August 2023 Minutes

DATE 

8/2/23 Wednesday 

TOPIC

JROC August General Meeting

MEETING OBJECTIVES

@ JRPS HQ, Reedy Creek

ATTENDEES

Matt (JROC) Rosenberg

Ross (JRPS) Newcome

Brian (Keep VA Cozy) Bell

Nat Somerville (temp scribe),

Greg Velzy (JROC)

Katie Lemmert (JROC)

Sally Wetzler (treasurer)

Tricia Pearsall

meeting started just after 6:00pm.

NOTES

1. Tricia motioned to Greg anded, minutes approved.
2. aprove July minutes, 
3. introductions done. 
4. Treasurers Repart: not much has changed.
   1. • We have $134k in bank, of which $114k is available.
   2. • grant owes us $11,000 still.
   3. Safety maps
      1. Order for maps has been placed, we should have them next week, though not yet invoiced – Katie
   4. IRS sent us a bill for $4k, penalty because tax form “was late” though it wasn’t. Sally will keep everyone apprised.
   5. We still have $208 for bike rack, but perhaps well need one at the new JRA site when its finished, or at Ancarrowes after that site gets some more love.
   6. Treasurer’s report approved
5. Superintendent’s report – Ross
   1. Has First Break debris pile (w/trash in it) been cleaned up yet since last flood, Greg asked? Rass said not yet with river safetystuff we’re not comfy pushing stuff into the river. If trash can be removed safely from pile, that could be planned.
   2. Brian asked if KVC leaves piles of trash in drop point, can JRPs collect?
   3. Ross said: tuck behind suspension bridge” + let them know in advance, and esp. if done early the day, that should be possible.
   4. Tricia asked if anyone is working on making wayfinding sians, outside the park directing to inside the park? 
   5. Not sure if this is a question for the park. Perhaps add signs at floodwall parking lot so out-of-towners don’t get lost?
   6. Matt will reach out to RVA More + Giles to see if then want to do another run of map sign printing. And car we add a QR code to mop-halders (so ppl can scan + see map if paper maps are gone!
   7. Greg asked Ross if Giles had heard a thing about getting a meeting on Diversity Park?
      1. No update yet.
      2. JRPS to manage if, Venture Richmond wants a hand in managing it?
      3. This is one of the areas being looked at in parcel acquisition
6. OPERATIONS REPORT
   1. Park use #s:
      1. July 2023: 176,609 visitors
      2. calendar year YTD 1,130,082 visitors 
      3. but is likely 5 million visitors per Streetlight data
         1. flaw to this system: if we have someone that sits still 20 min, reader will pick them up again as a new user
   2. Project at 22nd St hillside
      1. It was bush hogged.. 
      2. JRPS has a 3-step process for addressing this:
         1. They bush hogged hillside, treated area with foliar herbicide applicaton, + later in fall tarp and woodchip the area.
      3. If invasives don’t return, they’ll work on landscaping this hillside with native plants for erosian control.
   3. Dock Street parcel
      1. 5-acre parcel just acquired; it will house the new JRA building.
      2. Plans to have same trail systems, some beautification, + also keep a meadow.
   4. 2 shipping containers are on Belle Isle
      1. One will be shared between Richmand Tree Stewards for tool storage, + Passages and JRPS trail crew.
   5. Plans to expand the bike skills park
7. Projects
   1. 7/15 JROC Project happened on Williams Island,
      1. a group paddled over to expand + extend partage trail around Z Dam
      2. Limbing of trees made portage signs mare visible.
      3. JRPS will re-install a , buoy when water is lower, but needs a longer leash (as prior one got washed away W/last flood.) or perhaps a different design for the buoy
      4. Nice group effort between outfitters
         1. RO provided canoes
         2. RVAPS provided helmets, pfds, and paddles
      5. 8 volunteers and 3 park staff
   2. Aug project will be at HFW
8. North Bank / Texas Beach
   1. the entrance has been closed, signage put up, + a security camera put up to monitor
9. Music at Maymont
   1. Per handshake agreement w/Tom
   2. Per amount of tips we were getting (credit card machine data) agreement was renegotiated
   3. for dif levels of events $750, $1000, $1250 donations now based on event size
   4. JROC will now have lower donation amounts + only keep 50% of tips.
   5. All volunteers should be JROC members moving forward
10. KOTJ
    1. 11/12/23.
    2. Looking to move out of FHP + move down to 14th st so we’re not sharing space w/ farmers market
    3. 1 + can have a better after party:
    4. Stage boats @ Reedy…so we like, run up to Reedy, + boat down to 14th.
    5. We need more volunteers, + perhaps have some pre-race volunteer meetings. 
    6. we’ve eliminated the raft option for this year (for individuals)
    7. Katie asked if we’re coordinating W/River Rescue this year? Matt said we can.
11. Zeke absent. zeke-fest this weetend at Yough.
12. 7:32 mtg adjourned