Parks & Recreation Advisory Board

Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Meeting Minutes Wednesday, September 4, 2019 | 6:30 p.m. | 5th floor City Hall, Canty Conference Room Members Present: Shawn O’Keefe, Steven Raudman, Kathy Dermanis, Dr. Norman Merrifield Members Absent: Jennifer Colton Staff Present: David McCauley, Alison Eubank Guest(s) Present: Jen Parker Opening Business  Welcome, Introductions and Call to Order – Shawn O’Keefe called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.  Approval of August 7, 2019, Minutes –Steven Raudman moved, Dr. Merrifield seconded and the minutes were approved.  Director’s Update – Currently there are five board members; By Laws allow for nine. Members concur with moving forward with four new members. It was recommended to obtain representation from multiple areas of the city. Director McCauley thanked everyone for their participation in the Master Plan focus groups. Members felt energy was high and well attended. Alison Eubank did a great job putting everything together and keeping it well organized. On Wednesday, September 11, 2019, at Council’s Open Session, GreenPlay will provide a brief on their findings. The statistically valid survey will be launched at the end of September. GreenPlay will return in December and provide results. Many great ideas were suggested. Only concern is the capital to make it happen. Currently, we have more capital improvement projects than we have money. Once we receive the plan we will need to review and prioritize. Discussion on possible solutions for more capital: Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services 22 Lincoln Street | Hampton, Virginia 23669 www.hampton.gov | P: (757) 727-6348  • Speak with consultants and see best financial practices of departments around the state • Independent board will provide more endurance and authority • Public Park System • Designated Recreation Tax (Virginia Beach) City gives Parks Capital Improvement money towards CIP projects. We also submit CIP projects for City consideration which is competitive with all City departments. Director McCauley has direct control over the Parks funds. Director McCauley will have the Budget office provide a briefing of the overall CIP process. Discussion was held regarding City Schools and Parks property. Parks takes care of everything outside of the City schools. An agreement needs to be in place. Director McCauley met with Superintendent J. Smith last week and they are working on a MOU. Director McCauley’s Placemaking Initiative & Tactics / Parks Master Plan presentation (starts at 9:39 in video) to council on August 14, 2019. Events & Items of Interest Event Date Time Location Yoga @ Buckroe Beach Sept. 1 & 15 8:00am - 9:00am Buckroe Beach and Park 94th Running Hampton Cup Regatta Sept. 21 & 22 10:00am-5:00pm East Mercury Blvd Bridge Planet Health Clinic Sept. 28 9:00am-11:00am Bluebird Gap Farm Every Buckroe Beach Farmer’s Market 9:00am – 1:00pm Buckroe Beach gazebo Saturday New Business Parks Master Plan Update – Alison Eubank  Spoke with over 50 people during our focus groups; five were held (four for members of the public and one for staff). A public meeting was held Tuesday night with attendance of 75. There is a presentation on the website at hampton.gov/parksplan. Feedback will be presented to Council next Wednesday, September 11, 2019, at 1:00pm; can watch live on TV (Agenda, Minutes & Video). Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services 22 Lincoln Street | Hampton, Virginia 23669 www.hampton.gov | P: (757) 727-6348  Some recurring recommendations: • Maintain and improve current assets • Marketing of existing assets, programs – possibly developing a Parks App. • Transportation • Pickelball • Pollinator plants - more natural areas • Opportunities for horseback riding • Passport – validate as you discover new parks Staff has been gathering a lot of other information, plans to take a look at and to take into consideration: attendance of programs, our fees, surveys done, etc., so we can review and provide recommendations. Buckroe Boardwalk – Alison Eubank The Buckroe Boardwalk was built in the 60’s. Public Works department assessed the Boardwalk and identified areas of challenges: light poles need to be replaced because they have small cracks, steps with damage and/or have shifted away from the sea wall, only two ADA access points, etc. The questions are: What do we need to do to fix, how do we make it more aesthetically pleasing and then there is the issue of ADA, accessibility several things to consider. An Engineering firm, JMT evaluated the structure and determined the wall is good. We are asking them to look at other areas. We have divided it up in sections: Northern Section which is up where the condos are located, the section right in front of the park, and an extension from where it ends at Point Comfort Avenue down to the fishing pier. The extension area was discussed several years ago; however, no funds were set aside so it will be included in this project. Estimates for repair and to fix broken items, make it a little nicer, wall higher to keep sand off (came back with 3.9ft), build seating in the wall, maybe a design, ramp to access every 200 feet, planters and extension (several possible options). Estimates came in on Friday and will be presented to council on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. Estimates for Buckroe and Extension: • 3.6 million • 6 million • 18.4 million There is 6 million allotted in the Capital Budget, aside from what Parks and Recreation is allotted, as a CIP item spread over a course of 3 years. The 6 million is for renovations of the existing parts and the extension part would be about 1.1 million more. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services 22 Lincoln Street | Hampton, Virginia 23669 www.hampton.gov | P: (757) 727-6348 Goal is to get direction from council. Looking to schedule a community meeting in Buckroe late in September to present information and get feedback. FY20 Capital Projects – Director McCauley Completed 52 projects in 2019; of those 29 are carried over and are to be completed in 2020 An additional 15 plus projects were proposed (2.6 million worth) Maintenance & Capital Project highlights- Director McCauley BBGF bathroom is making progress – goal to have done for fall fest. Briarfield bathroom / center court project – done mid sept. Board Member Update – Kathy Dermanis Kathy is a member of the Buckroe Improvement League. This Saturday, September 7, 2019, is their 9th Annual Buckroe Beach Arts in the Park. A family focus event at Buckroe Beach with 90 vendors. Girl scouts are doing children’s crafts and games. With the exception of liability insurance and security, all proceeds will go to Buckroe projects. (They are partners with Cary elementary. Examples of their support: pet waste stations and cigarette butt canisters at Buckroe, roving clean ups). Come out and get some good pulled pork by Little Piggy’s Wurst Nightmare (food truck) and enjoy some beach music. Meeting end – Steven Raudman motioned and Kathy Dermanis seconded Adjourn – There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 7:27 p.m. Next Meeting: October 2, 2019 @ 6:30 p.m. 5th floor City Hall, Canty Conference Room Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services 22 Lincoln Street | Hampton, Virginia 23669 www.hampton.gov | P: (757) 727-6348