Recreation Commission

FREDERICKSBURG RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of May 21, 2015 The May meeting of the Fredericksburg Recreation Commission was held on Thursday, May 21, 2015 at Maury Commons. The meeting was called to order at approximately 7:00 p.m. Present: Commissioners Dr. Marcus Tepaske, Gary Olsen, James Bailey, Dr. Timothy Duffy, Dr. George Foster, Dr. John Gordon III, Ken Kroko, Sharon Null and Susan Tyler. Also in attendance: Dr. Robert Antozzi and Patricia Sparks. I. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of April 16, 2015 were unanimously approved. II. Public Comment: None III. Communications from the Director: The Commissioners reviewed the following reports: Financial Report – April 2015 Sports Report – May 2015 Leisure/Special Events Report – April/May 2015 IV. Noteworthy Dates: The Commissioners reviewed upcoming programs and trips. V. Old Business: A. Pathways – Dr. Antozzi reported that the signalization light is scheduled for installation on June 16th or 17th. B. Riverfront Park – Commissioner Kroko reported that the Riverfront Task Force has not met recently. City staff is currently in negotiations with the preferred design firm. C. Park Signs – Commissioner Tepaske stated that he had not heard from Tiffany Capehart. He will contact her regarding having a few designs prepared by the September or October meeting. Commissioner Foster related that the commission discussed holding off on the branding until the new director was on board and that Tiffany could bring the new director up to speed pretty quickly. D. Bridge at Alum Spring Park – Commissioner Duffy stated that City Council hopes to have it in the CIP budget for next year. Therefore, it can be removed from the agenda. 1  E. Recreation Commission Volunteer Awards Sub-Committee – Commissioner Gordon and Commissioner Foster met with Parks and Recreation staff to discuss their suggestions. Suggestions were to streamline the awards by taking pictures and having small placards. Another item of discussion was the ability to have donations (fundraiser) at each table with the technology available to display donations digitally made by the banquet attendees. Commissioner Duffy stated when he was involved with private schools, everything turned into being a fundraiser. At times, if it is not done correctly, it can be discouraging. Your volunteers may be your most reliable source. Commissioner Null stated that this is a celebration and there are other ways to make money. The Commissioners discussed several other alternatives for revamping the volunteer banquet. No action was taken at this time. Commissioner Foster stated it was suggested the Commissioners spread out and sit at different tables so there is more of a presence around the room. Staff would also like the Commissioners to take on the role of greeting people as they come in. Commissioner Tepaske asked for an appropriate timetable to make proposals or changes to this year’s volunteer banquet. Dr. Antozzi recommended the changes be made by the July meeting. VI. New Business: A. Rental of Dixon Fields for Lacrosse Tournament – The Commissioners received an email from Dr. Antozzi in reference to a request sent to Michael Ward to have a Girl’s High School Lacrosse tournament the weekend of November 14-15, 2015 at Dixon Park. Commissioner Duffy stated that he was nervous about lacrosse. Commissioner Tyler asked if they wear cleats. Commissioner Duffy stated that they do wear cleats and it gets rough. Commissioner Gordon stated that the fields will be dormant at that time. Dr. Antozzi stated that Dixon fields have a pod system which will allow us to rotate the fields in the spring. Mike Ward stated in his memo that we could give approval to use the fields with the caveat that we have the right to cancel if the fields are too wet. A cancellation date would need to be established. Commissioner Kroko stated that he supports staff in whatever they would like to do. 2  A motion was made by Commissioner Tyler, seconded by Commissioner Bailey and unanimously approved to accept the proposal for use of the Dixon Fields for a Girl’s High School Lacrosse Tournament November 14-15, 2015. VII. Commission Concerns and Topics: Commissioner Duffy stated that we are currently looking at all six candidates for the Director of Parks and Recreation. Commissioner Gordon complimented Parks and Recreation staff on their Midnight Madness. Great job in designing a flyer. Commissioner Kroko asked if the City had any schematicsatics for the Bragg Hill Baseball fields. It seems like so much of the area is being used for the new road. Dr. Antozzi stated that they will reconstruct one baseball field, two basketball courts and the playground. Dr. Antozzi stated that he had the schematics at the office and invited Commissioner Kroko to come by and look at them. Commissioner Null wanted to make a suggestion on advertising for upcoming classes on the internet. Her daughter was on the Creative Drama Stage Door website and she found a class that they were offering through Parks and Recreation. The Parks and Recreation website did not list the class. Her daughter then came in and registered for the class at the DHCC. Commissioner Null recommended that the brochure and the website coordinate with each other. Commissioner Olsen stated that he had been approached by the residents that live across from the Farmer’s Market. There is a sign that states they cannot begin to set up until 4:00 a.m. Apparently, around 4:00 a.m., a vendor begins setting up and they are extremely loud. Dr. Antozzi explained that in the beginning the vendors would come in early to get a good spot and it became very competitive. Originally, the Farmers Market was under Public Works and it was proposed at that time that the vendors could begin setting up at 4:00 a.m. Dr. Antozzi stated that he will let the Farmer’s Market Managers know what is going on. Most of the vendors now have assigned areas. 3 Commissioner Foster stated that he was at the Farmer’s Market and he saw customers using their electronic benefit card to get their tokens from the Market Manager. He now has a better idea of how they work. The meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m. ________________________ ______________ Dr. Robert K. Antozzi Date Next Regular Meeting June 18, 2015 7:00 p.m. at Maury Commons, Suite 111. 4