Parks and Recreation Committee

CITY OF CHARLESTON West Virginia Council Member – AT LARGE Larry Moore Parks & Recreation Committee, Chair 501 Virginia St E Public Safety Committee Charleston, WV 25301 Telephone: 304.989.6792 Larry.moore@cityofcharleston.org There will be a meeting of the Parks & Recreation Committee on August 25, 2022 – 6:30 PM in the AV ROOM #308, CITY HALL. The meeting will take place in person, and can be viewed live via Zoom *Join via internet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81650788741?pwd=UmNscDhZbWIrZmhlOGwzb1BsSVpadz09 Passcode: 955185 *Join via Telephone: (312) 626-6799 or (929) 436-2866 Webinar ID: 816 5078 8741 Agenda APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES 1. 2-24-2022 RESOLUTIONS 1. Resolution No. 710-22 - Authorizing the Mayor or City Manager to enter into a contract with West Virginia Demolition, Inc., to demolish a vacant, dilapidated, and unsafe structure located at 143 Wertz Avenue, known as Riverview School. DISCUSSION 1. Parks and Recreation programming update 2. Field turfing update 3. Danner Meadow 4. Swimming program in the name of Deonco Howard City Council | 501 Virginia Street, East | Post Office Box 2749 | Charleston, West Virginia 25330 www.charelstonwv.gov | 304.348.8179 | 304.348.8038 fax Page | 1 of LM/ns City Council | 501 Virginia Street, East | Post Office Box 2749 | Charleston, West Virginia 25330 www.charelstonwv.gov | 304.348.8179 | 304.348.8038 fax Page | 2 of  MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING THE MEETING WAS HELD IN PERSON IN THE AV ROOM AT CITY HALL 4:00 P. M., FEBRUARY 24, 2022 Larry Moore, Chairperson, called the meeting of the Charleston City Council Committee on Parks and Recreation to order at 4:00p.m., February 24, 2021. Committee Members Present: Larry Moore, Chair Bruce King, Vice Chair (arrived at 4:17, after approval of minutes) Joseph Jenkins Deanna McKinney (via Zoom, left at 4:30 due to connectivity issues) Chad Robinson Committee Members Absent: Jeanine Faegre Pat Jones Other Councilmembers Present: Mary Beth Hoover A roll call was taken, and it was determined that a quorum was present. 1. Approval of Previous Minutes 7-29-2021– Councilmember Robinson motioned to approve the minutes of the previous meeting on 7-29-2021. Councilmember Faegre seconded. There were no objections, and the minutes were approved. February 24, 2022 Page | 3 of  2. Completed Parks and Recreation Projects – Mayor Goodwin added that Parks and Recreation’s success is a team effort led by Director Sayles. The extensive list (reproduced at the end of the minutes) is a testament to their hard work and accomplishments from the previous year. Sayles added that her staff has worked countless hours, going above and beyond their duties. The Cato Park project has begun, but is currently stopped until the weather gets warmer. 3. Upcoming Projects Sayles stated that they have requested CDBG funds for some projects. One project that has been started is for automatic door openers at the Kanawha City, North Charleston, Roosevelt and MLK Centers. They will be updating the Admin building at Cato, fixing the front sidewalk at MLK, and replacing various park benches, etc. Bathroom stalls at MLK will also be updated, as well as various cardio equipment at all Centers. Mayor Goodwin added that the 2 fields that cannot be re-turfed will be resurfaced. Councilmember Robinson asked if Sayles could check on the bathrooms at North Charleston for Senior Softball. Sayles added that there are portable bathrooms there now. Councilmember Robinson added that the Kanawha City Community Association is asking if the fenced K-9 training area in Kanawha City was still being used, and if not, could it be used for a dog park. Sayles replied that they might use it occasionally, but have mostly moved to a different location. She will check on that. They would need to figure out how to properly drain the area for a dog park. Sayles added that they will also be installing a security camera system at the Kanawha City Rec Center. 4. Needs for Parks and Recreation – Sayles stated that the Department didn’t really need anything that they hadn’t already asked for. They have received great support from the Administration. February 24, 2022 Page | 4 of  5. Recruiting for Lifeguards and Other Summer Positions - Sayles added that they are planning to partner with the YWCA and Legendary Lifeguards to help pay for certification costs. She added that last year they received many applications, but it was a challenge to get enough certified. Councilmember Jenkins asked if they would certify some staff members as well. Sayles replied that it was too much of a liability to do that. Councilmember Robinson confirmed that all of the City pools will be open this Summer. Councilmember Jenkins asked if they would be drug testing before doing the certifications. Sayles confirmed that they would be. 6. Miscellaneous - Councilmember King confirmed that there are plans to resurface the outdoor basketball court at MLK and NC. Councilmember Robinson inquired as to the pickleball courts. Sayles added that 2 pickle ballcourts will fit into 1 tennis court, but will require another net. When they resurface, the essentially add a sealant to the area. Sayles added that they could add the lines and purchase a few portable nets, like at MLK. Councilmember Jenkins asked if the pickleball courts were being used as he was concerned there would be conflicts with pickleball and basketball use. Sayles added that set up has worked at MLK. Councilmember Robinson asked if the Department was still responsible for graffiti removal. Sayles replied that they were, but she would like to talk about that. Councilmember Robinson added that there is some graffiti on the underpass by CAMC. He added that another Department, like Public Works, should be responsible for that. Sayles added that it made since for them to remove graffiti in parks, but maybe not City- wide. Councilmember Robinson rooted for the Cougars. Councilmember Robinson motioned to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned. February 24, 2022 Page | 5 of Charleston Parks and Recreation 2021 Accomplishments February 24, 2022  Updated the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center which included: o New paint throughout the facility o New flooring in all administration offices o Additional new updated lighted exit signs o Relocation of existing rooms  Completed multi-recreational outdoor space at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center which included: o Updated walkway o Updated lighting o New electrical outlets o Two full length basketball courts with adjustable basketball goals o A new futsal court and nets o New sets of bleachers o Added lines for six pickleball courts  Partnered with the Vandalia Civic Club to create a community garden  Added Pickleball lines to the Edgewood Tennis Courts  Began the ADA bathroom update project at the Kanawha City Community Center  Began Cato Park Walking Trail Project  Offered free public golf at Cato Park  Partnered with HRDF to provide summer youth employment  Honored Robert Edward Easley Sr. by dedicating the western wing of the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center designated for afterschool programming in his honor  Repaved the North Charleston Community Center parking lots  Updated Oakmont Park to include: o New playground border o New mulch o Updated wood for benches o Replaced basketball rims and nets  Fixed years old water leak at Cato Park  Updated playground fall protection surfaces and border at many of the playgrounds  Removed old playground and replaced with new play equipment at Bigley Ave.  Updated the East End Community Park by including: o Playground equipment o New Fitlot outdoor exercise equipment o Small umbrella splash pad feature  Created new dog park at Cato Park February 24, 2022 Page | 6 of   Created new dog park on Dunbar St in downtown.  Created new Skate Park  Created the new Beatrice Street Park which includes: o Two full length basketball courts o Youth playground o Parking lot o Updated lighting  Helped to host the WVSSAC State Tennis tournament  Helped to host the Thunder in the Mountain College Tennis Tournament  Participated in the city Christmas Parade and received the first-place award!  Created a new partnership with the Bob Burdette Center to provide an afterschool program located at the North Charleston Community Center.  Began the process to update the HVAC systems at the North Charleston Community Center and Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center  Upgraded the camera security systems as both the North Charleston Community and Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center  Installed new public access computers in the Kanawha City Community Center and Roosevelt Neighborhood Center  Updated the pool deck at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center pool  Lifeguard certification sponsorship Programs and Activities:  Summer Enrichment Camp at Roosevelt  Root Beer Float Day at Roosevelt  World Suicide Prevention Day at Roosevelt  Fruit Smoothies Day at Roosevelt  National Homemade Cookie Day at Roosevelt  Stop Bullying Day at Roosevelt  Girl’s Game Night at Roosevelt  Boy’s Game Night at Roosevelt  National Sandwich Day Event at Roosevelt  Youth Night Basketball at Roosevelt  Glo-Basketball Night at Roosevelt  Senior Bingo at NCCC  Back to School Summer Party at NCCC  Kings of North Summer Basketball League at NCCC  Breakfast Club at NCCC  Kids Game Night at NCCC  Teen Game Night at NCCC  Kids Christmas Shop NCCC  Socializing through Play at NCCC February 24, 2022 Page | 7 of  Family Game Night at NCCC  Wushu Football Camp at MLK  Senior Bingo at MLK  Family Kickball Night at MLK  Pool Tournament at MLK  MLK Summer Basketball League  Senior Art Class  MLK Flag Football League  Kids Power Hour at MLK  Teen Game Night at MLK  Youth Game Night at KCCC  Youth Movie Night at KCCC  Card Sharks at KCCC  Women’s Fitness Hour at KCCC  Nature Hikes  Charleston Coin Club Meetings at KCCC  Senior Social at KCCC  Painting Parties at KCCC  Twirl Class at KCCC  Youth Karaoke at KCCC  Celebrated National Dog Park Day at the East End Dog Park  Biddy Basketball Practice Program – All centers  Trunk or Treat at Magic Island  Urban Fishing at Cato Park February 24, 2022 Page | 8 of  1 Resolution No. 710-22 2 3 Introduced in Council: Adopted by Council: 4 5 September 6, 2022 _________________ 6 7 Introduced by: Referred to 8 9 Larry Moore Parks & Recreation Committee 10 11 Resolution No. 710-22 – Authorizing the Mayor or City Manager to enter into a contract with 12 West Virginia Demolition, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $60,000, to demolish a vacant, 13 dilapidated, and unsafe structure located at 143 Wertz Avenue, known as Riverview School, 14 which is currently owned by the City of Charleston and under the control of the Parks & 15 Recreation Department. 16 17 Be it Resolved by the Council of the City of Charleston, West Virginia: 18 19 That the Mayor or City Manager is authorized to enter into a contract with West Virginia 20 Demolition, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $60,000, to demolish a vacant, dilapidated, and 21 unsafe structure located at 143 Wertz Avenue, known as Riverview School, which is currently 22 owned by the City of Charleston and under the control of the Parks & Recreation Department. 23 Page | 9 of Page | 10 of Page | 11 of Page | 12 of Page | 13 of Chaleston Land Reuse Agency Public Input Process Report Riverview School Property July 19, 2022 Page | 14 of At the request of Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin and as part of it’s ongoing commitment to community engagement, the Charleston Land Reuse Agency sought public input for the Riverview School Property on Wertz Avenue. Door-to-door outreach occurred from late April to late May with the public input chalkboard being posted on the property from May 11 – May 25, 2022. Significant gratitude is owed the Mr. Jim Harris for his leadership and coordination of outreach among his neighbhors for this effort. This process yielded productive engagement with residents. A total of 34 responses were collected including online and the chalkboard that was place on the property. The chalkboard simply asked passersby “What belongs here is…”. The community responded with: Word cloud representation of all responses weighted by occurrence. (generalized) The online survey was shared via door-to-door outreach and linked by QR code on the chalkboard at the site. The survey asked the following questions: - What belongs here is… - My community needs… ▪ A better place for kids to play ▪ An improved basketball court ▪ Picnic/gathering facilities ▪ Outdoor exercise equipment for adults - The school property needs… ▪ A deep cleaning Page | 15 of  ▪ Trash cans ▪ A better layout ▪ Improved lighting ▪ New playground equipment ▪ To keep most of the pavement for kids to ride bikes ▪ Places for grownups to sit while their kids play ▪ A permenant fire pit ▪ A picnic shelter - What memories do you have of the Riverview School or grounds, especially when you gathered there with friends and neighbors? A total of 10 complete survey responses were collected. This survey gives a greater level of depth with both open-ended and multple choice questions. Responsdents prioritized the following when asked “My commuinty needs…”: There is concensus that “Picnic/Gathering Facilities” are wanted for the property. Recreation opportunities, especially for children are also strongly desired. Several of the answers to the open-ended question asking respondents to recount memories of the property recall community gatherings at the property; halloween parties, cake walks, church picnics, etc. Clearly, a place to gather, eat, and have fellowship is still much desired and sorely needed. Similarly, there is concensus on desired physical improvements to the site with more than 90% of respondents asking for “New playground equipment”, “Places for grownups to sit while their kids play”, and “A picnic shelter”. Page | 16 of Another theme that came out in responses was the need for more regular maintenance on the site, cutting back overgrown trees, and the need for trash cans. The public input chalkboard was very highly utilised with many reponses likely coming from young people. Kids clearly loved drawing on the board, but also provided great input. Many reponses asked for a pool, improved play equipment, and better seating. This space is already serves as the center of community activity, especially for youth. In total, the responses that were received show that residents are largely looking for the property to remain the hub of community activity in their neighbhorhood with improvements to the condition and amenities of the property. Many responses asked for a new, single-level community center with exercise equipment. Incorporating healthy lifestyle and recreation into the site is on the mind of residents. The ability to gather together is also critical as the property enters its next phase of life. Many memories shared recall the friends and family that gathered on the site. The community emphatically wants this legacy to live on as the school structure is removed and improvements are made. 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