August meeting minutes

8/4/21

• Minutes 
  • Approved
• Treasurer’s report
  • Approved
• HFW
  • Scheduling a pre-construction meeting with contractors at HFW
  • Working on selecting a groundbreaking date
• Water quality results and sewage leak updates
  • Testing for E. coli after sewage events
  • Much of the waste was recovered from Tuckahoe Creek
  • There will be some increase in the creek, but it only moves in heavy rain. will dilute eventually.
  • Sampled this past Monday. Contaminants from this event have not been found in the James River. The creek still has elevated concentration.
  • No word of any fish kills
  • Concerns about foam sightings: Lots of things can cause it. It can be the normal presence of organic compounds like proteins; it can be industrial discharge; typically biological.
  • For more information: DEQ Piedmont regional office
• Tredegar parking situation 
  • Boulders getting moved back and forth
  • Venture Richmond owns the top lot, CSX owns the lower one. Still actively working on the latest derailment. 
• Bryce / JRPS report
  • Superintendent interviews happening tomorrow
  • ARPA or new infrastructure bill will help fund lots of future Master Plan projects
  • Soon announcing acquisition of 5 acres next to Great Shiplock Park
  • July 2021 visitation
    • 207,000+, despite the Belle Isle South counter malfunctioning
    • On par with last year
  • All city employees are now required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine
  • Operations
    • Overall JRPS has been more staffed:
      • 7 permanent and 4 seasonal
      • Lots of progress in the last year or so
  • Projects: 
    • Upgraded Texas Beach stairset
      • Added new landing to highly eroded areas; the molding for footers had been washed out
    • Trail rehab at HFW
    • Wednesdays and Saturdays still standard clean-up days
  • Programs: 
    • Summer camps are ongoing
      • Working with community centers and introducing snorkeling, paddling, biking, and hiking
      • Working with RPS for field trips and after school programs this fall
      • Also looking to work with community centers on afterschool programs
    • Laura Greenleaf leading the Invasive Task Force
• Virginia Outdoor Foundation grant
  • Great progress on preliminary designs for signage. Katie working on mock-ups. 
• Music at Maymont fundraising
  • Carbon Leaf a success: $1400-1500 raised
  • Greensky Bluegrass on 8/27: 30-40 volunteers needed
  • Old Crow Medicine Show on 9/17
  • Mt. Joy and Trampled By Turtles on 10/9
• King of the James:
  • Nov. 14 
  • Artwork pending
• Friends report
  • New and first Exec. Director, Josh Stutz
• JROC Projects
  • Climbing
    • Manchester Wall stairs repaired thanks to 13 volunteers and JRPS; new steps and gates
  • Saturday projects 
    • Past month: pea gravel and mulch, new timbers around the fountain pad
    • Upcoming: 8/21 at 21st St Tower from 9am-12pm. Beautifying top of tower, adding mulch and planting
    • Installed kayak rack and painted changing room station. Bike rack is moved against the fence, leveled out dirt. At least 2 staples on the kayak rack. New kiosk funded by Riverside Outfitters; talk of rebuilding the changing rooms at 14th St takeout