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HomeMy WebLinkAbout181108 - Minutes, Recreation & Parks AdvWashington County Recreation & Parks Advisory Board Meeting Thursday, November 8, 2018 Start Time 3:15 p.m. Agenda I. Call to Order II. Approval of Minutes III. Citizen's Comments (Limited to 3 minutes per person unless otherwise specified) IV. Department Reports A. Parks — J. Pennesi B. Comprehensive Planner — T. Allen C. Facility/Special Events Coordinator- D. Brooks D. Recreation & Fitness — J. Dick V. Next Scheduled Meeting — December 6, 2018 VI. Vacant Board Seat VII. Unfinished Business VIII. New Business IX. Adjournment Agenda subject to change WASHINGTON COUNTY RECREATION & PARKS BOARD November 8, 2018 MINUTES Present Greg Shank Eric Michael Bradley Tritsch Absent With Reason Brian Albert Brian Getz Nica Sutch Terry Baker Chairman Greg Shank called the meeting of the Washington County Recreation & Parks Advisory Board to order at 3:15 p.m. Guests were Jaime Dick, Director of Recreation & Fitness; John Pennesi, Deputy Director, Parks & Facilities; Danny Nixon, Facilities Field Supervisor. Approval of Minutes Mr. Shank asked for any additions or corrections to the minutes of the October 11, 2018, Recreation & Parks Board meeting. With no corrections or additions, the minutes were passed as presented. Citizen's Comments No one appeared for comment. Department Reports Parks Report Danny Hixon gave the Parks Report. Butterfly garden at Pleasant Valley Park completed end of October. The department has continued to mow through the end of October and most likely will have a little more to mow before putting away the mowers for the winter. Vehicle and equipment maintenance is nonstop. 1 Mr. Hixon stated they finished up delivering the firewood that is sold through the Parks Department. Estimated 50+ loads sold. Mr. Nixon said all the County Parks closed on October 28th and started winterizing that week. Finished closing the last park on November 8th. Regional Park parking lot stays open and one restroom at Marty Snook park stays open for the winter. The restroom is heated. Comprehensive Planner Report Travis Allen gave the Comprehensive Planner report. Mr. Allen reported that the Board of County Commissioners approved the amended Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan at the public hearing on October 16, 2018. Their approval allows the ratio of development and acquisition funds from Project Open Space to remain as previously proposed before the Parks Board by Director Sterling. No further delays or obstacles are anticipated in obtaining allocation of State POS funds. Mr. Pennesi asked whether the amended plan was received on the State end and Mr. Allen said it was his understanding that the State has seen the revision. It was just a matter of the Commissioners adopting the amendment. Mr. Pennesi said that, Carrie Lohsky, the representative for DNR said they still have not received the amended plan, but it was two weeks ago when he spoke to her. Mr. Allen said he will ask Jill Baker again to be sure that it is not an issue with the State and is not aware of anything else holding it up. Facilities Coordinator Report John Pennesi gave the Facilities Report. Mr. Pennesi said that at the beginning of the new year Mr. Brooks will begin to send out contracts to the athletic groups for next year. Agricultural Education Center Mr. Pennesi said things are winding down at the Ag Center. The Boy Scouts will be there this weekend to prepare luminary bags for the Antietam Battlefield. 23,000 bags. November 16 & 17 Western Maryland Farm Toy Show November 24 Hagerstown Model RR Show Mr. Pennesi said after the train show things will slow down. A few weekend banquets, but things will be slow until Spring. 2 Recreation Report Park at Dark Mr. Dick reported the annual Park at Dark event was held on Friday, October 19, 2018 at the Ag Center. The event was well attended, over 500 people. The weather was nice and everybody had a good time. Mr. Dick said he appreciated the help from John and his staff. Turkey Trot Mr. Dick said he and his staff have been assisting the HCC Athletic Department with the Turkey Trot which they do every year. Mr. Dick said it is a great event. There is a lot raised for the Interfaith Coalition in Hancock for the food drive. Mr. Dick also stated over $250,000 in scholarships raised for the College since this event started. Girls Volleyball League Mr. Dick said his office is in volleyball mode. Elementary tryouts were November 5th and Middle school tryouts tonight, November 8th. As of right now we have 121 girls in our middle school league and 83 in our elementary division. Volleyball is very popular in the County. There are approximately 30 paid staff that consists of coaches and referees. Practices for the league are on Tuesdays and Thursdays and games are on Saturday mornings. Opening day, Saturday, December 1, 2018. Winter Brochure Mr. Dick said the specs for the brochure were sent out and hope to have brochures mailed out in the next few weeks and will be available online as well. Winter classes will start January 8, 2019. Fall 2018 Classes Fall classes are going well and they are concluding and will wrap up around Thanksgiving. Walking and Walkability Committee Mr. Dick stated he was at the Health Department with the Walk and Walkability Committee that Mr. Slocum assigned him to. They have been doing a lot of walk audits. There was one in Hancock and in the Oak Hills West neighborhood (north end). The one audit is to have access to Woodland Way Park by the tennis courts. Working with Rodney Tissue to put a sidewalk in. There is a lot of good ideas, but a lot of the ideas cost money. The County does not have a sidewalk ordinance. Trying to get funding for sidewalks. Their goal is to get people to walk to work or walk to school. Mr. Dick stated the Board of County Commissioners approved Robert Holsinger for the Deputy Director position. He will start on November 19, 2018. Mr. Holsinger is from Maugansville. He was the Executive Director of the Mason Dixon Boy Scouts for the last 2 years. For 8 years he worked at the Boys & Girls Club at Elgin Station. He has a lot of education, event planning and hiring staff. He ran Camp Sinoquipe for the past 2 years. He has an extensive background in camps and training employees. Very excited to have Mr. Holsinger on board. 3 Next Scheduled Meeting Mr. Shank said the next scheduled Board meeting will be on Thursday, December 6, 2018. Vacant Board Seat On October 30, Terry Hose was appointed to Parks and Recreation Board. Krista Hart, County Clerk, sent him a letter on the October 30th and Mr. Shank is going to contact him as well. Mr. Hose will be sworn in at the Courthouse. Nica Sutch also received a letter and she will have to be sworn in at the Courthouse as well. Unfinished Business No unfinished business was discussed. Committee Reports No committee Reports were discussed. New Business Mr. Pennesi stated Jim Sterling, Public Works Director, met with himself, Kevin Cerrone and Ed Plank, the 3 employees he oversees, to let them know he accepted a job in Florida as Director of the Highway Department in Citrus County. His last day working for the County will be November 22, 2018. Adjournment With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 3:35 pm hank, Chairman Washington County Recreation & Parks Board Jeannine Miller McVicker, Recording Secretary Washington County Recreation & Parks Board 4