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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Recreation and Parks Committee - 02/16/2015South Burlington Recreation & Leisure Arts Committee Meeting Minutes 2/16/15 Committee members present: Glenn Sproul, Jennifer Kochman, Cassandra Chase, Linda Janes, Liz Robitaille, Edie Robenstein, and Rebecca Poquette. Absent: None Also Present: Betsy Terry – Interim Director, Ruth Watson, Whitney Calkins, Scott Rathman, Darry Rathman, T.J. Donovan, Tom More, Muriel More, Ellen Vaut, Greg Vaut, David Yergeau, Deb Yerguea, Dina Meyers, Joanne Winter, Bonnie West, Dora Suders, Anna Stein, Jesse Stein, Thomas Chittenden, Andre Brown, Kathy Sehr, Kathy Dams, Steve Brown, Sayre Wedlew, Ross Feuder There were no changes or additions to the agenda. No comments from the public. The approval of January minutes have been deferred to March, because of the change in position and personal circumstances with the Secretary. The next R&LA meeting will be held March 16th at 5pm. Linda, liaison to the City Council reported that Market Street will be changed to Corporate Way. She also reported that the council talked about using elementary schools as community centers. Jennifer, liaison to Natural Resources, reported that the N.R. Committee suggested that the R & LA Committee would be better suited to oversee The Wheeler Homestead. Glenn reported on the Dumont Park Workshop & Underwood Project Workshop. Both workshop were great informational sessions about how both projects are going. Director’s Report, Betsy Terry reported on the activities within South Burlington. The Valentine’s Day Dance was a huge success. Basketball season has been very successful this season, a basketball tournament for girls Grades 5 and 6 over the weekend of 2/14-2/15 went great. February vacation camps have a great response. SB Rotary club has City Fest (150th Anniversary) coming up. Betsy also reported on the search for new permanent Director, which is now under way. Five semi-finalist will be interviewed on Friday 2/20 out of the 25 applicants. Beginning of March we should have a new permanent Director to announce and hope they’ll be in office by the beginning of April. Neighborhood Park at Baycrest – Betsy did a short presentation of information that she got back from the City’s Attorney. The Baycrest plot of land was shown on map and deeded a neighborhood park. Within the presentation was the definition of a neighborhood park in 1980 and an updated definition from 2011. The definition of a neighborhood park in 1980 was “Neighborhood Parks include passive activities such as natural areas and trails, but the greater need is for level, well-drained, readily usable areas for ballfields (not necessarily restricted to formally organized City programs), tennis courts, basketball courts, and playground equipment”. The definition of a neighborhood park in 2011 is “Publicly-owned, lightly developed recreation facilities that are intended to be focal points of local neighborhoods. Most users walk to these parks, though limited parking is provided in some cases.” Also went over the definition of a mini park, which is really what the Baycrest plot of land would fall under. City Attorney went over 9 different documents and found no impediment. Committee was left at a tabled motion from last meeting. Situation: Tabled motion for members and director a listening tour within the neighborhood, always leaving initiative to the neighborhood. Jennifer made a motion to take the tabled motion from January’s meeting off the table, because currently the staffing situation with the Parks & Recreation Department. Public wanted to speak before we voted, Glenn agreed to listening. One public member suggested that something happen so that the same events are not repeated in twelve months. MOTION: Adopt specific suggestions Betsy proposed at our last meeting, and hold 3 meetings on a speaking tour. Liz – Yay Glenn, Jennifer, Edie, Linda, Rebecca & Cassandra – Nay David Y. asked someone within the committee to bring a motion to the committee stipulating that we wouldn’t have any discussion until there was a specific proposal. Proposal by Ross, Dan, and Tom presented. Discussion was sparked between those supporting and opposing, with questioning about sound buffering, and if there were any regulations within the city to use buffers to not disturb the immediate neighbors. Public urged that process needs to be established. Public also asks what’s the next step? Kevin Dorn, City Manager, wanted to talk with the R & LA Committee about some changes within the city for city buildings. Three facilities in City Center have been approved as a TIF district. City Hall – 10% Recreation Facility – 30% Library – 30% Kevin explained that Saxon proposed to build up a downtown shopping with residential space, where the Marrcott School is. Selling the elementary school, move elementary school. Kevin asked us about some possibilities of moving the elementary school. Kevin would like us to think of the ramifications of retrofitting existing schools for community centers, and build a new school, instead of building new buildings using TIF money, or lack there of. Also, what taxpayers are willing to do. Motion, to ajourn by Glenn. Meeting adjourned at 7:02pm.