Board of Parks & Recreation - Regular Meeting

Those could be the same now that I said that. But I kind of say that you are playing [Music] call to order the uh board of parks recreation meeting July 28th. Uh let's bow your heads for prayer. Heavenly Father, Lord, thank you for this day that you've given us. Thank you for the many, many blessings that you give to us. Thank you that that we're here. We're safe at at where so many people are not so safe. Lord, be with the garden family uh with their loss and just comfort them as they go. Lord, thank you for this day and we praise you. In God's name we pray. Amen.

Amen. Uh Mr. Golden, will you do the honors to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. You're not saying that as loud as you used to. Thank you, sir. I appreciate it. I need a motion to accept the agenda, Mr. Pike. And second was Mr. Golden. Get that Mr. Gilling. Got it. Thank you, sir. If you looked over the minutes, I need a motion. Vote on the vote on the agenda. Okay. All in favor?

All we'll vote. All in favor say I. All oppose. All right. Now we'll we'll get a motion to approve the minutes. Mr. Bennett, second, Mr. Perry. All in favor say I. All oppose. Thank you very much. Are there any public comments? Any public? No, sir. Thank you, sir. Thank you very much. Annual financial report. Do we need to speak to that, Mr. Gil? Um, Tennessee United I believe is here that with being the annual report if y'all want to hear from them or have any questions. Came all this way.

Yeah. She can give us a rundown of their exciting year and tell us how many uh record number of players you got this fall, I think. Yeah. Listen, we're really excited about that. Um, sorry, I'm bringing my computer up here. State your name and go for it.

Thanks. I'm Lindsay Walthers. I'm the finance director at Tennessee United. And so I submitted the yearly financial report. Um we submit um quarterly reports to y'all, but then every year we are on a different um um the our financial our fiscal year ends at uh the end of June. And so then that's why we are on a different kind of schedule from everybody else. That's why our our finances are submitted in the summertime. Uh if you have any questions about our fiscal uh report, I would um be happy to answer any. But I am excited to report that we kind of set a goal for ourselves of 950 players in um registrations, you know, uh for this upcoming season, which actually starts tonight. So we are having our kickoff week uh starting tonight. And I think it's record number of players and record number of heat. So it's fine. We're all fine. Got plenty of water. We're doing good. But um so we do have that and um we had a record number. We had set our our goal at 950 and we have exceeded that. We're almost I think last I heard we're right at a thousand. So that's really great. Um we're excited about that. Uh the other thing that I'm happy and excited to report is the number of scholarships that we're able to provide to those players. We have over 160 players within our system receiving some sort of financial aid. that covers anything from registration fee to club fees to team fees to all of it. So, it is it's a really uh great thing that we get to provide and we do that through uh several several different sponsorships and other means. So, uh we're really excited to say that that program's growing as well, kind of keeping pace with our growth. So, all good news, all exciting stuff.

Well put. Yeah. Questions? I think you've done quite well, man. Okay, thank you all. Have a good night. Thank you for coming. Okay, items for approval. North Northern Middle Tennessee Fields of Faith. Gabby, I'm not even going to pretend to say the last name. Want to try? Redinski. Yeah, say it again. Get up there and say I want to hear it. I'll get it on record. Yeah, still can't say it. Do you want me just to present kind of what we're what we're doing here? Okay. So, my name's Gabby Rz. What you got on your mind?

Um, yeah, I'm an area rep with Northern Middle Tennessee Fellowship of Christian Athletes. If you aren't familiar with what we do, we're a nonprofit. Um, and I'm basically over the South Sumar area of Gallatin. And so, I work with around eight different middle schools and high schools and we work to basically foster community among those different high schools and just talk about Jesus with the different students there. Um, so I'm so honored to be a part of this um of just that um just to have that as my job. It's honestly such an honor. Um, but the reason that I'm here today is because we met up with um Natalie and a few others the other week to talk about our Fields of Faith event, which is basically a national FCA event that takes place um all throughout the country. These are just events that are held um all over the place. And we did it last year at Liberty Creek High School. And the synopsis of it is that it's a community event um for anyone in the community to come to. But it's basically promoted for the middle schools and high schools that we serve in the Gallatin area. And this is for um like I said, anyone in the community to attend. We have students come up and speak. We'll have food trucks um and just different things and coaches to come and speak so that they can just see um just the unity of the South Sumner region specifically. And so, like I said, last year we held it at Liberty Creek High School and we were reaching out to a bunch of different high schools this year and a lot of the fields um are under construction at this moment. Um and so we're thinking, okay, Fields of Faith, where can we do that? So, um we came and we asked if we could potentially do it at Drakes Creek Park. The scheduled date for it is Sunday, September 28th. Um and I don't know, I gave Natalie a map of kind of what that would look like. I'm not sure if you guys all have that. Um I think you do. Okay. Yeah, perfect. So that's kind of the um the proposed setup and basically the tents would be there for different churches to come up and tailgate in a sense and promote their different churches so that people can go up and kind of speak with them and connect with the community. And then there would be a stage in which we would hold a worship service and student speakers and coach

speakers would come in and just share about how God has been working on their campus and as well as the food trucks kind of behind that. So we thought that this would be the best space to do that. Um, and it was also very central in the community. Um, so yeah, that's kind of that's kind of where my head's at. So, let me know if you have any questions about that. Okay. Questions? Go ahead. My question, I guess, is to y'all the what's the impact, do you think, on the setting things up on that soccer field?

Um, yeah. No, that shouldn't be a problem. We've gone ahead and blocked off that field for the whole day for setup. Um the event's not going to be until the evening time, so it shouldn't really impact any of our games during the day minus that field. That field's typically used for our um mini kickers, which um our mini fields um which those kids are are U5 to U8s. They play on Saturdays. They don't play on Sundays. Um so um we have the stage off of the field in the green space area, so the stage won't impact the actual field. um the the students will be out on the field sitting um but their their setup and their stage will not be on the field. So

yeah, that was my I just I didn't know if you thought there would be an impact as far as not feel damage but wear and tear I guess is what I imagine. Yeah. Now we um this shouldn't cause that you know a big concern. Um like I said the event starts at 5:00. Most of our play will will be dwindling down by by then on a Sunday. Um the only exception is we don't know the schedule of the turf field. Um that's kind of a field we might have to schedule um depending on what level of play is is scheduled that weekend and what the weather's like. Um so that's that's the only field we may be um having to have games still going on past 5. Questions? Do I hear a motion to approve?

I just make a motion we approve it. Mr. P. No way I could turn down something FCA does. Mr. Bennett second. Any more discussion? All in favor say I. All oppose. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you, guys. I'm sorry I couldn't say your name. I have trouble saying my own name. So, there you go. Okay, that's true. Have a good night, man. Sar County Hot Chicken Festival. Dominique Evans. I can say that. That sounds good. It's going to be good.

Hi. How are y'all? I am Dominique Evans and I actually met with um Mr. Gilly because I know that Nashville does a hot chicken festival. We actually just went to the Murphy'sboro Hot Chicken Festival last weekend, which I can happily say that my husband won again for the third time in a row. He won the hottest chicken and then he also won the best of the burrow. And I'm thinking, why not try to bring that to Hendersonville? First of all, you know, like I'm born and raised here. I'm like, I want to see something like that here. And so I actually got to go to the event and hang out with their mayor there and just to see how they did it and how they presented it. So I'm like, I can easily put my own little twist on it and do it here. And I would love I wish um Miss Lindsay was still here because my youngest actually both my boys played for well played for or played for Tennessee United because my youngest plays now and he's on like the ECL team and I'm just like I want to do something to give back because not to say that I'm just overly abundant with money but I'm blessed. So, I want to give some money back because we do just for our team of 15 players, we've got five that are on the scholarship and even if it's not a lot because it is our first time, but then also I want to give back to a school and I was telling Miss Natalie, I'm definitely going to be biased because I of course born and raised here, but now all three of my boys because my youngest was about to be in middle school is going to Knox. I'm like, I want to get back to a school as well. And I really wanted to like help with like lunch funds just because when my youngest was in school, he would take extra food to school. And I'm like, dude, where is all of our food going? And the principal finally told me that he was taking extra lunches for kids at school cuz I know we do stuff on the weekend for students, but what about through the week, even if it's just an extra extra snack I can take to the school or something I can just give to somebody.

And then it's fun. And I'm like, it's hot fish and chicken. Did you bring any samples? I would definitely have some for you. Is there is there going to be a ton of food trucks up there with that or

So, in my mind, I'm thinking 10 to 15 or 15 to 20 just because um I know for Murphy'sboro they did 150, but I know for us we would have to give $50 of that back too. So, I'm still trying to work that out. I still might keep it at 150 again. It would be our first time. So, even if it's just a little bit that we give back to Tenants United and the school, I just want to make it cuz it's I definitely want to make this an annual thing to bring people in. And then I also went ahead and reached out for the ones that didn't get picked for the national food truck here. I want to reach out to them to give them an opportunity to come if they've got like caught fish or chicken or a different variety for people so we can all see a different amount of food here. Now I'm hungry. Is is there another one of those you could take me to to test out? Another one close by.

There's not one close by yet. Did you bring any samples? Never mind. That's fine. That's fine. So, is thinking that this would be in the parking lot where uh for at Veterans Park? definitely in the parking lot just because I know that when um because my husband did the now I can't even think of it but the um bill or pigfest and when I was looking at that one last year looking out there's a lot of because you can definitely put at least 15 in there 20 I think might be a lot but I would definitely try to map it out because it also just depends on how big the trucks are as well so it would definitely be between 10 and 15 and 15 and me.

So, you're saying that uh there other food trucks available? It wouldn't wouldn't be just hot chicken. It would just be whatever also to accommodate the other. Absolutely. And then my second question is you said your husband won for the hottest. He did. What did he use? I can't tell you. I thought I think it's a great idea. So, would they need to submit a site plan for telling it a festival? I mean, what what's the rules there? They um are not selling alcohol,

so they don't have to submit a map or anything like that or go to the beer board. This is just they'll be having trucks in the parking lot. We don't have to necessarily worry about security fencing and all the things that are involved. Um they they will they would have to unless you all say differently, have to submit a um pay the small event fee, which is I think $150, I think. And then each food vendor would have to submit certificate of insurance and pay a $50 vendor permit fee for the event. More question.

You're looking to make this an annual event and hopefully the same time each year. Am I correct? Yes, absolutely. I think it's a great idea. We wanted to go to one of the hot chicken festivals, but it was too far and the last time we went there was no parking. We couldn't find parking. and it was all filled up and such. So, I think it would be great to have something local. Thank you. With that, I'd like to make a motion. I'll second. Mr. Mononttoya was first. Se was second. Any more discussion? All in favor say I. All oppose. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

School park agreement for JP 2. Mr. Gilly.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, in your packet, pages 14 through 21 is the information regarding um this topic. Um, this past year, we were able to use the gyms at uh JP2 for the first time for basketball season. That it went really well. uh in speaking with the headmaster, he asked to uh enter into a more permanent agreement and he uh we he reviewed the agreement we have with Sar County Schools and um asked that we enter in the same type of agreement with them. So what does that mean? That means that when we ask them if they have a facility available for one of our programs, uh if they can do it, they'll let us do it. And if they ask us to use something um of ours, whether it be a ball field or a pavilion for a senior picnic or anything like that, then we will we'll let them do it and no no cost either way. Um that's the way it works with Sar County Schools. There are times, obviously, we have a lot of high schools that use our parks for home field facilities. There's times we do shared projects. Um there's times that we help some of the schools with resurfacing their gym floor from time to time. So all that kind of works together and we've never had this arrangement with JP2. So um it's definitely helped us during basketball season. Um that's really all it is. It's the same agreement we have with Sar County Schools. They're just not part of Sar County Schools. So they need their own agreement.

That that was my question. There's nothing in here that's different from what we're already doing. No, ma'am. All right. Okay, I'll make a motion. The motion would really be to recommend that Bulma approve. I recommend that Bulma approve this motion. First, Miss Rather, second, Mr. Golden. Any more discussion? All in favor say I. All oppose. Unanimous. Memorial benches, Mr. Gilly.

Yes, sir. There are um in your packet there are three um memorial benches. I'll call them out. Uh actually there's four benches, three different kind of categories. Uh the first one is kind of submitted by staff and the members of Holiday Fest to place a memorial bench near the city Christmas tree for Miss Linda Ebun who passed away. She was the founder and president of Holiday Fest. And um man, what a driving force in our community for a lot of a lot of years and helped a lot of people. Um, so that would be one. The next, um, the next page, let's see here, the next two pages, page 23 and 24, uh, show locations for two Parker Strong benches. You've approved those in the past um for teen suicide awareness. Out of respect for the family, I didn't put their names necessarily in this packet. Uh but one of those would go at the U sidewalk there at Memorial Park and one over at uh Veterans Park by the skate park. Those locations were selected by the family. And then the third and final one kind of show you the location uh is being purchased by the family of the Silkwood family in memory of Steven Samira who was great great big character in our community for a long time. great guy. So, we're happy to kind of do these things for people as we get a chance to do it. Out of all these benches, the only one that we would purchase out of our operating budget is for Miss Eton. And I think that is well earned for the city to do that for her. And we'll we'll kind of work with Holiday Fest on that as well. And our goal for that one will be to have it in place by the time we light the Christmas tree this year.

You need a a motion to install these? Yes, sir. Okay. They do it as a group. Yes, I think that'd be great.

Mr. Bennett made the motion, Mr. Perry, give a second. Any discussion? Yeah, I had a chance to um to speak with Linda's daughter who who could not be here tonight, but wanted everybody to know that this is means a lot to them that she she wanted to make sure that you all knew that when uh she and her husband Dave moved here from California, they they fell in love with with Hendersonville and and cared very deeply about this community and the fact that it was the thoughtfulness behind putting the bench near the the Christmas tree, which she said they they watched grow uh from sapling and um that it meant a lot that that would be a truly touching and lasting tribute. So she she wanted to make sure you all knew and particularly you Andy and your team that this was very much appreciated.

Thank you. Who was the second? Any more discussion, Mr. Perry? That's great. Have a motion and a second. Any more discussion? All in favor say I. All oppose. Thank you, sir. Thank you. recreation. Miss Hamlin. She doesn't appear to be down there. She's not. Okay. Uh Mr. Fugate.

Uh yeah. Congratulations to our uh 2025 summer adult basketball champions, uh the Daffers. Uh fall baseball has officially started. We have six teams in 6U, 10 teams in 8U, eight teams in 10U, and five teams in 12U. Uh games are set to start August 11th. Our uh fall men's softball will have 10 teams. We looked at doing two leagues, but was not able to get a set date for our weightless teams. Our uh fall co-ed softball has seven teams. Uh both of those leagues are set to start August 4th. Our fall co-ed kickball has four teams and they are set to start August 8th. Our fall adult pickle ball league registration starts August 4th and will run till August 29th. Uh we'll be offering men's doubles, women's doubles, wreck mixed doubles, wreck women's doubles, and wreck men's doubles. And then uh lastly, I just want to say thank you all as this is my last parks board as I will be leaving to go back to school.

That's it. Yeah, you're a you're a TV star. I know that. Mr. Cole, you're you look good on TV. Two times I watched you. Uh special events, Miss Langster.

Yeah. Uh this morning was our third annual Touch a Truck. Uh we want to thank everyone for coming out. Um we had a lot of local and large companies come out for it. Um, also a special thank you to HPD, Hendersonville Fire, um, our public works here, uh, our maintenance staff. Um, we had a couple from the county, EMS, EMA, um, Summer County Schools came out, TriStar Health, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Uh, it was a huge success that could not have been accomplished without the help from everybody. Um, August 2nd, which is this coming Saturday, we have the Run with the Hero Stop the Bleed Fun Run at Drake's Creek. Uh, August 16th is Rock Castle Songwriter Night. August 16th is also the food truck festival at Veterans. And August 22nd and 23rd is the beach Saturday night fever cross country race at Sanders Ferry.

Thank you, ma'am. Question. Maintenance. Mr. Cole.

Yes, sir. We've got a few updates from from a few projects that we've got going on. Our irrigation, we're close to getting everything back up and going. We're supposed to be getting our new pump installed on Wednesday. So fingers crossed that we can have that done this week. That way we can uh get the water going the way that we need to. Um we tore out the playground down at Sanders Ferry Shelter 8. We were supposed to be getting the new one put in um I think potentially later this week. I know they're dropping it off um in the next day or so. So we look forward to getting that new one put in. It was much needed down there. And then um we're supposed to be starting to top dress some fields. I think we're going to do volunteer this week and then start on the rest of them next week. So that'll be uh much needed on those fields too.

Thank you, sir. Sus director, Mr. Long.

Thank you. Um sorry, next week the soccer complex will open back up for the fall season. Um that means the gate will be officially open. Uh we will still have three fields. Uh fields 1, three, and 14. they'll be closed for the remainder of August. Um that's due to some of the um maintenance with the we added um the the new irrigation system in sprig. So it'll take a little longer for those fields to open, but we will kick off practice next week and um all of our groups have worked together to kind of come up with a practice plan with the uh limited uh field space that we have. Um so Tennessee Middle School soccer will start next week. Hersville rec soccer will begin practice the the following week on August 11th. Um and then also um tackle football. They'll u um have evaluations next weekend followed by practice beginning uh the week after that. And um uh uh football is is ongoing and then rugby will begin in mid August. And then lastly, I just want to thank Ary for all he's done for our department for the last three years. Um definitely going to miss our um Ory, our stories with Ory. If you've never um been in the office for one of those moments, I encourage you to stop by one day in the next two weeks to hear one of Ory's great stories. Um it's quite the treat. So um thank you again, Ory.

Thank you, Mr. Long. Do you have Mr. Bruce's report, sir?

I do. Yes, sir. Um report from Keith Bruce. Uh congratulations to the full count Rhythm who won their third Ohio Valley League championship last night. Uh they won on the road so they didn't get to celebrate at home but they had a great season. Did a lot of great things with kids from all over the country. Um inline hockey is finishing up late signups. So anybody out there that knows anyone that wants to sign up for inline hockey, get that going on. Uh Civotan Open Baseball is taking team signups. They don't do individual signups for that. That's for fall baseball for that. Uh senior men, uh they just completed their spring league a couple weeks ago and now they're starting their fall league on tomorrow night. And with the senior 65 starting their tournament tonight and then ne this weekend we have the Tennessee TPSSA senior men twitty tournament at Drakes Creek Park. I believe we have a parks board member who if you'd like to come out and support will be participating. He's been working hard. I've seen a lot of online uh chatter and videos, so looking forward to hearing all about his weekend. Hope you stay injuryfree and drink a lot of water. Uh fast pitch softball has ongoing signups. Um evaluations are this weekend and Keith wanted to say a special thanks to the maintenance staff who did a great job on the three weekl long fast pitch softball tournaments that we had. And they did do a great job. Any questions for Mr. Bruce? Dallas will answer them if you have them.

Director, Mr. Gilly.

Thank you, sir. Um, in case you haven't noticed on the Friendship Island, uh, we've completed a lot of upgrades there that from where we had a lot of flooding, new rip wrap around the front of the island, and, um, by Wednesday of this week, I think we'll have a whole new paver walkway along the island there at the front. It's going to be it's a major improvement for those of y'all that that walk over there or spend any time over there. Uh several people have asked about the rotary fountain at Memorial Park. It should be hopefully it we're waiting on the pump to be repaired basically. Long story short, so hopefully it'll be repaired soon. Um as Keith noted in his report, tremendous job by the entire staff during the month of July. It it's like um a really hard month with three straight tournament weeks and a lot of special events. Um they did a tremendous job and I think every tournament that came in here, all the parents, all the players, coaches, tournament directors, they could not have been more happy with the way uh the fields were in good shape and the staff treated them and everything was great in our whole city for those three weeks. Hopefully, we helped raise a lot of sales tax money during those three weeks. Uh we're in the final review. We're supposed to have the final review of the plans for the maintenance shop relocation on August 7th. and then hopefully we will go out to bid. So, keep we're keeping on keeping on on that. Uh, Heritage Park is still in the design phase at this point. I think I told y'all back when we that's about a six-month process. So, we're in the middle of that on the bike pump track. Uh, we did get the all clear on the archeological study there. So, that will move forward and uh we'll try to get under a contract and get to work on that pretty quickly. And uh you all I'm sure saw the news over the last couple weeks that we received the uh grant from the state, 3.5 million of their dollars to

pair with some of our city funds to to do a lot of projects. Uh you all saw that list back when we brought it here. Um I mean it's a big deal. We probably don't know the big deal that it's going to be over the next two to three years. So that is very exciting. and to Arya, you have done a great job. Um, I'm really really proud of you for making the choice to go to a seminary. That is something that we would never want to get in the way of and we it's been a joy to have you here. So, thank you. Awful proud of you guys.

All right, round table. Mr. Head Oy, best wishes. if you need anything, you got my number. And just to follow off what Andy said, I think the month of July, the end of June through the end of July, I think that's been the smoothest three weeks of I've ever seen. There were just it was just tremendous. But, uh, there's a lot of hard work with a lot of the guys and everybody on the other end. So, you guys did fantastic the last month. I just You can't say enough about it. Mr. Mononttoya, good luck to you. Sorry. Wish you luck in your endeavors. Thank you for serving.

Mr. PL, just want to second that. Good luck to you, Oy, and appreciate everything you've done for us. Mr. Perry, Oy, thank you. You've been It's really cool working with you. You're You're good. You're good people. You're going to do well. Uh Trevor, the staff, maintenance, feels look good. 192 degrees out there and it looks like it's fall out there. It's just beautiful. And in the mornings, there's dew out there. Uh Andy, your staff, man. They're just y'all are the tops. Love everyone. Y'all kill it.

Congratulations on the grant and all the hard work that went into it. And uh yeah, it's just on a real on a major role and big time momentum happening. And Ory, congratulations. Just Ory, what am I? I mean, there's so much I can say, but good luck. All right. Best of luck to you, buddy. Appreciate what you've done for us. Yes, Lori. We're going to miss you. You did a great job around here. Good luck. And Gwend to Seminary, is that correct?

Prayers that it's a great journey. I think you'll be a blessing to so many people. And Natalie worked her butt off I saw today as walking out there for Touch a Truck. And Trevor at Dallas. Y'all all do a great job. Thanks for everything you do. Yeah. Once again, I'm going to say that that grant is amazing. And when you look at it from this wide, y'all have done a hell of a job. I mean, it didn't just come about because we wanted it, but we appreciate it. All righty. I need a motion to adjourn. Mr. Pike first, Mr. Golden second. All in favor say I. All oppose. We are [Music]