Recreation Advisory Commission

TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION Wednesday, October 12, 2022, 1:00pm Police Training Room B 100 Ann Edwards Lane Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 Minutes Present: Frederick Rodewoldt, Kevin Kollegger, Ken Ayoub, Michelle Cormack, Edwin Cuttino, Keely Enright, Renken Carlin, April Gift, John Dodds, Greer Hanlon, Perry Rourk. Absent: Thomasena Stokes-Marshall. Staff Present: Steve Gergick, Andy Weis, James Ward I. Call to Order Called to Order at 1:02pm II. Approval of Minutes from September 21, 2022 Meeting Mr. Dodds motions; Ms. Carlin seconds; Unanimous III. Public Comment Mr. Daniel Brownstein of 1391 Downsberry Drive. Mr. Brownstein wants to advocate for the passage of the Recreation Referendum. Mr. Brownstein provides an update regarding voteparks.org website, the Facebook and Instagram pages, and fliers and an email template are in the works. Mr. John Iacofano, of 388 Overseer Place, speaks regarding the Recreation Referendum. Mr. Iacofano clarifies items he feels may impede the passing of the Referendum.  Mr. Jake Rambo of 428 Shannon Drive extends a thank you to those serving on the Recreation Advisory Commission. IV. Presentation from the Legal Regarding Freedom of Information Act Mr. Ward introduces FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) with accompanied presentation. Mr. Ward explains two rules of FOIA including public records and open meetings. Mr. Ward reviews FOIA violations. Mr. Rourk clarifies a quorum in regard to open meetings. Mr. Hanlon inquires about email templates about the Referendum. Mr. Ward explains Commission members can advocate privately. V. Update regarding a link on the Recreation web page to report a facility concern Mr. Gergick confirms the link has been added to the Recreation page and describes how it works. There is conversation regarding how and when the Recreation Department will respond to reported concerns, what can be submitted, and if reports or logs can be compiled. VI. Discussion regarding Recreation Referendum Mr. Rourk mentions the website Mr. Brownstein created that is aimed at getting information to the public. Mr. Rourk encourages other members to go to the site and review the information. Mr. Rourk discusses projects currently under construction, mentions the items that will soon be added to the website, and encourages Commissioners to get out and speak to residents. Mr. Cuttino inquires what the target audience is to share Referendum information. Mr. Rourk explains that the goal needs to be informing. Mr. Rourk encourages informing all residents that will pass the information on to others. Mr. Rourk encourages keeping positive information going on social media. Mr. Dodds mentions using other ways of distributing information such as letters to the editor that will encourage the public to investigate themselves. Mr. Dodds inquires if Commission members are legally allowed to submit letters to the editor. Legal counsel clarifies letters may be submitted as private citizens.  Mr. Rourk reminds Commissioners to mention to the public how long it has been since the last park was built and what progress has been made. Mr. Hanlon suggests contacting the HOAs in the neighborhoods. Mr. Ayoub inquires if Referendum fliers can be distributed in and around the Recreation Facilities. Mr. Gergick and Mr. Ward explain materials can be distributed by Commissioners as long as Commissioners are not representing the Town of Mount Pleasant. Ms. Gift inquires what activities will be at Children’s Day. Mr. Gergick says the event draws roughly 10k people with music, dance groups, vendors, games, activities, jump castles, etc. Mr. Rourk reminds the Commission members should confer with Mr. Brownstein as an avenue of information distribution. Mr. Rourk asks Mr. Gergick to review Referendum slides previously presented. Mr. Hanlon inquires about the length if the tax. Mr. Rourk explains it’s a 15-year bond tax referendum that would automatically expire. Mr. Rourk explains that the tax could be removed sooner should the town deem so. Ms. Enright expresses concern that the public needs clarity in the way the county tax is assessed. Mr. Ayoub inquires when the next county reassessment will happen. It is clarified that the reassessment happens every 5 years. Mr. Rourk iterates Mount Pleasant has one of the lowest mileage rates. Mr. Rourk inquires how many potential jobs building out the facilities could create. Mr. Gergick says staff would operate the facilities similar to how Park West is staffed. Ms. McCormick questions if there any plans to the current pool equipment. Mr. Gergick explains these items are not included in the referendum. Mr. Gergick explains during the proposed renovations, the pool would be closed with no timeline of completion until project approval is given. Mr. Rourk reminds Commission members that all the Capital Improvement projects are available on the website. VII. Discussion regarding current Recreation Capital Projects Mr. Gergick reviews a slide presentation regarding the Capital Projects including Memorial Waterfront Park Phase 3, Carolina Park Phase 3 and 4. Mr. Rodewoldt inquires about the baseball field not being complete until 2023 and when the Lucy Beckham field will be out of commission. Mr. Gergick says the field at Lucy Beckham will be able to be used during away games. Mr. Gergick reviews the PARD grants and other projects. Mr. Rodewoldt expresses concern in using clay rather than grass fields. Mr. Gergick refers to Public Services. Mr. Weis states that the money used to resurface the baseball field comes out of the Public Services maintenance budget and the clay is currently easier to maintain. Mr. Gergick explains the Cario field will be a grass infield. VIII. Discussion and possible action regarding scheduling use of Recreation facilities Mr. Gergick reviews that the facilities are built to accommodate the MPRD programs. Mr. Gergick explains facilities are rented to other groups, organizations, and individuals and how those work. Mr. Rourk asks for clarification on what sports are utilizing the facilities and if consideration has been given to utilize the outfields of diamonds. Mr. Gergick explains outfields are used for rental events. Mr. Ayoub questions whether it is possible to get a comprehensive list of who uses the facilities and when the last rate increase for facility rentals occurred. Mr. Cuttino responds two years ago a rate increase occurred. Mr. Ayoub and Mr. Gergick discuss resident and non-resident rates, field closures, and priority. Mr. Hanlon and Mr. Kollegger explain their experience in scheduling facilities as coaches. Ms. Cormack expresses the need to prioritize within the aquatics department.  Mr. Ayoub suggests offering permits to instructors so that public facilities are not being used for profit by private entities. Mr. Hanlon questions CCSDs role in facility use and facilities repairs. Mr. Gergick explains the current Facility Use Agreement with CCSD. Mr. Iacofano explains the Facility Use Agreement currently in negotiations. There is discussion about current facilities, plans, and ideas. Mr. Rourk requests data of utilization. Mr. Ayoub suggests and Mr. Rourk requests holding a special meeting before voting day. Ms. Gift requests data on tennis teams and schools that are turned away from using facilities. Ms. Gift requests clarification on Commission member handing out fliers at election centers. Mr. Iacofano clarifies legalities of being present at polls. IX. Adjourn Mr. Rourk adjourns the meeting at 2:54pm Submitted by, Erin Brewton October 17, 2022 Title VI Notice: The Town of Mount Pleasant fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. Town meetings are conducted in accessible locations, materials can be provided in accessible formats, and provided in languages other than English. If you would like accessibility or language accommodation, please contact the Title VI Coordinator one week in advance of the meeting, at the Town of Mount Pleasant at 843-884-8517.