Recreation Commission

FREDERICKSBURG RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of February 19, 2009 The February meeting of the Fredericksburg Recreation Commission was held on Thursday, February 19, 2009 at the Dorothy Hart Community Center. The meeting began at approximately 7:10 p.m. Present: Commissioners Brian Baker, Bob Carter, Ken Kroko, Barbara Miller- Richards (arrived late), Charles McDaniel, Susan Tyler, Bob Antozzi and Patricia Sparks. Absent: Commissioners George Solley and Ed Crosslin. I. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of January 15, 2009 were unanimously approved. II. Public Comment: None III. Communications from the Director: The Commissioners reviewed the following reports: A. Financial Report January 2009 B. Sports Notes January February 2009 C. Leisure Report January-February 2009 D. Old Mill Park Report January 2009/CIP List-The Commissioners reviewed the CIP list for Old Mill Park. Dr. Antozzi reported that the list was submitted to the Fredericksburg/Stafford Park Authority (FSPA) on February 18, 2009. The FSPA requested a priority listing of CIP projects from both Stafford County and the City of Fredericksburg to determine how to distribute the funds available from the FSPA account. The Commissioners asked Dr. Antozzi to re-prioritize and consolidate the smaller projects on the list. Dr. Antozzi encouraged the Commissioners to prioritize the projects prior to the next meeting. The exact funds available are not known at this time. The agreement states that the funds that will be available to the City of Fredericksburg will only be used for Old Mill Park improvements. Commissioners will review the list at the March meeting. E. Follow Up Report/Responses - January 15, 2009 F. Hurkamp Park Article 1 IV. Noteworthy Dates: The Commissioners reviewed upcoming Parks and Recreation programs. Old Business: A. Pathways – Gordon and Associates is working on the engineering for the VCR Trail. The trailhead is located off Lafayette Blvd at the sidewalk that leads to Cobblestone Square. Dr. Antozzi reported that Gordon and Associates was also selected as the engineer for the Heritage Trail. The Heritage Trail will begin at the end of the Canal Path on Princess Anne Street. It will then cross over to the sidewalk at Ford Street, and then to the west side of Caroline Street. It will then proceed down Caroline Street past the entrance to Old Mill Park and crossing over to the grassy area just before the Route 1 Bridge. The path will then proceed onto Riverside Drive to Fall Hill Avenue (retaining wall may be necessary), continuing to the Old Embrey Dam and somewhere there, the path will cross over to the parking lot on the opposite side of the street and continue across the bridge at the Canal Path. Grant funds have been appropriated for most of the VCR and Heritage Trails. B. Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation Partnership – Commissioner Baker reported that he had met with Patricia Wolfrey several times to get clarification on the Cal Ripken project. The Foundation announced that they had achieved their Phase I fund-raising goal, including the match from the Sunshine Lady Foundation for a total of $2.3 million dollars. Commissioner Baker reviewed changes (proposals) on the design features, scheduling, maintenance, and the lease and management agreement. Currently, the City Attorney is reviewing the agreement. C. Riverfront Park – Dr. Antozzi reported that Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities, and Public Works has been working together to identify projects for improvements and developing a cost analysis on the work that needs to be out sourced. D. Commission Vacancies – One vacancy open. E. City Property Initiative Report – Dr. Antozzi reported that Phil Brown is plotting the property map that identifies city and private proposed properties. F. Volunteer Banquet Report - No funds are allocated for the 2010 Volunteer Banquet. Leave on agenda for further discussion. 2  G. Motts Budget - Dr. Antozzi discussed the budget concerns for Motts. Because of the anticipated budget cuts, several scenarios have been written for proposed business changes for Motts Run Reservoir. H. Pool Budget – Dr. Antozzi reported that City Council has decided that Dixon Pool will be open for the summer. Two scenarios have been written to streamline the figures for the pool revenue and expenses in anticipation for the upcoming pool budget. Currently, we are scaling down in order to bring the revenue and the expense figures closer together. Commissioner Miller-Richards asked exactly what is the Recreation Commission’s role with the concerns of the budget. Commissioner McDaniel stated that our role could simply be to state our opinion when we feel strongly that something is not right and notify City Council. V. New Business: A. Proposed Business Changes/Budget –The Commissioners received a handout listing general proposed business changes effective May 1, 2009. B. Matt Kelly Request - Matt Kelly is requesting a waiver to use Old Mill Park Shelter E on April 25 for the Wounded Soldiers of Fredericksburg. It was agreed to charge the group the fee for non- profit organizations. C. Camping – Dr. Antozzi distributed a memorandum in reference to allowing organizational groups to camp at Old Mill Park. The Commissioners also received a proposed fee structure, general rules, and draft permit application form to review. Several recommendations were made and the Commissioners agreed that with the proper controls and stops this could be a good source of revenue. The policy, strict rules and guidelines, and liability requirements need to be in place. Dr. Antozzi was instructed to develop more stringent guidelines for the campers. D. Vision Planning – Commissioner Baker referenced a report on the impact that parks have on the community. The study indicated the values of the most effective Parks and Recreation systems improving property values and quality of life for a community. Commissioner Baker stated that we have to deal with some tough issues right now, however; he would like to focus on assisting Parks and Recreation staff on developing our parks to provide a better quality of life for our community. Commissioner Baker requested that the Commissioners e-mail him with their thoughts on visionary planning. 3 VI. Commission Concerns and Topics: Commissioner Carter thanked the Parks and Recreation staff for getting the sidewalk area at Hurkamp Park cleaned up. Commissioner McDaniel stated that he knows that we will have to make some concessions due to the budget. If something is just not right, we need to express our concerns to City Council. Commissioner Kroko stated that now is the time to be a little more visionary and creative, but staying practical with our ideas. He recommended planning an in-town retreat or scheduling a special meeting to discuss future planning. Dr. Antozzi reported that the problem with the windscreen is that it is the wrong type of windscreen for that particular type of fence. Parks and Recreation staff will continue to work on correcting the windscreen problem. Meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m. Approved by the Recreation Commission __________________________________ ______________ Robert Antozzi Date Next Commission Meeting Thursday, March 19, 2009. 4