Parks and Recreation Committee — Charleston, WV
Date: 2023-06-06
Time: 17:00

CITY OF CHARLESTON
 West Virginia
 Council Member – AT LARGE

Caitlin Cook Parks & Recreation Committee, Chair
1534 Summit Drive Facilities, Vice Chair
Charleston, WV 25302 Public Safety Committee
Telephone: 304.543.4879
caitlin.cook@cityofcharleston.org



 THE MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE AND MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC VIA ZOOM
A meeting of the Council Committee on Parks and Recreation will be held on June 6, 2023. The meeting will
begin promptly at 5:00 PM.

*Join via internet:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87825585168?pwd=NDlxbVVwa0NHNWxIRUVJNTQ3UUZHdz09
Passcode: 979280
*Join via Telephone: (312) 626-6799 or (929) 436-2866
Webinar ID: 878 2558 5168
 Agenda

 APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

 1. 4-12-2023

 DISCUSSION

 1. Accepting Aflac donation

 ADJOURN




CC/ns
*Meetings may be recorded and broadcast via internet https://charlestonwv.civicclerk




 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 Facilities, Vice Chair
Charleston, WV 25302 Public Safety Committee
Telephone: 304.543.4879
caitlin.cook@cityofcharleston.org



 THE MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE AND MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC VIA ZOOM
A meeting of the Council Committee on Parks and Recreation will be held on June 6, 2023. The meeting will
begin promptly at 5:00 PM.

*Join via internet:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87825585168?pwd=NDlxbVVwa0NHNWxIRUVJNTQ3UUZHdz09
Passcode: 979280
*Join via Telephone: (312) 626-6799 or (929) 436-2866
Webinar ID: 878 2558 5168
 Agenda

 APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

 1. 4-12-2023

 DISCUSSION

 1. Accepting Aflac donation

 ADJOURN




CC/ns
*Meetings may be recorded and broadcast via internet https://charlestonwv.civicclerk




 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
 THE MEETING WAS HELD IN PERSON IN THE AV ROOM
 AT CITY HALL

 5:30 P. M., APRIL 12, 2023

Caitlin Cook, Chairperson, called the meeting of the Charleston City Council Committee
on Parks and Recreation to order at 5:30p.m., April 12, 2023.

Committee Members Present:
Caitlin Cook, Chair
Bruce King, Vice Chair
Patrick Salango
Frank Annie
Michael Ferrell
Chad Robinson

Committee Members Absent:
Pat Jones


Other Councilmembers Present:



A roll call was taken, and it was determined that a quorum was not present.




 1. Approval of Previous Minutes 11-3-2022–

Councilmember King motioned to approve the minutes of the previous meeting on 11-3-
2022. Councilmember Robinson seconded. There were no objections, and the minutes
were approved.



 April 12, 2023

 Page | 2 of
 2. Update from Parks and Recreation Department –

Councilmember Cook stated that she wanted the new members of the Committee to
understand all of the work the Parks and Recreation Department has done since the
beginning of the Goodwin Administration.

Director of Parks and Recreation, Rashaun Poore, informed the Committee of all of the
projects completed since the last meeting in November, such as recoating all of the gym
floors and updating the HVAC systems for the gyms at MLK and North Charleston.
Some current projects include:
 • Redesigning the pump track at Cato Park to accommodate all ages
 • Will install a new 3-D archery course at Cato Park
 • Will be adding piping to the Cato Park trails to help with flooding
 • A new registration system to replace the paper system
 • Continuing the free City Lifeguard certification program
 • Free Summer Camp

Councilmember Moore confirmed with Poore that the minimum age requirement for
lifeguards was 15 years. The position pays $11/hour. Poore added they currently have
30 applications, 15 of which are certified and worked last year. They need at least 40 to
operate all of the pools.



 3. Resolution No. 788-23 - Renaming Cato Park trail–

Councilmember Cook added that the trail to be renamed “Amanda Trail” is the trail
currently referred to as Trail #3. Amanda enjoyed the City’s P&R facilities, and was an
active member of the Community.

Councilmember Robinson motioned to approve the resolution. Councilmember Annie
seconded the motion. With members being present having voted unanimously in the
affirmative, the Chair declared Resolution No. 788-23 as approved.



 4. Scheduling, costs and agreements for City fields –

Councilmember Cook added that as more people want to use the P&R facilities, there
needs to be a system in place to empower the Department to run those facilities in the
best way possible. The Committee received a scheduling system and rental guide for
the fields and courts for their consideration.

Poore added that the document lists information about each field, and describes the 4
listed user groups. The “Local Recreation Providers” would pay a fee, but would have
priority in scheduling. The document also describes team and tournament applications


 April 12, 2023

 Page | 3 of
and deposit fees. There are also Rules and Regulations for the various fields as well as
various cancelation policies. Poore added that she would in particular like the
Committee’s opinion on what the charges for the various fields should be.

Mayor Goodwin added that some of these funds must be used to help maintain the
Department (referring to the free services they provide). She added that the
Administration gives kids priority.

Councilmember Robinson asked for an overview as to how the prices were determined.
Poore added that she researched what other cities were doing. A lot of cities were
charging $75/hour to practice for a max of 2 hours, for example. She added the current
policy is to give non-profits get a 50% discount and no charge for Little Leagues.
Currently, Travel Teams are allowed to use fields for free if they are not in use, but the
new guide proposes charging them. Councilmember Moore suggested that the fee
could be contingent upon how many teams were involved. Councilmember Cook added
that it was important that the document be transparent, accessible and easy to
understand. She added that the creation of a maintenance fund is also important.

Councilmember Robinson added that perhaps a percentage of all tournaments put on
by the City should go into the maintenance fund. The hourly rates could go directly to
the Department to maintain employees, field maintenance, bathroom maintenance, etc.
The Committee generally agreed that the listed hourly rates were low.

Councilmember Cook suggested keeping the rate for local groups the same, and
changing the rate for tournaments. Mayor Goodwin added that travel teams could
include some local kids, but not 100%. Councilmember Robinson said travel team
needed to be more defined. Councilmember Ferrell said the burden should be on the
teams to pay for ambulance services, security, clean up, etc. Poore added that she
thought tournament fees should be separate from the regular fee based on number of
teams, days, etc.

Councilmember Annie suggested that the document contain suggested services, such
as insurance, security, etc. Poore added that the City hasn’t yet hosted a tournament,
but they have rented out fields to them. The current rate is $90/day. Councilmember
Robinson added that City-run tournaments is a different discussion. Poore asked how
travel teams tournaments would work in terms of fees and City staff. Currently, they do
not provide staff.

Councilmember Robinson added that deposits should be automatic and non-refundable.
Additionally, he recommended adding “or events designated by the City of Charleston.”
To the line on page 7: “10. There shall be no admission fee for any events scheduled
other than Tournament Events.” This will give the City the authority to set all other gate
fees. Mayor Goodwin wanted to emphasize that these are open, public facilities for
which other things will not be shut down during events.




 April 12, 2023

 Page | 4 of
Councilmember Robinson suggested that the hourly fee should be at least $50/hr. for
travel teams. This should apply to fields as well as courts. Poore added that gym fees
are in the Municipal Code as $25/hr. with no restrictions. Councilmember Cook added
that the Code needed to be updated to reflect the categories in the new document.
Councilmember Robinson suggested taking those fees out of the Code. The Rental
Guide could be updated on an annual basis. Additionally, any issues could be taken up
by the Department and Committee much quicker than through full Council.

Mayor Goodwin asked how the proposed Guide compared to Shawnee rates.
Councilmember Robinson added that Shawnee was much more expensive. Poore
added that she intentionally set the rates to be lower than Shawnee but complementary.
Councilmember Robinson suggested that a provision be added to the Guide that states
something like “At the discretion of Parks and Recreation, fees can be negotiated for
certain entities not defined within.” Mayor Goodwin added that the way to make money
is from tournaments and larger travel groups.

Councilmember Ferrell suggested that the City could get revenue from concession
sales. Councilmember Cook added that taking that section out of the code would give
the Committee and the Department more authority and flexibility to make those kinds of
changes as needed.

Councilmember Robinson suggested that they approve the Guide with the pricing listed,
and add the previously mentioned non-refundable language and definition of travel
teams. The Director can decide the effective date. The Committee will re-evaluate it
after the Spring/Summer Season. Councilmember Cook added that parts of the guide
were incomplete as her expectation was that it would become an all-encompassing
rental guide. Mayor Goodwin added that there were teams wanting to use the fields
now, so it might be best to approve the fees immediately.

Councilmember Robinson motioned to approve the field rental fees within the rental
guide to be amended at the discretion of the Director of Parks and Recreation based on
the Committee’s discussion. Councilmember Annie seconded the motion. With
members being present having voted unanimously in the affirmative, the Chair declared
the motion approved.



 5. Wertz Avenue Playground/Community Space design –

Councilmember Cook added that this is one of the forgotten playgrounds in the City.
The park has played an important part of the Community, but has been long neglected.
The Administration has gathered feedback from the Community as to what they would
like to see in the park. Poore added that the building has been demolished. Some of the
ideas gathered were:
 • New fencing
 • Covered shelter


 April 12, 2023

 Page | 5 of
 • Replace the old playground equipment and basketball court
 • Grills, electric, running water, restrooms
 • A building to host community meetings and after school/senior programs as well
 as an emergency facility
 • A grass area

Councilmember Cook asked how long until they are able to start the project. Poore
replied that she intended to start looking into quotes for equipment and asphalt over the
next few weeks. Hopefully the project will have started by July 2023.




Councilmember King motioned to adjourn. Councilmember Annie seconded the motion.
Meeting adjourned.




 April 12, 2023

 Page | 6 of
Resolution No. 788-23 - Approving the naming of a walking and hiking trail within Cato Park, as
shown as Trail #3 on the attached map designated Exhibit A, as Amanda Trail, in memory of the
life of former Charleston resident Amanda Trail.

WHEREAS, Amanda Trail loved to be outdoors on hiking trails throughout the Kanawha Valley, at
the Cato Park swimming pool where she served as a summer lifeguard, on the beach enjoying
the sun, sand, and ocean breeze, in a kayak through the rain, or on a snowboard taking in the
views of the mountains; and

WHEREAS, Amanda Trail was an active young resident of the City of Charleston who played
volleyball, tennis, ran track, and swam in meets at Capital High School, played numerous
instruments, performed in plays, danced, participated in gymnastics, and worked on the
promotions team for the West Virginia Power baseball team; and

WHEREAS, Amanda Trail passed away at the age of 25 from the effects that Acute Myeloid
Leukemia; and

WHEREAS, naming one of the walking and hiking trails in Cato Park as Amanda Trail is a fitting
memorial to the young woman who left such a positive impact on the community and her friends
and family.

Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Council of the City of Charleston, West Virginia:

That the walking and hiking trail within Cato Park as shown as Trail #3 on the attached map,
designated as Exhibit A to this resolution, is hereby named Amanda Trail in honor of former
Charleston resident Amanda Trail, daughter of Linda Trail and Gary Trail.




 April 12, 2023

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MINUTES
 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING
 THE MEETING WAS HELD AND MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC OVER ZOOM
 AT CITY HALL

 5:00 P. M., JUNE 6, 2023

Caitlin Cook, Chairperson, called the meeting of the Charleston City Council Committee
on Parks and Recreation to order at 5:00p.m., June 6, 2023.

Committee Members Present:
Caitlin Cook, Chair
Bruce King, Vice Chair (arrived at 5:13)
Patrick Salango
Frank Annie
Chad Robinson

Committee Members Absent:
Michael Ferrell
Pat Jones


Other Councilmembers Present:



A roll call was taken, and it was determined that a quorum was not present.




 June 6, 2023
 1. Accepting Aflac donation –

Councilmember Cook introduced Erin Dempsey, who is working through Aflac with
Health Right through a community grant project. They are considering putting a bench
at Magic Island where it is needed. Councilmember Cook added that Council approval
is not needed, but the Administration does want it to be approved by the Parks and
Recreation Committee.

Dempsey added that their team worked to design the benches. They are responsible for
facilitation the location and installation of the benches. Health Right is the second
recipient of the 2023 Community CareGrants. Aflac has specifically requested their
bench be placed at the specified Magic Island location with a dedication ceremony on
June 21.

Councilmember Cook added that Health Right also wanted the bench to be at Magic
Island as it adds to the park neighborhood and the walkability of the area.

Dempsey added that Aflac would like to install the bench prior to the dedication
ceremony date. They would like the Committee to recommend a spot in that area.

With no objection from members being present, the Chair declared the acceptance of
the bench from Aflac as approved.

As to the specific location, Councilmember Cook advised that the closer to the river, the
more likely the bench would take on water from flooding. She added that there is not a
bench by the bath houses, near the splash pad. Councilmember Annie agreed.

With no objection from members being present, the Chair declared the location of the
new bench to be near the splash pad as approved.




Councilmember Annie motioned to adjourn. Councilmember Salango seconded the
motion. Meeting adjourned.




 June 6, 2023