Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission

City Hall City of Harrisonburg 409 South Main Street Harrisonburg, VA 22801 Meeting Minutes - Final Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Monday, January 31, 2022 7:00 PM Virtual 1. Meeting Called to Order A meeting of the Harrisonburg Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission was held on Monday, January 31, 2022 at 7 p.m. via GoTo Meeting. Kevin Gibson called the meeting to order with the following commission members present: Deanna Reed, Kevin Gibson, Sandy Bopp, Jim Logan, MuAwia DaMes, Chance Ebersold, Obie Hill and Leonard Van Wyk. Present from Parks and Recreation: Brian Mancini, and Connie Lawson. I Welcome - Kevin Gibson welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. II. Introduction of New Commission Member Leonard Van Wyk. III. Approval of November Meeting Minutes- Obie Hill motioned to approve the minutes. Jim Logan seconded the motion. All members present voted in favor of approving the November 15, 2021 minutes. IV. Introduction of New Staff Members- Has been postponed until the Commission can meet in person. V. Director’s Report & Project Updates-Brian Mancini highlighted: a.) How the Covid pandemic has affected the operations of Parks & Recreation. b.) Park staff helping Public Works with snow removal for the City of Harrisonburg. c.) Park Programs running strong in Childcare, Classes, Athletic Programs and Swimming. d.) Upcoming project to fix the parking at Smithland. e.) Upcoming project to install emergency phone at Riven Rock Park. VI. Action Items a.) Upcoming Events- Still encouraging small gatherings and several events have been delayed due to Covid. VII. General Public Comments - No public comments. VIII. Next PRAC Meeting - Next PRAC Meeting will be held virtually on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 7pm. VIII. PRAC Questions/Comments- Highlighted Questions/Comments: a.) WHSV will be broadcasting a series starting February 1, 2022 called, “The Journey”. This series will highlight African American trailblazers -Stephanie Howard from Parks & Recreation will be featured in the first episode. b.) Any update on the Purcell Park Improvements? Not yet. c.) Handicap Park Proposal-possibly at Liberty Park? That park is part of the pollinator program with Public Works, they will be contacted. City of Harrisonburg Page 1 Printed on 2/4/2022 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final January 31, 2022 Commission d.) Collaborating with Rockingham County Parks & Recreation Department? Yes, recently with Athletic Events, will look into having the county Park Director as a guest speaker once meeting can be held in person. e.) When will the gymnasium be completely open again? Currently being restricted due to Covid numbers, once numbers are low enough hoping to have open completely again. f.) Can there be a game room created at the Activity Center? Will need to see what will work with what is being used for the After-School Program. g.) Will Exercise Machines be replaced at Hillandale Park? Looking into building Fitness Circuits in playground area in the future. X. Adjourn - The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m. 2. Approval of November Meeting Minutes 2.a November 15, 2021 Meeting Minutes 3. Introduction of New Staff Members 4. Director's Report & Project Updates 5. Action Items 5a. Upcoming Events 6. General Public Comments 7. Next PRAC Meeting-February 2022 TBD 8. Adjourn Notice to Public In accordance with the Emergency Resolution to effectuate temporary changes in certain deadlines and to modify public meeting and public hearing practices and procedures to address continuity of operations associated with pandemic disaster, adopted on January 11, 2022, the public will not be able to physically attend the Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission meeting. Residents may provide comment prior to the meeting by emailing: parks-customerservice@harrisonburgva.gov by 3pm Monday, January 31, 2022. Residents will be able to watch the meeting live on: • The City’s website, https://www.harrisonburgva.gov/agendas • Public Education Government Channel 3 City of Harrisonburg Page 2 Printed on 2/4/2022