Parks & Recreation Advisory Board

Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services Advisory Board Meeting Tuesday, March 5, 2024 | 5:00 p.m. | 5th floor City Hall, Canty Conference Room Members: Michelle Griffin, Chair Dr. June Javier, Vice Chair Dr. Irina A. Gorbunova-Ford Katherine G. Dermanis DeRocke Croom Jennifer R. Parker Remi Travis B. Wright Steven L. Raudman [One Vacancy] Opening Business  Welcome, Introduction and Call to Order Attendees: Katherine Dermanis, Dr. Irina A. Gorbunova-Ford, Dr. June Javier, Jennifer Parker, Remi Travis B. Wright, Steven Raudman, David McCauley, Christopher (CJ) Gajan Absent: DeRocke Croom, Michelle Griffin Director McCauley called the meeting to order at 5:00pm, welcomed the attendees, and advised that a quorum was present.  Approval of February 6, 2024 minutes Dr. Javier gave the board members an opportunity to review the minutes from February 6th. Steven Raudman made a motion to accept the February minutes as written. Jen Parker seconded the motion and the minutes were unanimously approved. New Business Department Update Director McCauley shared that today’s meeting will include an athletics overview involving the review of athletics documents, how PRLS/Athletics does business, field usage, and regulations for each of the sports based upon the seasons. He wanted to ensure that the boards approval would be captured in the process. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services 22 Lincoln Street | Hampton, Virginia 23669 Director McCauley also wanted to take the opportunity to discuss the contributions that the board has provided which included the following: • Board has completed CIP nominations that were ranked to go to Council that included: a) Therapeutics Recreation Center Renovations b) Branding/Signage c) Special Events Enhancements d) Parks Landscape and Design e) HPRLS Main Office Renovations • Parks and Recreation Advisory Board provided insight and review of program proposals/applications that were presented by the community centers staff in August 2023. • Recap of Master Plan Update was presented in May 2023. • Special Events division presented to the board in October 2023 to discuss events and permitting process. • Updated bylaws to confirm the City ordinances in terms of attendance during the February 2024 meeting. • Board members provided site visits to community centers and reported back about service and programming. • Previous discussion in reference to the maintenance of the soccer fields and implementing the improvements. Themed Meeting- Athletics Director McCauley introduced Parks Administrator, Christopher (CJ) Gajan, to discuss the Athletics Division. CJ thanked everyone in attendance for inviting him to present at today’s meeting. He began his presentation by sharing that the Athletics Office/Division can be divided into four categories that include: • Facilitate and support private groups • Facilitate the field allocation and facility rentals • Operate leagues • Conduct volunteer background checks In the fall, the athletics leagues that are operated include youth football & cheerleading, adult basketball, and adult softball. In the winter, there is the transition to youth basketball. In the spring, there is the youth and adult softball. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services 22 Lincoln Street | Hampton, Virginia 23669 Youth programs are operated in partnership with youth athletic associations. Youth associations recruit players and coaches, put teams together, and then registers the entire team. The Athletics Division do not take individual registrations. However, the Athletics division takes a roster and a fee from the youth associations. The youth associations are normally geographic based in terms of neighborhoods/communities. The Athletics Division provides space/usage for the youth associations in terms of fields, gymnasium, and equipment. Athletics also provides a schedule for the leagues. Athletics takes all the team’s registration and place them in particular divisions. Athletics provides support for little leagues and soccer, but do not interfere with the groups playing. The Athletics division also support volleyball groups, live action roll players (LARPers), and lacrosse. These groups are supported by Athletics by providing fields and facilities. Athletics also provide lighting for the fields to ensure longer field usage during the day. Athletics fields are available to be rented and permitted out for seasons. Fields can also be rented out by private groups for a fee. Background checks are provided by Athletics to ensure a safe space. All youth sports volunteers must pass a criminal background check. Athletics partners with Hampton Police Department for the background checks. Athletics does not see the results from the background check, but they only see if an individual “passed” or was “flagged”. Some disqualifiers on a background check include: • All sexual offense • Any felons • All violent/drug misdemeanors CJ shared a packet of items that included a Parent Code of Conduct, Coach Code of Conduct, and Player Code of Conduct. Athletics has a pre-season and post-season meet up with the coaches to get their feedback. CJ opened the floor for questions/discussion. In addition, Director McCauley requested for the board to review the documents that was provided by Athletics and make any necessary edits. Stephen made a motion and Jen seconded the motion for the board to send edits of the document to Shantel. Adjourn: Stephen Raudman made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 6:05p.m. Next Meeting: Tuesday, April 2, 2024 @ 5:00 p.m. 5th Floor City Hall, Canty Conference Room Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services 22 Lincoln Street | Hampton, Virginia 23669