Recreation & Parks Commission

Russellville Recreation and Parks Department Monthly Commission Meeting Agenda March 12, 2013 I. Call to Order II. Approval of Minutes (2-12-13) III. Old Business A. Capital Projects List B. Aquatic Center IV. New Business A. Confederate Mothers Memorial Park B. Commission Chairman 2013 C. Requested Use of the Hughes Center for Early Childhood Education Classes D. Kayak Trail – Shiloh Park V. Updates A. 2013 Tournament Schedule B. Monthly Report C. Upcoming Events  RUSSELLVILLE RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION Minutes from Monthly Meeting March 12, 2013 Present: Marvin Collier, Andy Hatley, Theresa Herrick, Mack Hollis, Mike Johnston, Chloe Lieblong, Spence Roberts, J.W. Stratton, Terry Thomas Absent: None Person Recording: Kelli Nealy Guests: Christie Graham, Susan Lynch, Whitney Snipes-The Courier The meeting was called to order at noon. A comment was made during the 2-12-13 meeting regarding the tennis courts at Old Post Park no longer being maintained unless it’s a safety issue. After the meeting, Mack contacted the Corps of Engineers and was told that their courts are maintained. Mike Johnston would like the minutes to reflect that his comments at the 2-12-13 meeting regarding the need for lights at the soccer complex were the result of a misunderstanding at the January meeting. The four commissioners present at the meeting understood that lights were not wanted or needed by AVSA. This misunderstanding affected the ranking of the capital projects. Mack clarified that his statement in the January meeting was that the adult soccer program said they didn’t need or want lights, not AVSA. Marvin Collier made a motion to accept the minutes from the February meeting. Andy Hatley seconded the motion, and the motion passed. Old Business A. Capital Projects List-After a lengthy discussion, the commissioners agreed that their top four capital project requests are: Soccer Complex Field Lights, Trails, Shiloh Park Restrooms, and Backstops at Hickey Park. The commissioners were asked to submit their rankings of the complete list of projects prior to the April meeting in order to be compiled. J.W. Stratton requested that Mack rank all the park fence projects and email it to the commission to assist them in ranking the projects. In addition, Mike Johnston asked that Christie Graham and/or Marvin Collier rank the various projects at Hickey Park. B. Aquatic Center-The Russellville City Council formed a committee to study the location for the Russellville Aquatic Facility. ETC Engineers & Architects is doing an overlay of Hickey Park. J.W. Stratton expressed his concern if the facility was located at Vick Field. There would be a limited number of parking spaces at the facility causing overflow parking to be at the Hughes Center. This would be a safety issue for individuals attempting to cross Parkway Drive. Commissioner Stratton also said there is no room for growth or expansion at this location. New Business A. Confederate Mothers Memorial Park-A request was made by the Sons of the Confederate Veterans to begin a development plan of Confederate Mothers Memorial Park. The project will include clearing, cleaning, trails, paving the parking lot, and placement of benches, pavilion, and picnic sites. According to the group, funding options may be available. The group also plans to adopt the park. A recommendation was made to proceed with the plans. Designs will be presented at a later date. B. Commission Chairman 2013-According to Ordinance 630, the parks commission should elect a chairman, vice- chairman, and secretary for one year terms. The chairman would be responsible for calling the commission meetings to order and conducting the meetings. Meeting minutes should be recorded by the secretary. Ordinance 1190 amends Ordinance 630, and states that the commission should consist of six members including a representative of the Russellville Junior Auxiliary serving a one year term. Currently, Commissioner Lieblong is the Junior Auxiliary representative as well as serving as a commission member. A recommendation was made to seek legal advice from the city attorney to clarify the ordinance. C. Requested Use of the Hughes Center for Early Childhood Education Classes-Arkansas ECEP Trainer Susan Lynch has requested permission to use the large room at the Hughes Center to conduct weekly early childhood education classes. The training is provided to anyone in the community that currently is or plans to be a child care provider. The training is provided at no cost, therefore Ms. Lynch requests that rental fees be waived. Sessions are offered in the fall and spring on Tuesday evenings from 5:00p to 8:00p for ten weeks. Trainings were previously conducted at Gardner Junior High, however due to water damage this location is unavailable. Andy Hatley made a motion in favor of the request. Mike Johnston seconded the motion, and the motion passed. D. Water Trail at Shiloh Park-This agenda item was tabled until April. Updates A. 2013 Tournament Schedule-Fourteen large softball tournaments are scheduled at Pleasant View Park and Shiloh Park beginning March 16. Terry Thomas has done an outstanding job bringing this record number of tournaments to Russellville. B. Monthly Report-The commissioners received a copy of the department’s monthly report. C. Upcoming Events-A schedule of upcoming events was given to the commissioners. The meeting adjourned at 1:10pm.