FAIRFAX COUNTY ATHLETIC COUNCIL MINUTES M

County of Fairfax, Virginia
To protect and enrich the quality of life for the people, neighborhoods, and diverse communities of Fairfax County
FAIRFAX COUNTY ATHLETIC COUNCIL
MINUTES
October 17, 2012
2012 Council Members
Magisterial Representatives:
Marcia M. Pape Daniels
Braddock District
Michael D. Champness
Dranesville District
Harold Leff, Chairman
Hunter Mill District
Michael L. Rodgers
Lee District
Barbara R. Lowrey
Mason District
Jonathan Willmott
Mount Vernon District
Stephen McLaughlin
Secretary
Providence District
Michael Thompson, Jr.
Springfield District
David L. Lacey
Sully District
Clement Chan
Diversity-At-Large
Elmer Arias
Member-At-Large
Town Representatives:
Jeffrey E. Stein
Town of Clifton
Gerald W. Carter
Town of Herndon
Sam Althoff
Town of Vienna
Sports-Specific
Representatives:
Rob Hahne
Baseball Council
William Minto
Fast Pitch Softball Council
Carl A. S. Coan, III
Adult Softball Council
Dave Vennergrund
Basketball Council
Mark Meana, Vice Chairman
Football Council
Mary Ann Wagner
Lacrosse Council
Lula Bauer
Soccer Council
Bill Bush
Volleyball Council
Jenni Cantwell
Women’s Sports
Non-Voting Members:
Todd Jonhson
Park Authority
Ken Quincy
Park Authority
Bill Curran
Fairfax County Public Schools
Megan McLaughlin
School Board
Executive Agency:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Marcia Pape Daniels, Braddock District
Michael Champness, Dranesville District
Gregory Beckwith, Dranesville District Alternate
Harold Leff, Hunter Mill District
James Elder, Hunter Mill District Alternate
Michael Rodgers, Lee District
Barbara Lowrey, Mason District
Jonathan Willmott, Mount Vernon District
Stephen McLaughlin, Providence District
Michael Thompson Jr., Springfield District
Mark Heilbrun, Springfield District Alternate
David Lacey, Sully District
Ralph Wills, Sully District Alternate
Clement Chan, Diversity-At-Large
Elmer Arias, Member-at-Large
Sam Althoff, Town of Vienna
Rob Hahne, Baseball Council
Dave Vennergrund, Basketball Council
William Minto, Fast-Pitch Softball Council
Sharon Sealock, Slow Pitch Softball Council Alternate
Lula Bauer, Soccer Council
Jenni Cantwell, Women’s Sports Programs
COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT:
Todd Johnson, Fairfax County Park Authority
John Dargle, Fairfax County Park Authority
Bill Curran, Fairfax County Public Schools
Megan McLaughlin, Fairfax County Public Schools
Chris Leonard, Neighborhood and Community Services
Karen Avvisato, Neighborhood and Community Services
Paul Jansen, Neighborhood and Community Services
Steve Groff, Neighborhood and Community Services
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Jeffrey Stein, Town of Clifton
Gerald W. Carter, Town of Herndon
Mark Meana, Football Council
Carl Coan, Slow Pitch Softball Council
Bill Bush, Volleyball Council
GUESTS:
John Breheny, Laurel Hills Sports Complex
Judy Pedersen, Fairfax County Park Authority Public Information Officer
Eric Kulczycky, Visit Fairfax
Jeremy Purcell
Christopher Leonard
Director
Neighborhood and Community
Services
Fairfax County Athletic Council
12011 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, Virginia 22035
703 324-5501
Fairfax County Athletic Council Minutes
October 17, 2012
Page 2
MEETING OPENING
Mr. Leff called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. Roll was called and a
quorum was present.
CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL
N/A
PRESENTATION TO COUNCIL
John Breheny with Laurel Hills Sports Foundation gave a presentation on
the proposed Laurel Hill Sports Complex. The project is more economically
feasible than past plans based on a variety of ongoing and ever-evoloving
factors. Contrary to previous plans more than seven years ago, the complex
does not include a building which contains eight indoor basketball courts.
However, it does include the installation of more than ten synthetic turf
rectangular and diamond fields; and an indoor fieldhouse. The facility will be
available for NCS to schedule, but those hours have yet to be defined.
In order for the project to move forward, improvements need to be made to
roads and infrastructure near the old Lorton prison site. Based on financial
feasibility study, the facility will be financially self-sufficient in the first three
years.
Judy Pedersen with the Park Authority gave an update on the 2012 Park
Bond. The Bond, to be voted on November 6, includes a total of $75 million,
$63 million which will be set aside for the Fairfax County Park Authority, with
the additional $12 million going to the Northern Virginia Regional Park
Authority. The bond includes money set aside for the installation of synthetic
turf fields at Pine Ridge, Grist Mill, Arrowhead (2 fields), EC Lawrence and
Rolling Valley West Parks. Ms. McLaughlin posed the question what was the
criteria for choosing these specific fields? Ms. Pedersen stated that all
magisterial districts received some sort of consideration, but not all were
chosen to install synthetic turf fields.
Several FCAC members would like the Park Authority to include Athletic
Council representation on the committee which identifies and gives input for
future bond money and where the funds are allocated. Criteria for the next
bond needs to be looked at well in advance so certain magisterial districts are
not overlooked.
Stephen McLaughlin made a motion that the Athletic Council endorse and
support the Park Bond. The motion passed unanimously.
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
The September 19 minutes were approved.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
N/A
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Turf Field Committee:
The turf committee met before the October meeting to discuss replacement
funds. This meeting was the first of many which will focus on the distribution of
county funding for the replacement of synthetic turf fields.
Fairfax County Athletic Council Minutes
October 17, 2012
Page 3
Champions of Character Committee:
The 2012 Champions of Character Awards Ceremony will be held on
Tuesday, October 23. Nominations have closed and the winners have been
chosen. We look forward to seeing everyone at the event on the 23rd.
MATTERS OF INTEREST FROM GOVERNING BODIES
Information – Fairfax County Public Schools:
Ms. McLaughlin reported that the FCPS is beginning the budget process for
FY14. Ms. McLaughlin hopes to increase focus and appreciation for healthy
lifestyle for youth and focus on athletics when addressing budget changes.
Mr. Curran passed out the new Virginia High School redistricted list. The
state has decided to move all high schools into six classifications. With this
move, district tournaments will be eliminated. The reason the League chose to
change the classifications was made was to even-the-playing-field for smaller
schools who will now play similar sized schools of a similar size schools. The
re-classifications will also increase the amount of money which go to the state
in the form of hosting state tournaments.
Mr. Curran also reported out on the ‘Heads Up’ event which took place in
October at Centreville HS. The event is the beginning of a partnership between
Fairfax County and US Football that will help encourage football participants
safe technique in the youth football.
Information – Fairfax County Park Authority:
Mr. Johnson continued to ask for support from local youth and adult groups
to partner with the Park Authority on the ongoing recycling effort. Mr. Johnson
hopes that the installation of turf at Great Falls Nike will be complete around
December 1. Mr. Johnson also spoke about the Financial Feasibility study,
which the Park Authority hopes to present to the council in the coming months.
Information - Neighborhood and Community Services:
Mr. Leonard reported that Synthetic Turf Mini-grant deadlines are fast
approaching. The notice of intent for applying for the grant is due November 1, with
the full application being due on November 15.
NEW BUSINESS
Rob Hahne spoke about the proposed change of the Park Authority open/close
dates for the upcoming 2013 field season. Mr. Johnson passed out Park Policy 402
(page 66). The Athletic Council would like to give feedback on the policy when
Mr. Johnson has to present updates and suggestions to the Park Board.
The opening and closing dates of fields has a significant impact to diamond sports.
Mr. Johnson agreed to Athletic Council input on the opening and closing dates
and will work with Mr. Leff to appoint FCAC members.
Fairfax County Athletic Council Minutes
October 17, 2012
Page 4
OLD BUSINESS
N/A
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
Respectfully,
Stephen McLaughlin
Secretary