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TOWN OF CARY November 6, 2000, 5PM 111 James
Jackson Ave., Suite 201 |
| Attendance | Board Members Present:
Vibha Goel, Tom Hemrick, Greg Lytle, Kay Struffolino,
Liza Weidle, Herb Young, Rose Brown, youth member. Staff Members Present: Mary Barry, Judy Willard, William Davis, Doug McRainey, Dwayne Jones, Lyman Collins, Sonya Snyder. Absent: Toby Kennedy, Sean Cherry, Barbara Pinna |
| Call to Order –Chair Herb Young called the meeting to order. | |
| Minutes – The October minutes will be forwarded to board members for review. | |
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| Committee Reports | |
| Cultural Arts Committee - Lyman Collins reported in Toby Kennedy's absence. The committee has agreed to a series of goals. A sub-committee has been appointed to work on each goal. Example of goals: building a volunteer base; communication network. Lyman announced that vacancies exist on this committee. | |
| Greenway
Committee
- Greg Lytle informed board members that committee member Ray
Tiedman passed away. Greg asked the board about memorial
plaques for volunteers who passed away or of other ways to commemorate the
memory of volunteers. It was recommended that the Greenway Committee review this
and make suggestions to the Advisory Board at the December meeting.
Greg also reported that a new greenway map was being produced. Estimated completion for the map would be in December. It was also reported that Meredith Bridgers is working on a web page for trails and greenways which will include individual maps for each greenway. Greg reported that the Town had been awarded $86,000 from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) that would be applied to the White Oak Creek Conservation Project. The purpose of this project is to acquire significant riparian buffer along both sides of the White Oak Creek. If progress is made on acquiring conservation easements, there is an excellent opportunity to obtain additional funds from CWMTF. The Greenway Committee recommended to extend the Higgins Trail to the downtown area and preserve the portion of the REZ-28 property (on East Chatham Street) necessary to extend the greenway. ACTION: Greg Lytle made the motion for the board to approve this recommendation; Liza Weidle seconded the motion. The board unanimously approved the recommendation. The Greenway Committee urged the staff to request a sign package in the upcoming budget process. A consistent sign package is needed so that greenways are easier to find and to use. |
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| Athletic
Committee -
William Davis reported for Sean Cherry. The
committee met last week to review eight special requests.
Committee members are helping with team placements and the
draft. Since the committee is assisting in these areas, they did
not meet in October nor will they meet in November. Tom
Hemrick asked about a sand volleyball league. William responded that the Athletics Program Division is looking into a league for Summer 2001. It was noted that the morning basketball program (6a-10a Open Gym) at the Bond Park Community Center has approximately 30 people participating on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. |
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| Teen Council - Liza Weidle complimented Sonya on her session on Asset Building at the North Carolina Recreation and Parks Society Conference. Packages that were presented at the conference were given to board members. It was noted that the Cary Teen Council is the largest in the state! Rose Brown reported that the Teen Council met on October 17th. They had a guest speaker on leadership. The Teen Council is excited about the new Skate Park. The trip to the State Council was cancelled due to low registration. Members participated in the Safe-N-Sane Halloween event and both Rose and Liza thanked board members that volunteered to be judges. The Teen Council has applied for $1500 from the Lazy Daze Grant Program for the Mayors Award. Liza reported that the NC Juvenile Program has grant monies available as well. Upcoming events: Food Bank, Mad Dash Babysitting, Santa's Workshop. | |
| Senior Center - Kay Struffolino reported that she met with Dwayne Jones and Jody Lindsay regarding several issues: 1) November 13th, closed, tour for club presidents; 2) December 5th, center dedication at 3 p.m.; 3) December 6th, Open House (all day); 4) Senior Net - lots of interest; there will be six computers in the media center of the new senior center. | |
| Land Dedications – | |
| Department Reports | |
| Administration A. Aquatics Feasibility Study - Mary Barry reported that she and Doug McRainey are reviewing the draft. Capital Sports Marketing approached the Town about extending the scope of this study to look at this facility as a National and International venue. Capital Sports Marketing will be paying for the expanded study. Mary and Doug will be meeting next week with Hill Carrow, Capital Sports Marketing, and CASL to determine the goals of the expanded program, as well as to look at the costs. Mary informed the board that the study is not behind, they are just adding another facet to the study. B. Greenway Project Update - Doug
McRainey provided the following update: RFP’s have been sent out for firms to work on two major greenways – Black Creek Greenway, Ph IV and White Oak Creek Greenway, Ph III. These projects would eventually extend from Umstead State Park to the American Tobacco Trail, a distance of 10-12 miles. Batchelor Branch Greenway – This project includes a one mile segment extending west of NC 55. A public meeting was held in October. Nearly 40 residents attended the meeting. Issues related to this greenway include a very tight easement area to locate the greenway and the greenway is located within the 100’ buffer area adjacent to Batchelor Branch. An amendment to the Interim Buffer Ordinance will be sought in January. Speight Branch Greenway – A public meeting was also held in October for this greenway. This project includes a ¾ mile segment of paved trail from Tryon Road to Cary Parkway. Issues include working with residents to locate public access trails which will link with the main trail. Neighbors are concerned; Doug will be meeting with the concerned homeowners. Cary Glen – Development has begun on an 8 ft wide paved greenway which will encircle the Cary Glen Lake. It will be nearly two miles in length. |
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| Athletics
- William Davis A. Program Update - William reported that team placements for youth basketball are going on this week. Approximately 900 youth, ages 11 to 18 have registered. Adult softball finishes tonight. Adult basketball is still in play. B. 2001 Softball Tournament - William noted that he did not have any updated information the on Pony National Tournament. |
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| Cultural
Arts – Lyman Collins A. Program Update - Lyman announced that the department won another Arts & Humanities Award at the NCRPS conference. The award was received for the Shakespeare Academy which was our summer program, taught by Joseph Henderson, that incorporated youth and senior citizens and culminated in the performance of Romeo and Juliet at the Bond Park Amphitheatre. This year NCRPS received the largest number of nominations for this award. Lyman complimented Scotty Elliott's hard work. Anne of Green Gables, a production of Applause, Cary Youth Theatre will be held at Cary Academy November 17 and 18. Tickets are available. The Marvelous Music Series got off to a great start. The next attraction will be The New York Big Brass Holiday Concert on Friday, December 1 at the Cary Community Center at 7:30 p.m. This big event will kick off the holiday weekend. Lyman encouraged board members to stop by Jordan Hall and the Page-Walker Arts and History Center to see the art instructors' exhibits currently on display. B. Public Art Master Plan - Vibha Goel reported that the committee reviewed the 1st draft of the program guidelines. On January 27 there will be a public charrette (including area art groups) to look at design ideas. Areas of concentration will include neighborhoods, downtown area, greenways, etc. C. Economic Impact Study on Cultural Organizations in Cary - Lyman reported that nonprofit arts organizations in Wake County have a 67 million dollar economic impact per year. In FY99, Cary nonprofit arts organizations had an 8 million dollar economic impact. There were 613 events staged; attended by approximately 18,000 people. There were approximately 15,000 volunteer hours. Art organizations in Cary employ about 45 full and part-time workers. The arts generated 348 jobs throughout the community. Lyman stated that we can see the arts make a difference in our community. |
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| Recreation
Programs - Dwayne Jones A. Program Update - Dog Days/this event held in November enjoyed its third successful year at Bond Park. This event is co-sponsored with Camp Canine. Veteran's Day Lunch/this annual event held on November 9th had a great turnout.....in fact, it was sold out! Trail Workday/Hemlock Bluffs/November 18th/it was reported that 63 volunteers have registered to participate on the 18th. Dwayne noted that volunteers have made great strides on the trail work. B. Teen Information Report - Sonya Snyder gave board members an update on staff's research. Staff surveyed cities that are similar in population to Cary. Research was conducted in three categories: 1) Agencies/Teen Centers; 2) Agencies without Teen Centers but running teen programs in community centers; 3) Agencies without Teen Centers or dedicated teen activity. Sonya researched Teen Centers in North Carolina and across the U.S. and looked into seventeen different agencies (refer to handouts). Everyone she talked to said that the teens need to be involved in the programming. Sonya provided board members with a list of programs and activities of the Cary Teen Council (refer to handout/blue). Additionally, Sonya provided members with a list of programs (refer to handout/yellow) focusing on teen participation and other programs available for teens. The philosophy of the Cary Teen Council has been community service. Liza requested that the teen program offerings go out to the schools. Chair Herb Young appointed a Teen Center Ad Hoc Committee. The committee is chaired by Sean Cherry and appointed members include Barbara Pinna and Liza Weidle. It was noted that the three guests (Sheryl Christy and Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Byelick) who attended the October meeting requesting the Town to consider a Teen Center were not present to hear Sonya's report. Herb Young noted that he wrote letters to them thanking them for attending the October meeting. With the letters, he sent a copy of our comprehensive program brochure. C. Skate Park - Godbold Park is the selected site. The Town is moving forward on design with Paton & Zucchino. Liza Weidle commented that the community involvement with the Skate Park project has been tremendous. D. RITNY Run - This run will be held on December 31st at Bond Park and is co-produced with the Cary Family YMCA. The registration flyer is being finalized and will be available next week. The proceeds will go to SK8-Cary. |
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| Old Business | |
| A. Joint
Wake County Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Meeting - Mary Barry
noted a successful turnout for the meeting on October 18th. The
feedback she received from other directors was positive and they
wished there could have been more social time. Raleigh and Apex
are both interested in hosting a future joint meeting. Herb said
it would be nice to have a joint meeting every six months. Herb
complimented Mary on hosting the successful event. Advisory
board members stated they would also like to see more joint meetings.
B. Skate Park Grant - Judy Willard reported that Wake County Parks and Recreation Commission did not have a quorum at their October meeting so they were unable to award grants. David Carter told Judy he was hoping to have a decision made in November. The commission's next meeting is November 9th. C. West Cary Middle School -Tom Hemrick asked about partnering with the school for athletic facilities. Mary Barry explained that with the extension of the Black Creek Greenway, the Town would be providing access to the field. The Town is in the process of completing a use-agreement with Wake County Public Schools. This agreement details the use of the parking areas, as well as the use of the greenway by Wake County to construct a track and field behind West Cary Middle School. D. North Cary Park Soccer Field - Tom Hemrick asked about partnerships with this field. Mary Barry stated that she has talked verbally with CASL. They are negotiating and finalizing a contract for Council consideration. There are other soccer groups and lacrosse groups approaching the Town. E. White Oak Park and North Cary Park - Chair Herb Young commented that both parks are very nice additions to our park system. Both dedications were very well attended. |
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| New Business | |
| A. Volunteer Banquet - Judy Willard announced that the annual volunteer recognition banquet will be held on February 20, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. The location of the event is still being determined. Judy handed out nomination forms to the award categories. Liza asked that the Teen Council award be divided into two categories: one for the high school students (grades 9-12) and one for the middle school students (grades 6-8). All board members agreed. Judy said she would update the teen award forms and get them to Sonya Snyder prior to the Teen Council's November 21st meeting. Herb Young, Greg Lytle, and Vibha Goel will serve on the Volunteer Nomination Committee to review the nominations for these awards. | |
| Adjourn | |