Park and Recreation Commission
Minutes of the Meeting
December 12th, 2013
Meeting called to order: 7:35 pm.
Commissioners in Attendance: Rob O’Connor, George Caye, Al Larson, Andy Paterna, Ray Favreau, Dan Van Horn, John Caldwell
Also in Attendance: Stephen Wagner
Approval of Minutes: November Minutes Approved.
Public Input: None
Report of Council Liaison: Stephan Wagner was introduced to the group as our liaison to the Town Council. He asked the members for input on the new proposal by B of E for closing Wapping School after the new Orchard Hill School is built should referenda be successful. This would allow more use for the Recreation Dept. He was asked by the Mayor but PARC would like to see this asked by the entire Town Council. We asked him to go back to Town Council and ask them to ask for support of the proposal from all Boards and Commissions. Ray made a point that both the Board of Education and the Town Council should assure that public information is consistent. He would like it stated by both that the closing of Wapping School would create space for two groups. It would create new space
for the Seniors and the Wapping School would become the new home for the Parks & the Recreation Department offices, Food pantry, Teen Center and possibly house SW Food Alliance. This would not be called the REC CENTER at this point. He also said the Council is in favor of the proposed ordinance before PARC about all Parks and Recreation proposals go before PARC before they are discussed at a Town Council Meeting.
Town Council would also like the Field Committee to become a subcommittee of PARC like SWFA and SWWWW. Al will look into this and also see when the field committee sunsets. A motion was made and seconded for Al to write a letter to the Town Council asking them to have the Athletic Field Sub-Committee become a Sub-Committee of PARC Motion voted on and passed unanimously.
Report of OSTF: Still some legal issues and the purchase of the King St. Property. Town Council asked Pat Botteron to look into Open Space for the Wapping Fair after their lease expires at Evergreen Walk. Rob suggested and it was agreed that PARC not get involved with searching for space for the Wapping Fair. They are also having the Town Attorney look into the wording on the last Open Space Referendum.
Bylaw Revisions: 1) Our Bylaws now states that we have a Quorum with five members present. This was not changed when we went to a ten member group and should say a quorum is when we have six members present. We voted on the change and it passed unanimously.
2) Ad Hoc Committees/Liaisons: Ad Hoc Liaisons may be requested by PARC (Chamber of Commerce, Board of Education) as a nonvoting member. The full written amendment was sent in your packets. A motion was made and seconded to approve amendment. Voted on and approved unanimously.
SWWWW: Trailer for the Bike Fleet was ordered. Tim Hankard was added as a Member of SWW&WW from the SWPD.
Report of Parks and Rec. Director: Ray showed the group a mock up of the new Scoreboard for Rotary Field. Rob asked where can people cross country ski and snow shoe in the town parks. Ray said all the parks are available to ski and snow shoe. Parks Division is looking into installing a portable ice rink by the Rotary Pavilion. Once the propane fire pit is running they would have a source of heat but are looking into ways to keep the ice smooth.
SW Food Alliance: They are getting 300 people every Saturday and St Margaret Mary Basement. See attachment for the latest minutes from the group.
PARC Master Plan: Looked over the Fairfax VA plan and we would like to get started on a calendar of events similar to SWWWW on revamping our Master Plan. Ray will look into using PARC money to purchase tablets to bring to events (concert night, LL opening day, senior events etc.) for people to do surveys. He would like to make magnets for people who take the survey. These would have a number on them. Every month the Parks and Rec. Dept would pick a number, post it on the website and winners would have 48 hours to claim a prize. At the end of the process we would have a grand prize winner picked from all entrants. I left the websites we discussed last month on the minutes for people to go back and watch.
What we need to do now as a group is:
1: develop a calendar for the next year and list events we can attend for surveys and group meetings with the public.
2: Think of questions to put on the survey. We are looking to put about 12 questions on the survey.
3: Think of events you would be able to attend in the upcoming year to do surveys.
Meeting Adjourned at 10:10
Next Meeting: 7:30pm January 8th, 2014
Respectfully Submitted
George S. Caye
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