JROC MINUTES

Wednesday, June 6, 2007           

Legend Brewery

Chris Hull Presiding

 

·        Meeting called to order

·        Attendance:  who has the attendance sheet?

·        May 2007 minutes were approved.

·        Treasurer’s Report:  Sally Wetzler (back from last month’s trip)

o       $11,575 in bank, $6,475 committed = $5,100 available for projects

o       Revising list of committed funds to reflect monies not required for Nathan’s travel costs and the interim sign for Karen Abse memorial

·        Recent & Current Projects

o       Conservation Easement – still working its way through the bureaucracy – Parks Director supports

o       14th Street Takeout – rocks have been put on the embankment but still need another load.  Peter wants to geotech under the fence for vine control.  $88.92 proposed by Sally & seconded by Greg for hand rail on right side of steps.  Passed. 

o       Kiosks: discussion on redoing maps on Belle Isle and revamping kiosks – possibly putting up large (3’ x 5’) maps.  Ralph to check with the Times Dispatch.  A business that can make these type of large materials is Presentation Resources at Cary and 2nd

o       Trail work – Park looks wonderful – way to go Nathan! Nathan reported that some brick near Maymont is coming loose and will be repaired in next 2 weeks and will be fastened.  Nathan is now working in Forest Hill Park and will reassess trails at end of the summer.  Bob Burch noted that there is growth obscuring the site lines and wanted to know about trimming.  Nathan stated that the guidelines are to trim at nodes and cut at base if taking out.  Nathan needs to be contacted before any trimming is done.  Bob will go with Nathan to do the initial trimming to see.

o       John Johnson has trained volunteers to lead interpretive hikes.  It’s unknown at this time if he has any hikes planned.  Ralph will check

o       Lorne is the proud and exhausted father of a new baby boy – Dillon.  He will be back in mid-month from new baby duties.

o       Pumphouse – is being opened for weekend? At least Saturday tours from 10-4.  Ralph has a dream to eventually have boat tours with a bateau.  Friends of the James picnic to be evening of river clean up.

o       Sign for Z dam – Chris has wording done and will email to Ralph to have produced.  Chris moved to allocate $250 for the signage.  Seconded by Sally.  Passed. This is being done as part of the effort to make Riverside as scenic as possible.  When mounting to keep below a driver’s horizon line.

·        Project List

o       Graffiti painting – Austin asked for materials & will get with Nathan.  There is some climbing work to be done on the bridges to paint over graffiti.  Also try to ask Norfolk Southern to paint over graffiti on their railroad supports.

o       Fundraiser opportunity available helping at Groovin’ in the Garden on Thursday 6/7.

o       Help needed at the Adventure Games serving beer Saturday night June 16 between 7-9:15.  Need 25 people for the Adventure Games.

o       James River Clean up June 9th – shuttle leaving at 9:15

·        Ralph report

o       He is concerned because the Recreation part of Parks & Rec has been moved from l. Pope to director’s assistant.  He now has no control over recreation funds and Ralph isn’t sure if he will stay with his authority cut.

o       Recycling approximately 50,000 bottles and cans per month.

o       Staffing issues – Nathan now working at other parks in addition to JRPS.  Of two seasonal employees that were hired one never showed and the other just quit...  The four high school interns have just finished and that leaves 3 college interns.

o       Ralph is now required to go through Belle Isle at dusk with a bull horn saying the park is closing and police will follow to enforce.  The gates are still not being locked on Belle Isle.

o       Other gates – all of the electronic gates are now broken and have had to be repaired to the tune of 12 x $200 and Ralph unsure of which budget the repairs will be charged to.

o       Parks budget is now frozen from now to the end of the fiscal year (6/30)

·        New business

o       Suggest to Riverside Outfitters to run moonlight floats

o       If not getting emails please contact Chris or Greg

o       Nathan requested $200 for bridge repairs on Northshore Trail.  Greg made a motion to allot the money Chris seconded and it passed.

o       MORE would like funding for an overview (observation deck) on the Northshore Trail by Riverview Cemetery.  Unknown amount needed.  Ralph not opposed as long as vista can be maintained.  Tabled until additional information available.

·        Meeting adjourned.

 

Respectfully submitted by Sally Wetzler who was trying to live up to Tricia’s standards but is sorely lacking.