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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - Recreation and Parks Committee - 05/18/2016 RECREATION AND LEISURE ARTS COMMITTEE MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2016 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM Medium Conference Room, City Offices AGENDA (5:00) Call meeting to order Changes or additions to the agenda Comments from the public not related to the agenda Approval of minutes from March 21 meeting (5:15) Director’s report: Maggie (update on Catamount Arena, heads-up on O’Brien Center for discussion in May) (5:30) Liaison reports Bike & Ped: Rebecca City Council: Mike (and Jennifer: discussion of possible committee Restructuring) Natural Resources: Naa Planning Commission: Jennifer (include Four Questions from Planning Commission, draft response for approval) SB Land Trust: Edie Library Board: Mary School Board: Liz Winooski Valley Park District: George (5:45) Prioritizing enhancements to open spaces and natural areas: outline of expected process; identifying two or more representatives to a Task Force; preliminary discussion of what we would like to see as top priorities for the use of the $1.3 million. Please study the Open Space and Natural Area Enhancement Plan before the meeting. (6:30) Adjourn UPCOMING EVENTS April 25 6:00 PM meeting of the Wheeler Conservation Easement Task Force (City Offices) May 16 Next regular meeting of the committee June 20 Regular monthly meeting June 25 Committee Retreat, 9 AM to 12 noon 1 Approved 4-18-16 South Burlington Recreation & Leisure Arts Committee March 21, 2016 Present: Glenn Sproul, Jennifer Kochman, Naa Addo, George Donovan, Maggie Leugers, Rebecca Poquette, Mike Simoneau, Liz Robitaille, Mary Olmstead Regrets: Edie Robenstein Meeting was called to order at 5:01pm Changes to the Agenda: No changes or additions to the agenda; no public present. Approval of February 15, 2016 Minutes: regarding the Parks Foundation Subcommittee’s mission statement, Glenn suggested that the word “template” be used instead of draft. With this change, the minutes were approved. Director's Report: Maggie reported that the licensing for the Junior Rec. Camp has been completed. Maggie also mentioned that the status of the NRPA grant for $31,000 will be known by April 4th. Cityfest is scheduled for August 6th from 4-9pm. The Vermont Mozart Festival will also be held over a three week period with all summer concerts scheduled for Veterans Memorial Park with a practice/rain site at the UMall in the former GAP space. There was a discussion on the Committee working on a non-smoking policy, as there is no policy. A non-smoking policy is also especially necessary with all the changes happening in the City of South Burlington. Maggie emphasized the need to have input about the policy and possible signage from Committee members. It would be ideal to have this implemented by the beginning of the summer. Glenn suggested that the topic of a non-smoking policy be put on the agenda for the next meeting. Jennifer asked Maggie to send the Committee reading material on non-smoking policies. The 2016 Public Service Awards will be held on April 14th at 6pm in the South Burlington High School Auditorium. Liz Robitaille will be receiving a public service award for her service. Committee Renewal: A brief discussion on possible term renewals and officers for the upcoming year as Liz, Jennifer and Edie’s terms will be ending on June 30th. Jennifer mentioned that she is planning to reapply. Liz will most likely apply. Glenn discussed his wish of finishing his remaining term in a committee member capacity rather than as a Chair. Open Space and Natural Area Enhancement Plan: Glenn mentioned that this topic is currently not ready for discussion. Especially since there is no cost estimation attached to the document. Therefore it is difficult to provide any input. Maggie will send out spreadsheets with cost estimations prepared by the previous Recreation and Parks Director. Jennifer asked Maggie if she could go through the list and put them in order of priority by area. Collaborating with the National Resource and Red Rocks Committee on this issue is necessary. Mike mentioned that the process for this plan will need to be defined. Glenn suggested that this should be a primary topic for the April meeting. Topics for Retreat: Glenn suggested developing an evaluation of the collaboration relationship between the Recreation and Parks Director and the Committee. Glenn encouraged the Committee to start thinking about a wish list for the proposed Catamount Arena. Jennifer mentioned that the questions for a bio from Cassandra Chase is an effective tool for getting to know committee members better. Committee Name Change: After a number of discussions between Kevin Dorn, and leadership of the Natural Resource Committee, a request for a name change for the Recreation and Leisure Arts Committee be submitted to 2 the City Council. Jennifer moved a motion for the Committee name be changed to the Recreation and Parks Committee. Rebecca seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Reports from special meetings: Wheeler Nature Park Conservation Easement Task Force- George, Jennifer, Glenn and Mike attended the meeting. City Council specified that Bike and Pedestrian, Recreation and Leisure Arts Committee and the National Resource Committee work together to analyze what an easement should entail. Glenn mentioned that two representatives from each committee will act as the liaisons on the easement taskforce. Mike will be the Committee’s representative with Jennifer acting as the rotating liaison. Jennifer stated that there will be five meetings held with two of them being public. Jennifer also mentioned that it is imperative to include the South Burlington Land Trust on the easement task force. Recreation and Parks Foundation- Mary, Jennifer and Muriel have been working on a mission statement for the Foundation. The Subcommittee is also looking to develop a presentation item that will explain the mission and goals of the Foundation. The Subcommittee is seeking members to serve in a leadership capacity, as the current subcommittee will be dissolved once the Foundation is completely established. Next meeting is scheduled for April 16th at 3:30 pm. SB VT Neighborhood Watch- It is a Facebook page that is meant for discussion, and news updates of what is happening in South Burlington. Jennifer stated that the page is meant to be an advocacy tool. Reports from Liaisons to Other Committees: Bike & Ped – Rebecca reported that the Bike and Pedestrian Committee is discussing the importance of scenic vistas. City Council - Mike reported the Council is adopting LDR’s and form-based codes. . Natural Resources - nothing to report Planning Commission - notes on scenic views is attached to the minutes. South Burlington Land Trust – nothing to report. Library Board – nothing to report School Board - nothing to report Winooski Valley Park District – George reported that he finally made contact and he was interested with the information he was provided on the services the Winooski Valley Park District provides. The meeting adjourned at 6:40 pm. Next meeting scheduled for Monday April 18th, 2016 Respectfully submitted, Naa Addo Director Report 2-18-16 · Recreation Specialized Camps-are filling up and we are on par with last year. Our Nature Camp at Red Rocks for summer is full with waiting lists. NRPA “Commitment to Health” Grant Received – Amount exceeded our request of $31,000 and we received $33,000. Our Junior REC Camp is fill up and we anticipate ELL children to participate fully in this camp per a meeting with Superintendent David Young. Community Gardens-All our plots are FULL with waiting list of 15. Gardeners pre-meeting will be held City Hall large conference room on Wednesday April 27th 7-8PM. Guest speaker will be Charlie Nardozzi, well known garden expert. Events-April Fools BINGO held April 1st. was very successful and families had a wonderful time. Volunteer Recognition-was very successful as 50 plus came from SBHS auditorium to City Hall for light fare and all received a framed photo (Bernie Paquette) I wanted to thank our staff: Travis, Darla and Holly for helping coordinate several aspects of the event to help make it special. Summer seasonal staff hires-Completed · Parks · Tennis Courts-SBHS courts will begin renovations end of April (weather permitting) Tennis Advantage Inc. will be doing the work out of Newport, Vermont. · Green-Up Day-Our department have coordinated green bags for pick-up and list of where volunteers will pick up trash. We also will have our department tents outside in front of City Hall on May 7, 2016 in partnership with the Natural Resource Committee and Planning Department. We will have available popcorn and lemonade for all volunteers. · Dog Park-Continues discussions with the Burlington Airport on moving park to a NEW location that is high, dry, and larger than our current park. This NEW site will be a welcomed change to our current park. · Jaycee Park O’Brian Center-As of September 1st all user groups will vacate building. We are currently making arrangements to relocate users to Wheeler House, Schools and City Hall. Current users: Boy Scouts, Senior Card Club, Children’s Play Group and Partners in Adventure. · General NEW Fulltime Hire position Special Projects Coordinator-Accepting this position is Travis Ladd who has worked for the city in a part-time/contract capacity over the past several years. Director out of town-Attending funeral service in Marquette, MI from Friday April 22-26.