April 23, 2004
Lincoln Park Community Center
Minutes
Present: Terry Baker, Chip Boylan, Larry Eason, Eric Heckman, Helen Heneghan, Kate Savage, Ben Solomon, Bob Taylor
Members Absent: None
Citizens Present: Melissa Moore
Staff Present: Burt Hall, Michelle Bean, and Neal Owens
Re: Approval of Minutes
The minutes were approved as presented.
Re: Citizens Forum
None
Re: Lincoln Park Community Center
Neal Owens, LPCC Supervisor, was present to update the Board on the current happenings at the center. For the past two months, the center has been hosting a free dance for its members for the middle school and high school students. The police have recently moved backed into the substation at the center and have been spending time with the children that is greatly appreciated. The City has recently purchased a police dog that has visited the center and the children. The center is also in the process of replacing the worn-out gym floor within the next several months. With the installation of the new floor, the center hopes to increase their rentals. The addition of the Class (automated registration) system at LPCC has helped the center to closely track their revenues for rentals and memberships.
Helen Heneghan stated that the addition of Neal has really made the center a much better place.
Re: Potential Park Board Member - Melissa Moore
Melissa Moore was present to be considered as a member of the Recreation and Park Advisory Board Committee. Melissa offered a brief self-introduction.
The Board unanimously agreed to recommend that Melissa Moore be appointed to the Recreation and Park Advisory Board.
Re: Cost Recovery - Worksession with Mayor and Council
On Tuesday, May 11, a worksession has been scheduled with the Mayor and Council and Park Board to discuss the policy recommendations for fees, revenues and cost recovery that were developed by the Recreation and Park Advisory Board. The cost recovery policies recommendation will be the subject of a worksession with the Mayor and Council as part of this overall budget worksession. Burt Hall will also prepare ahead of time the backup materials for the meeting and send to all Board members.
Re: NRPA Article - Public Access to Rec. Programs
Included as FYI.
Re: King Farm 28-Acre Park - Draft Memo to Mayor and Council
Terry Baker stated that the following statement should be added to the introduction “this is probably the last large park that the City will build…” prior to the numbered order of reasons in the memo to the Mayor and Council.
Chip Boylan suggested that the Board should first listen to what the citizens have to say at the upcoming public meeting before the memo is finalized. If we attend the meeting and hear that the citizens do not want lighted fields and this causes a rethinking of the design plan, then the memo will need to be adjusted.
Kate Savage inquired about the survey that was already sent to them and if we were reacting to citizens’ comments. Burt replied that the top ten most popular items from the survey and most of the next ten are included in the proposed design. Chip Boylan asked if the survey suggested lighted athletic fields in the park. Burt Hall stated that the fields were listed in the survey as “lighted fields” but the residents did not rate them as one of their top ten but they were not rated among the lowest items either.
Helen Heneghan asked if this was a meeting or a presentation to the citizens and if a meeting would they take additional suggestions from the residents to forward to the Mayor and Council. Burt stated that at this meeting we are looking for feedback and that the survey was used as an important basis for designing the park. It was pointed out that the King Farm residents will be viewing the park design from the point of view of their neighborhood, whereas it is the responsibility of the Recreation and Park Advisory Board to provide input on behalf of all of the citizens of Rockville.
Eric Heckman added that the residents of King Farm should be informed of what the RFL league does for City residents especially if they are new to the area. He suggested that we add to the memo that there are currently some significant issues such as parking at Dogwood that would make it necessary to move the RFL program to King Farm.
Chip Boylan stated that the memo is worded as if the RFL move is a done deal. He reminded us that Eric Heckman mentioned some people currently in the RFL might not agree with the move, especially the kids who live in the Dogwood area where transportation might be an issue. Eric Heckman stated that he doesn't think that the RFL is going to have a problem with the move with all the advantages that come along with the new location. Burt Hall agreed and stated that he recently met with the RFL president and vice-president to discuss the potential move of the RFL and they are in favor of the move.
Chip Boylan asked that the memo to the Mayor and Council be dated after May 5th. Burt Hall will revise the memo with the Board’s comments and send the memo electronically to the Board members. It will then be revised as needed after the May 5th meeting with King Farm residents.
If the construction of lighted field is approved, the bid will be ready to go by later summer. Because of the loss of our POS money the buildout will not happen all at once. It will probably take approximately three to five years before the RFL will actually move.
Re: Art in Town Center Task Force - Representative
The Board reviewed the suggested recommendation list for the new Art in Town Center Task Force. Bob Taylor volunteered to serve on this Board as long as the Board does not meet on Tuesday evenings.
Re: Science Center Feasibility Study
Kate Savage volunteered to serve on the Science Center Feasibility Study Task Force if one is going to be created. Burt stated that many East Rockville residents, along with the members of the Rockville Consortium for Science are very enthusiastic about the Science Center. The East Rockville members of the task force would like to seriously explore constructing the new facility in the North Stonestreet Ave. corridor, preferably on the current school board warehouse property. Montgomery College is also going to build a $50M Science Center within the next several years. Burt stressed the need to seriously look at partnering with Montgomery College to include a community-use component to this Science Center as perhaps the most feasible way to move forward.
Re: Subcommittee Reports
Citizen Bicycle Advisory Committee – Both the Planning Commission and Mayor and Council recently held public hearings on the Bikeway Master Plan Update. All comments were positive. The plan will be reviewed for adoption at Monday, April 26th Mayor and Council meeting.
Environmental Issues - None
Fallsgrove & King Farm - Already done.
Glenview Mansion - None
Lincoln Park Community Center - Already done
RedGate -None
Swim Center – The Center is preparing to begin for the construction of the new sprayground. It is scheduled to open for Memorial Day weekend. The subcommittee meets next week.
TCRC - None
Town Center Park - None
Youth Sports - RBBA is up and running.
Re: Monthly Divisional Reports
Included as FYI.
Re: Old Business/New Business
Tweed Park - Blair Ewing has approached the City with regard to adding signage/markers recalling the history of Tweed Park and the estate and gravesite of Caleb Litton. The Board reviewed the proposed signage that was drafted by Eileen McGukian. The park area, which is a lightly forested area which is mowed twice a summer by the City, also has some gravestones on site, which recently have been replaced with new stones. The Ewings have offered to pay for the proposed new signs. The Park Board recommended that they are in favor of the historical signage to be installed at Tweed Park.
Burt Hall informed the Board about a development project on land located at I-270 and Shady Grove Rd. (location of the old Kodak building). The property is currently owned by J.B.G. Properties. They recently presented a draft plan for the area, which the city did not agree with. They are now putting together a design charrette involving a wide cross section of officials and residents which will take place for nine days. Burt stated that he believes the goal is to come up with a plan to develop the property that will be widely acceptable. The charrette will begin on May 18th and continue through the 28th. They are looking for participation from the city’s boards and commissions for the opening sessions on May 18th and May 21st as well as the final presentation on May 25th. Burt Hall is looking for a volunteer from the R&P Advisory Board who will have the opportunity to work with a builder to assist in creating a residential, office and open space area. If you think you might be interested please plan to attend one of the stated meetings.
Helen Heneghan commented that the tulips planted throughout the City look great.
Terry stated that the Potomac Woods Park storm water management pond appears to be all silted up. Burt Hall will have someone check on it. Burt Hall also mentioned that the pond is undersized for the area.
Twinbrook Commons – The newly proposed Twinbrook Commons area consists of 15 acres east of the Twinbrook metro station where they are planning to create a mixed-use development similar to the Town Center project. Burt Hall stated that it looks as if the commons area will be annexed into the City. The Twinbrook Community Association is supporting the project.
Helen Heneghan inquired if it would be appropriate for the Board to write a memo on behalf of Neal Owens. She would like to commend him for his work he’s doing at LPCC. Burt Hall will inquire with the City Clerk’s office.
Helen Heneghan asked about the wordage at the bottom of the Board application regarding City officials giving elected officials who serve Rockville their name and address.
Chip Boylan inquired about the authority to close the meeting while the Board discusses a potential board member’s application. Burt Hall will contact the City Attorney’s office and ask for a ruling.
Re: Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 27 at RedGate Golf Course beginning at 7 p.m.
