POWHATAN COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES: THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2025 A MEETING OF THE POWHATAN COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION WAS HELD ON MARCH 20, 2025, AT 6:00 PM IN THE TRAINING ROOM OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, LOCATED AT THE POCAHONTAS LANDMARK CENTER, 4290 ANDERSON HIGHWAY IN POWHATAN VIRGINIA. Commission Members Present: Judy Cain-Oliver, Chair Alex Higgins Frank Flannagan Jason Reed Non-Voting Members Present: Megan Heatwole, Director of Parks & Recreation Bob Benway, Powhatan County Public Schools Robert Powers, Powhatan County Board of Supervisors A. J. Cain Oliver called the meeting to order at 6:06pm. A quorum was established. B. A motion to approve the February 20, 2025, meeting minutes was properly made by F. Flannagan and seconded by A Higgins. Motion passed 4-0 C. No Amendments to the agenda were made. D. Citizen Comments 1. Carl Schwendeman shared a proposal for Southside Electric to build trails along the powerline easement between 522 and Three Bridge Road and from behind the. Armory to Old Buckingham Road. The company is interested in meeting to discuss the trail project. Carl suggested utilizing TAP (Transportation Alternatives Program) Grants to extend Village Sidewalk to Powhatan Middle School or the Post Offiçe. > R. Powers wants to know the cost per linear foot for a gravel screening trail easement. > J. Reed wants the Commission to review the trail type gaps in the Master Plan, > Flannagan requests more information be added to the next meeting agenda. E. New Business 1. Two PRAC member applications have been received sO far. The Commission will wait to appoint a replacement for G. Davis' s seat during the regular appointments in May. J. Cain- Oliver and J. Reed will schedule applicant interviews. M. Heatwole will advertise open positions and announce an application deadline of! May 1, 2025. 2. M. Heatwole will develop a PRAC Subcommittee Application form to present at the April meeting. 3. J. Cain Oliver and J. Reed will present a dedication on behalf of PRAC at the April 12th Turner Park concession stand ribbon cutting event. 4. M. Heatwole shared a draft of thc 2024 Parks and Recreation Annual Report. PRAC members will review and provide feedback on the report. F. Parks and Recreation Director's Report 1. 2025 Parks and Recreation event and PRAC meeting calendars were distributed to PRAC members. 1 POWHATAN COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION S 0 MEETING MINUTES: THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2025 2. G.. Jones presented on a tour of Montpelier Library and Community Center in Hanover County. 3. G.. Jones and T. O'Neill are attending the Powhatan Leadership Institute. 4. Cupid Carnival's Family Dance event had 88 participants. 5. Over 40 vendors are registered for the 2025 Farmers Market. 6. The Fighting Creek Park playground was mulched, and dugout roofs at Turner and Pitt fields were replaced by park maintenance staff. 7. B. Campbell is offering open-strength and conditioning programs for the public and an employee fitness program to assist with HR wellness initiatives. 8. Year-to-date traffic count at the PLC is 3,940 people, with 866 people participating in recreation-sponsored programs. 9. 8,976 pedestrians were counted on the four Fighting Creek Park trail heads. 1,974 participants were counted utilizing the outdoor pickleball courts at PLC. 10. The department collected $3,745 in revenue for February. Most of the revenue is generated through facility rental fees. G. Old Business 1. A motion to adopt the 2025 PRAC Goals was properly made by A. Higgins and seconded by J. Reed. Motion passed 4-0 The 2025 PRAC goals are as follows, with an assigned lead. a) J. Cain Oliver will be responsible fori initiating a Community Center steering'stakeholder committee. b) A. Higgins will work with the director to plan and schedule a tour of one local community recreation center with PRAC members and County administration. c) M. Heatwole will work with PRAC to update the department mission, vision, and goals as part of the department strategic plan. d) F. Flannagan will research and report on how to fundraise and establish a 501c3 "friends of" group. e) J. Reed will lead the efforts to work with the Director and PRAC to develop a Memorial Brick Program in Village Park. f) PRAC members will collaborate to host fundraisers for the Parks and Recreation Department. g) M. Heatwole will work with the County Administration to schedule a workshop in the fall with the Board of Supervisors to discuss the Parks and Recreation Department goals and CIP. 2. PRAC will assist the Director with rescarching the cstablishment of a 501c3 "Friends of" group to support the department with fundraising and grant applications. 3. The BOS and PCPS Board are discussing the Pocahontas Landmark Center (PLC) amended lease and resolution R-2022-03. 2 o POWHATAN COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES: THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2025 4. PRAC reviewed the updated Park Memorial Program and Policy with a request to address damages, vandalism, and liability within the document. R. Powers suggested limiting the authorization of small projects to County staff and PRAC. H. Comments from the Board 1. Reed requested a Parks and Recreation facilities tour for PRAC members. 2. F. Flannagan thanked the Parks and Recreation staff for their hard work and acknowledged that the department has come a long way. I. Recommendation of the Agenda Items 1. F. Flannagan recommended a trails discussion. J. Upcoming Events 1. Next PRAC Meeting: Thursday, April 10, 6:00pm, PLC Training Room K. Meeting adjourned at 8:24pm. a - - N G0 4 Judy Cain-Oliver, Chair Megan Heatwdle, Secretary Date: 2 25 Date: 16135 Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission 3