Parks and Recreation Commission

MURFREESBORO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2021 12:00 NOON Call to Order Prayer and Pledge Consider for Approval the Minutes of the September 2, 2020, Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. New Business I. Proclamation II. Blue Cross Blue Shield Playground Donation III. Introduction of Recreation Facility Coordinator for Richard Siegel Soccer Complex IV. Consideration of Field Rental Fees for Richard Siegel Soccer Complex V. Update on Richard Siegel Soccer Complex VI. Update on Greenway Conservation Easements VII. MPRD Upcoming Events/Programs Other Business  MURFREESBORO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 12:00 NOON MPRC Members Present: Mr. Eddie Miller, Vice-Chair Dr. Gloria Bonner, Mr. Rick LaLance, Mr. Ralph Ringstaff, Mr. Ricky Turner, and Mr. Don Turner (ex officio) MPRC Members Absent: Dr. Charlie Apigian, Mr. D. Edwin Jernigan, Jr., and Mr. Tim Roediger MPRD Staff Present: Mr. Nate Williams, Director Mr. Thomas Laird and Ms. Rachel Singer, Asst. Directors Mr. Derek Blake, Ms. Susan Hicks, Ms. Mitzi Hughes, Ms. Deb Hunter, Ms. Gernell Jenkins, and Ms. Karen Lampert Others Present: Ms. Katie Driver, Staff Attorney Ms. Angela Jackson, Exec. Director of Community Services Mr. Eddie Smotherman (for presentation) After the meeting was called to order, Mr. Eddie Miller welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked that Dr. Bonner lead the commission in a prayer and in the Pledge of Allegiance. Prior to the prayer and pledge, Dr. Bonner welcomed Mr. Ralph Ringstaff to the MPRC and then requested a moment of silence in memory of Dr. Linda Gilbert, who Dr. Bonner said had served this community well for many years as an educator and strong advocate of children and their families. Dr. Bonner also mentioned that she was grateful for Dr. Gilbert’s compassion for others and her enormous generosity and gift of presence to the MPRC and community. Mr. Miller also welcomed Mr. Ringstaff and said he was glad to have him join the commission. Mr. Miller next presented the February 5, 2020, MPRC minutes for consideration. Dr. Bonner made a motion to approve the minutes as read, and Mr. LaLance seconded. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Mr. Miller announced that the MPRC appreciated Eddie Smotherman’s many years of service to the City and MPRC. Mr. Williams presented Mr. Smotherman with a plaque of appreciation from MPRD. He added that Mr. Smotherman had been on the MPRC since 2012 and had been a great advocate for the park system. He said that his service to the community has not been unnoticed. He encouraged Mr. Smotherman to please continue his advocacy and volunteerism for the department. Mr. Smotherman was appreciative and said that he has over 50 years’ experience with parks and recreation, ranging from being a coach, league board member, MPRC member and Council member. He said that the department and community have wonderful people. He mentioned that the past MPRD directors and current director have provided strong leadership to the department. Mr. Smotherman said it was a privilege and honor to serve this community. Mr. Miller and Mr. LaLance also requested Mr. Smotherman to continue helping the department any way he can. The Director’s update (Item II on the agenda) was not given today but will be added to a future agenda. Ms. Gernell Floyd introduced Mr. Derek Blake who will be working as Patterson’s new Facility Supervisor. He previously held leadership roles with the Boys and Girls Club. Mr. Blake said that he is thankful for the opportunity to work with MPRD. Ms. Angela Jackson introduced Ms. Karen Lampert, the City of Murfreesboro’s Grant Coordinator. Ms. Lampert announced that MPRD has received two grants since she started her position with the City and that she will assist the department in applying for more grants as they become available. She added that there are many grant opportunities for the City. Ms. Lampert also shared that the Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service grant ($50,000 + $117,00 in community funds, in-kind services, and resources) for “Project Dream” at Patterson Community Center has been awarded to the City, and the staff looks forward to promoting volunteerism for that event, which will be referred to as a “day on” (of service), not a “day off.” Mr. Thomas Laird announced that staff is proposing to offer “Frightensburgh” at Cannonsburgh for this year’s MPRD Halloween festivities instead of the Barfield Bash (held 18 years consecutively). Staff has determined that haunted hayrides would not be the best option during the COVID-19 crisis. Plans for this year include presale tickets for those interested and small group tours at safe intervals through the haunted village. The cost proposed per patron is $10.00, which is still below the price of other Middle Tennessee haunted attractions. Mr. LaLance made a motion to approve Frightensburgh with its associated costs and plans. Mr. Turner seconded. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Ms. Susan Hicks requested approval for 13 new Perform Murfreesboro classes for youth ages 9-17, which began in August and have followed COVID-19 safety guidelines for on-campus participants. Zoom classes are available to those interested. Classes include semi-private voice lessons, choreography (musical theatre dance classes), ensemble singing, and costume and makeup classes. Classes range from 5-10 students each. In vocal classes, participants are kept 15-feet apart, while students in dance and costuming classes stay 6 feet apart. A video recording of the classes will be shared with parents in November rather than an end-of- classes showcase as in the past. The fee for these classes per semester is $25.00 per student, in addition to the annual Perform Murfreesboro Membership fee of $25.00. Ms. Hicks added that there is already a waiting list for the January semester. Mr. LaLance made a motion to approve the Perform Murfreesboro classes as explained and the associated fees. Dr. Bonner seconded, and motion passed by unanimous vote. Ms. Rachel Singer proposed a Science Camp for youth ages 8-12 to be held at the Wilderness Station September 21-25, 2020, from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. The requested cost per camper is $75.00. The camp will be run by Eric Fann, Program Coordinator for Outdoor Murfreesboro and the Wilderness Station. Campers will be spaced out according to distancing guidelines, with a maximum of 12 participants. Mr. Ringstaff made a motion to approve the Science Camp and its requested fee. Mr. LaLance seconded. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Ms. Deb Hunter, Assistant Cultural Arts Program Coordinator, requested approval for a new workshop entitled, Socially Distant Jamming 101, which will be led by Andy May, IBMA award recipient for 2008. People interested in learning to jam or improve their jamming skills are encouraged to participate. Ms. Hunter announced that workshop topics will include “jamming common sense and etiquette, nervousness, judging the jam, good practice techniques, and 2 tips for face-saving performances.” The workshop is scheduled for October 9, 2020 (rain date October 16, 2020), and will be held on the Civic Plaza by City Hall, providing free entertainment for those in the downtown area at that time. Jammers will be asked to prepay $5.00 each for reserved seating, while limited socially distant seating will be available for spectators. Dr. Bonner made a motion to approve the workshop and reserved seating fee for jammer participants. Mr. Turner seconded, and motion passed by unanimous vote. Ms. Singer announced a variety of upcoming MPRD programs and events. A hummingbird and pollinator event will be held at the Wilderness Station September 3-5 and 6-8, beginning at 10:00 a.m. each day. The Hummingbird Festival had been a one-day event in past years, but staff is holding the event over several days to give more people a chance to attend. A Fall Native Plant Sale will be held October 2 and 3 from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at the Wilderness Station. The Guardians of the Greenway program will be held at different trailheads on various dates for the “guardians” to help pick up trash along the greenway, with gloves, bags, and pickers being provided to the volunteers. Dates and locations are listed on the Murfreesboro Greenway Facebook page. A virtual Greenway Art Festival will be held this year from September 19 – October 1. There is a link on the City website to allow people to purchase items from the festival’s artists. Also, coming up is the 74th City Closed Tennis Championship at the Adams Tennis Complex September 26-29. For more information on the championship, Ms. Singer said people may call the tennis complex at 615-546-4000. Ms. Singer further announced that for all the latest MPRD programs and events, people may check out the department’s numerous Facebook pages or access the Rec Connection on the City’s website. Mr. Nate Williams announced that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the MPRD facilities were closed for a while in early spring, but most facilities are operating in some kind of capacity now, except for the St. Clair Senior Center. The open spaces and greenway have been open to the public throughout the pandemic. Mr. Williams further announced that dirt is being moved off of four Richard Siegel Park soccer fields to make room for the artificial turf. This phase of the project should take about four months with Phase 2 to start soon after that. Mr. Williams further informed the commission that Phase 4 of the greenway is now officially open to the public. He added that after the Highway 99 project is completed, the greenway will go all the way from the Thompson Lane Trailhead to Barfield Crescent Park without any closures. Mr. Williams said that he will give a more comprehensive report at an upcoming MPRC meeting. Mr. Miller complimented the MPRD staff for the adjustments which have been made during this unusual time. Meeting adjourned: 12:29 p.m. Minutes Approved: _________________________________ ________________________________ D. Edwin Jernigan, Jr., MPRC Chair Nate Williams, MPRD Director 3 . . . creating a better quality of life 12/30/20 For Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Commission: RE: Field rental fees for Richard Siegel Soccer Complex Background The Richard Siegel Soccer Complex has been a soccer destination in Middle Tennessee since the park opened in 2005. Current renovations, which include replacing natural grass with synthetic turf on eight fields, will make Siegel a regional soccer destination. In addition to turf improvements, the project includes office space and an indoor facility. City Council has provided adequate funding to ensure the project’s completion within the next calendar year. Fees and charges must be established to ensure the financial success of the park, which is defined by a balanced budget that acknowledges capital investment, while a comprehensive fee structure will include multiple options which acknowledge local users and contracted partnerships. However, during the construction of fields, an hourly/daily rate is necessary to allow rental of each field upon completion. Fiscal Impact The proposed fees (attached) were developed around industry norms and in careful consideration of local and state partnerships. Recommendation It is recommended that the commission approve the proposed hourly/daily rates for the use of Synthetic Turf fields at Richard Siegel Park. A more comprehensive fee structure will be presented for approval prior to the completion of four or more regulation fields. Cody Saffel Recreation Facility Coordinator Attachment Siegel Soccer Field rental fees Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department 697 Veterans Parkway * P.O. Box 748 * Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37133-0748 Phone 615 890 5333 * TDD 615 849 2689 * www.murfreesborotn.gov  Richard Siegel Park Hourly and Daily Rental Rates TSSA RLP Field Standard Discount Discount Rentals Rate Rate Rate Full Day $720 $612 $648 Field Rental Hourly Field $120 $102 $108 Rental Rate TSSA – Tennessee State Soccer Association RLP- Rec League Provider (Murfreesboro Soccer Association)  MEMORANDUM CITY OF MURFREESBORO LEGAL DEPARTMENT TO: Chairman Jones and Members of the Planning Commission CY: Chairman Syler and Members of the Greenway Projects Committee Chairman Jernigan and Members of the Park and Rec Commission FROM: Angela Jackson DATE: October 30, 2020 RE: Conservation Easements for Greenway Trail MANDATORY REFERRAL With the development of the Mark Pirtle Blueway Park along the North and East sides of Farmer Lake, City staff has been looking for ways to increase connectivity to this part of the park system. One possibility is to create a trail along the East and Northeast side of the West Fork, across the River and parallel to a portion of the existing Greenway Trail along the West and Southwest side of the River from SR 99 to the Greenway Bridge. A sketch showing the general route for this potential trail is attached as Exhibit A. Final arrangements are being made for plans to construct a Costco Warehouse Club facility to the Northwest of the current extension of Warrior Drive, West of SR 99. The present owner of the land to be obtained for Costco has agreed to grant the City a Conservation Easement for Greenway Trail purposes across approx. 1.5 acres along the River before the conveyance to Costco as shown on Exhibit B. Staff asks your recommendation of approval for the City to accept this Conservation Easement. In addition, staff asks your approval to pursue acquisition by the City of similar easements or other rights of way from the other property owners along this potential route when and if they become available, and approve working with TDOT to obtain whatever rights may be necessary to cross under the new bridge over the West Fork that is currently under construction. dai c:\users\ajackson\downloads\mm.pl.com.cons.emt (002)_aj.doc 10/21/2020 4:07:55 PM #1