Recreation & Parks Commission

RUSSELLVILLE RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION Minutes from Monthly Meeting June 9, 2015 Present: Marvin Collier, Bryan Fisher, Matt Gray, Andy Hatley, Tommy Hindsman, Mack Hollis, Mayor Horton, Spence Roberts, Terry Thomas Absent: Theresa Herrick, J.W. Stratton Person Recording: Kelli Nealy Guests: Sean Ingram-The Courier Mack Hollis called the meeting to order at 12:05pm. Tommy Hindsman made a motion to accept the minutes from the March meeting. Bryan Fisher seconded the motion, and the motion passed. Old Business A. Park Utilities-The City Council finance committee has considered paying the water bills at all athletic facilities three times and has not taken any action due to a lack of funds. The turf plan does not include funds to pay the water bills, and the expense was not included in the 2015 budget. The request is scheduled to be discussed once again at the June meeting, and commissioners were invited to attend. Commissioner Hatley wanted to know if AVSA could share the cost of water in July and August at the complex. The commissioners suggested that a meeting be held with members of the AVSA board of directors to brainstorm possible solutions. A meeting will be set with AVSA after the request is presented to the council in June. B. LWCF Grant Application 2015-The City Council has approved applying for a LWCF Grant. No one attended the public meeting to give their support for lighting three fields at the soccer complex. AVSA members have been contacted about providing letters expressing the need for field lights, and no letters have been received. It is basically a waste of time to apply for a grant without being able to show public support. A suggestion was made to light the center field and make it a showcase field and retrofit the other two fields. The change would have to be approved by City Council. The grant application deadline is August 21, 2015. The deadline to hold another public meeting is July 31, 2015. A suggestion was made to speak with soccer again about the grant and the need for support. New Business A. Recommendation for Park Name Change-A recommendation was presented at the public meeting to change the name of Veterans Park on North Detroit to Crawford Park and change Old Shorty to Veterans Memorial Park. The public was in favor of the suggestion. Commissioner Collier made a motion in favor of the recommendation. Commissioner Hatley seconded the motion, and the motion passed. The name changes will be presented to the City Council in August. This will allow time for any public input. Updates A. Aquatic Center Park Temporary Name-The future home of the Aquatic Center on North Phoenix Avenue has temporarily been named Prairie Creek Park. The Mayor will consult with ETC Engineering & Architects about setting a date for the groundbreaking. B. Hickey Park Construction Fields 1 & 6-Assistant Director Terry Thomas said all work is finished on fields 1 and 6 at Hickey Park with the exception of one piece of trim along the back of all four dugouts. C. Athletic Fields Turf Program-Two sprays were done on all athletic fields. Fertilizer will be applied before the next rain. D. Monthly Report-The commissioners received a copy of the department’s monthly report. E. Upcoming Events-A schedule of upcoming events was given to the commissioners. The meeting adjourned at 12:50pm.