Summary
- User Survey Development: Aquatics Manager Vonda Wooten presented a draft of a user survey for pool attendees. The Board reviewed and provided feedback for its finalization and distribution during the upcoming pool season.
- Preparation Overview: Vonda also briefed the Board on the annual preparations required to open the outdoor pool.
Full Text
Minutes of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Meeting
May 13, 2021 Regular Meeting
The May 13, 2021 meeting of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board was convened at 7:08 pm in the Social Room at the Oak Ridge Recreation Center.
Roll Call
Present: Kelly Mccampbell, Jake Greear, David Kitzmiller, Melissa McMahan, Dan Robbins
Absent: Mark Cantrell, Chris Melhorn, Brad Spears, Michele Thornton
Approval of the April 8, 2021 Meeting Minutes
Motion to approve: David; second: Dan. The April 8, 2021 meeting minutes were approved unanimously.
Appearance and Citizen Comments
- Doug Colclasure recognized the efforts of the Recreation & Parks staff in the maintenance of landscaping around City buildings.
Updates and Observations (Non Action Items):
- Jake asked if there were any updates on development of the Horizon Center as it would relate to the proposed power line or the continuity of the North Boundary greenway trail where it passes through Horizon Center property. Staff had no update to report.
- Dan noted that fire ant nests have been increasing in frequency recently.
New Business
- None
Unfinished Business
- Work session scheduling -The Board members present discussed scheduling of a work session to update the work plan. The work session was tentatively scheduled for June 24, 2021 at 6 PM, pending confirmation of the availability of the Board members not present.
Board Work Plan
Rails to Trails:
- Review of Right of Way plans by TOOT continues; the City’s design contractor, AMT, is addressing comments as they are received.
Blueway Development:
- Jake reported that Roane County, as a Riverline 652 partner, is working on scheduling some community paddling events.
East BORCE Resolution:
- No report.
Oak Ridge Outdoor Swimming Pool:
- Aquatics Manager Vonda Wooten presented a draft of a user survey she is developing for pool attendees. The Board reviewed the draft and provided comments and suggestions that will be incorporated into the final draft. The survey is intended for distribution to pool users during the upcoming pool season. The Board discussed other avenues for distributing the survey to gather information from other potential stakeholders.
- Vonda also provided the Board with an overview of the work that takes place to prepare the pool to open every year.
City Position & Policy on E-Bikes:
- Jake reported that Brad is working on a draft position for the Board to review and consider for adoption.
Parks & Recreation Stewardship, Maintenance and Trail Development:
- Jake asked if there were any updates on the proposed parking improvements for the parking area at the North Boundary greenway trailhead west of Wisconsin Avenue. Staff reported that they had no updates. Jake will contact Ken Rueter, former Park Board member, who was spearheading the effort to make the improvements.
CIP Review:
- David and Jon provided an overview of the previous Park Board CIP review process.
- Jon will update the previous review spreadsheet data and forward to David for reformatting.
- David suggested changing one of the evaluation criteria to “Conforms to the City Blueprint”.
Secondary Objectives:
- Velodrome
- No report.
- Community Events
- Most spring events have been postponed until late summer of fall; many new event applications are being received.
- Development Opportunities for Disc Golf & Soccer on Tuskegee Dr. Parcels
- Kelly suggested that updated course maps would be very helpful at the Groves Park disc golf course. Staff will look at options for getting maps produced.
Director’s Report:
- Department staff are excited to begin returning to normal operations as COVID restrictions are eased.
- Centennial Golf Course has had a stellar year, with substantial increases in revenue since the City has taken over management.
- On a side note, Jake inquired about options for acquiring floodplain for recreational development that is unsuitable for other development. Jon stated that the focus of the department is on maintaining the facilities that we currently have, which are extensive for a community of 30,000 people. David also noted that there are future park development plans included in the current CIP that would probably be considered before looking at other projects.
Future Agenda Items:
- None
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM.
Full Text
Minutes of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Meeting
May 13, 2021 Regular Meeting
The May 13, 2021 meeting of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board was convened at 7:08 pm in the Social Room at the Oak Ridge Recreation Center.
Roll Call
Present: Kelly Mccampbell, Jake Greear, David Kitzmiller, Melissa McMahan, Dan Robbins
Absent: Mark Cantrell, Chris Melhorn, Brad Spears, Michele Thornton
Approval of the April 8, 2021 Meeting Minutes
Motion to approve: David; second: Dan. The April 8, 2021 meeting minutes were approved unanimously.
Appearance and Citizen Comments
- Doug Colclasure recognized the efforts of the Recreation & Parks staff in the maintenance of landscaping around City buildings.
Updates and Observations (Non Action Items):
- Jake asked if there were any updates on development of the Horizon Center as it would relate to the proposed power line or the continuity of the North Boundary greenway trail where it passes through Horizon Center property. Staff had no update to report.
- Dan noted that fire ant nests have been increasing in frequency recently.
New Business
- None
Unfinished Business
- Work session scheduling -The Board members present discussed scheduling of a work session to update the work plan. The work session was tentatively scheduled for June 24, 2021 at 6 PM, pending confirmation of the availability of the Board members not present.
Board Work Plan
Rails to Trails:
- Review of Right of Way plans by TOOT continues; the City’s design contractor, AMT, is addressing comments as they are received.
Blueway Development:
- Jake reported that Roane County, as a Riverline 652 partner, is working on scheduling some community paddling events.
East BORCE Resolution:
- No report.
Oak Ridge Outdoor Swimming Pool:
- Aquatics Manager Vonda Wooten presented a draft of a user survey she is developing for pool attendees. The Board reviewed the draft and provided comments and suggestions that will be incorporated into the final draft. The survey is intended for distribution to pool users during the upcoming pool season. The Board discussed other avenues for distributing the survey to gather information from other potential stakeholders.
- Vonda also provided the Board with an overview of the work that takes place to prepare the pool to open every year.
City Position & Policy on E-Bikes:
- Jake reported that Brad is working on a draft position for the Board to review and consider for adoption.
Parks & Recreation Stewardship, Maintenance and Trail Development:
- Jake asked if there were any updates on the proposed parking improvements for the parking area at the North Boundary greenway trailhead west of Wisconsin Avenue. Staff reported that they had no updates. Jake will contact Ken Rueter, former Park Board member, who was spearheading the effort to make the improvements.
CIP Review:
- David and Jon provided an overview of the previous Park Board CIP review process.
- Jon will update the previous review spreadsheet data and forward to David for reformatting.
- David suggested changing one of the evaluation criteria to “Conforms to the City Blueprint”.
Secondary Objectives:
- Velodrome
- No report.
- Community Events
- Most spring events have been postponed until late summer of fall; many new event applications are being received.
- Development Opportunities for Disc Golf & Soccer on Tuskegee Dr. Parcels
- Kelly suggested that updated course maps would be very helpful at the Groves Park disc golf course. Staff will look at options for getting maps produced.
Director’s Report:
- Department staff are excited to begin returning to normal operations as COVID restrictions are eased.
- Centennial Golf Course has had a stellar year, with substantial increases in revenue since the City has taken over management.
- On a side note, Jake inquired about options for acquiring floodplain for recreational development that is unsuitable for other development. Jon stated that the focus of the department is on maintaining the facilities that we currently have, which are extensive for a community of 30,000 people. David also noted that there are future park development plans included in the current CIP that would probably be considered before looking at other projects.
Future Agenda Items:
- None
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM.
