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Recreation and Park Advisory Board
December 4, 2008
| Members Present: | ||
| Terry Baker Bob Taylor Chip Boylan | Marsha Douma Wendy Braund George Sushinsky | Larry Eason Kate Savage |
| Members Absent: | ||
| Adrienne Crutchfield | ||
| Staff Present: |
| Burt Hall, Michelle Bean |
| Citizens: |
| Lou Gibala and his mother Mrs. Gibala, observing for Boy Scouts |
Re: Minutes
Minutes of the October meeting were approved as presented.
Re: Citizens Forum
Lou Gibala and his mother were present to observe the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board meeting so that he can earn a merit badge.
Re: Staff Report
Burt Hall shared with the Board the proposed FY 2010-2014 CIP projects. He asked for the Board’s review and comments. Chip Boylan inquired if the size of the Senior Center listed included the addition of the new fitness center. Burt Hall confirmed that it did. Terry Baker inquired if we would be discussing these at a future meeting. Burt Hall stated that we will add this to our January meeting but encouraged the Board to send any concerns or comments as soon as possible. Marsha Douma inquired about the location of funding for the greenways project. Burt Hall responded that there was funding in the current operating budget for design. Kate Savage noted that the Board would need to make contact with the Mayor and Council about adding additional funding for the greenways project.
Re: Chapter 5 PROS Plan
The following issues were discussed concerning the PROS Plan for Recreation and Parks section.
George Sushinsky stated that he feels the 20-30 year olds are under served and are not engaged with the City of Rockville. He added that while traveling through the City of Gaithersburg he has seen many banners about upcoming events and feels this may be a good way to inform the young adults of City of Rockville. Burt Hall responded that the staff will look into some locations in Rockville where banners may be able to be posted. He further pointed out one difficulty is that most of the main roads through Rockville are owned by the State which will not allow a sign in the median similar to the Gaithersburg sign on Great Seneca Highway.
Lou Gibala suggested that the City visit the local public schools and use their morning announcements or school television channel to market and advertise the City’s programs and events. Mrs. Gibala also suggested putting signs in locations where this age group hangs out such as Gordon Biersch in Rockville Town Center.
Terry Baker stated that it is very easy to read a document like this and critique it but his concern is what is missing from the plan. Burt Hall stated that qualified consultants wrote the plan and he is confident that all areas have been covered.
George Sushinsky has a concern with the lack of bike lanes on Lewis Avenue. He would like to see parking removed from one side of the street and the addition of a bike lane. Burt Hall stated that the law required bike lanes to be located on both sides of the street.
The Board inquired about the definition of a “paper street.” Burt Hall stated that a paper street is a City owned right-of-way in which no road or street has been built. So it is a “street on paper (on a map).”
5.2 – Terry Baker asked how the City goes about conversing with persons who do not speak English. Burt Hall stated that the City currently has at least a dozen City employees who speak numerous languages and will translate, as well as a language line service that the City subscribes to for translating for residents.
5.3 - Marsha Douma suggested that we define sustainability in the paragraph 5.3.
5.3 – Wendy Braund asked why there was not a recommendation about adding a measure on recycling.
5.4 – Marsha Douma – obtaining funding for parkland acquisition maybe should be further explained, instead of referring the reader to another section.
5.5 – Marsha Douma - under programs add a young peoples concert. Burt and Kate shared similar programs already in the works.
5.6 – Marsha Douma - develop additional measures – reworded? Improving Rockville as a more cultural center.
5.7 – Terry Baker- in the drop in playgrounds section take out “reportedly.”
5.8 – Marsha Douma – poor wording on “spontaneous nature-based play”
Terry Baker – shared use for centers. Burt Hall stated that they are looking at doing this for our programs in the very near future with certain exceptions and/or hours.
5.10 – Marsha Douma – “frequency than white people” – she suggested to change it to long-standing residents or English speaking Caucasians or newer ethnic groups. Terry Baker suggested changing it to “the group at large.” End the sentence with “use them for their needs.” There was considerable discussion about the phrase and no consensus to make the suggested change.
Recreation guide targeted at teens – add recommendation for recreation guide targeted at young adults.
5.17 – Bob Taylor inquired if the old Lone Oak School could be considered as a 2nd Senior Center. Currently there is a senior day care center and a children’s day care center. burt Hall responded that the building is currently fairly full but that this is certainly a possibility.
5.21 – ii – c. This may….needs to be deleted.
5.23 – George Sushinsky commented about Redgate 9-hole rate – the rate has already been made available. He pointed out that there are no recommendations for RedGate. Burt Hall responded that staff is drafting recommendations and he will send a copy to George.
The next step for the PROS plan will be to take it to the Mayor and Council for approval.
Re: Term Limits for Boards and Commissions Members
Kate Savage shared with the Board that not only did the Park Board write a letter to the Mayor and Council but also other Boards and Commissions did as well regarding the term limit issues. She added that a meeting would be held on December 10th to discuss the term limit matter.
Chip Boylan shared with the Board the recent package he received from Phyllis Marcuccio, chair of the newly-formed task force, via Claire Funkhouser. He further explained that he did not have the impression he was selected as a “representative” of the Park Board, but as an individual citizen.
Re: Rockville Greenways
Included as FYI. Burt Hall reminded the Board that there is $12,000 budgeted to design the pilot greenway.
Re: Walk-A-Mile
Marsha Douma asked if the signs were going to include the mileage. Burt Hall stated that the brochures/maps would include the mileage. She also inquired if we would incorporate the aesthetics of the greenways. Burt Hall stated that would be a good idea. Kate Savage added that we should reconsider the route going down Dawson Avenue. Marsha Douma also suggested we use flags to mark the walking route.
Re: Subcommittee Listing
Will be added to next month’s meeting.
Re: 2009 Meeting Locations
The Board suggested the following locations for the Board’s 2009 meeting places:
January – City Hall
February – TFCC
March – RMSC
April – King Farm
May – RedGate
June – Park Tour (water plant)
July – Gude Drive
September – Rooftop
October – LPCC
December – Glenview Mansion
Re: Monthly Divisional Reports
Included as FYI.
Re: Old Business/New Business
None.
Re: Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:25p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 22, 2009 at Rockville City Hall.