Re: Minutes

The minutes were approved as presented.

Re:  Staff Report

Burt Hall shared with the Board the Rockville events that will be taking place the weekend of September 30 and October 1.  On Saturday, September 30, the Rockville Music Festival and Chili Cookout will begin at 12 noon.  And on Sunday, October 1, the Rockville 10K Run will take place in King Farm beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Re:  Financial Assistance - Low and Middle Income Residents

 Burt Hall shared with the Board an updated memo with recommendations to change in the City's Recreation Fund, to include a new moderate-income band, and to provide assistance to residents of all ages.  Currently, assistance is provided to residents under the age of 18 and senior citizens, 60 and older.  The Recreation Fund provides financial assistance to low-income Rockville residents participating in Recreation programs.  The moderate-income qualification procedures are based on the same guidelines as the current program, primarily proof of qualification for the MCPS free and reduced meal program.  To qualify for the moderate assistance a resident will need to provide their current income tax return information.

The City is anticipating that the new policies will produce annual grant requests in the amount of approximately $75,000.  Current revenues to the Recreation Fund are just about $40,000 a year.  Community Services and Recreation Services are looking into ways to incorporate new fundraising activities to increase contributions the Recreation Fund.  If approved, the program will be implemented with the winter registration on December 12.  Bob Taylor pointed out that, with the new program, Recreation Fund resources will be adequate for the remainder of FY 07 and all of FY 08.

Helen Heneghan recommended that the Mayor and Council approve and adopt the proposed modifications to the Recreation Fund policies, including assistance to moderate-income residents and adult’s ages 18 to 59 years of age.

Kate Savage commented that her children used the Recreation Fund in the past for classes and camps and feels that it is a great program.  She also added that it is too bad that they didn't have the adult program for her to use during this time as well.

Re:  R&P Advisory Board Chair

Chip Boylan stated that he would like to recommend that a new chairperson be appointed based on the City's policies that a chairperson should serve no more than two one-year terms.  Helen Heneghan nominated Kate Savage as the Board's new chair for the next year.  The Board voted unanimously to recommend Kate Savage as the next chairperson.

Re:  Baltimore Road Bike Path

Included as an FYI in response to Bob Taylor's request at last month's meeting.

Re:  Boards and Commissions Report

Included as FYI.

Re:  College Gardens Park/SWM Project Update

The proposed new College Gardens Park and storm water management project plan has been developed cooperatively with neighborhood representatives, including members of the College Gardens and Plymouth Woods Civic Association.  The proposed SWM pond design is similar to past designs, but the park has been redesigned to accommodate the larger pond.   The priority concerns based on  the survey was to save existing shade trees and build a playground for the smaller children.  The design has been very well received and the residents are looking forward to the new park design and amenities.

Re:  Fallsgrove Park Survey

A draft of the Fallsgrove Park Survey was included in the Park Board packet as an FYI.  Chip Boylan inquired if we were going to poll the Fallsgrove residents for the new Fallsgrove Park name.  Burt Hall responded that the survey would be sent out to all Fallsgrove residents.

Re:  Fallsgrove Park Suggested Names

The Board reviewed the suggested names for new neighborhood park in Fallsgrove.  Helen Heneghan suggested that the names of Highpoint Park, Main Gate Park, Shady Grove Park, and Fallsgrove Park be eliminated.   It was also suggested that residents have an opportunity to write in a park name as well.  The Board voted to recommend further consideration of two names:  Thomas Farm Community Center and Park, and Oak Grove Park and Old Thomas Farm Park.

Re:  Cost Recovery

Burt Hall reviewed with the Board the planning and update of the User Fee and Cost Recovery document that the staff is putting together for FY08 - FY12.  At both the October and December Board meetings, staff will share with the Board the recommended new five-year goals for Cost Recovery and user fees.   Board members expressed consensus on participating in this process.

Re:  MRPA listing

The Board has requested that they not be added to the MRPA email listing.

Re:  F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre Upgrades

A copy of Kathleen Moran's letter to the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre User Groups stating the new seats and upgrades to the theatre was included as an FYI.

Re:  Subcommittee Reports

Citizen Bicycle Advisory Committee -  None.  The bridge project is right on  schedule and the contractor is is doing a great job.

Dog Park - Seeding began last week and the dog park fencing will begin within the next few weeks.  The park construction is coming along nicely.

Environmental Issues - None.

Fallsgrove - The Recreation Center 80% design drawings have recently come in for review.  The project is currently being priced to check the project budget status.  The tests on the geothermal heating/cooling system came in positive so the City will be implementing this concept.

Glenview Mansion - The committee is still looking for ideas for the Civic  Center's 50th anniversary celebration.  It will be a free open house format.  Apex, the long range-planning consultant, has made numerous changes and updates to the plan.  They would like to hold only one meeting where all Boards will be invited to review at the same time.

King Farm - Chip Boylan inquired if the Farmstead was still a park.  Burt Hall replied yes it is still a park, and is now designated as a local historic district.  Kate Savage mentioned that all of the articles did state that the Recreation and Park Advisory Board was not in favor of the park being designated as a historic district.  Helen Heneghan inquired about the zoning of the barns and if it could be changed to a business area for potential office uses.

Lincoln Park Community Center - The LPCC back to school event went very well.  There are new principles at Maryvale, Beall and College Gardens Elementary schools.  Bob Taylor stated that he was very impressed with the sense of community he felt while at LPCC last month.

RedGate - George Sushinsky stated that the golf course has been in good shape over the past months.

Swim Center - Terry Baker shared with the Board that the summer at the swim center was very busy and safe.  The meeting/fitness room concept design plan is nearly finished.   The next meeting of the Swim Center Advisory Committee is October 11 at which the design plans will be shared with the committee members.  Helen Heneghan asked when meetings for the swim center are to occur could the Woodley Gardens West End residents be informed so that they may also attend for review and comment.

TCRC - None.

Town Center Park - The Town Center Park is about 75% completed.

Youth Sports - None.

Re:  Monthly Divisional Reports

Included as FYI

Re:  Old Business

Bob Taylor stated that it still amazes him that the flowers in the rights-of- way continue to look beautiful.

Helen Heneghan stated that the Woodley Gardens West End Civic Association meeting would like to soften the corner of Mannakee and Martins Lane with benches and landscaping because the corner is a little stark (near the sculpture.)  Burt Hall stated that last week a letter went out to all City Civic Association chairs requesting any new CIP projects for their neighborhoods.  He urged the Civic Association to respond with a request to enhance this area.

Terry Baker stated that the Board should invite resident Marsha Douma, who has proposed enhancements to pedestrian routes leading to Town Center from the neighborhood, to one of our meetings within the next few months.

Re:  New Business

Chip Boylan inquired about any new interest in members for the Board.

Terry Baker stated that the bike path along Falls Road between Kersey La. and Dunster Lane has a lot of brush that appears to have been dumped by residents.  Burt Hall responded that the staff would inspect this and get it cleaned up.

Re:  Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.  The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 26 at TCRC beginning at 7 p.m.

Reminder - May 2007 meeting will be held on the 3rd Thursday of the month.