The Stafford County Parks & Recreation Commission held its regular monthly meeting Thursday, June 15, 2006 , at the Rowser Building. The meeting was called to order at 7 PM by Larry Checca.

SILENT ROLL CALL

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

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ken Mitchell motioned, and John Druiett seconded, to approve the minutes from the May meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

PRESENTATIONS BY PUBLIC
None.

OLD BUSINESS
· Bond 2006
Greg Sager reviewed the bond priority list that had been reduced to $76 million by the subcommittee. The list would be presented to the BOS by Joe Brito and Jack Cavalier at the BOS meeting scheduled for June 20.

· Patawomeck Park Master Plan
Chris Hoppe reported that some changes were made and that the Commission would be able to review the report when it is received from the engineers the end of July. Chris estimated the bids would go out the end of September.

NEW BUSINESS
· Walker Heights Cluster Development
The developer of this development withdrew the cluster development plan.

· Weather-related Field Closing Policy
Chris Hoppe reviewed the Department’s policy with the Commission so they would be informed about this issue.

· Commission Summer Schedule
After discussion, Eric Lindner motioned, and Randy Walther seconded, to cancel the meeting in July; if a special meeting is needed, one would be called no later than the second week of July. Motioned carried unanimously.

· Government Island
Greg Sager said this property may become a passive park that would be maintained by the Department of Parks and Recreation. (One acre is owned by the Boy Scouts.)

PRESENTATIONS BY COMMISSIONERS
· John Druiett asked if the Department needed any assistance during the month for meetings or presentations and would be happy to help in any way he could.

· Eric Lindner reported good comments about the new parking lot at Willowmere Park. He said that some people still park their vehicles on the roadside even with open parking spots available.

· Larry Checca said that Art Hart needed help with the cardboard boat race on July 22, since there are only six Ruritans who will be available to help.

STAFF REPORTS
No questions were asked.

DIRECTOR'S REPORT
· Smith Lake Park
Work is substantially complete on rebuilding and re-grading the 90’ baseball field. Sod was laid in the outfield and infield the weeks of May 1 and May 8. Other than some sod replacement and small seeding issues, the contractor has completed most of the work involved in the project.. Depending upon how quickly the sod takes root, the field may be used for games sometime in June. The Department is also looking at extending the backstop at this field. The SBL is scheduled to begin using the 90’ field on Monday, June 19. We will evaluate the field after each game to determine playability.

· Willowmere Park
The lighting project at the baseball fields is complete and they are being used.
Tavares Concrete, the parking lot and landscaping contractor, has completed final paving and striping the new parking lot for use by park visitors. Work continues on the landscaping enhancements and other work associated with the parking lot and access road. All work is scheduled for completion by the end of June.

· Moncure Property
Work continues on the site plan’s second submission to the Planning Department. The site plan is tentatively scheduled for second submission by the end of July; the bid specifications should be in place to allow for the bid process to begin the first of September. We are waiting on the Engineer to have their septic field sub-contractor complete their tests in identifying an appropriate site. Construction would begin before the end of fall 2006 with a late summer 2007 completion date.

The BOS approved the Commission’s proposed names for the park and entrance road at their June 6 meeting. The park will be referred to as “Patawomeck Park” off “Chopawamsic Parkway.”

· Department Staff Update
I am pleased to announce the hiring of Mike Baker and promotion of Erik Peterson as full-time Parks Maintenance Workers as of June 5. With this hiring the Parks Maintenance Division has filled all their vacant full-time positions. It is also my pleasure to announce the promotion of Kris Clemet to the position of Sports Programmer II full-time. This promotion, effective June 12, will fill the final vacant full-time position in the Department. The now vacant temporary Park Maintenance Worker and Sports Programmer I positions have been advertised.

· Woodlands Pool Enclosure
The money for the replacement fabric dome at Woodlands Pool has been encumbered and an order has been placed for a new Tadlar coated dome and doors. Some site issues are still being addressed regarding the new deck lighting system with the expectation that the system will be ordered within the next month. The new dome should be erected in early-mid September.

· SBL Batting Cages
We are awaiting word from SBL if the proposal sent to them by staff for the construction of a new batting cage at Smith Lake is acceptable. The proposal negotiated allowed for installation of the cage in exchange for additional work that would assist in solving some park erosion issues.

· Stafford County Film Festival
Representatives of the Parks and Recreation Department, Economic Development, the Gauntlet and B101.5 have been meeting to coordinate the 2006 Stafford County Film Festival, scheduled to be held July 14 & 15 at the driving range at the Gauntlet Golf Course at Curtis Park. This event, which is free to the public, will be similar to the Film Festival held last summer at Colonial Forge High School. The public is invited to bring their blankets and chairs to view a family-friendly movie on both nights (Friday and Saturday). The movies will be projected onto an inflated wide screen, and other family-oriented activities will be available prior to the event.

· Cardboard Boat Race
The 3rd Annual Cardboard Boat Race, organized by the Rock Hill Ruritan Club and co-sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department, will be held on July 22 at Aquia Landing. Art Hart is working with the Department to offer boat-building classes at no charge to participants.

· Discovery Days Festival at Aquia Landing
Work progresses on this weekend-long family festival that will take place August 18-20, 2006, at Aquia Landing. The Godspeed, Jamestown’s replica tall sailing ship, will anchor off the shore in Aquia Creek. The Department will be working in earnest during the month of June to begin enhancements of the park in preparation for this event.

· Comprehensive Facility Master Plan
Clough, Harbour and Associates are currently compiling a draft version of the updated Master Plan for submission to the Commission at a future meeting. This draft will be shared with various user groups for input prior to presentation to the BOS for adoption in late Summer.

· Pool/Beach Update
While Curtis Park Pool and Aquia Landing enjoyed very successful opening weekends over Memorial Day, the Department experienced an issue with the filtration system and motor at Woodlands Pool. Due to a small leak in the filtration system, air entered into the filter line causing the filter motor to fail, therefore forcing the closure of the pool over the holiday weekend. The leak was extremely difficult to access and was eventually repaired by our primary contractor on Memorial Day, allowing for the reopening of the pool the following day.

ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM.

Minutes Approved by:

____________________________
Larry Checca, Chair

RGS:jls