Summary

• The pool has opened for the season.
• There are significant challenges with hiring enough lifeguards.
• There is also an issue with water loss.
• As a result of staffing shortages, hours at both the indoor and outdoor pool have been reduced.

Full Text

Minutes of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Meeting
June 10, 2021 Regular Meeting

The June 10, 2021 meeting of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board was convened at 7:00 pm in the Social Room at the Oak Ridge Recreation Center.

Roll Call
Present: Mark Cantrell, Kelly Mccampbell, David Kitzmiller, Melissa McMahan, Dan Robbins, Brad Spears, Michele Thornton
Absent: Jake Greear, Chris Melhorn

Approval of the May 13, 2021 Meeting Minutes
Motion to approve: Dan; second: Kelly. The May 13, 2021 meeting minutes were approved unanimously.

Appearance and Citizen Comments

• None

Updates and Observations (Non Action Items):

• Mark commented that Graduation Celebration was a hit this year.
• Brad stated that there is a considerable amount of debris down on the Emory Valley Greenway.

New Business

• None

Unfinished Business

• None

Board Work Plan

• Rails to Trails:
• Staff reported that the engineering contractor, AMT, is working to resolve a couple of outstanding issues with TDOT. One is related to ADA compliance at some intersection crossings and the other is developing flood plain mapping in the area where the trail will cross Ernie’s Creek.
• Blueway Development:
• No report.
• East BORCE Resolution:
• No report.
• Oak Ridge Outdoor Swimming Pool:
• Staff reported that the pool has opened for the season, but there are significant challenges with hiring enough lifeguards and water loss. Hours at both the indoor and outdoor pool have been reduced as a result of the staffing shortage.
• City Position & Policy on E-Bikes:
• Brad distributed a draft position for the Board to review and consider for adoption at the July meeting. He also provided an overview of past and current research on the subject that formed the basis for his draft recommendation.
• Parks & Recreation Stewardship, Maintenance and Trail Development:
• CVTA (Clinch Valley Trail Alliance) has received a grant for directional signs at Haw Ridge Park from the Breakfast Rotary Club.
• TCWP (Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning) recently hosted a work day on the North Ridge Trail.
• TCWP and CVTA will collaborate on a work day at the East Fork Riparian Trail this coming Saturday, the 15th.
• TCWP is applying for a grant from ORNL for interpretive signs at the Oak Ridge Cedar Barrens and directional signs on the North Ridge Trail.
• CIP Review:
• David will update the ranking spreadsheet with the updated project information supplied by staff.
• Secondary Objectives:
• Velodrome:
• No report.
• Community Events:
• The Secret City Festival will be held on September 23rd, 24th and 25th in AK Bissell Park.
• The USCycling Time Trials National Championships will be held on Thursday, June 17th along the Melton Lake waterfront in Oak Ridge.
• The Summer Series, sponsored by ORNL FCU, will host shows in July, August, September and October at the AK Bissell Park Performance Pavilion.
• The community Band has scheduled a number of events this summer, also at the AK Bissell Park Performance Pavilion.
• Development Opportunities for Disc Golf & Soccer on Tuskegee Dr. Parcels:
• No report.

Director’s Report:

• No report

Future Agenda Items:

• A vote on the proposed E-Bike policy

The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 PM.

Chairman