Parks & Recreation Commission

MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION January 23, 2017 REGULAR MEETING 6:00 P.M. Call to Order Chair Bob Edwards, called the January 23, 2017 meeting to order at 6:00 pm. In Attendance The following were present: Members: Chair, Bob Edwards, Vice-Chair Mandy Owens, Barry Mathison, JaneAnn Oldrup, and Peggy Brewer. Staff present included Tim Williams, Director of Parks and Recreation, Gina Montague, Administrative Assistant, and Charlie Ward, Recreation Leader. Guests present included Jimmy Masters, Meagan Sanders, Councilman Juan Oropesa, Jeff Tucker, and Jacob Roebuck APPROVAL OF AGENDA JaneAnn Oldrup made a motion, seconded by Mandy Owens, to approve the agenda as presented. A voice vote was unanimous and the motion passed, the January 23, 2017 agenda was approved. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Barry Mathison motioned to approve the minutes of the November 14, 2016 meeting. JaneAnn Oldrup was the second. A voice vote was unanimous and the motion passed. REGULAR ITEMS (ACTION) 2. Discussion and possible recommendation of approval to develop a Pilot Project to facilitate the transportation of youth between the City of Roswell and the Bottomless Lakes State Park swimming area – Bill Morris & Tim Williams Tim Williams, Parks and Recreation Director respectfully asked the Commission to pull this Agenda Item as it will be discussed in a Special City Council Session on January 24, 2017. Barry Mathison made a motion to remove this item from the agenda, it was seconded by JaneAnn Oldrup. A voice vote was unanimous and all were in favor. NON-ACTION ITEMS 3. Discussion on Christmas Railway – Jacob Roebuck & Tim Williams Jacob Roebuck presented an informational presentation regarding the outcome of the Christmas Railway event. He provided the final attendance numbers, some data collected from surveys, and some comments made on the surveys. He also was very complimentary of the Parks & Recreation staff and their help with the event. Overall, it was a successful event that he hopes to build upon in the years to come. Tim Williams, Director of Parks & Recreation also presented to the Commission the expenses incurred by the Parks & Recreation department for the Christmas Railway event. 4. Presentation on a trail project – Jimmy Masters Jimmy Masters discussed with the Commission the trail project that he and others of the community are working on to connect the Spring River Trail with Bitter Lakes. They have identified some sources of funding and wanted to communicate their plans with the members of the Commission as well as others in the City. Next, Jimmy Masters will present his plan to the General Services Committee, and then the City Council, hoping to gain support. His group will then be conducting a feasibility study, surveys, and focus groups to discover if this project is right for Roswell and its citizens. 5. Discussion regarding trespasser – Tim Williams Tim Williams, Director of Parks & Recreation wanted to bring an issue regarding pecan trees in the Parks to the attention of the Commission. He explained that at times people will pick up pecans from the trees in the Parks. However, there have been instances when people will throw things up into the trees in an effort to knock the pecans out of the trees and have then inadvertently hit other people with the items they are throwing. Recently, a woman was hurt at the Zoo in this exact scenario. Tim Williams asked the Commission if they thought it was advisable that he pursue either an ordinance or resolution to try and keep people from doing this in the Parks as it is a danger to other park-goers. The Commission agreed that this needs to be addressed and requested Tim Williams to pursue this issue further with City Administration. 6. Discussion of Department Programming – Tim Williams Tim Williams, Director of Parks & Recreation explained to the Commission that he and the Parks & Recreation staff are planning ahead for the programming that will be going into the new recreation center. He asked the Commission to start thinking about what they would like to see in terms of programming in the future and get those suggestions to him before the next Commission meeting. 7. Directors Report – Tim Williams Tim Williams, Director of Parks & Recreation gave a quick update on the projects that have been going on in Parks and Recreation since the Commission’s last meeting in November. 8. Other Business Bob Edwards, Parks & Recreation Commission Chair declared he is resigning from the Parks & Recreation Commission effective immediately. Bob Edwards  has served on the Commission for 16 years and has decided that it is time to step down. Vice-Chair, Mandy Owens will serve as interim Chair until the position can be filled. She stated that another Chair will be voted upon at the next Commission meeting. 9. Public Comments None. ADJOURN Mandy Ownes motioned to adjourn. JaneAnn Oldrup seconded. A voice vote was unanimous and the motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m. Next Meeting: February 27, 2017 at 6:00 pm Submitted by: Gina Montague