Swim Center
July 24, 2003
Minutes
Members Present: Bob Taylor, Terry Baker, Chip Boylan, Kate Savage, Larry Eason, Charlie Carroccio
Members Absent: Helen Heneghan
Citizens Present: Colleen Crowder, Ben Soloman, Eric Heckman
Staff Present: Michelle Bean, Burt Hall, Chris Heckhaus
Re: Approval of Minutes
Minutes were approved as presented.
Re: Citizens Forum
Harry Dodge was present to discuss the overcrowding of the pool which may become worse with the impending addition of patrons from the King Farm and Fallsgrove neighborhoods. The overcrowding would affect not only the pool but the fitness center facilities as well. Harry suggested that a bubble over the outdoor fitness pool during the winter months would greatly help. Constructing the planned new fitness center room under the South pool sundeck would help to provide the necessary access facilities to the bubbled pool.
Mark Eldridge stated that membership totals have not increased but the daily usage by members and daily admissions have increased. Construction of the new fitness/meeting room facilities is currently scheduled for FY07 and 08.
Lois Schrierber and Marilyn Greenwood were present to discuss the smoking policies for the outdoor swim complex. Currently, no smoking is allowed inside the building but is allowed outside in grass areas only. Ms. Schrierber and Ms. Greenwood brought with them a petition with approximately 100 signatures supporting a more complete ban on smoking. They would like to see either a very limited area set up for smoking or to ban smoking altogether. The reasoning is because most patrons are here for exercise. Charlie are a minority. They are a minority but there are many grassy areas surrounding the entire lap pool where they are permitted to smoke. Smoking is also prohibited at swim meets. Burt asked if they had an area in mind at the pool that would be appropriate for smoking. The Advisory Board Committee looked at the area near the upper right corner of the pool outside of the gate. The City has also banned all smoking at all sports events in accordance with NSYCA regulations. The recommendation is to initiate the ban, asked approximately how many smokers fill the grassy areas. Ms. Schrierber said they beginning next summer, to give those patrons who do not wish to renew their memberships additional time to reconsider. Colleen Crowder suggested the snack bar might be appropriate as a smoking area, or that smokers should be required to leave the complex.
The Board recommends that staff distribute a survey over the next few weeks regarding the smoking policy at the Swim Center and we that all views and comments be encouraged.
Re: Potential R&P Advisory Board Members:
Colleen Crowder, Ben Solomon and Eric Heckman were present to be considered as members of the R&P Advisory Board Committee. Each prospective member offered a brief self introduction.
The Board recommended that Ben Soloman be appointed as the youth member, and that Eric Heckman be appointed as a member of the R&P Advisory Board.
Re: Reappointments of Park Board Members
Burt pointed out that Bob’s term as Chair is now over and that the Mayor and Council would like a recommendation on who to appoint as the next chair. After a brief discussion it was the consensus of all members that Chip Boylan serve as the next chair.
Re: Reports on Trends and Participation in Organized Youth Sports
Included as an FYI
Re: 2003 Rockville Citizen Survey
Included as an FYI. Burt reviewed with the Board the survey results, which apply to Recreation and Parks.
The MAYOR AND COUNCIL focused on the citizens east of Rockville that rated several key factors such as safety, quality of life, and others lower than the citizens in other sections. Burt mentioned that he would interested in input from the board as to how to close this gap.
Re: Swim Center Revenues for FY 2003
Mark Eldridge was present to review the FY 2003 Swim Center revenues memo. He gladly reported that revenues were 10% higher than ever before. Some reasons why revenues were strong were given, including that patrons are happy with Swim Center operations, management and programs; usage is up 10%, an average of 500 people a day are using facility year-round not including swim team or classes. A lot of it has to do with renewed effort on customer service, setting the facility apart from competing centers. Also, the very hot and dry July August and September 2002 were certainly a help.
Kate inquired about the Montgomery Aquatics Center renovations and whether or not we were absorbing their customers. Mark stated that most have gone to the nearest county facility in Bethesda but we did see a few new patrons because of their renovations. They are scheduled to reopen on September 7.
Re: RedGate Golf Course - Finance Report
Burt shared with the Board the RedGate Financial Report revenues for FY03. Unfortunately RedGate had their worst year ever due to a variety of factors such as the drought, blazing hot summer (from which the course took a beating), the sniper, snow (which closed the course from December through mid-March), and in May and June it rained just about every day. Average rounds at RedGate are approximately 52,000 rounds. FY03 rounds at RedGate came in at approximately 42,000 rounds.
Re: Dog Park
The Board reviewed the recommendation of the Rockville Dog Owners Group – R-DOG. Chip inquired as to whether this group is advisory to the Park Board or the Mayor and Council. Burt responded that their recommendations are coming to the Park Board first and then to the Mayor and Council. The group looked at more than a dozen locations and studied nine, developing pros and cons for each. The criteria for the site selection and design features included: Central location, at least ¾ acres, fenced, separate area for puppies and smaller dogs, water access, trash disposal, benches, access to shade, adequate parking, minimal affect on nearby residences but easily accessible from neighborhoods. They also looked at other dog parks to examine successful and unsuccessful features. Their first choice for a site is Woottons Mill Park, adjacent the garden plots. Their second choice is King Farm 28-acre park. R-DOG members are meeting with the Rockshire Civic Association later this month to present this recommendation. The dog park fits well in Woottons Mill Park; there are many dog owners already using this park; the dog park would not be visible from Hurley Ave.; there is an existing parking lot that would accommodate most dog park users;
$45,000 has been allocated to build the park which includes money to build a parking lot to accompany the park. If built at Woottons Mill the parking lot would not have to be built because one already exists, although it may be necessary to expand the lot.
Re: Town Center Special Events - During Redevelopment Construction
Chip raised some questions and concerns about the drive-in scheduled for October (Haunted Happenings) and the cars moving in the dark area after what happened at the Car Show. Bob inquired about the wear and tear of the field. Charlie stated that the field is immediately fixed so the field will not suffer. Burt responded that movement of cars and other safety factors will be closely monitored by staff.
Re: King Farm 28-Acre Park/School Site Resident Survey
Included as FYI.
Re: Town Center
The Board reviewed the Town Center plans for redevelopment. The new park area will be able to accommodate approximately 500 people during concerts. It was pointed out that less than 3-4 % of parkland for Town Center, whereas other parts of the City are 20% parkland. The Board was hoping to see more green space overall. Others expressed concerns about the amount of hardscape in the proposed park. Burt responded that with the amount of pedestrian traffic this park will get, grass is perhaps not the best surface due to wear and tear issues. Terry suggested grass with paved paths. There will be a lot of benches facing each other and around trees and ones that could go either way. Special events use will be 1-5%. Kate stated that we want it to be a destination and a place to hang out. Terry stated that there is too little grass. Town Center is anticipated to be built in FY05 by Federal Realty. The Board recommended that there should be more grass.
Re: Revenue Recovery Costs
Chris Heckhaus was present to review the revenue recovery analysis issues and factors for all the R&P programs and facilities. The Board began their reporting on the recommendations that they will send to the Mayor and Council in late November.
Charlie stated that perhaps all programs should be self-supporting. Burt responded that this would mean raising fees for many programs by as much as 75-90%.
Questions were raised about whether the theater and mansion support themselves, and why do we not have a fully self-supporting fee for events such as private wedding receptions. Burt responded that fees for Mansion use do cover most of the cost, but the theater uses do not. Resident companies dominate the theater schedule and we have long had subsidized fees for these groups. Also, for Glenview and other facilities, we must pay close attention to the market, in other words, what other similar facilities charge for similar events. Chris will ask Lew to break out all revenues and expenditures for the mansion and theatre at the Civic Center grounds, and the personnel that supports them.
Terry proposed that rather than examine revenues, fees, expenses, etc. for each program, that we look for some overarching policies, such as continuing to subsidize services to seniors and children, but not programs for adults. Larry stated that things are paid for by groups - increase team fee.
Car Show Club Members Committee does not want to raise their fees next year because they don't understand why they need to pay to participate when they are putting on the show and the persons coming to see the show attending free. The show itself enhances the quality of life in the City.
The Board asked to have at least one special to be able to cover all the areas needed to report on.
Michelle will send an email to the Board with several suggested dates for an additional meeting.
Re: Subcommittee Reports
Car Show - The Ford Display has less than 15 cars registered.
Citizen Bicycle Advisory Committee - none
Dog Park – already discussed
Environmental Issues - none
Glenview Mansion - none
King Farm - none
Lincoln Park Community Center - none
RedGate – already discussed
Swim Center - Already discussed.
TCRC - none
Thomas Farm - none
Town Center Park – already discussed
Youth Sports - none
Re: Monthly Divisional Reports
Included as FYI.
Re: Old Business/New Business
Rockville Bikeway plan draft has been distributed for review. Bike lanes have been dramatically reduced based on measuring the streets and what they could accommodate on the road. Chip is in agreement with the reduced bike lanes recommendation.
Chip shared with the Board the red lines in Takoma Park to reduce the speeding on their streets.
Re: Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 25, 2003 at the Senior Center at 7 p.m.
