HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Minutes - Recreation and Parks Committee - 08/30/2021
RECREATION AND PARKS COMMITTEE
Monday, August 30 2021
5:30-7:00 PM
180 Market Street Conference Room 301
Meeting Minutes
Present: Mike Simoneau, William Sudbay, Bill Barber, Lauren Wedam, Jon Pence, Christy
Pilsucki, Libby Daghlin
Staff: Holly Rees
Absent: Caroline Henne
Guests: Barb Sirvis, Linda Norris, Ilona Blanchard
Meeting called to order at 5:35pm by Christy Pilsucki.
Christy turned meeting over to Holly for operational agenda items.
Changes or additions to the agenda
None
Comments from the public not related to the agenda
Linda is a big fan of R&P in general and especially during Covid. She applauds us for all that we
do. Linda said she read in the Other Paper about the public pool – Barb said there are lots of
people would like to have input into it and would love to find out how to better support R&P in
this plan. Holly said she will forward the minutes and appreciate her strong advocacy. Linda
added there are no doggie bags in the parks and that would be helpful. She would like an
update on Szymanski. Also, Overlook Park – status on Australian pines that are growing and
impairing the view. No updates on Symanski and Overlook, hoping to have more concrete plans
next month.
Approval of minutes from July 12 5:00-6:30 meeting
Will defer until next meeting – adequate warning not provided for this.
Elect New Leadership
Bill Barber interested in Chair, Lauren Wedam will remain Vice Chair and Christy Pilsucki will
remain Secretary. Mike moves to nominate this slate of officers. Will Sudbay seconds the
motion.
Bill began to Chair the meeting at this time.
Common Places for Dogs Committee Assignment
Dog committee is sunsetting and turning into this new committee assignment. Mike has been
our longstanding committee of Dog Park Committee and agreed to transition into this new role.
Mike said it feels sense for him to transition to this new committee as he has knowledge on the
topic and the work, though would like to step away at some point. Will Sudbay motioned to
nominate, and Lauren seconded it.
Climate Action Task Force Discussion
Mike said this was recently formed – made up of 7 people of different committees, 2 from
Energy Committee. Mike does not want to have the discussion of our role in the committee as
it could be a lengthy discussion. Mike asked if the committee thinks someone from R&P should
be on the task force and, if so, we should make a motion. Mike said this task force could last a
couple years, it will not be a small undertaking. If someone wants to be a part of it, this will be
important to know. Mike makes a motion to have someone from R&P on the Climate Action
Task Force. Libby seconds the motion. Discussion points: Mike has strong feelings about this
topic but does not want the committee to go along with it. Mike asks if the committee wants to
know more about the committee before moving forward. Lauren said she is hesitant and wants
more information for the group especially how the task force came to be, the level of
commitment, goals and how people were selected. Bill will contact the group to obtain this
information. Mike agreed that this information should go to the entire committee. Lauren
makes a motion to withdraw the motion until we have more information and Christy seconded
the motion. All approved. Holy and Bill will get more information and will review at next
meeting.
Review Jessie Baker Policy and Procedure Document
This is more informational than anything that needs to be responded to right now. The purpose
is to establish work plans toward a common goal and so we can all feel good about the work we
are doing within the City and committee structure. The goal is to work in concert with one
another. Will build off Symposium to create a space for committees to talk about goals and
how they fit into the larger picture of the City. Holly offered to have Jessie come to next
meeting to talk about it more. Mike said this gets at what the City can do in terms of process
instead of having committee requests and agendas be politicized and to better support
committee agendas. Mike said this is Jessie’s attempt to create procedures around this process.
Mike supports this work that Jessie is doing.
Review Budget Calendar for Fiscal Year 23 and Sub Committees for Annual Work Plan, Annual
Report and CIP
Holly said we need to talk about the annual work plan, annual review and CIP. Ideally, this
would be ready for committee approval by October. Ideally, would have separate committees
of 2 people and then be ready to be submitted to committee for approval by second week in
October. Holly asked for volunteers for these committees. Lauren, Christy, Libby and Holly can
do annual review and annual work plan. Mike, Will and Holly for CIP committee. Bill said he will
be in on these meetings as well. Holly will work on getting those organized tomorrow.
Update on Indoor Recreation Center - Ilona Blanchard
Ilona provided overview of indoor recreation facility based on focus groups and community
surveys from 2019 to include three hard courts, 1/3 turf court, bathrooms, changing rooms and
lockers, multi-use flex studio space, flexibility to serve families. New plan is to secure contract
with design firm to establish estimate for proposed build by October with estimated
presentation to the Council by March 2022.
Operation costs are estimated to be 8.7 FTE. At this time, interest rates are low and borrowing
costs are lower now than when plan initially presented in 2019. COVID-19 delays and current
public reticence regarding tax hikes all being considered. Historically, Rec & Parks had greater
access to school-based facilities to run programs. However, over time space has been more
limited and Rec & Parks programming is limited due to constraints in available space. Changes
in afterschool programming from Rec & Parks to SB school district and independent programs
has also contributed to limits in programming for greater community access.
Recreation facility would address equity and access issues as well as provide greater
opportunity for city programming.
Budgeting will include bonds, which will be allocated incrementally in concert with construction
phase. To illustrate potential fiscal impacts of undertaking this project in a preliminary fashion,
a model was developed to look at spending through pre-construction, construction, and
opening, and to understand how these various costs would affect the tax rate. In February of
2019, when the City took out a 30-bond for 180 Market Street, the net interest cost was 3.7%.
*This was at the time considered anear historic low. If that bond were taken out today, that
interest cost would be over 1.0% less at a net interest rate of 2.27%. These figures are subject
to change per daily interest rates. Point = less potential impact to tax payers with current plan
and low interest rates. Variability in cost of construction materials is also a factor.
There is a lot of interest in the community to include indoor pool. There is also discussion about
climate change and ways to build the site with consideration of environmental impact.
Holly spoke on behalf of Linda who had to leave the meeting that we might relay information
back to the City Council regarding the renewed interest in the pool and that this item was
already brought to the community and deemed unnecessary.
(6:45) Director’s Report Review and Questions
Holly announced launch of Senior Center with first meal last week. This week has 25
participants. September has growing list of activities available. Program staff update—Lauren
Dressler to leave unexpectedly to take on teaching position in Westford. New vacancy will
reduce work capacity of R & P department due to vacancy.
Mike Simoneau made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Lauren seconded.
*Next Meeting Monday September 13- discuss start time*
Bike Rack Items:
O’Brien Eastview Development Plan Review
Paul Connor to review LDR’s
Cents for Conservation Review
Work Plan- report out and approval
Annual Report- report out and approval
CIP -report out and approval