Summary

• Mark Watson discussed the survey being planned for the pool project. He asked that the Board provide input on information to be gathered through the survey.
• Jon Hetrick reported that preparation work for the geotechnical testing has been completed, but the actual testing was delayed by the rain last week. It is expected that test results will be available to share with the Board at the November meeting.
• Jake Greear will set up a DropBox folder for the pool project to store information that has been presented to the Board about the project.

Full Text

Minutes of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Meeting
October 14, 2021 Regular Meeting
The October 14, 2021 meeting of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board was convened at 7:08 pm in the Oak Ridge Recreation Center Social Room.

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

Approval of the September 9, 2021 Meeting Minutes
Motion to approve: David Kitzmiller; second: Mark Cantrell. The September 9, 2021 meeting minutes were approved unanimously.

Appearance and Citizen Comments

• Doug Colclasure complimented the hard work of the Parks maintenance staff. He also provided an overview of recent and upcoming outdoor events in Oak Ridge, noting that the events relied on the City’s natural resources to provide economic benefits.

Updates and Observations (Non Action Items):

• Dan noted that he has treated fewer fire ant mounds along Melton Lake Greenway this year.

New Business

• City Manager Mark Watson and City Clerk Beth Hickman provided an overview of updated Park Board bylaws, rules and procedures that will be adopted this year. All City boards and commissions will follow a common template for bylaws to create consistency in how they operate. The template will be adjusted to fit the specific requirements of each board and commission. Park Board members were asked to review the bylaws as they have been written and to submit any desired changes to the staff liaison. The staff liaison will then compile the requests and submit them for consideration prior to final adoption by City Council.
• Beth Hickman also provided an overview of Roberts Rule of Order and provided a copy to Park Board Chairman Jake Greear.
• Mark Watson informed the Board that City Council plans to host a “meet and greet” with candidates for all boards and commissions prior to the elections.

Unfinished Business

• Recreation & Parks Achievement Awards: Long-time soccer volunteer and coach Pete Xiques and former Park Board member Steve Dittner were nominated and both were unanimously elected to receive the award at the December 2, 2021 Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony.
• Employee Appreciation Luncheon: The Park Board will host a Recreation & Parks employee appreciation luncheon on Friday, October 22, 2021 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. The Board will provide pizza, sponsored by UCOR, to staff. Kona Ice has offered to provide their treats to staff also.

Board Work Plan
Oak Ridge Swimming Pool:

• Mark Watson discussed the survey being planned for the pool project. He asked that the Board provide input on information to be gathered through the survey.
• Jon Hetrick reported that preparation work for the geotechnical testing has been completed, but the actual testing was delayed by the rain last week. It is expected that test results will be available to share with the Board at the November meeting.
• Jake Greear will set up a DropBox folder for the pool project to store information that has been presented to the Board about the project.

Rec & Parks CIP Review and Prioritization:

• Jake Greear urged the Board to send their rankings to David Kitzmiller within the next week so that it can be compiled for the November meeting.

North Boundary Greenway:

• No report.

Greenway System:

• Rails to Trails Project
  • The Public Input Session will be held in November.
  • Jon Hetrick will post the PowerPoint update presented to City Council on the DropBox folder Jake Greear is creating.
• Greenway Master Plan Support
  • Work with the TPO is planned to continue this winter.
• Roadside Safety Evaluations and Advocacy
  • No report.

Blueways Initiative

• No report.

Parks & Recreation Stewardship, Maintenance and Trail Development:

• CVTA is continuing work on a beginner access route for mountain bikes into Haw Ridge Park.

Secondary Objectives:

• Community Events -The Halloween Party on October 28th will be a walk-through event around the Civic Center. The Tree Lighting ceremony will take place December 2nd. The plan is to hold the event outdoors at the tree and the pavilion. Melissa McMahan has secured support for both events from Y12 Federal Credit Union. She also suggested that Leadership Oak Ridge may be able to provide additional volunteer support.
• Development Opportunities for Disc Golf & Soccer on Tuskegee Dr.
  • No report

Director’s Report:

• The Parks Division has been able to make a couple of good hires recently; one Crew Chief and an experienced technician. Two more experienced hires are expected in the near future as paperwork is finalized.

Future Agenda Items:

• None

The meeting was adjourned at 8:38 PM.