JROC Minutes December 1, 2004

MEETING ATTENDEES:
Rock Dropped at 6:05PM. Greg Velzy, President, called the meeting to order. (Attendees weren't listed)

MINUTES
No minutes, from September or November Meetings. Approval dismissed until minutes appear.

TREASURER'S REPORT
Sally, Treasurer, was not present, but reported a $6061.10 bank balance. Most expenditures re: trail building.
PROJECT REPORT:
1. Trails: Nathan, the trail czar, reported:
  • JROC funds were spent repairing the 22nd Street pipeline connector. This took three volunteer sessions. Those helping included Seven Hills School.
  • The reroute of the Buttermilk Trail is about 2/3 toward completion. Seal Team committed to moving the bridge supports into place, but has not responded twice. Need at least two more work sessions to finish. Nathan is to notify Greg if Seal Team does not come through.
2. Riverview or North Side Trail: Greg, Wayne and Tricia reported on a bushwhacking discovery hike which illuminated the promise and difficulties presented establishing a multiuse trail along the north side of the Canal from Tredegar Street to Maymont. Discussion ensued on how to proceed regarding:
  • Need to define land rights and ownership issues
  • Should we go ahead and establish use paths
  • Need to pursue trail proposal in City Master Plan

Ralph Hambrick reported that the Planning Commission was working on riverside ownership issues and GIS work to establish a database. There was also discussion regarding wilderness designation and conservation easements protecting development of riverside within City limits.

More trail discovery work will continue the weekend of December 11 – 12
3. Park Boundary Markers: Dominion Power is awarding JROC $2500 to be used for signage delineating James River Park Boundaries and other expenses related to marking the Park boundaries. A surveyor is badly needed. Mary Wickham, President of Friends of the James, verbalized an interest in supporting the project by helping to fund the survey.
4. Fire Department Communication: Ben presented a sheet of simple universal commands used by boaters for alerting authorities or others of either danger or signaling that everything is OK. These sheets will be laminated and presented to Station #1 at 24th and Broad and distributed to other rescue personnel as well. Greg suggested sharing these with the Police and putting the signs in the Park kiosks.

5. Letter to Police Regarding Security Issues: Monty reported that he is drafting a letter to notify the police about security issues at various Park “parking” sites. Ralph White suggested he send the letter to Captain Mike Seamus, who is head of the Southside Precinct.

Ralph White also suggested monitoring the vandal prone parking areas with camouflaged film cameras similar to those which were used on Grace Street in the Fan. A motion was made by Tricia Pearsall and seconded by Ralph Hambrik to allocate $500.00 JROC funds for Ralph White to purchase cameras and /or boxes to place at Pump House and Ready Creek parking areas and other affected sites. Unanimously approved.
6. Richmond City Council Issues:
  • Great Ship Lock Park: The issue seems to be dead at the moment as the developer has backed away from his bid to develop the Great Ship Lock and Chapel Island sites. This whole park lands vs. development issue needs monitoring.
  • Billboard: Though the Planning Commission unanimously disapproved the remodeling of the billboard on the island in the James just north of Mayo’s and west of the 14th Street Bridge, City Council mustered five votes in favor. It did not pass (needed six votes) because one Council member stepped out! The two members voting against the billboard were Councilmen Coates and Pantele. Mary Wickham suggested sending e-mails to both Councilmen praising them for their courageous vote. This issue could surface again at any time and bears monitoring. There is substantial “monetary” power behind the billboard issue.
  • James River Park Maintenance Funds: Greg reminded members to keep up the heat on Council to budget more funds toward maintenance in the James River Park. The current $8000 + recommendation is ridiculous.
7. High Water Permits: Greg announced that he is looking for a patron on Council to propose that High Water Permits be granted for an extended length of time, greater than two years.
8. Christmas Gifts to Hillcrest Drive Residents: Susanne can not make the baskets this year, but was applauded for their attractiveness and elegant contents in past years. Discussion ensued as to what to do for these residents. Chris Hull moved and Monty seconded that we allocate $500 JROC funds to provide poinsettias, and gift certificates to Crossroads Coffee & Tea and Seven Hills Market for each of the ten residents who permit paddlers and river users parking in front of their houses. Delivery is on December 18th at 10:00AM. Tricia will get the poinsettias and Jim Juritsch will get the gift certificates.
9. Proposed Project List: In addition to the list below:
  • Ralph requested volunteers to help serve cider, etc. at the Annual Parade of Lights along the James River on Dec. 11, between 4:00PM and 6:30PM.
  • Ralph also requested a group to paint over graffiti on the railroad bridge west of the 14th Street Bridge. A group agreed to do it Friday afternoon, Dec. 3rd.
  • Mayo Takeout
  • North Shore Takeout
  • Kiosks
  • Cut Trees at Huguenot Flatwater
  • Pony Pasture Changing Rooms
  • Eagle Donors Plaque
  • Park User Survey
10. New Business:
  • Swap Meet: There was discussion concerning where to hold the Swap Meet. It was decided to have Karen Abse continue looking into possibly of having it at 17th Street Market even though the parking lot is no more. Other sites were determined to be too remote.
  • Dispersion of Romer Funds: The Romers paid the City $34,000 as penalties for cutting down trees on Park properties. The money has not been spent as yet. Ralph needs the money for trail and other improvements; Dinesh T. wants the trees to be replanted, but it has been determined that tree replanting is not necessary as nature will take its course. It was moved and seconded by Ralph Hambrick and Tricia Pearsall that JROC write a letter to the Director of Parks recommending that the Romer money be released and spent on capitol improvements (trail and boat ramps) in the James River Park System.
MEMBERSHIP REPORT:
Membership: Susanne Smith reported we have 62 members, and that dues are due in January. Business Cards, Stickers and T-shirts were distributed.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:35PM.

Back to Meetings Page