DRAFT ZOOM MEETING PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD August 12, 2021 Present: Lashundra Bryson-Morsberger, Jeffrey Fracher, Anne Hemenway, Ned Michie, Hosea Mitchell, Bridget Moss and Shawn Strubbe. Absent: Jennifer Slack Staff: Todd Brown, Vic Garber and Sarah Blech Guest: Kenny Valpak Public Comment No public comment Adoption of Minutes  Minutes – May, 2021  Bridget Moss made a motion to approve, second by Ned Michie, motion was unanimously approved.  Minutes – June, 2021  Ned Michie made a change – add RFP Tonsler – targeting a project under $2 million.  Bridge Moss made a motion to approve with amended changes, second by Ned Michie, motion was unanimously approved. Advisory Board Bylaws - changes  Ned Michie discussed board member size. City Manager appoints board members.  Jeffrey Fracher would like more diversity on the board  Hosea Mitchell would like to have more voices  Shawn Strubbe would like to have more geographic diversity  Lashundra – more diversity from different communities and from parents  Vic Garber– stated that some boards have high school students  Ned Michie stated that he had a friendliness to adding seats to broaden diversity, perhaps up to 15, Jeffrey Fracher suggested 12.  Suggestion was made that new Deputy City Manager for diversity would be a good resource  Hosea Mitchell suggested a low income housing representative  Shawn Strubbe stated that she likes the contact part, willing to help.  Interim appointments – Ned - 2 3-year terms seems reasonable, make some differentiation on interim,  Bridget Moss asked about filling partial terms, more than 1 ½ one 3 year term; less two 3 year term  Ned Michie asked about number of meetings in year, felt should be a minimum of at least 6. Common not to meet July & December. Bylaws should set a minimum  Hosea Mitchell stated that it should be an advisory body, not operational  Todd Brown suggested monthly, with ability to cancel, minimum of 8 or 9. Ned Michie suggested a minimum of 8, can have more meetings  Hosea Mitchell suggested minimum of 8 with Chair to decide on others  Lashundra – stated that Thursdays are busy days, may want to change to another day Updates  Vic Garber reported that it has been a long, hot summer. Department has been short staffed but have been delivering programs, services and operating facilities  Carver, Key & Tonsler Centers – are fully operational  Housing sites – have been serving meals outside  Onesty Pool – was not able to open this summer  Crow – closed on weekends starting this weekend  Schools begin 8/25 – Washington Park Pool will now only be open weekends and will close on Labor Day. When Washington Pool closes, hours will be extended @ Crow  Spray grounds @ Tonsler, Belmont, Forest Hills and Greenleaf will be in operation until 9/19  Skate park – busy, programs running, camp @ maximum enrollments  Program - #’s are equal or better than before COVID  Camp Programs – maxed, 6-week program  Adaptive programs – strong, starting hybrid program, Washington Park center is now the office for adaptive staff and adaptive programs will also operate at the location  Swim Team – 144 swimmers, strong swimmers  Classes @ Crow Pool – offered 36 classes, 27 classes went  Smith Aquatic Center – still checking equipment, city staff swam there last Wednesday for testing, air quality test next week, opening sometime this fall. Ned Michie asked if staff could keep board posted on Smith Aquatic Center updates between meetings. Optimistic there will be enough guards to open  Anne Hemenway asked about Crow Pool after Smith Aquatic Center opens, Vic Garber replied that staff are getting calls from schools to use for rentals. Crow will remain open and will also be used for training of staff  Delta variant – a factor in how we operate  Events – probably won’t be happening this fall include large Halloween event, Skate park events, large rentals @ Carver, trying to get ahead of the virus curve  Mask policy, social distancing in place  Staff vaccinated - 78% includes temps  Jeffrey Fracher thanked staff for their work this summer  Group X classes, slowly growing  Pickle ball very busy @ Key Center  Skate nights – about 40 participants on Friday & Sundays  Basketball @ Key Center about 60 on Friday nights Naming of Parks  Chris Gensic stated that City Council will make final approval of names but will take board suggestions. Have asked about naming after people, City Manager does not recommend  The following names will be submitted to City Council for consideration. o Azalea Park West - 30 acres across from Azalea Park o Mill Park - Land off Avon Street near Jordan Park o Heyward Community Forest – 150 acres of land below Ragged Mtn. Reservoir o Unity Field at Northeast Park – The property commonly known as “Davis Field” of Park Street @ Northeast Park  Ned Michie asked about the new land along John Warner Parkway being named Butterfly Park  Probably will be on City Council agenda in October or late September, will send all names at once 8th Street  Showed list of suggested names  Hosea Mitchell – suggested Holly Edwards Park who was a nurse @ Westhaven & Crescent Hall. Also placing a plaque to honor Holly Edwards  Would like to lobby to name after her  Bridget Moss & Shawn Strubbe supported naming after Holly Edwards  Ned Michie suggested Holly’s Corner  Todd Brown stated there would be a September public meeting date Washington Community Center  Sarah Blech, Adaptive Manager for Parks & Recreation stated that adaptive programs & office have moved into the Washington Park Center, thought to rename center after Mildred Spicer, who started the program in 1979 & ran for 34 years, had an effect on disability community as a whole for both City & County.  Facility will be just for adaptive programs, changing only name of center  Sarah Blech stated that this was just a proposal at this time  Todd Brown asked board members do we name amenities @ Parks & Recreation facilities, Ned Michie stated that the board would talk more on this subject @ next meeting Directors Matters  Todd Brown reported on the following:  Removal of statues - parks staff worked with contractor on removal, prep work, statue & platforms and cleanup after  Sam Sanders – new Deputy City Manager  Rion Summers – Golf Course manager is leaving  Deputy Director for Parks Division – advertised, going through applications  Have received lots of compliments this summer  Banning dogs from parks – Maplewood cemetery concerns, problems with off leash & cleanup, City Code states that they are allowed on leash in cemeteries. Presently have different signs @ cemeteries. Board Matters  Jeffrey Fracher – stated there was a problem with a lack of a Downtown Dog Park, neighborhoods would like closer dog park, may help reduce dog issue problems with additional dog park  Hosea Mitchell – suggested Ix Park for dog park  Todd Brown replied that dog parks was in the comprehensive plan – agree should explore a Downtown Dog Park. Will get with Chris Gensic about available property that might suit for a dog park  Asked about signage about cleaning up dog poop  Hosea Mitchell – asked to get together about CIP priorities with Todd & Vic, need to know what to fight for Meeting Adjourn  Ned Michie adjourned meeting @ 7:13 pm 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.”