TOWN OF CARY
Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Advisory Board
2001  MINUTES

January 8th 2001, 5PM

111 James Jackson Avenue
Cary, NC 27511 

 
ATTENDANCE:
 Board Members:  Sean Cherry, Vibha Goel, Tom Hemrick, Toby Kennedy, Greg Lytle, Kay Struffolino, Liza Weidle.
Absent:  Herb Young, Youth Member Rose Brown
Staff:  Mary Barry, Dwayne Jones, William Davis, Gail Taylor, Jody Lindsay
Guest:  Mike Walsh
Call to Order – Kay Struffolino
Minutes – The Minutes of the December 4, 2000 meeting were approved as presented.
Welcome - The January meeting was held at the new Cary Senior Center and Senior Center Supervisor Jody Lindsay extended a welcome to board members.
The center was dedicated on December 5th with over six hundred visitors the first week. SeniorNet training is scheduled for 40 participants who will in turn be trainers themselves!  Jody noted rental requests have begun and that she is meeting with other senior organizations to plan for summer programs.
Committee Reports
  Cultural Arts Committee – Toby Kennedy
1) Cultural Arts Forum - Toby announced that the forum will take place in March or April in order to re-establish communication with cultural arts groups; 2) additional discussion about a Cultural Arts Needs Assessment Study has been put on hold in order to focus on the Public Art Master Plan.  A charrette will take place Saturday, January 27th at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center; 3) the Cultural Arts Committee unanimously recommended to Council to seek National Historic District Designation for the downtown center; 3) the Cary Visual Arts Committee presented preliminary proposals for a sculpture to be placed at the entrance to Cary on S.E. Chatham Street.

Board member Tom Hemrick asked if the Town had been approached about  the location of the proposed firefighter sculpture to honor North Carolina firefighters.   The answer was no. 

Mary Barry announced that the Cary Visual Arts, Inc. is interested in allocating funds toward a fountain at Regency Lake.
  Greenway Committee - Greg Lytle
Committee Appointments - The committee has received applications for their review and consideration.  Greg reported: 1) Black Creek Greenway Ph III - staff is moving forward with the wetland permit; 2) Black Creek Greenway Phase IV/White Oak Greenway Phase III - RFP's have been completed and two firms have been selected; 3) Bachelor Branch - Homeowners are concerned that the greenway will be too close to their backyards and buffer issues are being reviewed; 4) Panther Creek - The Cary Glen developer has begun construction of two miles of paved trail around the lake; 5) Walnut Creek Greenway - there is more wetland than originally considered.  This may require additional boardwalk.  However, the consultant is looking for alternatives; 6) Ray Tiedman Memorial - the Greenway Committee is interested in purchasing an 8ft bench with a memorial  plaque.  The bench will be located on Higgins Trail as Ray was an advocate for that trail.  Also, youth member, Liz Nacewicz will lead a group of Teen Council members in a cleanup project in an area surrounding the bench.

Committee member Mark Ivy, working on his PhD did a greenway survey conducted of residents living within a 1/4 mile of proposed greenways on Cary's western side.  The majority of responses had a positive opinion of greenways, although 17% of respondents had a negative view of the greenway.  Board member Kay Struffolino requested that a condensed version of Mark's report be presented at the next meeting.

Greg advised members of the recent announcement that  40+ acres of land (beside Umstead Park, corner of I-40 & N. Harrison Ave) has been purchased as open space.  The Town of Cary, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the N.C. Department of Transportation funded the land purchase. 
  Athletic Committee - Sean Cherry
 Sean noted that the committee is considering random observation of youth basketball coaches focusing on behavior and discipline in order to give the coaches positive feedback.  
Sand Volleyball - Board member Tom Hemrick asked about sand volleyball.  Both indoor and outdoor volleyball will be offered.  Along with North Cary Park, Green Hope Elementary School Park  will also have volleyball courts.  
  Teen Council - Liza Weidle
 Liza reported that the teens had 3500 services hours since its inception and further noted that they enjoy their work and involvement in the community.  Teen members assisted with the road race (RITNY) on December 31st.  Liza noted the focus this year will be to make the youth more responsible for their council. 
Liza noted a private firm is reviewing the development of a youth sports facility.
Liza will be meeting later this week with The Cary News editor Jane Paige to discuss a (monthly or weekly) column focusing on family.  
Land Dedications – None
Department Reports
  Administration
Land Purchase - Mary Barry informed the Board that very soon there would be an announcement about the purchase of a 50-acre tract of park land in south Cary.  
  Athletics - William Davis
  Pony Softball Tournament - The tournament (August 5-11) will be co-run with the City of Raleigh.  It is anticipated that a total of 240-300 teams will participate in this tournament  Committees are currently being formed to help run the event.  The committee is also looking for four or five sponsors to offset the cost.
Cary Road Race 2001 - The road race will take place on Saturday, April 21st.  William noted that he will request volunteers from this board to help with the race.  This year, the 10K will take place first, followed by the 5k.  Board member Sean Cherry requested that staff review the staff assignments in the gym for race day registration.
Hot Hoops - Butch Robertson of The News & Observer will present the Town with a check for $12,000 (proceeds from the 2000 Hot Hoops event) for the skate park at the January 25th Council meeting.
  Cultural Arts – Mary Barry reported for Lyman Collins
  Public Art Master Plan Charrette - Vibha Goel reported on the charrette scheduled for Saturday, January 27th at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center.  Groups will form and take on different assignments (i.e., greenways, parks, and neighborhood identity).  From these brainstorming sessions, ideas and goals will come back to the Public Arts Committee and upon review, become part of the Master Plan recommendations.
Kwanzaa Celebration, December 27th - Mary Barry reported that several hundred people attended Cary's 6th annual celebration at the Cary Community Center.  The celebration lasted from 11am-5pm and included music, food, crafts and a special kid's world area.  Councilman Nels Roseland presented the Town's Proclamation declaring it Cary's week of Kwanzaa activities and the keynote speech was delivered by Wake County Commissioner Linda Coleman.
MLK, Jr. Celebration, Weekend, January 12th-14th - Mary Barry announced the Town of Cary's annual celebration of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - Dreamfest 2001.  The celebration will take place in downtown Cary.  Board members were provided handouts with event listings.
Virginia Howell - Mary Barry announced the hiring of Virginia Howell, Page-Walker Program Specialist.  Virginia fills a new position that will further develop diverse cultural programs and the Heritage Museum including outreach programs to school groups.
Regency Amphitheater - Mary Barry reported that the steel is being placed for the new amphitheater.  Construction is on track and will provide a permanent summer home for the NC Symphony and a locale for other music, theater and dance.  It is anticipated that the NC Symphony will perform at the amphitheater the first Saturday in June 2001.  Additionally, RFP's have been sent for Professional Facility Management and Event Booking/Promotion Services.  The proposal deadline is February 9th.
  Recreation Programs - Dwayne Jones
 

Dwayne gave an overview of the following:  1) Daddy-Daughter Dance, Saturday, February 10th; 2) RITNY - this event, co-sponsored with the Cary Y on December 31st  was well attended with 360 runners and proceeds to benefit SK8 Cary; 3) upcoming trail workdays at Hemlock Bluffs on January 20th and February 10th, from 2pm to 4 pm.; 4) the FYI staff report on Teen Programs (PR01-25) went to the Operations Committee on January 5th. 
Old Business
  Volunteer Banquet, February 20th - Mary Barry announced that the Volunteer Committee will meet next week to review the nominations.  Judy Willard is in the process of inviting a guest speaker.
Skate Park Update - Board Member Liza Weidle requested the status of the skate park design.  Dwayne Jones noted that staff is working with the consultants to finalize the schedule and a public meeting would be held in February.
Aquatics Facility Update - Mary Barry reported that consultant Scott Hunsaker is reviewing the three components of the facility: 1) 50 meter indoor pool; 2) indoor leisure and 3) outdoor leisure.  Additionally, Scott's report due this week will include Capitol Sports Marketing request for a national venue concept.  A Town Council work session is scheduled for February 15th and is open to the public.  The board asked about the involvement of CASL in this project and requested that a CASL representative give a brief overview of their proposed facility.
Park Signage - Board member Toby Kennedy suggested a uniform sign package for parks and greenways.  Additionally, posting signs at parks with numbers to call should a citizen encounter a problem such as locked restrooms, etc. and a number to call to for shelter reservations.  (Staff will review options).      
New Business
  Minutes - Board members requested that the minutes be mailed the Monday prior to the meeting.  Additionally, staff will check with Technology Services to see why certain previous minutes are not posted on the web. Staff requests that minutes be posted the day following each monthly meeting.
 Rules and Procedures - Board member Liza Weidle request that staff look into rules and procedures from other boards/committees.
Communication - Board member Toby Kennedy requested hard and fast procedures for conveying information to Council.   Mary Barry responded noting communicating information to Council is done through the staff report process which includes staff recommendations.
North Cary Park Update - Board members requested responses to questions raised at the December meeting.
Kids Together Park Update - Liza requested an update on the sign at the basketball slab directing users to the water fountain.
Adjourn

 

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