Recreation and Park Advisory Board
Meeting Minutes

 May 26, 2005
RedGate Golf Course

Re: Approval of Minutes

The minutes were approved as presented.

Re: Welcome New Member

Chip Boylan welcomed new member George Sushinsky.

Re: Rockville Football League

Tom Moore, President of the Rockville Football League (RFL), was present to propose to the Recreation and Park Advisory Board a change to the league’s program for 8-year olds.  This requires an exception to the Model Football League agreement between the City and the league.  The RFL is proposing to create a new division called the Pony Division for children, ages 8, 9 and 10 years old.  The Pony division will be operated with some similarities to the Pee Wee division and some similarities to the Ankle-Biter division.  It will be a competitive, tackle division, with scores kept, and post-season play, which is currently not allowed by the Model Football League for children 8 and younger. 

Mr. Moore explained that, in past seasons, the weight limit for the 8-year olds playing in the Ankle Biter division has been 85 pounds.  In past seasons, 8-year olds over 85 pounds were sometimes moved up on an exception basis to the Pee Wee division, where they would be competing with 9-, 10- and 11-year olds.  In most cases, however, these heavier 8-year olds either did not play or went to another league.  The proposed Pony division will allow 8-year olds who are too heavy for the Ankle Biter division to compete with 9- and 10-year olds, but not 11-year olds; and the 9- and 10-year olds in Pony must be considerably lower weight than the 8-year olds.  The weight limits in the proposed Pony division are 100 pounds for 8-year olds, 90 pounds for 9-year olds, and 85 pounds for 10-year olds.  Whereas in the Pee Wee division, the 9-year olds are allowed to compete up to 110 pounds and the 10-year olds up to 105 pounds. 

Mr. Moore stated that the RFL Board believes that the Pony division creates a superior niche for these heavier 8-year olds to compete with other kids closer to their age and weight.  The RFL believes these benefits outweigh the concerns of allowing the 8-year olds to play in a competitive division.  Mr. Moore further stated that he does not expect a large number of 8-year olds to register for the new Pony Division, but it does accommodate these 8-year olds in a better way than was done in past seasons.  The one issue is that this puts the eight-year olds in a competitive division.

Mr. Heckman and Mr. Moore informed the Board that in the past year the Ankle Biter League has grown from four teams to eight teams and the RFL expects to have 12 teams this year.  There hasn't been any reduction of participants in the Flag Program.  The greatest bulk of kids are registered in the Flag and Ankle Biter Program – 7-, 8- and 9-year olds. 

Helen Heneghan inquired if she had an 8-year old child, does she have a choice between the Ankle Biters, Flag or Pony?  Eric Heckman responded that, depending on the child’s weight and preference to play flag or tackle, they do have a choice.  In addition, he reminded the Board that the RFL has a must-play rule. 

George Sushinsky inquired about whether there are other exceptions to the NYSCA standards in City leagues.  Burt Hall commented that with age groups in the RFL determined by a combination of age and weight, there are already necessary exceptions to the NYSCA standards, such as the 2-year age group requirement.  Eric Heckman stated that there are more injuries among the older kids in the tackle divisions, but the RFL board believes this is not due to differences in weight among players.  With the younger aged kids the weight issue does not matter as much as age.  Discussion followed as to the fact that, even though scores are not kept in the younger divisions, the players and parents all keep score.  George Sushinsky also inquired whether this proposed change would affect the RFL’s insurance.  Eric Heckman stated that it would not affect the insurance in any way.

Eric Heckman stated that if this new division is not allowed, there will be a number of 8-year olds who will have no division to play in this season.  Eric Heckman stated that the only issues with the Model Football League for this division are that scores will be kept and there will be post-season play.  Otherwise the division will operate much like Ankle Biters.  For example, in the first three games the coaches will be allowed on the field to help the players.

Chip Boylan stated that he would be in agreement with this proposal because the recommendation has come from the RFL Board members who have researched the issue and are familiar with the reasoning behind the change.  Helen Heneghan moved that the Board recommend approval of the new division.  Kate Savage seconded the motion.  After discussion, the motion was passed, two in favor, one against, one abstention.  Mr. Heckman recused himself, as he is a member of the RFL Board. 

Re: Staff Report

Kieron Mooney, RedGate Golf Pro, was present to brief the Board on the current happenings at the golf course.  He mentioned that the course has had only 6-days this year that had temperatures over 70 degrees.  They are promoting multiple play cards for residents, non-residents, and juniors and to date they have sold over 250 cards compared to last years total sold of 215.

Burt Hall mentioned that thirty new golf courses have been built within an hour’s drive of Rockville over the past ten years.  The Montgomery County Revenue Authority has greatly improved the management of their courses and enacted an excellent marketing program.  Many area courses are now barely making it financially.  Several have declared bankruptcy.  It was reported that Maryland National did only 11,000 rounds last year.  RedGate sold 45,000 rounds in 2004 and just barely missed breaking even.  Two years ago RedGate started its own marketing and advertising program using cable television and offering a variety of frequent-player discounts and other promotions.   These marketing strategies were successful in generating much higher revenues in 2004, the highest they have been in the course’s history.  RedGate has also reduced the golf course staff by two employees and cut back on the Pro Shop, marshals, chemicals, and supplies.  Despite all this, it is not a sure thing at all that the facility will cover all of its costs. 

Re: Mattie J. T. Stepanek Groundbreaking

The Mattie J. T. Stepanek Groundbreaking will take place on Saturday, June 18th at 12:30 p.m. at King Farm.  The Park Board will be sent invitations within the next week.  Chip Boylan would like someone to attend on the Board’s behalf.

Re: Hometown Holidays

Chip Boylan, Helen Heneghan and Kate Savage will represent the Board at the Memorial Day Parade and assist in the selection of the R&P Advisory Board Award.

Re: Swim Center Meeting Fitness Project

Burt Hall congratulated Terry Baker for his work in support of the Meeting/Fitness Room project at the Rockville Municipal Swim Center.  The project funding has been left in tact in the upcoming budget.  In fact the Mayor and Council asked that design funding be moved up to FY 2006. 

Re: Thomas Farm Community Center Meeting

There will be a meeting on Thursday, June 9th at 7 p.m. at the Senior Center.   Helen Heneghan and Chip Boylan will attend.  The meeting will last approximately two hours.  The group will review the selection of services and room types that will be offered at the Center.  The architects will have draft drawings for the Committee to review by late July.

Re: Park Board Tour

The Board would like to visit the following locations on their tour in June: Fallsgrove, and the Elwood Smith Playground.  The Board will meet at City Hall at 5:30 p.m.  A pizza dinner will be served.

Re: Subcommittee Reports

Citizens Bicycle Advisory Committee - None.

Dog Park - None.

Environmental Issues - None.

Fallsgrove - Already done.

Glenview Mansion - None.

King Farm - Already done.  A contract to renovate the roof and support structure was awarded for $59,000.

Lincoln Park Community Center - None.

RedGate - Laying new cart paths.  Complete dig up and resurfacing.  Using money that was left over from bunkers. 

Swim Center - Already done.  The outdoor pools open on Saturday, May 28th.

TCRC - None.

Town Center Park - None.

Youth Sports - Already done.

Re: Monthly Divisional Reports

Included as FYI.

Re: Old Business

Helen Heneghan inquired about the 501(c)(3) progress.  The program documents are currently in the Legal Department.  The next major step will be to recruit for the board of directors. 

Chip Boylan raised the subject of the tree appeal issue at last month’s meeting.  He wanted to review the process and recommendation of the Board.  Kate Savage thought it was interesting that Mr. Silk stayed for the board’s discussion of their decision.  She also stated that she did not like the compromise.  Eric Heckman repeated the same concern.  They both would have preferred to stick with the staff’s plan to plant three trees.  Chip Boylan stated that, in the future, Board members should be aware that amendments to a motion are okay.  Burt Hall also stated that we plant 800 trees a year and typically have only one or two appeals.  Burt Hall expressed that given the few number of appeals it is not a bad thing to meet these residents “half way.”

Re: New Business

Kate Savage stated that the new Richard Montgomery is going to be a reality.  The groundbreaking ceremony is tentatively scheduled for July 9th.  RMHS is looking forward to being partners with the City of Rockville during their renovations, as they will need places to run practices and games for their sports teams.  Kate Savage will be the liaison for Richard Montgomery and the City of Rockville.

Re: Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.  The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 23 at 5:30 p.m. for the Park Board tour.