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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Minutes - Recreation and Parks Committee - 07/10/2023 Recreation & Parks Committee Monday July 10th from 5:30pm to 7:00pm Present: Mike Simoneau, Ravi Venkataraman, Will Sudbay, Erin Buzby, Cyndi Freeman, Oliver Pierson, Brett Visger Call Meeting to Order Simoneau calls the July South Burlington Recreation and Parks Committee Meeting to order at 5:35pm. Simoneau recognizes Jeff Hawkins and another neighbor of South Pointe HOA who have feedback on the current Hubbard Recreation plan. Connectivity concerns are raised between the South Pointe HOA and the South Village neighborhood. Simoneau notes the Committee voted in favor of a paved recreation path through Hubbard Park. Simoneau thanks the Hawkins for his time and feedback on the Hubbard Park plan. Welcome New Members Simoneau welcomes new members Alastair Hayes, Brett Visger and Will Sudbay’s reappointment for a 3 year term. Election of Officers Simoneau recommends the following slate of officers for the South Burlington Recreation and Parks Committee: Mike Simoneau, Chair; Ravi Venkataraman, Vice Chair; Will Sudbay, Clerk. Simoneau inquires if anyone has any other considerations. Motion by Freeman, seconded by Pierson to approve the following election of officers to the South Burlington Recreation and Parks Committee. Mike Simoneau, Chair; Ravi Venkataraman, Vice Chair; Will Sudbay, Clerk. So voted. Approval of Minutes for June Simoneau inquiries if there are any questions or concerns regarding the June Meeting Minutes. Motion by Sudbay, seconded by Venkataraman to approve the June South Burlington Recreation & Parks Committee Meeting Minutes as presented. So voted. Review Work Plan for FY 24 Rees notes that Simoneau will be updating the work plan to narrow the focus for the upcoming fiscal year. Hubbard Park Plan Review and Advocacy Plan Rees states that based on the Hubbard Park presentation to the South Burlington City Council in May, the project team is going back to discussing alternatives to pavement for the Recreation Path/Parking Lot. Additionally there has been a lot of feedback from neighbors as to any park development. The South Burlington City Council will be discussing this plan and providing updates to the public at the July 17th City Council meeting. Comprehensive Plan Language Review Rees encourages the Committee to provide feedback for the South Burlington Recreation & Parks Comprehensive Plan and notes the group has several meetings left for community input. Director Report Rees overviews upcoming events such as SB Nite Out, which starts on Thursday, June 22nd and is conducted 10 consecutive Thursdays in a row. Rees emphasizes on Thursday, August 3rd and Bike Nite in collaboration with the Bike and Pedestrian Committee on Thursday, August 10th. Rees states that the Recreation and Parks Committee will be presenting to South Burlington City Council on the suggested dates of April 23rd & October 23rd to host an Eclipse Event. Rees states that July 10th is the last date for applications to be received for the new Recreation & Parks Director positon. Rees has no update on the application review committee or interview committee. Rees overviews current ongoing projects within the City of South Burlington; Plans are being drafted for next steps for DRB submittal for Farrell Dog Park. The project is estimated to cost $60,000; Water pressure at the Veterans Memorial Park bathrooms have been an ongoing issue and the problem is still being figured out. Site work needs to be completed and vents/vans installed; The Department of Public Works is working to access an old water source at Jaycee Park and will support the softball field ground mix; Additionally the City is working with a vendor to rehabilitate the infield at Upper Farrell park. Overgrown weeds/grass need to come up to the standard of play and then will be maintained. The Recreation & Parks Department will be using field rental fees to cover this work. Rees overviews certain projects that are slated to be completed by June 30, 2024; Bleacher and Dug Out Replacements at Veteran’s Memorial Park; Installation of more dog waste stations in certain parks, added park signage with no smoking and highlights the hours of service; Veteran’s Memorial beam replacement and safety lighting installation; Pavilion Roof Replacement at Jaycee Parks and Red Rocks Park. Next Meeting Date The Committee discusses future meeting times and Rees will send an updated schedule to all Committee members. Adjournment Motion by Simoneau, seconded by Venkataraman to adjourn the July South Burlington Recreation and Parks Committee Meeting. So voted. Review Next Steps from Recreation and Parks Simoneau states that Sudbay has been re-appointed by the South Burlington City Council to another 3 year term on the South Burlington Recreation and Parks Committee. Simoneau inquiries about the Director of Recreation & Parks job search Rees states the job description has been completed and is currently under review with City Manager Baker. The City of South Burlington will do a statewide search to fill the position and Rees overviews the change in leadership as she takes on her new role. Freeman inquires if Rees knows of anyone who is a strong candidate. Sudbay inquiries about the timeline of filling the Recreation and Parks Director position. Rees overviews the timeline of filling the Recreation & Parks Director position and reassures the Committee that they will be involved as the process moves forward. Annual Review of FY 23 Program Numbers Rees overviews the FY 23 Program Numbers – 1500 participants, 20 adult programs were offered with 225 participants, 139 senior programs were offered with 3300 participants. Simoneau inquires about metrics from previous years. Rees will doing further research on this matter and follow-up with Simoneau. Freeman touches on the social media presence of the Recreations and Parks Committee and looks forward to hiring the Communications Manager for the City of South Burlington. Review Work Plan for FY 24 Simoneau overviews the progress being made on the FY24 Work Plan with the Recreation and Parks Committee. Park Updates – (Farrell Dog Park, Hubbard Park, City Center Park) Farrell Dog Park Rees overviews the Farrell Dog Park and is looking at re-aligning the dog park to be more amenable for dogs and community members (i.e. rounded corners, re-grading, etc.) There are potential traffic concerns, the South Burlington Bike & Pedestrian Committee is looking into the issues. Simoneau inquires about the timeline and expected completion date. Rees states the Farrell Dog Park will be completed in Q1 or Q2 of 2024. Venkataraman discusses introducing bollards to slow traffic as well as other ideas to improve traffic flow and safety. Simoneau inquires about the parallel parking spaces. The Committee has concerns that the parallel parking spaces would be very tight and cause further concerns with traffic flow and safety. The current parking design is a flaw that should be looked at. Hubbard Park Rees overviews the Hubbard Park City Council presentation with the Committee. Rees reviews the timeline with the Committee and states that preservation advocates do not want to see any development on this specific parcel of land. In February of 2013, the City of South Burlington purchased the 60-acre Underwood parcel for $1.7M. Further discussion occurs the Hubbard Park acquisition, 2015 vision framework, 10 guiding principles and implementation timeline. Buzby and Simoneau review the email that was forwarded to the Committee over a paved path versus a dirt/gravel path. Buzby inquires about preparing a statement from the Committee in support of certain ideas that are currently being discussed at Hubbard. Rees comments on certain materials being used by the City of Burlington that were not successful and would cause other equipment be purchased for up-keep. Simoneau states the Bike and Pedestrian Committee voted unanimously on using pavement for Hubbard Park. The City of South Burlington is hearing from concerned constituents on leaving the parcel as its current state. Motion by Sudbay, seconded by Venkataraman to support the implementation of paving the recreation and parking area of Hubbard Park. So voted. Simoneau clarifies that Rees will follow-up with the Hubbard Project Team on the Committee’s position on paving the recreation and parking area of Hubbard Park. Directors Report Rees overviews the Directors Report with the Recreation and Parks Committee. Next Meeting Dates Rees notes that the next meeting will be on Wednesday, July 12th at 5:30pm Freeman notes on the City website that meeting times show 4:30pm. Rees will follow-up with the South Burlington website team to insure that meeting times have been updated to the correct time. Adjournment Motion by Simoneau, seconded by Venkataraman to adjourn the June Recreation and Parks Committee Meeting. So voted.