PARKS AND RECREATION COUNCIL
Meeting of August 6, 2009
Present were Council Members:
Ron Mears / William Craven / Andy UrquhartRon Breeding / Ron Whittington / Joseph Smack
Joan Brown
Deloris Donnelly / John Williams / Brenda Bramble
Staff:
Bob Ehemann / Wayne Kline / Kendall SommersGreg Abbott / Ray Bivens / Paul Nicholson
John McCarty
Britt Murray / Susan Moerschel / Esther Knotts
Friends Group Executive Directors/Members of the Public:
Ed Lewandowski
The August 6, 2009, meeting of the Parks and Recreation Council was held at the Center for the Inland Bays, 39375 Inlet Road, Rehoboth Beach, De, 19971. Chairman Ron Mears called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m.
INTRODUCTIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Andy Urquhart made a motion to approve the minutes. Deloris Donnelly seconded the motion and the minutes were accepted as written.
Ed Lewandowski, Executive Director for the Center for the Inland Bays, made an informative presentation regarding the two wind turbines which were installed at the Indian River Marina.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Ron stated the finalized budget left State workers with a 2.5% pay cut. He is confidence that this will not make a difference in the dedication and goals of Parks’ employees. That they will continue to do the fine job they are doing as State representatives to the public. Mr. Mears visited the State Fair several times and commended the Division of Parks staff for setting up a well informative display and catering to all ages despite the shortage of funds.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Fort Delaware Society: Bill Craven reported. – The Society does not meet in July and August. There are no significant changes in program attendance. The sales at the shop seem to be average but because of the shortened season the overall figures will be lower.
Natural Areas Advisory Council: John Williams reported. -The council held its quarterly meeting in June and is still updating the regulations and guidelines. The council discussed Nature Preserve dedications. A section of Cape Henlopen State will be dedicated as a Nature Preserve park to protect certain birds and unique species of fire-flies. The Council also discussed dedicating the Great Marsh in Lewes.
Several Nature Preserve management issues were discussed. Freshwater Marsh in Brandywine Creek State Park has problems with Reed Canary Grass. The Division may be putting cows on the preserve to break up the grasses and help rid the area of this invasive species. In Angola Neck at Camp Arrowhead, the Council has received a request to move the primitive camping area but there is a concern about protecting the Blue Herons nesting area. The Division is attempting work out a land swap in this area.
The Council is working to make the criteria for designating natural areas more scientific which will provide consistency in determining what constitutes a Nature Area.
White Clay Creek Bi-State Advisory Council - Nothing to report.
Wildlife Management Committee – Nothing to report.
Curatorship Committee – Nothing to report.
Public Comments
There were no public comments
STAFF REPORTS
Director’s Office
Greg Abbott reported.
Greg apologized for the Division Director’s and explained his absence from the meeting.
Greg shared photos of the State Fair booth. He stated the Fair exhibit was very well displayed despite limited financing and cutting back on games and other items. He was proud of the final product and complimented staff for a great job.
Friday, July 31st, members of the AmeriCorps program attended a function at Trap Pond State Park with Senator Venables and Senator Carper in attendance. The Division is appreciative of Senator Carper’s cordiality and time spent talking with each AmeriCorps volunteer.
Brandywine Creek: Volunteers had planned to retrieve 60-70 tires from a one mile stretch of the creek. They ended up collecting 252 tires, weighing over two tons. The tires will be recycled.
Greg provided and discussed a handout about the FY2010 General Fund Budget - The Governor’s office recommended a list of cuts during the budget negotiations.
Budget Report:
· CARs section was eliminated and staff was absorbed by Directors office and Office of Management.
· The Division lost $97K in (ASF) seasonal salary money at Killens Pond
· Two General Fund positions were switched to Special Funds
· Almost $289K was taken from Parks interest bearing accounts
· General Fund reduced by $1.063 million including a reduction in debt service of between 8% – 10%.
· Discussions have begun with the General Fund for FY2011 which begins July 1, 2010. Parks has already been asked to prepare plans for 5%, 10%, and 15% reductions.
· The Governor and his Administration has made it clear they want a smaller and more efficient government. It is anticipated that approximately 600 positions will be eliminated statewide in the current fiscal year. How this will break down for Parks is yet to be determined.
· Highlights from the Divisions FY 09 Revenue:
o There was a 7.2 % increase in permits in FY’09.
o Boat rental was up 7.8%.
o Marketing efforts are helping to increase revenue.
o 25% increase in Agriculture Lease revenues
This year the Division received $13K in new revenue from the sale of hunting permits.
· ASF revenue budget is money Parks generates itself and is projected by looking at trends from the last five fiscal years. In FY2009, a budget committee began meeting on a monthly basis. They have been monitoring the budget trends. By using fluid revenue projections the committee’s projections have been very close to actual revenue generated.
Personnel Update:
The Division had $573K in salary savings due to vacancies. At the end of Fiscal 2009, Parks had 36 vacant positions, 13 were forfeited leaving a balance of 22 vacant positions. It is anticipated that Parks will lose a majority of these positions in the coming year. Not sure which positions will be lost. At this point, Parks is doing well although it is aware that there are challenges ahead.
Operations and Maintenance
Ray Bivens reported.
· Ray distributed the 2009 Summer Program Guide. He said this year Parks had record attendance at the evening concerts.
· Parks will receive $330K in stimulus funds from the Department of Agriculture & Forestry. The money will be primarily used to hire crews to work on controlling invasive species and put in fire-breaks in the Parks.
· Robin Brown from the News Journal writes stories about the “unknown history” of Delaware. She wrote an article about Lee Jennings from the Historical, Cultural, & Resources Office working to restore Fort Delaware buildings. Because of this story, Lee was contacted by over 30 people who were interested in giving oral histories or had information. One of the most significant was the daughter of the Quarter Master of Fort DuPont. She is sharing records and information. This has been our best year ever for stories in the News Journal.
· Ray shared the Division’s new FOIA Request Policy that can be found on DNREC’s website. This is line with DNREC policies.
· Ray shared the new Rates, Fees and Charges document.
· Customer Service training is available to help keep staff energized and excited about Parks. Jenny Garey, DNREC trainer, is conducting the training for new employees.
· Parks, in partnership with Nemours, made changes to the Trail Challenge program. Contests are held every year and anyone who finishes the challenge receives a gift and is eligible to win a prize. Ron Whittington asked if we are doing anything in relation to the 5-2-1 program and stated he would like to see the Division “do something” in New Castle County, specifically in Wilmington State Parks. Ray explained that the Division is partnering with Nemours and Delaware Greenways to form the No Child Left Inside Coalition. Programs will begin this fall which encourage families to become more active. Ray stated that schools are one part of the effort but he thinks families are the most important component. Ron Whittington stated there are a number of charter schools that would “open their arms” to get something in there. Ron Breeding stated that if the Council takes the position that we need more programming in the schools, then they should direct the Chair to send a letter to Nemours encouraging that.
Planning Preservation and Development
Britt Murray & Susan Moerschel reported.
· Project Status Update - Planning Preservation and Development Section – 7/31/09
Alapocas Run State Park – The Division awarded a construction contract to Merit Construction for the installation of a new pedestrian bridge along Alapocas Drive that will safely connect the sidewalks along Alapocas Drive to the Northern Delaware Greenway. The project will be done at the end of the year.
The Division completed new greenway connections along Tally Road at were critical connections on the Northern Delaware Greenway.
The Division is reviewing the shop drawings for a new restroom facility and pavilion at the entrance to the Can-Do playground. The completion of this project will essentially mark the end of the Blue Ball project.
· Auburn Heights Preserve – The Division is engaged with several partners in an effort to protect large portions of the NVF plant in Yorklyn that could provide a corridor of protection between the Division’s Auburn Heights and Oversee properties.
· Brandywine Creek State Park – The Division installed new solar powered street lights in the area between the Nature Center/Office and the parking lot. The area had no lighting and was dangerous in the evening to pedestrians. The new lights can be turned on and off as needed for programming.
· Cape Henlopen State Park – The Division completed repairs to the Fishing Pier in time for the summer season. While portions of the pier remain closed, the new repairs reopened previously closed portions of the pier.
· Delaware Seashore State Park – The Division is completing the new combined Operations Building for DSSP and the Indian River Marina next week. Once occupied, the new building will be followed by the demolition of the old Marina office to make way for a new food concessions building.
The Division recently settled on two properties in the DSSP region: one is an approximately 1.5 acre single family residence at the end of the Assawoman Canal at White’s Creek; the second is a 2.5 acre farm field that was an in-holding at Holts Landings State Park.
· Killens Pond State Park – The funding for the exhibits at the Killens Pond Nature Center was recently approved and the fabrication of the exhibits should commence this fall.
· Trap Pond State Park – Construction just began for the new Trap Pond Nature Center. The existing Bathhouse/Nature Center building was demolished this week to prepare the site for the new building. The new building will be completed by the summer of 2010.
The Division recently settled on an 11 acre property along Trussum Pond that had previously been approved for a 10 lot waterfront subdivision.
· Wilmington State Parks – The Division obtained the last easement needed to complete the trail connector between Brandywine Park and Bancroft Mills, around the Brandywine Condos. This connector will finally link the Wilmington Parks to Alapocas Run State Park for bikes and pedestrians. The project will be done in the early fall.
· White Clay Creek – The Division repaved the parking lot at, and entrance to, the Park Office. The new surface is designed to drain better, be safer, provides additional parking spaces and improved handicapped accessibility. The Division also repaved the entrance to 9 foot Road and made several safety improvements there.
The bridge on the White Clay Creek at the entrance to the Krapf complex is complete and operating. The Division will be holding an opening ceremony sometime this summer. The bridge was built on existing abutments of an old railroad bridge along the Pomeroy Rail Line. The Division and the City of Newark have been working on converting the old Pomeroy line into a regional trail system.
The Division recently completed a trail user survey at WCC. Over 300 hundred park users were surveyed.
Ms. Moerschel gave a brief description of the Assawoman Canal Trail and said she was meeting with a working group/community associated with the land around the Canal. Parks has a partnership arrangement with the community and surrounding towns (Lewes/Bethany/Rehoboth) to do a concept trail around the Canal. Informational meetings will be held in September with the Public.
Kendall Sommers has finished the State of Delaware Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) survey. It has been sent to the National Park Service for the review and on to the Governor’s Office for approval. The survey found the eastern Sussex area had the highest demand for a trail.
There will be signage all along the trails – directional and informative. A map is also available on line. Updated maps are being designed to have the same theme throughout the State Parks trails.
Enforcement
Wayne Kline reported.
Significant arrests were made at White Clay Creek. Individuals were caught spray painting inside the Bathhouse restrooms at the Nature Center parking lot. Individuals, in their 20’s, from Pennsylvania were caught. They caused about $500 in damages.