The Stafford County Parks & Recreation Commission held its regular monthly meeting Thursday, January 19, 2006, at the Rowser Building. The meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM by Greg Sager.

SILENT ROLL CALL

Members Present Absent Staff: Guests:
Jack Cavalier P Greg Sager Reb Benson
Larry Checca P Judy Sokolowski
John Druiett P
Chris Hoppe P
John LeDoux P
Ken Mitchell P
Tom Paton P
Brian Robinson P
Randy Walther P

ORGANIZE COMMISSION: ELECTION OF OFFICERS
1. Chris Hoppe was unanimously approved to serve as Chairman.

2. Larry Checca was unanimously approved to serve as Vice-Chairman.

3. The Commission’s Bylaws were unanimously approved as amended: Revise Section 3.2 to say, “Members’ terms shall run concurrently with their respective Board of Supervisors’ terms.” This change must go to the BOS for approval.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Brian Robinson motioned, and Jack Cavalier seconded, to approve the minutes from the December meeting. Motion passed unanimously.

PRESENTATIONS BY PUBLIC
None.

OLD BUSINESS
· SRSL Merger/Agreement
Reb Benson, President of the newly-formed Stafford Area Soccer Association (SASA), distributed and reviewed the Association’s Bylaws and organizational chart. He explained that the SASA will have two distinct divisions: one for recreational soccer and one for competitive soccer.

Commission members expressed their concern regarding field use and assignments. In addition, they were concerned about the field fee structure, priority of usage, and if the fees for recreational soccer would be used to subsidize travel soccer.

Reb said that no one would be turned away from playing recreational soccer. He explained that recreational soccer was the foundation of the organization, and field allocations would first be allocated to recreational soccer. He further explained that that the regular fee structure was still in place, and that there would be no change in fees for the spring season for recreational soccer.

The Commission was asked to read the documents that Reb provided, and discussions would continue at next month’s meeting. Reb said that the SASA will take action in September 2006. Greg Sager said he would obtain copies of the proposed agreement.

NEW BUSINESS
None.

PRESENTATIONS BY COMMISSIONERS
· Tom Paton, Garrisonville District, introduced himself to new members.

· Jack Cavalier welcomed new members and said that Paul Milde had not yet appointed anyone to fill the vacant position for the Aquia District. John LeDoux, the former Commission member, was recently elected to the School Board. Jack said he would like to work on the next bond referendum for 2006 or 2007 at the latest.

· John LeDoux, representing the School Board, said he agreed with Jack on the bond referendum and said there was a general feeling in the County to bank land.

· John Druiett, a new member representing the Hartwood District, wanted to know where all of the parks were located. He expressed his interest in park safety and keeping people safe from injury.

· Brian Robinson, George Washington District, said that ball field construction at Brook’s Park was in the bid process, with bids due 2/1. Construction is expected to begin in mid-March. He suggested going for a bond now and to develop some signage to reflect our progress so far with the last bond.

· Randy Walther, a new member representing the Falmouth District, previously served on the FSPA Board. He said he was excited about the Master Plan and bond and was looking for opportunities for land.

· Larry Checca, Rock Hill District, said he was anxious to work on the bond again and welcomed new members.

· Ken Mitchell, Planning Commission Representative, said he will work with developers to obtain better proffers for Parks and Recreation. He also said he does not have e-mail, so contact would need to be made via regular mail or phone calls.

· Chris Hoppe, Griffis-Widewater District, welcomed new members and said he had been on the Commission for 6-7 years.

STAFF REPORTS
No questions were asked.

DIRECTOR'S REPORT
· In addition to the following report that was included in the packet, Greg Sager gave an overview of the bond projects. He also said he would organize a park tour in the near future for the Commission.

· Moncure Property
There is only one more item required to grant the grading permit: a perennial flow analysis that will be completed within the next week. Full construction of Phase I is still scheduled to begin next spring following the construction bid process.

· Willowmere Park
Installation of the baseball field light poles has begun. Completion of the lighting project should occur in late February/early March. At their December 13 meeting, the BOS voted to request staff to submit an application modifying the existing Conditional Use Permit to remove the provision requiring that the additional parking and landscaping improvements be completed prior to usage of the lights. The application was submitted to the Planning Department on December 28.

At their December 13 meeting, the BOS approved the awarding of the contract to Tavares Concrete for construction of the additional parking lot, emergency access road and new landscaping. Weather permitting, work will begin this winter with an anticipated completion date of mid-April.

· Comprehensive Master Plan for Parks & Open Space
The Department and Clough, Harbour are continuing to solicit input into the updated Master Plan. Two public meetings were scheduled for January 11 at Drew M.S. at 7:00 p.m. and January 12 at Hampton Oaks E.S. at 7:00 p.m.

· Staffing – Full-time & Part-time
Interviews for the vacant Parks Maintenance Mechanic I position were held the week of January 9. The vacant Sports Programmer II position was re-advertised on January 1 with applications accepted until January 13. The new Administrative Assistant at the Rowser Building, Cindy Huntley, began work on January 3. Diane Selby, the new Administrative Assistant at the Curtis Park Maintenance Office will begin on January 30.

· Smith Lake Park
The Department is in the process of executing the contract with Site Works Incorporated to re-construct the 90’ baseball field at Smith Lake Park. At their December 13 meeting, the BOS approved awarding the contract to Site Works. Weather permitting, the anticipated completion date is mid-April.

· Assistant Director Update
Eight highly qualified individuals were selected from a pool of 105 applicants to be interviewed on January 10 and 11. A panel consisting of Tammi Ellis, former Director of Parks and Recreation; Bob Carter, Assistant Director of Economic Development; and I conducted the interviews.

· Park Repairs
Repairs continue at many park sites over the winter. A large amount of siding and one exterior wall is being replaced at the office/restrooms at Curtis Park Pool. A heating system was installed in the office/restrooms at Duff Green Park, Smith Lake Park and Willowmere Park, allowing for citizens to utilize the sites throughout the winter.

· Duff Green Park
A plaque commemorating the donation of Duff Green Park to the County has been purchased. This plaque will be affixed to a monument base and located adjacent to the new flagpole on the site. Department staff plan to hold a dedication ceremony for the plaque in mid-April. Mr. Green, members of the BOS, the Commission and representatives of SBL and SRSL will be encouraged to attend.

ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:45 PM.

Minutes Approved by:

____________________________
Chris Hoppe, Chair

RGS:jls