Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee

MINUTES PARKS & TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE January 20, 2022 5:00 P.M 111 Opera Street, Suite A Joint meeting with Hot Springs Friends of the Parks Board 1) Roll Call of Committee Members Committee Members present: Julie Nix, Larry Williams, Samantha Christian, Bob Reddish and Rick Dwyer. Excused: Dudley Webb. Vacant Position: One. P&T staff present: Anthony Whittington, Kathleen Fason 2) Approval of the Agenda Bob made a motion to approve the January 20, 2022 agenda. Samantha seconded. Motion carried unanimously. 3) Approval of the Minutes Larry made a motion to approve the November 18, 2021 minutes. Rick seconded. Motion carried unanimously. 4) Introduction of Guests 5) New Business A) 2022 Budget and Major Projects Review: Anthony joined the group by video due to COVID protocols. He went over the annual budget and highlighted the capital expenses including safety fencing for Velocity Park. He discussed the Trail Coordinator position that is currently open and the process that was decided in advertising for that position. B) Existing Grant Timeline Review-Velocity Park Phase 1 & Southern Trail Phase 1: Anthony went over the timeline for both grants and the bidding process. The city is currently looking over any added expenses to each project due to price increases. There may have to be some adjustments made along the way. Southern Trail Phase 1 funding was secured in 2016 and has two planned bridges. C) Future Grant Submissions Review-Velocity Park Phase 2 & Stokes Creek Greenway Phase 1: Anthony explained that he would be applying for an Outdoor Recreation Grant for Velocity Park Phase 2. He went over the specifics and the layout of the park to show where phase 2 amenities were located in the overall scheme. Anthony also explained that we had not been approved for TAP Grant funding for Stokes Creek Greenway Phase 1 in 2021 but we plan to apply again in 2022. Phase 1 is ready for construction and is only waiting for a secured funding source. He showed where the trail and future phases of the trail would be located. D) CDBG Application and Partnerships for Velocity Restroom: Anthony stated that he had turned in an application for Community Development Block Grant funding for the Velocity Park restrooms. The restroom will provide service to two parks (Velocity and Valley Street Skate Park) and the Hot Springs Creek Greenway Trail, which at this time only has two restrooms over 2.6-mile. The restroom will be built on the shelf that is outside the flood zone on the other side of the creek. 6) Parks & Trails Director Reports, Announcements, & Items for Discussion  7) Parks & Trails Advisory Committee Reports, Announcements, & Items for Discussion 8) Adjournment: The Parks and Trails Advisory Committee will hold their next regular meeting on Thursday, February 17, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. ATTEST: ___________________________ APPROVAL: ____________________________ Anthony Whittington, Director Julie Nix, Co-Chairman Parks & Trails Department Parks & Trails Advisory Committee