Re: Minutes
Jack Schore spells his name S-C-H-O-R-E, not S-H-O-R-E. This should be corrected in the minutes from Feb 2008. The minutes will be updated to reflect the changes.
Re: Citizens' Forum
None.
Chairperson Pro Temps
Chairperson Kate Savage was not present at the meeting. The Board voted unanimously to elect Bob Taylor as the Chairperson Pro Temps for this meeting.
Re: Staff Report
Elissa Totin was present to share with the Board the recent happenings at the Croydon Creek Nature Center (CCNC). CCNC has a busy spring ahead with the next two months full of school programs, birthday parties, and public programs. April 26, 2008 they will host their Spring Festival and Native Plant Sale. A professional horticulturist and master gardener will be on hand to answer questions regarding native plants.
CCNC is also gearing up for summer camps and the camps are 70% filled. There are 12 weeklong camps scheduled that vary from full day to partial day camps.
Additionally, CCNC is preparing for the completion of the lower level. Build out for the remaining unfinished portion of the basement is scheduled for completion this spring. A larger exhibit is planned for part of this new space. The theme of the exhibit will be sustainability and will be applied to a model that most people are familiar with: our local watersheds. Part of the exhibit will be designed with the adult visitor in mind and focus on environmentally sustainable choices they can make in their daily lives and how these choices impact the environment. The other part of the exhibit will focus on the biotic (flora, fauna) and abiotic (soil, rocks, weather) components of the watershed ecosystem.
Re: Arts & Innovation Center Rooftop Terrace
Burt Hall reported that the Ribbon Cutting ceremony will be held on Friday, May 2, 2008 at 6pm in concert with the First Friday event sponsored by Austin Grill, which is providing food and drink.
Re: Special Events
Burt Hall shared with the Board the special events plan for the late spring and summer and introduced the new Buskers Permit Program. Buskers is a traditional name used for street performers. He presented the busker guidelines and application for permit and asked for board comment.
Terry Baker noted that the last sentence on the permit application asks the applicant to “further agree to any regulations or requirements that have been or may be imposed by the City of Rockville”. He asked how one can agree to something that is unknown?
Chip Boylan inquired about the period of time the license covers. Burt Hall indicated that the permit would last one season. George Sushinsky asked if there was a minimum or maximum amount of time that a busker could perform. Burt Hall indicated that there was no time limitation. Terry Baker asked if the buskers could solicit donations. Burt Hall replied that they could. Chip Boylan asked if anyone needed a permit to ask for a donation. Burt Hall said that panhandling was illegal, whereas a non-profit group, like volunteer firefighters passing around the boot at intersections, was accepted.
The Board expressed general concurrence with the Busker program recommendations.
The conversation continued around Town Center issues. Terry Baker asked if the paid parking that recently went into effect downtown has impacted area businesses, specifically the restaurants. Burt Hall responded that parking has decreased by 10% but staff’s analysis indicates this is mainly due to commuters and workers in the square parking elsewhere. City staff met with local business reps last week to discuss the impact of the parking fees and there were some mild complaints. Burt Hall also maintained that, historically, this is the slowest retail quarter and it isn’t clear that the parking fees are the major factor in any business slowdown.
Marsha Douma offered that folks are funny about money issues and can irrationally decide how to spend it. She was surprised that the parking time wasn’t lowered from 7pm to 5:30pm. Burt Hall responded that this was a classic user fee situation. Every dollar paid by parkers is one dollar less that City taxpayers have to pay. Many people using the garages are not residents and do not pay city taxes. He elaborated that Bethesda is a successful model for this and even charges on Saturdays, which may be the direction Rockville is moving towards.
Chip Boylan said that the condos are empty. Burt Hall responded that the apartments are 35% rented and the condos are 60% sold.
Re: Dog Park Anniversary Event and RDOG Proposal
The Board considered a proposal from the Rockville Dog Owners Group (RDOG) to install a key code operated lock on the Dog Park to curtail use by unregistered residents and non-residents. The key code would be provided only to dog owners who have registered their pets.
George Sushinsky asked if one must be registered to use the Dog Park. Burt Hall responded that residents become Dog Park members when they register their dog with the City. Bob Taylor asked if we would notify all dog owners with the combination change each time it was done and what the cost would be. He also asked if other jurisdictions had this similar problem and how they addressed it. Burt Hall indicated that it would be a notification through a mailing. He also said that the dog park was being used by non-residents, possibly Gaithersburg residents and the overall intense use of the park was creating maintenance problems, such a large muddy area. Rockville Animal Control officers do periodic checks of the dog park and eject non-registered people from the area but that they could not write tickets as there is no law. Bob Taylor stated that users who are not registered should be cited and fined.
Chip Boylan asked if this was for residents only. Burt Hall responded that it was for residents, and noted that the Gaithersburg dog park is located nearby. Bob Taylor wondered how this new proposal for a combination lock could be enforced. Wouldn’t folks share the combination? Burt Hall conceded that it may not work and that staffing the park may be the only real solution to controlling use, although this is not being considered. Marsha Douma asked if non-residents could purchase a permit to use the park. Burt Hall said that the park was built for resident use and RDOG is concerned about over-use.
George Sushinsky offered that a fee structure for non-residents would be the best idea possibly by having the non-resident fee rather high. Marsha Douma believes the current proposal is not workable. George Sushinsky said that non-residents would need a Rockville dog tag and Terry Baker wondered if we could offer a non-resident tag.
Board consensus was to strongly suggest a fee structure. Marsha Douma motioned that Rockville have a non-resident fee that is substantial enough to discourage non-resident use. Chip Boylan seconded the motion. It was approved by unanimous vote.
Re: Code of Conduct Policy
Burt Hall gave an overview of the City of Guelph’s “R-zone” code of conduct policy. This type of policy would apply to all Recreation and Parks Dept facilities. He asked for board input. George Sushinsky asked if these policies are already in effect anyway. Burt Hall said that codes of conduct were in effect in all facilities but that this would standardize it for all parks and facilities. Chip Boylan inquired as to the purpose of the R-zone. Burt Hall responded that adopting something similar to the R-zone would be taking a public stand that we expect everyone to respect others, respect themselves, and respect the parks and facilities
Terry Baker asked if this would be publicized and posted. Burt Hall indicated that there would be a brochure and logo and would be an added layer to our existing codes of conduct to help set reasonable expectations for public behavior. Marsha Douma noted that specific behaviors aren’t listed (i.e. use of foul language isn’t listed). Bob Taylor asked the board if they were in favor of pursuing this and the consensus was affirmative.
Re: PROS Plan
The Board reviewed two documents generated by the PROS Plan consultants, the reports of input from the Community Open Houses held last October and the on-line surveys posted on the City’s website from November through January. The Board also reviewed a Safety and Security Index for three City parks, with comparisons to parks in other cities. Terry Baker commented that the results from the Open Houses and on-line surveys were largely anecdotal and not particularly useful as scientifically generated input on PROS services. Burt Hall reminded that Board that a scientifically conducted survey of more than 300 Rockville residents was underway.
George Sushinsky asked about the significance of the highlighted portions. Burt Hall said that the consultant highlighted in different colors to indicated action items, things that the consultant had questions about, and items for recreation and parks to address immediately.
Marsha Douma thought that the idea about having an observatory or astronomy related programs at Croydon Creek Nature Center was a good one. Elissa Totin offered that astronomy programs outside were challenging due to light pollution, and added that staff at the nature center had discussed the possibility of purchasing an indoor portable digital planetarium dome to offer astronomy programs. Such equipment costs around $15,000.
Terry Baker reiterated that these comments were from interested populations, i.e. people who really wanted to be heard. Burt Hall said that the 13 PROS focus groups generated 100s of individual perspectives and that staff is working to tease out common themes. Bob Taylor stated that there we many good ideas here. Terry Baker noted that it would be useful to marry this document with the survey.
Re: Subcommittee Reports
Citizen Bicycle Advisory Committee – None.
Environmental Issues – Marsha Douma suggested that the possibility of banning plastic shopping bags was an idea. Bob Taylor asked if we could adopt a policy to avoid using plastic bags in the parks. There was consensus that banning plastic grocery bags is worth considering. Marsha Douma will look in to what other cities have done on this issue.
Thomas Farm Community Center – Chip Boylan mentioned that progress is being made with construction and completion is expected by Jan 09.
Glenview Mansion – The subcommittee met a week ago. The good news the amount of funds designated each year for the Glenview Mansion Fund, is being increased from $15,000 to $20,000
King Farm – none
LPCC – none
RedGate –The driving range is being expanded by 50 yards and is opening next month. Winter play is ahead of last year’s figures. Fees are remaining same this year to encourage growth. Chip Boylan asked whether lighting the range is still being considered. Burt Hall responded that it is being considered including inquiries to the Taft Ct. businesses about possible shared use of their parking lot which is right next to the range.
Swim Center – Construction on the meeting/fitness facility is currently underway. The air conditioning contract has been accepted and the A/C should be operational by late April.
TCRC – None.
Town Center Park – Currently re-doing all of the pavers and should be finished by May.
Youth Sports – None.
Recreation and Parks Foundation – none
PROS Plan – already covered.
Re: Monthly Divisional Reports
Included as FYI.
Re: Old Business
Marsha Douma asked if there was any follow-up to the tennis proposal from February’s meeting. Burt Hall responded that staff met yesterday with Jack Schore and that Mark Twain looks like the best site for the proposed indoor facility. They are meeting on April 9, 2008 with Montgomery County to see if this will work for them. Burt Hall also stated that we didn’t want to push out our existing tennis instructors. Jack Schore said that he may hire some of these instructors to help smooth the transition.
Marsha Douma asked if these would be hard courts or clay courts noting that clay courts would be good for the city as it is something the entire area is currently lacking.
Re: New Business
Chip Boylan offered that he likes the new staff photo in the recreation guide.
Re: Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 24th
