CIP budget, which covers projects exceeding $150,000 with an expected life of 5 years or more (10 if debt-funded). The 2025 CIP budget updates existing projects; new projects can only be added every other year. Further work on the Fellows property is delayed due to staffing limitations. The Berman park playground is planned for Master Plan Implementation in FY25, then Crossman and Cavalier Trail parks are scheduled for the following fiscal year. Work on the High School stadium is proposed to begin as soon as the 2024 football season is over – this is not a cost share with the schools. Discussions are underway to create a citywide Open Space fund. ii. Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) Project The HVAC project in the Community Center will be managed by the Department of Public Works (DPW). The project will involve drilling in the front aisle of the Community Center for eight 500’ geothermal wells, which is anticipated to take about eight weeks. The project will involve shutting down the Community Center building for up to twelve weeks. This will have a major impact on all activities, including the Farmers Market, and will reduce our user fees. Our proposed operating budget addresses these impacts depending on when the project starts – the project is not funded unless approved as part of the CIP. It is anticipated that it could start in spring of 2025, in which case we would hope to be back in operation for summer camps. Priority programs to maintain through the shutdown would be the Farmers Market (preferably at its existing location) and Senior Center activities. The Community Center is also the City’s emergency shelter, and the voting location for three wards. 6. Old Business i. Park Projects Danny has been discussing possible options for the Berman Park playground with Joseph Cox. He hopes to be able to present them to the Advisory Board within the next two months. The Economic Development Authority (EDA) is planning to fund some mini-park projects, at Cavalier Trail Park at the side of the stream closer to Washington Street, and possibly on the Washington Street side of the Quinn development project. It was noted that funding for maintenance of the mini-park should be asked for as part of the Voluntary Concessions for the development. ii. Student Representatives Project “Please don’t smoke” A proposed contract has been presented to the City attorney for review. If approved and signed, our student representatives could present the project to City Council for information. 7. Adjournment Brandon Kelly moved to adjourn the meeting, and Sharon Friedlander seconded the motion. All approved, and the meeting was adjourned.