Parks & Recreation

1 4/18/2023 Parks and Recreation meeting minutes MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING by teleconference by calling 1-301-715-8592 and entering Meeting ID number: 848 8403 6400 Passcode: 856658 or by visiting Join Zoom Meeting at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84884036400?pwd=SG12aFc2R1pFalZRMjdHRG9nZG1ZZz09 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Committee Conference Room, Smyrna Town Hall 27 S. Market Street Plaza, Smyrna, Delaware April 18, 2023 – 5:00 PM Agenda Minutes 1. Call to order – 5:01p P&R members present: Zoom: Tracie Bruno and Darryl Bowen In-person: Chairperson Tabi Gott, Vice Chairperson Gerald Brown, and Mike Pearson Staff liaison Danielle Pope was also present 2. Minutes – Vice Chairperson Gerald Brown motioned to approve the last meeting’s minutes, from 9/20/22. Member Mike Pearson seconded. All approved. 3. Recognition of visitors – Frederick Schaber IV and then later Bob Fritzsche (came in just before #7 was discussed) Another number was on Zoom briefly 4. Red Sand Project, Sunday April 23 – immediately follows the Arbor Day celebration, c. 4:15p. Filling the cracks with red sand and brings attention to human trafficking and helps create an awareness 5. Carry the Load – May 5, VFW on rt 13, will walk through Smyrna, Dover, and end the evening in Hartly. It is to remind people what Memorial Day is about. Different organizations will participate by lining on the side of the streets. Local police and fire departments. Donations are being taken for the breakfast for the morning of for the group. 6. Smyrna at Night, June 17 – Planning is going amazingly well. It is a free concert and Blanco Brown is headlining. A company is creating a QR code for a cool surprise when music is playing; the screen will come alive with key words. There are 3 stages that will have music all day. There will be cars lined up on W. Commerce, food and vendors will be on W. South, and downtown businesses will be open. Friday May 5 is our 1st First Friday Concert of the season.  2 4/18/2023 Parks and Recreation meeting minutes Other items discussed with #6: April 22 is the opening day of Little League at 10 a.m. At 11 a.m. there will be the unveiling of the George C. Wright Jr. statue in front of Town Hall. There’s probably going to be a lot of coverage and out of town people are coming to celebrate as well. He is being recognized for all the great things he did for the town. 7. Discussion on the below ordinances – a. Chapter 10 – amusements b. Chapter 46 – parks and recreation c. Chapter 58, article IV – parades and assemblies There was discussion on the various 3 ordinances and what they say verses what we are doing. There is disconnect and miscommunication. We need to learn and make changes from those mistakes. Need to bring all involved departments to the table to have a discussion on the work flow; who gets what, and updating the 3 ordinances, maybe combining them. Make a recommendation to Charter/Ordinance and/or Mayor and Council to make the changes. The noise ordinance was also brought up. Staff liaison Danielle looked it up and found that the noise ordinance is under Chapter 66 – Traffic and Vehicles, Div. 6. Chairperson Tabi Gott asked staff liaison Danielle Pope if she can send the 4 ordinances to the committee and asked if the committee could provide their feedback prior to the week of the 8 th. 8. Other committee business – next meeting is May 16th, 5p Chairperson Tabi Gott received a concern about Sunnyside Park. About a year ago there was a park shooting, not related to the park, but there continues to be destruction and trash left behind and Public Works employees are always out cleaning. A Public Works employee mentioned to her that it is the worst park within Town limits. Smyrna Police Dept. is called there regularly. The basketball court was put there with good intentions and it was discussed to maybe take down the hoops for a month or so, or until school ends. Vice Chairperson Gerald Brown said that the basketball court is on Town of Smyrna property. It is up to the community to work together for themselves. Parks and Rec can make a recommendation to ask for Mayor and Council consensus feelings. Chairperson Tabi Gott filled the visitor in on what we’ve done with the basketball courts and our intentions, as he is from Bon Ayre, but the complaints are beginning to outweigh the good. Vice Chairperson Gerald Brown said this is outside of Parks and Rec control and Smyrna Police Dept. helps with safety. Darryl asked if Smyrna Police Dept. patrols the areas. Chairperson Tabi Gott said yes and that 3 cameras have been put up and destroyed. Vice Chairperson Gerald Brown said to get the community leaders together and have them come to our meetings so that we can get it documented. The community needs to come together because no one wants to have cameras everywhere, but public safety is a big topic and concern. Chairperson Tabi Gott said maybe there’s a public park’s meeting so that the public can be heard. Vice Chairperson Gerald Brown wanted to know which is more important first: changing of the ordinances, or the parks vandalism? Chairperson Tabi Gott said that getting the ordinances changed is just as important as vandalism, but that the change would allow them to go back and show that we are more concise; both internally and publicly.  3 4/18/2023 Parks and Recreation meeting minutes Vice Chairperson Gerald Brown mentioned that signage can have a 20-30% deterrent. Chairperson Tabi Gott and Vice Chairperson Gerald Brown talked with Bob about what the committee is about and that we make suggestions to Mayor and Council for changes. Vice Chairperson Gerald Brown brought up the elections and that directions could move. Chairperson Tabi Gott agreed that policies need to be consistent, so everyone is on the same page. Vice Chairperson Gerald Brown was voted by the people, for the people, and will tell it how it could/should be. 9. Adjournment – 6:05 p.m. Posted 4/11/2023 at 4:30 PM (#1) NOTE: This agenda as listed may not be considered in sequence. This agenda is subject to change to include additional items, including Executive Sessions, and/or deletion of items, including Executive Sessions that arise at time of meeting.