Recreation Advisory Board

Recrea�on Advisory Board Special Mee�ng Minutes May 4, 2022, 6:00 PM Call to order – Julie called the mee�ng to order at 6:03pm Present: Derell Wilson, Julie Cagle, Grant Neurendorf, Jeff Brown. Peter Camp, Cheryl Hancin, Tara Booker, Mee�ng held by Zoom. Discussion on the movement of the Recrea�on Maintainers under the supervision of Public Works in the FY 2023 City budget J. Cagle ques�oned if the city charter and bylaws were violated as the City manager did not contact and get advisement from the Rec Advisory board on this move of the facility crew to Public works as it is in the City Charter. Derrell had a conversa�on with the City Manager and he stated that it is not required to get advice from the board for organiza�onal issues. Several Recrea�on Advisory board members made comments that they had concerns with the moving of the Recrea�on Field Maintainers to Public Works Dept. They worried about the fields taking a back seat to the priori�es of a Public Works Dept. Loss of care to the fields by the youth and adult sports groups along with all the fans that come to watch, spend money in the city before and a�er games. Many asked why this was proposed, if it was a knee jerk reac�on. Could a study be conducted to show and priori�ze the needs and if Public Works had the capacity and would it really create efficiencies. Julie referenced and ar�cle she sent regarding a city that moved the crew to Public Works and now is moving field maintenance back to the Recrea�on Dept. due the neglect in the parks and the inequi�es that were created. Julie asked for another way to do this. J.Brown spoke about the importance of keeping the field maintenance under the Rec. Dept. The fields never looked so good. Cheryl and her crew are doing an amazing job. Numbers are great and they have wait lists for programs. The NFA coaches are very happy with the field condi�ons the past few years. The Buckingham courts are under the purview of Public works and never look great so what does that mean going forward. J. Cagle did a roll call of who was in favor of the move and all members stated they were against moving the facility crew out of the Rec. Dept. Derrell Wilson abstained. Public Comment Shelia Hayes spoke about why this was proposed without a conversa�on with the director. She also said an open mind is needed and maybe some economies of scale could be created. Other departments have had mergers and it as worked out well. Tony Rucker commented that he likes the idea that a master plan is being created and Jenkins field needs to be included. He wishes the Master plan was completed before the basketball court was created as he wanted to give more input but it is turning out to be a great product. He wants more shade and running water. Julie will reach out to the City manager to set up a mee�ng and all members are invited to atend. J. Cagle the President men�oned that there is a City Council Public Hearing on the budget on May 9 and encouraged all to atend or write emails to the city council to speak out against it. Adjournment- Mo�on made by Derrell Wilson, 2nd by Grant Neurendorf at 6:53pm