Summary

• RFQ Issued: A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Oak Ridge Swimming Pool was issued this week.
• Submission Deadline: The deadline for RFQ submissions is February 16.
• Next Steps:
  • Once submissions are received, evaluations and negotiations will begin.
  • The goal is to present to the city council by April.
  • The aim is to have a contract in place by the end of the year.
  • This project is expected to be a multi-year process

Full Text

The January 12, 2023 meeting of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board was convened at 7:01 pm in the Oak Ridge Recreation Center Social Room with Chairman Jake Greear presiding.

Roll Call

Present:
Doug Batalle, Jake Greear, Alissa Jones, Kelly Mccampbell, Chris Melhorn, Dan Robbins, Terri Daugherty

Absent:
Mark Cantrell, Michelle Thornton

Also Present:
Jon Hetrick, Recreation & Parks Director, staff liaison
Melissa McMahan, outgoing board member
Seth Rogers, Recreation & Parks, special projects coordinator

Started with introductions for the new board members, Terri and Doug

Approval of the November 3, 2022 Meeting Minutes
The November 3, 2022 meeting minutes were approved with no changes

Unfinished Business
None to report

New Business
None at this time

Board Work Plan

• Oak Ridge Swimming Pool:
• RFQ just went out this week
• Submittals due by February 16
• Once we have those received, evaluation and negotiations required
• Expectation is that we will have it to city council in April, hopefully have a contract in place by end of year and this will more than likely be a multi-year process
• Indoor pool ran into some issues with resurfacing; one layer had issues
• Project complete, working to reopen in the next week or so
• Having to redo the pump as it was not up to correct specifications; working on resolving that now
• Capital Improvement Program:
• Initial submittals were done in December to Planning and Development department
• Compiled, revisions due by tomorrow
• Final version will go to Planning Commission
• Planning Commission meeting on 1.26
• All submitted items will be discussed at that meeting
• This is a public meeting if anyone is interested
• Greenway System:
• North Boundary Greenway
• Shared some of the history associated with this area with the new board members
• Master Plan
• Still under discussion
• Planning and Development department still looking at an overall plan for the city
• Also looking at land usage as part of that plan
• Has ran into some delays
• Parks & Recreation Stewardship, Maintenance and Trail Development:
• Tree lighting ceremony and award presentation went well
• Perpetual plaque location
• Easy enough within the current building
• Looking for modular so that we can add as time goes along
• CVTA work day coming up, Saturday 1.14
• Haw Ridge
• Secondary Objectives:
• Community Events:
• Tree lighting went well as well as breakfast with the Grinch
• Next event is egg hunt in April
• Rails to Trails
• Delays between engineering firm and TDOT
• Working to get that resolved
• Conference Center Update
• Project to be discussed at the next city council work session
• Costs have been higher than anticipated
• Melton Lake Park Greenway Bridge Support
• Online forum was held in November
• Moving ahead with the design work
• Should be holding a meeting soon
• Peace Bell
• Received some preliminary designs for the gateway to the bell
• Original architect engaged
• Nothing presented at this time
• Equipment storage is still being discussed
• Disc Golf
• Jon is working with the group to review their current equipment to see sizes and such so he can get a better idea of what the needs are
• Have not verified progress at this time
• Professional Disc Golf association was held as planned in November
• Blueways
• No update at this time

Appearance and Citizen Comments

• Doug Colclasure
• 32 bird nest boxes on Heritage Center Greenway trails

Updates and Observations (Non-Action Items)

• Dan shared that he ran into several ant hills which was surprising given the cold weather
• League of Women Voters, free breakfast with the legislators, January 23rd at 730 AM
• Fourth Monday of each month of when the legislators are in session
• Lieutenant Governor McNally and new representative plan to attend; no word from Senator Yager yet
• Normally at least two of them attend

Director’s Report:

• Seth Rogers fully focused on his special projects coordinator role
• Dave Anderson hired on recently
• Working to bring use of the facility up to prior activities
• Not only COVID impact but also when the Senior Center was temporarily housed here
• New front desk
• City council recently made some changes to make working for the city more attractive

Future Agenda Items:

• Voting for officers for the board