HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Minutes - Recreation and Parks Committee - 07/08/2019
RECREATION AND PARKS COMMITTEE
MONDAY July 8, 2019
5 PM-6:30 PM
Medium Conference Room, City Offices
Minutes
Present: Holly Rees, Jennifer Kochman, Mike Simoneau, Katie Langrock, Tami Zylka,
Rebecca Poquette, Jon Pence, Christy Pilsucki, Paul Steinman, and Lauren Wedam
(5:00) Jennifer called the meeting to order
Review of safety procedures
Approval of minutes from June 10 2019 meeting
(5-5:10pm) Thank you to Paul Steinman.
Introduce new members Lauren Wedam and Christy Pilsucki
(5:10-5:30) Organization of Committee: Holly
Statements from Out-going Chair and Vice-Chair
Election of officers
● Mike moved to nominate Tami as Chair and Katie as Vice Chair, Rebecca
seconded. Both were unanimously approved.
● Jon moved to nominate Lauren as Secretary, Rebecca seconded. Lauren
was voted unanimously as Secretary.
(5:30-6pm) Director’s Report: Holly (separate document)
● Discussed continued coordination with Department of Public works
● First weed warrior event held. July 24th, next event at Wheeler
● Wetland delineation at Wheeler Homestead is next step in the Dog Park
project design
● Red Rocks - concerns with dogs off leash and bicyclists. Additional
signage has been added to clarify the requirement for dogs to be on leash
and that bikes are not allowed to be ridden in the park. Friends of Red
Rocks park are a great resource to help the department with the park.
Further discussion about the various reasons for the leash requirement, it
is multi layered and will require a multi-layered communication plan.
● Recreation Facility RFP: Holly
● RFPs were due July 5. Staff will choose firm by July 15th after
interviewing those that submitted RFP.
○ Plan for tour of Miller Center in Burlington, Tarrant Center
in Colchester and Middlebury Recreation Facility.
(6:10-6:15pm) NRPA Sub-committee: Katie and Tami
Please read the draft of the summary and the NRPA Report
● Presenting the Task Force Resolution, the NRPA Summary, The needs
summary and the Annual Report at City Council Meeting on 7/15.
(6:15 to 6:20pm)IZ Committee: Tami
● Community Forum and City Council July 1 action. Report being finalized
for presentation to City Council.
(6:20-6:30pm) Leadership Committee List: Jennifer
Propose sub-committee: Mike, Jennifer, Tami, Katie
● Ad hoc committee that consists of representatives of all city committees.
Goal is to improve understanding of priorities and work plans across
committees as well as standardization of materials across committees (by
laws etc)
● Current tasks are to review the Comprehensive Plan and to provide an
Annual Plan/Report for mid August presentation.
● Need to set a date to meet with Holly
(6:30-6:30pm) Orientation: Jennifer
● Jennifer has established orientation materials, discussion about how best
to save and share the documents that have been created. Plan to
schedule a tour of the parks and for a committee fall retreat.
(6:30 pm) Thank you to Liz Robitaille
(6:40) Mike moved to adjourn, seconded by Lauren. The meeting adjourned at
6:40pm.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: August 12, 2019 5:00 P.M.
Committee work:
Use of open space and gap analysis: Glenn and Mike represent R and P Committee
2018 NRPA Review: Katie, Jon, Paul, Tami
Dog Park liaison
Chair: City Council, Planning Commission, Library Board
Natural Resources
DRB
School Board
Bike & Ped: Rebecca
SB Land Trust: Jennifer (member)
BY Appointment to committees:
Foundation: Jennifer and Mike
Design Review/Public Art: Jennifer
Leadership: Jennifer and Mike
Affordable Housing: Mike
Wheeler: Jennifer and Mike
Winooski Valley Park District??
Energy??
Bike Rack:
R and P Committee ToDo List
1. Present Parks Management Plan Resolution 05/13/19 formally (sent 07/02/19) to City Council;
coordinate with SBNRC.
2. Leadership materials: Annual Report, Workplan. Organize Committee, assign the work. Prepare
for Sept presentation.
3. Complete NRPA Summary, write cover letter, present to City Council.
4. Update “Who We are and What We Do” info sheet.
5. Finalize orientation plan, compile documents on flash drive and/or Google Docs, set date for
meeting with new members (Include Jon and Tami and any who wish to attend.)
6. Organize Advocacy for Indoor Rec Center.
7. Complete IZ committee work.
8. Review Plan Com PUD’s.
RECREATION AND PARKS COMMITTEE
MONDAY June 10, 2019
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Main Conference Room, City Offices
Minutes
Attendees: Jennifer Kochman, Mike Simoneau, Paul Steinman, Glenn Sproul, Jon
Pence, Tami Zylka, Holly Rees
Regrets: Liz Robitaille, Katie Langrock, Rebecca Poquette
Public Guests: Gary Staples and Erica Place
(5:04) Jennifer called the meeting to order
Mike reviewed the safety procedures
Guest Comments: On behalf of the pickleball group, guests were asking when
the high school tennis courts would be lined for pickleball. The courts at
Szymanski park are in need of repair and there is the opportunity to create 4
courts where there are currently just two. This can be done and would allow for
more people to play at any time as the group continues to grow.
https://blog.pickleballcentral.com/2014/10/29/how-to-convert-tennis-courts-to-
pickleball-courts/
Motion: Paul moved & Mike seconded the approval of minutes from
May 13, 2019.
(5:10 - 5:26) Consensus: Coralee Holm
Coralee gave an overview of the newly launched polling app. This is a pilot and is
expected to last for 3-4 months. Feedback is welcome and the company has
already launched an upgrade. Coralee will continue to research the functions of
the app; can a link be inserted to inform residents so that they are
knowledgeable about the polling question? Since the launch last week there are
approximately 300 users who have begun to answer questions. This week the
questions will be related to parks.
(5:26 - 6:06) Director’s Report: Holly Rees
Holly submitted a separate detailed report which was reviewed.
Key items discussed:
● 180 Market Street Update
● Recreation Facility RFP/RFQ
o Draft proposal is in process and is likely to be released in the next
few weeks.
o Looking for a potential November vote
▪ Bond for $15 million (brick & mortar building)
o Community meetings in late August or early September
▪ Present the plan as previously developed
(6:06 - 6:27) Leadership Committee List: Jennifer
Jennifer proposes a sub-committee consisting of herself, Mike, Katie and Tami to
work on all aspects of this plan. This work is due August 16; Jennifer will start
pulling the draft together and Tami will begin to review the Annual Report. Glenn
suggested that we limit the focus of the committee to make sure we have
enough resources to complete the work plan in the year.
(6:27 - 6:36) IZ Committee Update: Tami
The first public meeting is scheduled for June 19; 5:30-7pm at City Hall to be
followed by our regular meeting. We continue the work of rating parcels and are
looking to have those completed for the next meeting in order to focus on our
Tier 3 criteria or potential use of the land. Jennifer suggested that staff prepare a
list of needed playing fields, with acreage and parking needed for each.
(6:37 - 6:46) Dog Park: Mike
The Recreation and Parks Department Committee reviewed the Dog Park
Committee’s Progress Report and Recommendations at its meeting of June 10.
The RPC was impressed with the thoroughness of the report. It’s also been
impressed with the transparency and diligence employed in the course of the
search process.
A motion was made by Michael Simoneau and seconded by Paul Steinman that
reads as follows:
The RPC congratulates the Dog Park Committee on a well-managed and
implemented dog park search process, which has resulted in the City Council
approving of a site at the Wheeler Homestead, subject to any permits and
approvals that may yet be required to construct the park and open it to the
public. Great job Dog Park Committee!
The motion was unanimously approved.
(6:46 - 6:49) NRPA Sub-Committee: Tami
The report is in the review stage. Jennifer and Glenn will review and suggest
edits (if needed) before final committee review.
Once completed it will be presented to the City Council.
(6:49) Glenn moved and Mike seconded to adjourn the meeting.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: July 8, 2019 5:00 P.M.