RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 10, 2016 PUBLISHED: MARCH 14, 2016 PUBLISHED BY: AMY RICKMAN PHONE: 678-297-6102 WWW.ALPHARETTA.GA.US This summary is provided as a convenience and service to the public, media and staff. It is not the intent to record proceedings verbatim. Any reproduction of this summary must include this notice. Official minutes are recorded and available for review. I. CALL TO ORDER Commission Vice-Chair Jarrett Long called the meeting to order at 7 pm II. III. ROLL CALL Commission members present: Shuntel Beach, Jamie Bendall, Ben Burnett, Jarrett Long, Bill Lusby, Dennis Mitchell, Cheryl Rand, Wendi Schutt Commission absent: Ben Easterling City staff present: Director of Recreation & Parks Mike Perry, Deputy Director of Recreation & Parks Lisa Cherry, Parks Manager Eric Milley, Equestrian Center Manager Matt Casey, Marketing/Accreditation Coordinator Amy Rickman City Council present: Jason Binder PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 11, 2016 Motion by Mrs. Rand to approve the minutes of February 11, 2016 as written. Second by Mrs. Schutt. No discussion. All in favor. Motion carried V. OLD BUSINESS ARTS CENTER Plans for new arts center design is coming along; next step is to form a steering committee, with Mr. Bendall and Mrs. Schutt as representatives from commission, combined with 2-3 council members Mrs. Schutt reported on her conversation with Arts Coordinator Toby Smallwood. Three new classes at art center; cancelation rate down and classes filling up; getting inquiries about new arts center. Houser Walker architect presented committee with timeline for community input meetings and charrette Arts Alpharetta group met regarding yarn bombing and ideas to promote the new center: Alphie in a beret, pop up events, coffee and canvas, lights inside center to change with holidays, banners out front. Possibly hiring a sidewalk chalk artist for Arts Streetfest. Fundraiser on March 19 given by Arts Alpharetta at Vino 100. Cost: $10. Raffle of local artists works. Informational meeting at new arts center on April 14
VI. VII. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Perry distributed maps of Wills Park. Discussion about historic FFA cabin currently at Milton Center. Fulton County Schools to reuse land where cabin sits; possible relocation to one of parks; escalated timeline to determine if we want to be involved Council to make decision about accepting proposal, with Councilman Mitchell taking leadership role. After location determined, fundraise for costs to move/renovate cabin ($200K goal). Seeking input from commission if willing to entertain idea to accept cabin, with proposed relocation to a city park Concept presented to accept and place cabin at Wills Park if council finds funds; location highlighted on map. Mr. Perry said Historical Society and Garden Club had input on placement ideas. Discussion ensued about other possible locations at Wills Park or alternative park sites. Input on current proposal included consideration for disturbance/removal of trees, visibility, maybe placing cabin in woodsy area, dimensions of cabin, integrity of structure Commission wants to be supportive of council for proposal, given quick timeline set by school system for decision. Councilman Binder stated that council wants commission to be comfortable with proposal Email questions or comments to Councilman Binder to share with Councilman Mitchell; motion will include that commission can review proposed location before final decision. Mr. Perry stated that a list of criteria will be applied to any site selected Motion by Mr. Burnett to support council s acceptance of the log cabin, subject to: Integrity of the structure is sound, Relocation to a park does not disturb trees, and Alternate park locations are considered before placement is decided Second by Mr. Lusby. No further discussion. All in favor. Motion carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS 1. Administration Mr. Long CIP prioritization from commission was passed along to council Arts committee formation with commission representatives selected 2. Parks Mrs. Rand Mrs. Rand asked for Parks Committee assignments Went to greenway near YMCA with staff to observe area where washout occurred. Mr. Perry stated two opinions on how to best address: 1) Repair current trail with stream bank restoration (permits required?), or 2) Make another trail aside from current trail. Discussion of alternatives; preferred option is to restore if feasible. Staff will keep commission apprised of plans. Received proposal to donate lounging item for Webb Bridge Park meadow for star-gazing, as a memorial. Specifications for accepting discussed. Mr. Perry referenced standards already in place for acceptance of items to place in parks.
Items must be substantial and well-placed. Staff will research options for acceptance and give feedback to commission Mr. Burnett made motion to allow gentleman to build structure appropriate to place at Webb Bridge close to greenway. Proposal will be reviewed and approved by staff. Second by Mrs. Rand. No discussion. All in favor. Motion carried 3. Recreation Mrs. Beach Committee did not meet no report VIII. PARTNER ASSOCIATION REPORT 1. AYSA Mr. Burnett Received report from Greg Whitson Participation Spring League Recreational 336 participants (2% increase) Travel Teams fielded 6 age groups, with 2005 team new this year Overall park participation numbers up (408 vs 390 in 2015) $5 fee increase League Activities Opening ceremonies held February 27; games started same day Facilities Power-washed concession stand; freezer was donated Continued build-out of practice area at Fields 1-4 with two protection screens, hitting mats in batting cages, two pitching mats on pitching lanes, pitching distance markers on fence, additional cable across soft-toss cage Board voted to cover additional $1700 for sunshades ($12,000 already approved) 2. AYBA Mrs. Rand Opening Day ceremony on March 19. Association asks if an esteemed commission member can throw out first pitch 678 participants, 58 teams this season; fees remained the same Using Webb Bridge for practices; schedule includes 368 games 160 practices Board wants to show appreciation for David Vaughan. Staff will provide address Idea to install message boards at Wills Park for Pitch/Hit/Run event promotion 3. NAFL Mr. Long Potential for league realignment; options being considered. Lost part of travel program with changes. Also, executive board realigned Registration starts March 15 Potential proposals: 1) Request to use shed at park for storage, and 2) Possibly ask about city assistance with costs to revamp helmets inventory
4. NMML Mrs. Beach Softball season starts March 19 (orientation day); games start on March 26 Shared website to support formation of an alliance program in Cherokee 5. Ambush Report Mr. Mitchell Scheduling issues resolved. Ambush well-represented in pre-season tournaments Opening weekend was March 5. Smooth operations currently. Promotions for fall season coming soon IX. PARK SERVICE S REPORT ERIC MILLEY Interviewing Park Tech I s and Park Supervisor II to fill open positions Completing employee evaluations Painting and turning on the 3-tier fountains at pocket parks AT&T is upgrading call boxes along the greenway from a 2g to a 3g (13 total boxes) Kurt Kirby and city arborist identified areas along the greenway where several trees along the creek bank need to come down. Working on budget estimates with Downey Tree Starting March 21, Fulton County will be restoring sewers/manholes along greenway. Approximately 90-day project Crabapple working on gutter replacement and painting Webb Bridge and Wills Parks laser-grading and adding infield mix to ball fields New scoreboards at Wills Park waiting on permit information Webb Bridge three restroom exteriors painted Webb Bridge trying to schedule time to seal entrance to tennis courts from main road to end of construction North Park Miracle League wall project is underway, started Monday 2/29 Crews are getting Cogburn Park ready for Arbor Day on March 19 Block restoration finished at ACC; Mr. Milley will schedule walk through Concrete at ACC entrance scheduled to be replaced on March 25 (Good Friday) Park projects on March 26 workday with various community groups X. EQUESTRIAN REPORT MATT CASEY Horse shows well attended this year; 220 horses showed last weekend Dog agility show and horse shows scheduled for next two weeks Go Kickball Atlanta starts spring season March 16 Wed in open field Few trees removed due to storms; maintenance of aggregate on roadway; all arenas graded from rains XI. RECREATION SERVICE S REPORT LISA CHERRY Spring adult and teen basketball and adult softball have begun Spring instructional programs have begun, tryouts for gymnastics team, dance picking up with recital at end of April at Milton Center auditorium We are still seeking staff for Camp Happy Hearts, Art Camp, and Wills Park Summer Day Camp. Please pass along for interested applicants. Minimum age of 16
Still accepting applications for the Recreation Coordinator position Deadline for the next leisure guide is April 14 th Working on spring/summer rental contracts with various groups Fulton Golden Games Opening Ceremony will be held April 27 th at Bell Memorial Park; all Commission members are invited to attend Event Updates: March 12 K9 5K (partnership with Alpharetta Department of Public Safety) March 12 Coffee and Canvas March 15 Alpharetta Golden Age Club luncheon March 19 Children s Easter Eggstravaganza March 19 Arbor Day celebration at Cogburn Park XII. XIII. XIV. XV. DIRECTOR S REPORT MIKE PERRY Bond committee started meeting. Met to give more information, answer questions. Bond vote May 24. Parks are well-used with spring-like weather; water being turned on at parks soon. NRPA Gold Medal Award application prepared by staff for submittal by March 13 CITY COUNCIL REPORT COUNCILMAN JASON BINDER May 24 bond will have two sections; one for the parks and the other for road improvements The Recreation Commission can connect with the Bond Committee if they want to get involved CITIZEN S COMMENTS - NONE ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by Mrs. Rand. Second by Mrs. Beach. Meeting adjourn at 8:12pm All in favor. Motion carried. Next meeting: April 14, 2016 at 7:00pm