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Recreation and Park Advisory Board
February 25, 2010
| Members Present: | ||
| Terry Baker Chip Boylan Wendy Braund | Larry Eason Kate Savage George Sushinsky | Bob Taylor Raynell Cooper Councilmember Mark Pierzchala |
| Members Absent: | ||
| Marsha Douma | ||
| Staff Present: |
| Betsy Thompson, Glenda Moultrie and Michelle Bean |
| Citizens Present: |
| None |
Re: Minutes
The January minutes were approved as presented.
Re: Citizens Forum
None.
Re: Staff Report
Glenda Moultrie, Program Supervisor was present to share with the Board the recent happenings at the Montrose Community Center. She shared with the Board that there are currently 7 different languages with all the participants that are involved in the preschool program. The program encourages reading, group participation and communication with each other. There are currently 32 registrants enrolled in the program. She also mentioned that the program is licensed through the state of Maryland.
Betsy Thompson, Superintendent of Recreation was present to share with the Board the recent snowstorms info: In the month of February we spent 12 days digging out. The City had about 100 workers doing snow removal effort throughout the City. The City used 24 plow trucks 19 spreaders, and our Parks division cleared 130 locations. The good news is that the City did a great job of plowing. Unfortunately, William Mason, a Parks and Facilities employee was killed during the snow removal effort in a car accident. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 4th, at 11:30 a.m. at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater.
George Sushinky stated that there are several bike path routes that have not been plowed. One location is the Millennium Trail along Wootton Parkway from Edmonston to I270, which has not been done as of the beginning of this week. In addition, Hillcrest and Twinbrook Park from Ardennes to Broadwood have also not been done. Kate Savage mentioned that the backstop at Rock Terrace also collapsed.
Bob Taylor added that the plows piled all of the snow at the corner of intersections, which could be hazardous to turning traffic.
Chip Boylan inquired about the street trees that have come down because of the snowstorms. Terry Baker noted that there was a tree blocking the sidewalk on Dunster Lane near Potomac Woods Park. Betsy Thompson stated that Wayne Noll, City Forester is aware of fallen trees and they are working as quickly as they can to remove them.
Betsy Thompson suggested that the Board make a recommendation to the Mayor and Council concerning the plowing routes and removal process.
Re: White Tailed Deer Policy
Betsy Thompson shared with the Board the Expression of Interest application form for the White Tail Deer to apply for the Task Force.
Re: CIP
Betsy Thompson shared with the Board the proposed CIP that will be presented as part of the budget next month. The Recreation and Parks department will be submitting funding for five projects, which include the Asphalt/Concrete Improvements, Athletic Court Improvements, Greenway Streetscape Corridors (Baltimore Road pocket park) Swim Center (resurface of pools only), and Playground equipment replacement (grant funded). Current projects include the Pump House, Senior Center Expansion, Post Office and Gude Drive renovations.
Councilmember Pierzchala stated that more than one member of the Mayor and Council are not in favor of proceeding with the Senior Center Expansion due to limited funding.
Re: PROS Plan
The PROS Plan was presented before the Planning Commission last night. They voted unanimously to approve with comments to recommend as a policy document. The next step will be to present the plan to the Mayor and Council to be approved to include in future revisions of the City’s Comprehensive Master Plan.
Re: Subcommittee Reports
Citizen Bicycle Advisory Committee – None.
Environmental Issues – None.
Fallsgrove - None.
Glenview Mansion – Meeting last Saturday to discuss the publicity for the entire Mansion facilities.
King Farm - None.
Lincoln Park Community Center - None.
Recreation and Parks Foundation - None.
RedGate – The Advisory Board met last month. Burt Hall was present at the meeting to share with the Board the RFI process that begun on Monday, February 22. Councilmember Pierzchala stated that a couple of unsolicited ideas for the golf course have been presented to the Mayor and Council in the past week which include turning the course into an arena or a baseball park.
Swim & Fitness Center – The Advisory Board met on February 4.
TCRC - None.
Re: Monthly Divisional Reports
Included as FYI.
Re: Old Business/New Business
Councilmember Pierzchala stated that the Rockville Express baseball organization is looking for host homes for the players to stay for several weeks during their league play.
Chip Boylan stated that the Spring Recreation Guide looks great.
George Sushinky shared with the Board a picture in the Gazette paper of a coyote in Fallsgrove. The picture was taken in 2005.
Larry Eason shared with the Board the Dining Rockville Guide presented by the Rockville Chamber of Rockville. Betsy Thompson stated that we would bring a copy for each Board member at the next meeting.
Recreation and Park Advisory Board Suggestions for plowing policy:
Betsy Thompson reminded the Board that the City offered free parking in the garages to get the cars off the street so that plows could go through.
Re: Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 25th at Croydon Creek Nature Center.