Recreation Commission

FREDERICKSBURG RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of September 18, 2008 The September meeting of the Fredericksburg Recreation Commission was held on Thursday, September 18, 2008 at the Dorothy Hart Community Center. The meeting began at approximately 7:03 p.m. Present: Commissioners: Brian Baker, Bob Carter, Ken Kroko, Charles McDaniel, George Solley, Susan Tyler, Bob Antozzi and Patricia Sparks. Absent: Commissioners: Ed Crosslin and Barbara Miller-Richards. I. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of July 17, 2008 were unanimously approved. II. Public Comment: Mr. Bob Smith, Executive Director, Fredericksburg Sports Commission, briefly addressed the Commissioners on the newly formed Fredericksburg Sports Commission. Mr. Smith reviewed upcoming events and programs offered by the Sports Commission. The Fredericksburg Sports Commission hopes to partner with local organizations, schools and recreational facilities to bring sporting events to the region. III. Communications from the Director: The Commissioners reviewed the following reports: A. Financial Report July/August 2008 B. Sports Notes July-September 2008 C. Leisure Report September-October 2008 D. Old Mill Park Report August 2008 E. Follow up Report – July 2008 F. Letter from Jim Clemons to JoAnne Jones G. Letter from City Manager to Bob Smith H. Commission List Updated 9/11/08 IV. Noteworthy Dates: The Commissioners reviewed upcoming Parks and Recreation programs. V. Old Business: A. Pathways – Currently, the Pathways Committee is working on developing two pathways, the VCR and the Rappahannock Heritage Trail. The Pathways Committee has agreed to move forward with the engineer for the VCR trail. Approval for the funding will be on the City Council’s agenda for first meeting in October. Dr. Antozzi reported that the City Manager feels we can use Gordon Associates for the Rappahannock Heritage Trail, without going through the procurement process again. 1  B. Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation Partnership – Commissioner Baker reported that the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation is still pursuing large donor gifts for their matching fund campaign. Dr. Antozzi reported that the City Manager had received a copy of the first draft of the agreement between the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and the City. The agreement was quite different from the original memorandum and from what the foundation had been saying. The City Attorney is working on contacting the foundation’s attorney to discuss the agreement. The fund raising is currently at $300,000 with a goal by the end of the year to reach $1,000,000. C. Riverfront Park – Commissioner Solley reported that the City is still negotiating with the Wings on the Water property owners. D. Playground Equipment and Slides – The Maury playground equipment has come in and will be installed very soon. E. Commission Vacancies – Commissioner Baker had contacted two people in reference to serving on the Recreation Commission. He has heard from one and who is considering the position. At this time, the Clerk of Council has no one on file with the City. The Recreation Commission can make a recommendation to City Council; however all applicants will be considered. Commissioner Baker reported that he will contact Commissioner Crosslin in reference to his lack of attendance for the Recreation Commission Meetings. T he Commissioners recommended posting a notice in the lobby announcing the vacancy on the Recreation Commission. VI. New Business: A. Review of City Property Initiative – The Commissioners received a memorandum from Dr. Antozzi to the City Manager outlining city-owned properties as future sites for parks. The next step is to interface with the Planning Department to evaluate City properties. A committee was appointed to include Dr. Antozzi, Commissioner Carter, Commissioner Kroko, Mike Ward, and Eric Nelson, to evaluate the proposed City properties for park use. VII. Commission Concerns and Topics Commissioner Carter pointed out that in the brochure on page 5 there is a listing of all the City parks along with their amenities. All of the parks are identified on the map on page 4 except for the Dog Park. The correction will be made on the next brochure. The center pole on the east side of the Kenmore tennis courts has only two lights out of six working. Dr. Antozzi will drive by after the meeting to check on the lights. 2 Commissioner Tyler asked about the old American flag that was in Room 1. Dr. Antozzi explained that it has been framed and is now hanging on the wall in the lobby. Commissioner Tyler asked why Lunchtime at Hurkamp was canceled last Tuesday. Dr. Antozzi explained that it was due to the potential weather forecast. Commissioner Tyler asked why a substitute teacher for the exercise class has to complete the hire packet for employment. Most of the substitutes are volunteers and they just want a place to exercise. It is not important to get paid. She also stated that the weight rack in Room 1 does not hold the weights. The weights keep falling off. Dr. Antozzi will check into it. Commissioner Kroko complimented Parks and Recreation on the movies at Hurkamp. Very enjoyable for everyone. Commissioner McDaniel thanked the Commission for working with the Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries in placing a memorial bench at the City dock. In addition, the parking lot has been graveled and it looks nice. Commission McDaniel asked if the Commission was familiar with Blue Grass event with Mark Newton. It is planned at Maury next fall. It is a very successful event. Commissioner McDaniel is concerned about all the fundraisers that are going on right now. We are involved with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and now the Fredericksburg Sports Commission. The donor population is fatigued right now and he has some concerns about the Cal Ripken Foundation, Sr. meeting their goals. Commissioner Baker reported that the numbers are peeling off the players jerseys. Dr. Antozzi will check on the numbers peeling off the jerseys. Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m. Approved by the Recreation Commission __________________________________ ______________ Robert Antozzi Date Next Commission Meeting Thursday, October 16, 2008. 3 4