TOWN OF CARY
Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Advisory Board
2000  MINUTES

October 2, 2000, 5PM

111 James Jackson Ave., Suite 201
 Cary, NC 27512
Attendance: Board Members:  Herb Young, Sean Cherry, Vibha Goel, Tom Hemrick, Toby Kennedy, Greg Lytle, Barbara Pinna, Kay Struffolino, Liza Weidle

Staff:  Mary Barry, Judy Willard, William Davis, Alice Webb, Doug McRainey, Dwayne Jones, Lyman Collins, Meredith Bridgers, Gail Taylor

Guests:  Sheryl Christie, Mr. & Mrs. Nathan Byelick
   
 
Call to Order – Chairman Herb Young called the meeting to order.
Minutes – The minutes of the September meeting were approved as presented.

 
Committee Reports
  Cultural Arts Committee – Toby Kennedy noted the primary goals of the Cultural Arts Committee:  1) that a Cultural Arts Needs Assessment study be initiated to address growth of cultural arts, programming and facility needs; 2) that a communications network be developed; 3) that the CAC develop a volunteer core; 3) that a forum be created to promote cooperation among the various arts groups around Cary; 5) that sharing information is a critical component of the CAC relevant to educating artists, groups, organizations, Town Council, staff and citizens. Toby indicated that these goals will be ratified at the next CAC meeting.

Toby indicated that Carol Aupperle reported on CAC's participation at Lazy Daze and that the committee would continue to review and strengthen its booth at the festival. 

  Greenway Committee - Greg Lytle reported that the September meeting was cancelled as planner Doug McRainey was attending the National Trails Symposium in California and, was in fact, a presenter.  Greg did note the two upcoming public meetings:  1) Batchelor Branch Greenway, Ph I on October 3rd at the Bond Park Community Center and; 2) Speight Branch Greenway, Ph I on October 5 at the Resurrection Lutheran Church (Lochmere Drive). 
  Athletic Committee - Sean Cherry reported that the committee is reviewing the Parents Code of Ethics and Sportsmanship.  The committee recommended offering fast pitch to girls in Spring 2001.  A clinic will be held in October for participants to learn the fundamentals of fast-pitch.  Two new programs are being offered in October:  1) 3v3 Basketball Shootout (ages 11-17); and 2) Teen Team Tennis (ages 14-17).
  Teen Council - Liza Weidle introduced Ms. Christie.  Ms. Christie had previously attended a Town Council meeting to express her interest in establishing a teen center in Cary.  Her thoughts were to offer a safe haven for teens with adult supervision to help with studying, a good listening ear, help with job references, etc.  A facility that would monitor activities, not specifically a counseling service.  Staff and board members encouraged Ms. Christie to continue with fact gathering i.e. look into demographics, targeted population, funding, survey other centers (successful and unsuccessful) and programming to determine focus on recreation, homework, etc.  Staff will conduct research of best practices in other areas as well as reviewing current teen programming.  Staff will report information at the November meeting.   Nathan & Maggie Byelick, parents of teenagers, attended the meeting voicing similar interest for a teen facility in Cary.

Liza Weidle reported that members of the Teen Council will help out at the Food Bank in Raleigh in November.  Also, members will assist staff with the Safe N Sane Halloween program on October 31st.  Members are invited to attend the State Youth Council Retreat taking place in Rocky Mount in November.  
Department Reports
Land Dedications – Cary Glen, located in the general vicinity of the intersection of Carpenter Fire Station Road and Green Level to Durham Road.  This development goes before the Planning and Zoning Committee on October 10.  Staff is proposing the following:  
   Approval to accept a payment-in-lieu to purchase land for a combined school/park site, adjacent to or in close proximity to Cary Glen.
  Acceptance or ownership of the lake by the Town of Cary if developer provides reasonable land for both access and development of support facilities for public use.
  Acceptance of dedication of 30' wide greenway easement surrounding Cary Glen Lake.
  Acceptance of a 30' greenway easement located along the Morris Branch.
  Acceptance of a greenway within 100' Thoroughfare Buffer for the Western Wake Expressway.
ACTION:  Greg Lytle motioned that the Town accept the lake dedication only if the developer provide land for parking and access.  Tom Hemrick amended the motion that the developer provide reasonable land for the purpose of parking, restrooms and public access to the lake and greenway.  Barbara Pinna seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.  
  Administration
Media Relations - Judy Willard reviewed the Town's media relations standard procedure for board members.  Media contacts are escalating with all the new projects coming forward and staff must follow the following steps:  provide accurate information in a timely manner; present information in a manner that is consistent with Council's policies and philosophies; to reduce the incidents of conflicting information being disseminated; to manage issues before they become problematic; to ensure that Council and staff are aware of any communication issues; to ensure consistent, comprehensive, and equitable distribution of Town information.
  Athletics - William Davis
William reported that the season for youth basketball, ages 7-10 is half-way through games and that mail-in registration for youth 11 and up began today.  The Cary Town Tennis Tournament held last week went well.  William continues to meet with officials (national & local) for the 2001 Pony Softball Tournament.  National officials were impressed with the fields and the close proximity.
   
  Cultural Arts – Lyman Collins
Program Update - Lyman noted that the Marvelous Music Series in now on the web under 'Whats New'.  The series will offer four concerts:  1) The Carolina Connection; 2) The New York Big Brass Holiday Concert; 3) North Carolina Symphony; and 4) Girls Choir of Harlem.  The series tickets sell for $35.00.   Applause! Cary Youth Theatre will offer three performances of Anne of Green Gables, November 17 and November 18 at Cary Academy.  Invitations have been extended to groups and individuals to audition to perform at the Holiday Tree Lighting that takes place the first Sunday in December.
1) Public Art Master Plan Update - Vibha Goel reported that the committee met last week.  A community meeting/charrett planning is scheduled for January.  The goal is to come up with a series of ideas for public art in Cary.  Cameras will be distributed to the committee to take pictures of Public Art they like and don't like. Based on these photographs, an open discussion would then take place.  Areas the steering committee has focused on include: program structure; program funding; maintenance; public/private partnerships. 
   
  Recreation Programs - Dwayne Jones
Program Update - Dwayne noted the Canine Frisbee Disc Competition information is on the web and will take place Saturday, October 7th at Bond Park.  The September 30th Trail Workday went well with 40 participants mulching 1/3 mile of trail.  The next workday will be October 14th.  The Hemlock Bluffs Preservation Society will hold a yard sale on October 28th, from 8am to 1pm at Hemlock Bluffs.  Dwayne provided members with a newly published pamphlet that outlines the features of the Exhibit Hall in the Stevens Nature Center.
1) Skate Park Update - The staff report recommending Godbold Park as the site for the skate park goes to committee October 6th and then onto Council.
2) Senior Center Dedication - The dedication of the new Cary Senior Center is set for December 5th.
3) Veteran's Lunch - The annual Veteran's Lunch will take place Thursday, November 9th from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Bond Park Community Center.
4) RITNY Run - The Cary Y approached staff and asked that the Town co-sponsor the annual 'Run In The New Year Run'.  They want a safe place.  The Town will provide the use of Bond Park as the venue for the event.  The Y will conduct the event.  All proceeds will go to SK8 Cary.
5) Safe-N-Sane Halloween - The event takes place on October 31st at the Cary Towne Center.  Dwayne asked for volunteer judges for the costume contest.  Board members Sean Cherry, Liza Weidle, Barbara Pinna and Herb Young volunteered to be judges.
   
Old Business
  1) Joint Meeting w/Wake County Advisory Boards - Mary Barry announced that invitations have been sent for the October 18th joint meeting.  Speakers will include School Board Member Bill Fletcher and Clint Jobe with the Real Estate Services Division of Wake County Public Schools as well as David Carter, Wake County Parks and Recreation and Doug McRainey regarding open space planning. 
2) KT Water Fountain - Board member Toby Kennedy asked the status of the water fountain.  It was noted that the cost would be approximately $5,000.  It was suggested that signs be posted at the basketball slab directing users to the fountain at the shelter rather than incurring the cost of installing another fountain.
   
New Business
  1) CARA (Conservation and Reinvestment Act) - Herb Young personally encouraged board members to continue to phone friends, colleagues, etc. in support of this legislation.  Options to pass CARA are still possible.
2) Project Completion Dates - Board member Toby Kennedy asked that more realistic completion dates be provided on the Project Updates. 
   
Adjourn

 

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