DRAFT ZOOM MEETING PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD May 13, 2021 PRESENT: Jeffrey Fracher, Anne Hemenway, Ned Michie, Hosea Mitchell, Bridget Moss and Shawn Strubbe. Absent: Lashundra Bryson-Morsberger and Jennifer Slack STAFF: Vic Garber, Sarah Blech, Andrea Ross, Chris Gensic, Riaan Anthony PUBLIC COMMENT  Karen Katz – citizen living @ 1012 Druid Ave in Belmont, stated that she has observed that Rives & Quarry Parks are not being maintained in a manner as other parks, developers in other areas were tapped to help upgrade parks. Complaint is with general upkeep, level of maintenance is different than other areas, requires attention, condition precedes pandemic. Asked to send suggestions to staff  Ned Michie stated that there was a huge amount of wants/needs and that Virginia law was tight to make developers with proffers. Karen Katz felt that besides law there is persuasion & encouragement. Staff open to hearing input MINUTES  Ned Michie made the following amendment to minutes – CIP updates – Tonsler Park Master plan – Meadowcreek – focus some funding for key portions, A $125,000 local contribution to a VDOT grant application will bring $600,000 in federal funds  All of the previously allocated funds for the Meadow Creek Valley plan implementation were used in constructing the Greenbrier Park portion, more funds will be needed to complete the projects in the Meadowcreek Valley  Jeffrey Fracher made a motion to approve minutes with above amendments, Shawn Strubbe second, motion was unanimously approved MASTER PLANNING OF PEN PARK  Chris Gensic stated that Pen Park is a large park that was established in the 70’s and that there is no current modern Master Plan for Pen Park, group wants to build Bennett’s Village, more than just updating playground. Amount of space would be a large change to park, need public input on project, older field, golf course, trails, public planning process, in order to get started, Advisory Board will need to make a recommendation to City Council to start Master Plan process.  Hosea Mitchell made a motion to make a Master Plan recommendation to City Council for Pen Park, second by Anne Hemenway, motion was unanimously approved PARKS & PROGRAM UPDATES  Vic Garber reported the following updates:  Staff shortage – in all areas of operation, FT as well as temporary staff. In most cases doing a fair job, attending job fairs, behind the curve, ex. 30 lifeguards instead of approx. 120  Opening Washington & Crow pools on Memorial Day weekend, Onesty Pool not possible with present staff levels  Opening Carver & Key Center on May 17 – gym, fitness room, slowly will bring in programs.  Opening Tonsler Center on May 24  Ned Michie suggested using Next Door, Housing Authority, for candidates  Spray grounds – 3 open by the 29th, Forest Hills – still under construction approximate open 6/13  Day Camps – start 6/21 – 5 locations, working with schools, 25 per camp  Adaptive – primarily virtual  Athletic leagues – softball started this week, 51 teams, tournaments on Sundays, volleyball starts 5/24 @ Carver - 35 teams, have lost teams do not have capacity, cannot use schools this year, will be in rebuilding mode in fall  Swim Team – registration starts 5/17  Pickle ball  Crow Pool will be opening in lieu of Smith Pool for summer, will have lap swim & Red Cross classes, no public swim  Smith Aquatic Center has been under construction revamping ventilation, project is progressing, delayed 3 weeks due to delay in materials delivery, approximate 8/1 opening,  Ned Michie asked staff to check on guarantee about air quality  Riverview – due to no sloping banks, boat access to river swelled & destroyed steps, steps have been replaced. Rivanna River Company with volunteers built new steps, boat slide, and long term goal will be to improve better boat access. Working with Rivanna Conservation - to help in flood situations  Skate park lighting - $325,000 cost, BAMA - $100,000, need additional $130,000 to get project done  Walker Playground – this is a schools project, they need additional $50,000 for ADA trail, and city will maintain maintenance. No city funding for playground CIP  Hosea Mitchell stated with CIP projects used to walk through staff priorities with Brian Daly before going to City Council, he asked staff to walk through priorities, also stated that the Planning Commission sets CIP priorities.  Ned Michie stated that start of conversation will be where we are with projects, prioritizing, etc. FUTURE MEETING AGENDA ITEMS & DATES  Anne Hemenway – asked for public comment to be added to agenda UPDATE ON PARK NAMING  Chris Gensic – new park names voted on, naming policy does not require City Council action, only Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, but City Council re- named the two downtown parks so we are not sure if that is going to be the new policy going forward or not  Todd Brown to ask City Manager if City Council wants to approve park naming, and we would then need to update the park naming policy if they do. BYLAW CHANGES  Vic Garber stated that City Council voted that the Advisory Board transition to staff advisory, not City Council so it is now City Manager driven, therefore, Bylaws need to be updated. Committee formed to review bylaws - Ned Michie and Anne Hemenway  Ned Michie stated that terms, vacancies, meetings – minimum #’s should be discussed  Vic Garber stated that he would send example by-laws from other places to board members MOTION TO ADJOURN  Ned Michie made a suggestion that maybe the Board could meet outdoors for future meetings  Ned adjourned meeting @ 6:40 pm  Respectfully submitted, Respectfully submitted, Linda Daly Secretary to the Advisory Board “Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to participate in the public meeting may call the ADA Coordinator at (434) 970-3182 or submit a request via email to ada@charlottesville.gov. The City of Charlottesville requests that you provide a 48 hour notice so that proper arrangements may be made.”