Parks and Recreation Committee — Charleston, WV
Date: 2021-05-27
Time: 16:30

CITY OF CHARLESTON
 West Virginia
 Council Member – AT LARGE

Caitlin Cook Parks & Recreation Committee, Chair
1534 Summit Drive Environment and Recycling Committee
Charleston, WV 25302
Telephone: 304.543.4879
caitlin.cook@cityofcharleston.org



 THE MEETING WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC VIA ZOOM
A meeting of the Council Committee on Parks and Recreation will be held on May 27, 2021. The meeting will
begin promptly at 4:30 PM.

*Join via internet:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82936783215?pwd=VTZVaWZkSHQyblRINStRUXpPU3o4dz09
Passcode: 291486
*Join via Telephone: (312) 626‐6799 or (929) 436‐2866
Webinar ID: 829 3678 3215

 Agenda

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

 1. 4‐29‐2021

DISCUSSION

 1. Cato Park Walking and Bike Pump Track

 2. West Side Basketball Courts/Playground

 3. Cato Dog Park Update

ADJOURN




CC/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

CITY OF CHARLESTON
 West Virginia
 Council Member – AT LARGE

Caitlin Cook Parks & Recreation Committee, Chair
1534 Summit Drive Environment and Recycling Committee
Charleston, WV 25302
Telephone: 304.543.4879
caitlin.cook@cityofcharleston.org



 THE MEETING WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC VIA ZOOM
A meeting of the Council Committee on Parks and Recreation will be held on May 27, 2021. The meeting will
begin promptly at 4:30 PM.

*Join via internet:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82936783215?pwd=VTZVaWZkSHQyblRINStRUXpPU3o4dz09
Passcode: 291486
*Join via Telephone: (312) 626‐6799 or (929) 436‐2866
Webinar ID: 829 3678 3215

 Agenda

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

 1. 4‐29‐2021

DISCUSSION

 1. Cato Park Walking and Bike Pump Track

 2. West Side Basketball Courts/Playground

 3. Cato Dog Park Update

ADJOURN




CC/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 | 1 of
 MINUTES
 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING
 WEST HALL 1, CHARLESTON COLISEUM AND CONVENTION CENTER
  (THE MEETING WAS ALSO MADE AVAILABLE AS A LIVE STREAM VIA ZOOM PER THE AGENDA)

 5:30 P. M., APRIL 29, 2021

Caitlin Cook, Chairperson, called the meeting of the Charleston City Council Committee
on Parks and Recreation to order at 5:30p.m., APRIL 29, 2021.

Committee Members Present:
Caitlin Cook, Chair
Chad Robinson, Vice Chair (attended virtually over Zoom)
Jeanine Faegre (attended virtually over Zoom)
Joseph Jenkins (attended virtually over Zoom)
Pat Jones
Deanna McKinney
Robert Sheets


A roll call was taken, and it was determined that a quorum was present.




 1. Approval of Previous Minutes 3-25-2021–
Councilmember Faegre motioned to approve the minutes of the previous meeting on 4-
29-2021. Councilmember McKinney seconded. There were no objections and the
minutes were approved.




 March 25, 2021

 Page | 2 of
 2. Bill No. 7901 – A BILL to amend the Municipal Code of the City of Charleston
 related to providing authorization for the waiver of certain fees for use of public
 parks and recreation facilities.

Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, Jennifer Neal, added that the bill would
enable the Department to work cooperatively with other groups, and would allow them
to use the facilities in a more diverse way.

Councilmember Cook added that organizations are in various financial situations due to
the impact of the pandemic. As the Rec Centers open back up, they want to make sure
that a diverse group is using the facilities.

Councilmember McKinney asked if the fees were for all organizations or individuals.
Councilmember Cook replied that currently a member of the community would not pay a
fee to use the Centers. Some organizations (pickle ball, table tennis clubs, etc.) will pay
a fee to use the facility because that space cannot then be used by the public.

Councilmember Jones motioned to approve the bill. Councilmember McKinney
seconded. With members present recorded thereon as voting unanimously in the
affirmative, Bill No. 7901 was approved.



 3. Update on the AEP Project at Cato Park –
Councilmember Cook stated that, on the recommendation of Councilmember McKinney,
there had been a walkthrough of the proposed area of the AEP Project at the Cato Park
trail. Councilmember Cook shared with the Committee some pictures she took of the
trail as it currently stands. The pictures showed that the trail wasn’t much wider than it
originally was except in a few spots, and the older trees that had been identified to be
saved were clearly marked. It was evident that AEP worked with concerned citizens to
keep the integrity of the trail as much as possible.



 4. Update on City Pools –
Councilmember Cook stated that currently the City plans on opening at least the Cato
and North Charleston pools. Neal added that the new filtration/sanitation system was
just installed at the North Charleston pool, but has never been used. Their plan is to
make sure that system functions properly, and then possibly use that system for the
MLK pool. She added that the new pump is more efficient and, hopefully, more cost
effective. The chlorination system is also now automatic and safer.




 March 25, 2021

 Page | 3 of
 5. Recreational Investment Opportunities (American Rescue Plan) –
Councilmember Cook reminded the Committee that she had asked them to think of
some recreational projects that would be good investments to potentially use the ARP
funds.

Councilmember Cook suggested:
  A natatorium, adding that West Virginia is lacking aquatic centers.
  Connect to the Elk River for paddlers.

Councilmember Faegre suggested:
   Lip-sync contests for children 5-14 at Haddad River Front Park.

Councilmember Jenkins suggested:
   A Regional Parks Commission to combine funding with Kanawha County to
 utilize the rivers and trail plans.

Councilmember Cook relayed suggestions of the Director of Parks and Recreation,
Rashaun Sayles:
   Update Cato Pool.
   Replace gym floor at the Roosevelt Center.
   New roof for the Cato Administrative Building.
   Turf all Little League Fields and the MLK Softball Field.

Councilmember Robinson suggested:
   Turf all Little League Fields and the MLK Softball Field.
   Wi-Fi hotspots, especially for children to do schoolwork.

Councilmember McKinney suggested:
   Pocket Parks.
   Wi-Fi hotspots.



 6. Miscellaneous –
Councilmember McKinney asked about the status of Laidley Field. Councilmember
Robinson replied that the situation had not been resolved (in reference to the various
groups that use the field). He added that ideally, the Scholl Board would buy out the
contract with UC.

Councilmember Cook encouraged everyone to visit the newly renovated East End Dog
Park.




 March 25, 2021

 Page | 4 of
Councilmember McKinney motioned to adjourn the meeting. Councilmember Jones
seconded.

Meeting adjourned.




 March 25, 2021

 Page | 5 of

MINUTES
 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING
THE MEETING WAS HELD AND MADE AVAILABLE AS A LIVE STREAM VIA ZOOM PER THE AGENDA

 4:30 P. M., MAY 27, 2021

Caitlin Cook, Chairperson, called the meeting of the Charleston City Council Committee
on Parks and Recreation to order at 4:30p.m., MAY 27, 2021.

Committee Members Present:
Caitlin Cook, Chair
Chad Robinson, Vice Chair
Jeanine Faegre
Joseph Jenkins
Pat Jones (present after approval of previous minutes)
Deanna McKinney
Robert Sheets (present after approval of previous minutes)


A roll call was taken, and it was determined that a quorum was present.




 1. Approval of Previous Minutes 4-29-2021–

Councilmember McKinney motioned to approve the minutes of the previous meeting on
4-29-2021. Councilmember Jenkins seconded. There were no objections, and the
minutes were approved.


 May 27, 2021
 2. Cato Park Walking and Bike Pump Track –

Mayor Goodwin stated that the plans will eventually be presented to Council, but the
Committee had already seen them. There will be a crushed limestone walking/biking
trail around the entirety of Cato Golf Course. It has been partially funded by an
anonymous donor. The bike pump track will be located near the first hole.


 3. West Side Basketball Courts/Playground –

Councilmember Cook stated that there will be a basketball court/playground on the
West Side. The location will be on West Washington and Beatrice Streets. Based on
community input, additional ideas such as a seating area and a chessboard will be
added.

Director of Parks and Recreation, Rashaun Sayles added that she went with Steve
Birurakis to look at the space, and they created a plan to include two basketball courts,
a playground area and parking. A 10-foot fence will surround the courts, and there will
be a smaller fence around the play area. Lighting will likely be on a timer. She added
that it is a good plan, and the community will get good use out of it.


 4. Cato Dog Park –

Councilmember Cook stated that the fencing is up along the entire perimeter. Mayor
Goodwin added that there will likely be a dedication when it suits the family.
Councilmember Cook added that there is a gazebo with seating as well as a mini
shelter with seating. They will also likely add a water supply in the future. Sayles added
that she had been in contact with Edgewood Summit, who is interested in sponsoring a
bench.




Councilmember Robinson motioned to adjourn the meeting. Councilmember Sheets
seconded.

Meeting adjourned.



 May 27, 2021