2023-01-9 RAC Minutes
Minutes of the Recreation Advisory Committee held on January 9, 2023.
Members present:
Sandra Carro
Silvia Clarke
Christian Dunham
John Ise
Gayle Mercado
Sheryl Piper
Jessica Pluhar
Members absent:
Jennifer Baumann
Jens Schwarte
Also present:
Angela Dorney, Recreation Director
Jacquelyn Villagran, Recreation Assistant Director
Leslie Rackl, Executive Assistant
The meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m.
Ms. Piper made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 5, 2022 meeting.
Motion seconded by Ms. Carro and unanimously approved.
Ms. Dorney related to the Committee that the Council has given app roval to look at vendors for
a Parks Master Plan. The ULI recommendation will be used as a basis for plan; all the parks
will be looked at, including Bayfront and Optimist Parks.
Ms. Villagran related that seven new programs are being offered at the Recreation Center;
crafty creators, cookie create, kids create geared to kids 18 months-5years, guitar, yoga,
drawing and aqua fit programs. A second teen night is being planned as well as the possibilit y
of a teen spring break camp. A lifeguard training class is also scheduled to begin in April.
A movie night has been planned for February 10th tentatively featuring the movie Blended.
It was noted that the Village is working on a new website that is scheduled to be up and
running before the next Council election. It was related that the MS Chamber of Commerce
has an event calendar and every organization is encouraged to promote their events there.
It was related that all the holiday events were well attended beginning with Tree Lighting,
Menorah Lighting, Plaza 98 and Santa’s Express. Santa’s Express was so popular that an
additional route was added each night; thanks go out to the police depa rtment and public
works for their assistance.
The Commission was informed that the police department has acquired ‘Troy’, a comfort dog
that was trained as a canine companion for the Wounded Warrior Project. Ms. Pluhar would
like to encourage owners to chip their dogs and suggested combining an event with chipping
and registering pets.
It was noted that the Comprehensive Plan still has to go to Council for second reading. The
Parks Master Plan will also proceed simultaneously with the Comp Plan. The Parks Master
Plan may change the location of the tot lot.
The exercise equipment will be purchased off of a state contract and a purchase order is going
through the Village’s approval process.
Discussion turned to the seawall. It was noted that an engineering company has been hired
for the seawall aspect of the project. The seawall will still need public access to enter and exit
the water. It was added that the original seawall had steps into the water.
The meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.