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5.16.23 HR Meeting Minutes-FINALHEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023 HYBRID FORMAT IN PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIA ZOOM HEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES, MAY 16, 2023 PAGE 1 | 5 1. ROLL CALL Present- Committee Members: Committee Chair Kevin Hyatt, Committee Vice Chair Pat Nolan and Committee Members, Kathy Ryan (virtual), Pam Warren, Nancy Tashman and Lisa Post Staff: Recreation Director Michael Labagh, Aquatics Superintendent Kacy Carmichael, and Recreation Services Superintendent Jerrica Miller Town Council: Councilor RJ Andrade and Councilor Ruth Stanley (virtual) Committee Chair Kevin Hyatt opened the meeting at 10:05 a.m. 2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Councilor RJ Andrade motioned to approve the agenda; Committee Member Pam Warren seconded the motion to approve the agenda. Committee Chair Kevin Hyatt declared the agenda approved. 3. APPROVAL OF THE MARCH 2023 MEETING MINUTES Committee Member Nancy Tashman made a motion to approve the minutes from the March 21, 2023 meeting and Councilor RJ Andrade seconded the motion. Committee Chair Kevin Hyatt declared the minutes approved. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comments were made. 5. BUSINESS ITEMS 5.1 Recreation Department Update 5.1.1 Winter Recap Recreation Director Michael Labagh provided an update on Winter programs including implementation of new youth sports and activities and adult country line dancing. The Kids Swim Night Out program was very successful for its inaugural year and will become a core program during the winter months moving forward. The Recreation Center staff are looking to expand adult sports offerings. Pickleball opportunities have been added, including the first pickleball single day tournament. Also held were volleyball single-day tournaments, and consistent aquatics programming. Aquatics Superintendent Kacy Carmichael provided an update stating that there are 9 newly trained lifeguards since the beginning of 2023 with 3 more registered for training in June, 6 new lifeguard instructors and 4 Swim Instructors have been trained since the start of 2023. Recreation Director Michael Labagh shared average daily visits and revenue slides and spoke about how busy the winter was. He then provided facility updates, including construction status on the steam room and sauna remodel. He reminded the Committee that last week was the pool maintenance closure which included deep cleaning and equipment maintenance such as changing sand media, installing new depth markers and waxing the waterslide. The Committee commented/inquired: A. Committee Member Kathy Ryan said good job to the Rec Staff, they are moving in the right direction. B. Committee Member Nancy Tashman inquired if there was pushback on admissions price increase? C. Committee Member Lisa Post asked about “Power Plate” equipment? HEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023 HYBRID FORMAT IN PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIA ZOOM HEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES, MAY 16, 2023 PAGE 2 | 5 Recreation Director Michael Labagh replied that the only feedback that was received about admission prices and policies changing was regarding punch ca rd expiration date changes. Recreation Director Michael Labagh replied that he had never heard of “Power Plate” system and will investigate it. He mentioned that staff are also looking into a Body Mass Index scale. 5.1.2 Summer Programming & Updates Recreation Director Michael Labagh stated that the Recreation Department is poised to expand summer camps this year, with Tuesday and Thursday registration accepting up to 30 kids, and Monday/Wednesday/Friday registration accepting up to 50 kids in two age-appropriate groups. Tuesdays and Thursdays are set aside for field trips, so van transportation is the reason for smaller registration size. Recreation Services Superintendent Jerrica Miller stated that there have been over 30 people on the wait list every day. Staff will prioritize local workforce families when opening spots to the wait list. Jerrica has developed leaders out of the camp counselors by encouraging them to come up with their own crafts and games for the children to enjoy. There will be volleyball league, outdoor basketball, and plenty of pickleball this summer. The Recreation Department is advertising to recruit tennis instructors. The Committee did not have any comments or inquiries. 5.1.3 Community Swim Program Aquatics Superintendent Kacy Carmichael gave an update on the Community Swim Program. So far in 2023 there were 94 Avon Elementary School 1st and 2nd graders who attended group swim lessons twice a week in April. 80% of those students received free or reduced cost for lessons. Each student was able to attend two 30-minute lessons. 24 students are expected this week to attend Berry Creek Middle School group swim lessons, with children receiving four 30-minute swim lessons each. The number of participants in regularly scheduled group swim lessons is 135 participants to date. That includes 4 Adults, 33 infants/toddlers, 47 preschoolers, and 51 children age 6 and up. 23 kids have received private swim lessons, 7 of them were from Small Champions, an organization for special needs children that covers the cost of their private swim lessons. The recreational swim team has around 17 swimmers and is now offered 3 days a week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The USA Seniors and Gold team have 5 swimmers each, a total of 10 USA competitive swimmers. All swim teams combined have about 27 swimmers total. Recreation Director Michael Labagh mentioned a future for Homestake Peak School (HPS) free swim lesson program once the issue of transportation can be resolved. The Committee commented/inquired: A. Committee Member Nancy Tashman inquired about how many of the rescues this year were children and related to swimming ability? B. Committee Member Nancy Tashman inquired if everyone was okay or did anyone have to go to the hospital? C. Committee Member Nancy Tashman congratulated Staff on the success of the swim team. Aquatics Superintendent Kacy Carmichael replied stating that 6 were children who needed rescue because of swimming ability or injury that led to a need for a water rescue. Aquatics Superintendent Kacy Carmichael explained that the only one hospitalized was related to an adult medical emergency, not swimming ability. HEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023 HYBRID FORMAT IN PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIA ZOOM HEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES, MAY 16, 2023 PAGE 3 | 5 5.2 La Zona Planning Project Update Recreation Director Michael Labagh provided an update on La Zona, using the illustrations of future building additions to explain where each amenity will be moving. The Committee commented/inquired: D. Committee Vice Chair Pat Nolan inquired where the senior fitness class would be moved to? E. Committee Vice Chair Pat Nolan asked if there will be a commercial kitchen? F. Councilor Ruth Stanley inquired where yoga would be held? G. Committee Member Pam Warren asked where the hot tub will go? H. Committee Member Pam Warren asked about costs? I. Committee Member Nancy Tashman commented that it would be great to have lots of windows in the child watch area for sunlight. J. Committee Member Pam Warren inquired about the child watch, how long can the children stay, and would it be free? What are the staffing guidelines? K. Committee Member Kathy Ryan commented that adding an upstairs kitchen would complicate accessibility for seniors and the expense is unnecessary. She would also like to see the Town maintain small community values and have the Recreation Department use Avon Elementary School more as a multi-use facility. Recreation Director Michael Labagh explained that the West Studio would become a Child Watch, a new addition would be built to house the weight room and new functional training space. The upstairs multi-use studios would be used for Older Adult programming, fitness classes and have storage. Recreation Director Michael Labagh replied there is no plan to add a commercial kitchen at this time, but the kitchen in the new Child Watch area will stay intact. Recreation Director Michael Labagh explained that yoga would be held on the second floor in the multi-use studios. Recreation Director Michael Labagh replied with the intended location of the hot tub, being out by the pool patio and explained to the Committee that La Zona is complicated, interconnected, and expensive. Everything must work together synchronized and he is pleased with what the Town is able to move forward with to the design phase. Recreation Director Michael Labagh explained that some items will need to be determined during the process such as reinforcing the floor where the weights were causing wear and tear and looking at the potential to build administrative offices elsewhere instead of on top of the existing building. Recreation Services Superintendent Jerrica Miller explained the time for Child Watch has to be under 3 hours. Recreation centers are charging around $5/hour, which is very affordable. Recreation Services Superintendent Jerrica Miller has gathered information from surrounding area Recreation Centers that provide Child Watch services. 5.3 Eaglebend Pocket Park Transformation Project Recreation Director Michael Labagh shared slides with photos and maps of the Eaglebend Pocket Park and explained where the expanded area would be and how the Town is embracing the opportunity to perform extensive community outreach. Town of Avon is a Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) grant finalist and will find out if selected in the next few weeks. HEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023 HYBRID FORMAT IN PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIA ZOOM HEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES, MAY 16, 2023 PAGE 4 | 5 The Committee commented/inquired: A. Committee Member Pam Warren commented that the pocket park is tiny, what can you really add there? B. Committee Member Nancy Tashman inquired if the grant was based on what you plan to do with the space? C. Committee Member Pam Warren commented that the open space by the river is great space. Recreation Director Michael Labagh replied that the Town will ask the community and Health & Recreation Committee what could go there. There is also an opportunity to partner with Eagle Valley Outdoor Movement (EVOM) because they specialize working with Latino community members. Recreation Director Michael Labagh confirmed that the vision for the expanded park was important in the GOCO grant process. Recreation Director Michael Labagh inquired of the Committee what is most important to them and what amenities should be included? A. Councilor RJ Andrade commented that the community will likely want a dog park. He would like to see the Town concentrate on not duplicating what we have already available in other areas. It would be great to have gathering spaces like picnic shelters and grills. B. Committee Member Nancy Tashman asked how far away the apartment complex is from the pocket park? Who is closest to use the park by walking there, there’s no parking and parking at Home Depot is not realistic with the obstacles in the way. C. Committee Member Pam Warren commented that Eagle Vail has a great picnic area, but it’s not enough space. Getting out of the sun is important, but a picnic area would be great. When surveying the residents give them the list of what’s possible. D. Committee Vice Chair Pat Nolan emphasized that shade is important, she’s observed that in Denver there are playgrounds that no one can use because the equipment is so hot in the sun. E. Councilor RJ Andrade commented that this park could house a community garden. F. Committee Member Pam Warren commented that a community garden could beautify the area. The challenge would be restrooms if we encouraged gatherings with food and beverage. Even an aesthetic enclosure around a portable toilet. Some kind of bathroom option should be considered. G. Committee Member Nancy Tashman commented that a water source would be necessary for a community garden or a picnic area. H. Committee Member Pam Warren, we face water challenges, and designers need to think about minimizing irrigation requirements, grass consumes a lot of water. I. Committee Member Lisa Post inquired if a water fountain would be included? J. Committee Member Pam Warren inquired about the demographics and size of the survey audience for this pocket park. She also commented that the residents are important to prioritize, not visitors. Councilor RJ Andrade confirmed that the Town is looking at focusing landscaping efforts with xeriscape design. He also stated that a portable toilet would be a minimum amenity. Recreation Director Michael Labagh explained that the Town is pacing itself on pocket park upgrades, trying to focus on one per year. Recreation Director Michael Labagh commented stating that a water fountain will be added and a shade structure would have to be quite small, 12’ x 12’ that HEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023 HYBRID FORMAT IN PERSON AT AVON TOWN HALL AND VIA ZOOM HEALTH AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES, MAY 16, 2023 PAGE 5 | 5 can fit two picnic tables. Recreation Director Labagh will work with the Community Development team to answer questions regarding demographics, home distance to the park, etc. 6. Other Business and Committee Members Comments A. Committee Member Kathy Ryan commented that Eaglebend should not be over-programmed. Avon’s flaw is that everything is put in a tiny spot. Nottingham is one of the major errors in over programming. There are too many things going on there. Pick what is important and stick with that. Recreation Director Labagh thanked committee members for their time and valuable feedback. 7. ADJOURNMENT Recreation Director Michael Labagh declared the meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m. Respectfully Submitted by Kacy Carmichael Aquatics Superintendent