Recreation Commission

FREDERICKSBURG RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of December 10, 2015 The December meeting of the Fredericksburg Recreation Commission was held on Thursday, December 10, 2015 at Maury Commons. The meeting was called to order at approximately 7:08 p.m. Present: Commissioners Susan Tyler, James Bailey, Dr. Timothy Duffy, Dr. George Foster, Dr. John Gordon III, Ken Kroko, Brandon McVade, and Sharon Null. Absent: Dr. Marcus Tepaske Also in attendance: Mike Ward, Wendy Stone, Tiffany Capehart and Patricia Sparks. I. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of October 15, 2015 were unanimously approved. II. Public Comment: None. III. Communications from Staff: The Commissioners reviewed the following reports: Financial Report – Commissioners reviewed the updated financial report. Wendy Stone changed the dates of the charts to read chronologically as requested by Commissioner Foster. Commissioner Foster asked if the percentage of the year could also be included. Sports Report – No report Leisure/Special Events Report – November/December 2015 - The Christmas Parade was a great success. 2016 Commission Meeting Dates – The Commissioners received the 2016 Commission Meeting dates. IV. Noteworthy Dates: The Commissioners reviewed upcoming programs and trips. V. Old Business: A . Pathways – Commissioner Foster stated he has received several compliments on the trails. Commissioner Tyler expressed her concerns in reference to pedestrian safety when walking on the VCR Trail and crossing on Blue and Gray Parkway. Commissioner Foster suggested asking police to monitor vehicular and pedestrian traffic more often. B. Riverfront Park – Commissioner Kroko stated the Riverfront Park Task Force had met earlier this evening. Council has approved a budget of $5 million for Riverfront Park. The design firm, Rhodeside and Harwell 1  will submit a cost for each zone allowing the Riverfront Task Force to eliminate items and bring the total cost down to $5 million. Rhodeside and Harwell will be making a presentation to the Riverfront Task Force in early January before approaching City Council in late January. Commissioner Kroko stated that the Memorials Commission and potential fund raising organizations will come on board with the Riverfront Task Force. Donations would be for specific items not general construction. Restrooms are not part of the budget and they are definitely a concern. Wendy Stone stated there are less costly alternatives than to build an actual building on site as proposed in the original plans. One alternative is to install a concrete pre-fab restroom. The concrete building, built off site, is placed at a pre-determined location in the park. The building will have lights, water and plumbing. C. Recreation Commission Volunteer Awards Sub-Committee – The Commissioners complimented staff on the 29th Annual Volunteer Banquet. Overall, the changes that were made this year were good. Check-in was handled in a timely manner. Dr. Gordon also complimented staff on taking group pictures. Commissioner Tyler recommended spreading the tables out allowing people more room to walk around. D. Pickleball/Tennis Courts – Commissioners agreed to remove Pickleball/Tennis Courts from the agenda. VI. New Business: A. Memorial Day Parade - Wendy Stone announced that Parks and Recreation Staff will begin organizing a Memorial Day Parade. Police and Fire are on board. They would like to keep the same footprint as the Christmas Parade. The Commissioners asked to move the Memorial Day Parade to Old Business on the Agenda. VII. Commission Concerns and Topics: Commissioner Kroko asked if anyone has any information on the naming of Dixon Park Pool. The pool has not been properly named for the person that actually keeps the pool running. It is an embarrassment that we take Doris Buffet’s money all these years and we have not done anything about naming the pool. Wendy Stone will contact Bob Antozzi and inquire as to the status on naming the pool and report back in January. The naming of the pool also raised the question of putting logo/park sign back on the agenda for January 2016. Commissioner Kroko wished everyone a Merry Christmas. Commissioner Gordon stated that he also agrees that the Commission should move forward in developing a logo/park sign. He would like the Commission to establish a timeline for completion. 2 Commissioner Bailey is glad to see Parks and Recreation moving forward. Commissioner Duffy thanked staff for their support. Commissioner Foster thanked staff for a great parade. Commissioner McVade wished everyone a happy holiday and he has heard rave reviews about the parade. Commissioner McVade asked if there was a place they could go to send accolades. Wendy Stone stated Fredprpf@fredericksburgva.gov. Tiffany Capehart stated she would like to take all the positive feedback and place on the homepage of the Christmas parade website. The parade was also voted the #1 Community Event in 2015. Tiffany also stated in the future she would like to offer satellite parking to alleviate traffic issues. Commissioner Null asked about placing pictures taken from the public on the Christmas Parade on Facebook. Tiffany stated most people take pictures of just their children and we have asked them to tag us. Three professional photographers are currently developing Christmas Parade pictures for Parks and Recreation. Commissioner Null complimented staff on the Awards Banquet. It was amazing. Commissioner Tyler also complimented staff on the Awards Banquet. It was the best banquet that we have ever had. Commissioner Tyler also asked about having bleachers at the parade. Tiffany Capehart stated that we do use the steps at City Hall for VIP’s. Having bleachers may result in a complete debacle. Wendy Stone stated that a suggestion was made to have a covered wheel chair area for next year. Staff will be meeting to discuss all suggestions. ___________________________ ________________________ Wendy Stone Date Michael Ward Date Next Regular Meeting January 21, 2016 7:00 p.m. at Maury Commons, Suite 111. 3