Recreation Commission

City of Fredericksburg Recreation Commission Minutes for meeting held on 1-20-2022 The January meeting of the Fredericksburg Recreation Commission was held on Thursday, January 2, 2022 at the Dorothy Hart Community Center. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Sharon Null, and there was a quorum. Vice Chairman David Dorsey, Dr. Tim Duffy, Quincy Crecelius Click and Sue Sargeant were present. Brandon McVade, Eric Keeler and Don Upperco were absent. Todd Brown, Parks, Recreation and Events Director was in attendance. I. Approval of Minutes- The minutes from October 2021, were approved with two corrections to be made and Chairman Null handed the corrections to the Director. The same was true for the December 16, 2021 minutes, as they had two typos that needed correcting. Vice Chairman Dorsey mentioned that at the last meeting there was a comment made regarding cricket being a sport that needs to be considered in Fredericksburg when discussing bringing in new audiences. It was decided that instead of making it a part of the old minutes, let’s to make it a part of the official minutes of the January meeting, and he agreed. II. Opportunity for Public Comment- there was no public comment. Ms. Click remarked that she would text or email the Director some information regarding a climbing wall she found that could be used for the Pop-up Park idea. III. Communication from the Director – Director Brown noted some highlights in the provided reports from each section of the department. Those highlights were remarking on the snowball fight changing dates due to weather. New adult programming, volunteers, and help with homelessness were also mentioned. Earth Day was discussed and three commission members shared an interest in volunteering. Director passed those names onto Callie Brown with the Earth Day Committee. IV. Old Business- A. The Director discussed plans on hiring part time staff as soon as possible. A few other programs and updates on projects were discussed, including Snowden community gardens and a funding shortfall for the entire project. A. Director Brown presented the Riverfront Operations Plan and provided a hard copy. He went over some of the main points of the plan and asked the commission to review it and let him know if they have any questions or comments. Several comments were made regarding the size of rentals allowed and making sure the park is always open for trail and bathroom use, even during park events and rentals. The Director informed the group that he would inform relay to? city leadership of those concerns. B. The Director informed the members of the commission the status and planned schedule for completing the Department’s Master Plan. It will conclude with three parts: the final draft of the entire Master Plan, the writing and presenting of an executive summary, and the creating of a poster on the city’s parks and recreation department and benefits to the city. V. New Business-Mr. Brown mentioned that he had a conversation with Chairperson Null before the meeting about creating a work plan for the year. This plan contains three projects plan to work on jointly and they are: a.i. Director's Fund SOPs development, a.ii. Creation of a SOP for accepting memorial requests on or at parks, and a.iii. Updating the commission’s bylaws. The director will send each member a copy of their bylaws. VI. Commission Concerns and Topics- members shared comments and concerns with the director. The areas of concern are:  A. Mr. Dorsey shared a concern about the amount of trees damaged in the Jan 3rd storm and asked if there was EMA money that can be used for park trees. B. Mr. Dorsey said he had concerns about projects around the City and the impacts to our parks. He said Cobblestone Park is a neglected park and now it will be heavily used. He asked if there was any plans or money to be put into Cobblestone Park when the development was planned? The director responded that he would ask. Mr. Dorsey suggested or asked if a Friends of Cobblestone could be developed to help with this forecasted problem. C. Ms. Sargeant had a question regarding the purpose of a camera placed on the outside of the DHCC by the side door facing Charles Street. D. Chairman Null, Ms. Sargeant and Ms. Click said that would like to volunteer at Earth Day. E. There was a comment and everyone nodded to have the Director’s Fund name changed. F. Chairman Null said that Parks’ Maintenance staff did an incredible job handling the recent storms and everyone agreed. G. It was asked why and when cones would be removed near Tennis Courts at Memorial Park. The meeting was adjourned by Chairperson Null. _____________________________ ____________ Todd Brown- Director Date Next Meeting is scheduled for May 19, 2022 at 6:30 at Dorothy Hart Community Center.