Recreation Commission

FREDERICKSBURG RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of May 19, 2016 The May meeting of the Fredericksburg Recreation Commission was held on Thursday, May 19, 2016 at Maury Commons. The meeting was called to order at approximately 6:32 p.m. Commissioners Present: Mrs. Susan Tyler, Mrs. Sharon Null, Dr. Timothy Duffy, Dr. George Foster (arrived late), Dr. John Gordon, III, Mr. Ken Kroko, and Dr. Marcus Tepaske. Absent: Mr. James Bailey and Mr. Brandon McVade. Also in attendance: Director Jane Shelhorse and Mrs. Patricia Sparks. I. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of April 21, 2016 were unanimously approved. II. Public Comment: No public comments. III. Communications from Staff: The Commissioners reviewed the following reports: Financial Report – April 2016 Sports/Parks Report – May 2016 Leisure/Special Events Report: Director Shelhorse announced Parks and Recreation will be partnering with City Schools to offer the free lunch food truck service at the Dixon Pool parking lot, as well as running the pool concessions area. IV. Noteworthy Dates: The Commissioners reviewed upcoming programs and trips. V. Old Business: A. Riverfront Park – Commissioner Kroko stated the Riverfront Task Force met last week. Currently, we have a good design, and by early summer they should have a schematic design to present to City Council. Once we receive the schematic design there will be some tweaks before the approval of the final design. There is $5 million allocated for the development and building of Riverfront Park. There will be no phasing in of additional projects in building the park. Commissioner Tepaske asked if we looked at accepting private donations or fund raising for the development of the park. Commissioner Kroko stated it is very much a part of the Riverfront Task Force initiative and it is still in discussion. The current park designs may be viewed on the main City web page. Commissioner Duffy stated he is in favor of building a park with integrity. B. Park Signs and Logo – Commissioner Tepaske asked if there was feedback from the community. Director Shelhorse stated the summer brochure did ask for comments from the community of “What does Parks 1 and Recreation mean to you?” Email your thoughts to Parks and Recreation or visit us on Facebook. Commissioner Null stated that it was not clear what we were asking for, and asked that we add a question on line asking what do you “like” about Parks and Recreation. Director Shelhorse stated Higaschi Glaser Design is excited to work on the project and already have some ideas on logos. They will take the ideas gathered from the Staff, the Commission and the Community, and proceed from there. For under $5,000 they will include three logo design concepts to choose from for refinement, then the final logo design, master digital artwork, letterhead, a business card design and envelopes. For an additional fee, they will work on how the department can incorporate the logo into other Parks and Recreation events, programs and marketing. The Commissioners discussed the Higaschi Glaser design, however they agreed to take time from the retreat to discuss park signs and logos. Commissioner Kroko stated Higaschi Glazer would do a great job. They will design a logo using suggestions from the staff, the Commission and the community. They would absolutely give us a great product. The Commissioners asked that Director Shelhorse and Supervisor of Marketing, Tiffany Capehart, continue to move forward on the park sign/logo project and make their suggestions at the retreat. Director Shelhorse stated there are other people interested in designing the Parks and Recreation logo and she requested their feedback in looking at other options. Director Shelhorse stated if the fee is under $5,000, we are not required to get a second bid. Director Shelhorse asked who actually approves the new logo? Would it be up to the City Manager, Recreation Commission or staff? The Commissioners agreed to have a discussion with staff at the retreat producing three ideas/designs received from staff, the Commissioners and the community and then approach design firm. Commissioner Gordon suggested that the Logo Committee meet prior to the retreat to narrow down the suggestions. Director Shelhorse will contact the City Manager to determine who does have the final approval on the final design. The Commissioners agreed not to lose momentum and to continue moving forward. Director Shelhorse stated she would like to use the logo in our August brochure. Commissioner Kroko stated that we are looking for more of a total marketing plan, and Higaschi Glazer will do what we ask them to do and more. C. Commission Retreat – Director Shelhorse has spoken with Judith Talbot, from the Institute from Environmental Negotiation in reference to conducting the retreat. The initial cost was $5,000; however, she has dropped the fee to $3,600 and will negotiate that fee as well. The fee includes the consultation meetings prior to the retreat, conducting the retreat on Friday 4-8 pm and Saturday 8-1 p.m., workshop materials, workshop summaries, lodging, meals and travel expenses. She has worked with numerous agencies such as The California Outdoor Recreation Department and The Auburn State Recreation Department. Director Shelhorse requested input from the Commissioners in hiring a professional mediator to manage the retreat. Commissioner Tepaske stated he felt we would reap the benefits if we have a professional 2  facilitator, if the fee was reasonable. Director Shelhorse may be able to get the fee a little lower. VI. New Business: A. Public Sculpture Project – The Commissioners received information from the Fredericksburg Arts Commission in regards to Public Art Projects. The Commissioners discussed the various sites recommended by the Arts Commission. Director Shelhorse asked the Commissioners to look at the photo of site at Old Mill Park. The fence would have to be removed and placed behind the sculpture. The Commissioners discussed moving the sculpture further into the park. Commissioner Kroko also suggested that instead of placing an art sculpture near the road and the fence at Old Mill Park, moving the sculpture around the bend near Riverside Drive, in an area where many more people congregate. Commissioner Null stated she did not feel the Dixon Park location would be a good place for an art sculpture because of possible vandalism. Commissioner Foster recommended placing the sculpture on the corner where the medical building is. Commissioner Tyler recommended placing a “Welcome to Fredericksburg” sign in the median strip and placing the art sculpture near the sign. Director Shelhorse explained that the sculpture is placed on a 4’ x 4’ concrete slab placed over a sewer top and the sculptures are rotated approximately every 18 months. Commissioner Duffy stated he is in favor of the idea. Commissioner Gordon stated the only school property appropriate due to regulations would be the entrance to Learning Lane. Commissioners Tyler and Null recommended several locations such as the Blue Grey Parkway and Lafayette intersection and where the “Love” sign is on William and Blue Grey Parkway. The Commissioners discussed their concerns on children climbing on the art and getting hurt. Commissioner Kroko stated in Riverfront Park we want art sculptures that children can climb on. Director Shelhorse will meet with the Fredericksburg Arts Commission to discuss the Commissioner’s concerns. The Commissioners are in agreement with the idea of placing art sculptures throughout the City, however, they do have concerns on some of the proposed locations. The Commissioners would like to get information on the criteria used by the Arts Commission to determine the sculptures throughout the City. B. VCR Fountain - Director Shelhorse stated Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities and Public Works have installed a water fountain at the Cobblestone Trail Head on the VCR Trail. The ILM Corporation has agreed to pay the water bill for the first five years. C. Eagle Scout Project #2 - The 2nd Eagle Scout Project includes 3  building a “Life Buoy Station” down by the the river at Old Mill Park promoting river safety. The buoy will have river safety information on the side of the buoy that faces the park. On the other side of the buoy there will be a rescue ring that can be thrown out to a person in distress. The 3rd planned Eagle Scout project includes painting all the fencing along the VCR Trail. D. Hurkamp Park Update - Director Shelhorse reported that Mr. Crickenberger has repaired all the loose bricks along the wall. We are currently revitalizing and replanting the area near the Rescue Squad. Director Shelhorse stated that she has been talking to the Rotary Club and they would like to contribute to Riverfront Park or Hurkamp Park. Riverfront Park is their first choice, however they are not sure when the park will be built. Staff has been talking to the Rotary Club about building a wall at Hurkamp Park along George Street or possibly updating Hurkamp Fountain. We are in the middle of the process of installing a precast concrete bathroom at Hurkamp Park where the current porta potties are located. VII. Commission Concerns and Topics: Commissioner Kroko asked Director Shelhorse if she had heard information of the naming of the pool. Director Shelhorse recommended discussing this at the retreat. Commissioner Kroko expressed his concern on trail signage. Currently, it is unclear as to where you are and where you will end up. Director Shelhorse stated she would do some research on trail signage and report it to the Commission. Commissioner Gordon asked Director Shelhorse if she had been in contact with his recommendations for assistance in working Midnight Madness. Director Shelhorse stated that the positions will be advertised and she will contact Dr. Gordon’s recommendations and ask them to apply at that time. Dr. Gordon will send the Director an email with his recommendations and Dr. Duffy would like to be copied on that email as well. Meeting Adjourned at 7:35 p.m. ______________________________________ Jane C. Shelhorse Date Director Next Regular Meeting June 16, 2016 6:30 p.m. at Maury Commons, Suite 111. 4