PRCR Advisory Board Minutes

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

Monday, May 7, 2001
5:00 p.m.

Bond Park Community Center
150 Metro Park Drive
Cary, NC 27511

ATTENDANCE:
Board Members: Chair Liza Weidle, Allison Ascenzi, Lisa Duke, Jamie France, Vibha Goel, Tom Hemrick, Toby Kennedy, Stan Latta, Greg Lytle, Rose Brown, Youth Member

Athletic Committee Members: Johnny Gardner, Raymond Bauer, Alisa Wright Colopy, Dave Gaebel, Larry Miller, King Prather, Amanda Hutcheson, Youth Member

Cultural Arts Committee Members: Carol Aupperle, Kay Struffolino, Victoria Castor, Lucinda Cole, Carolyn Sampson, Phyllis Tuttle, Cynthia Mollenkopf

Greenway Committee Members: Carol Wilcox, Alison Pockat-Dillard, Dennis Grossman, Bob Morris, Karl Thor, Liz Nacewicz, Youth Member

Staff: Mary Barry, Lyman Collins, William Davis, Joe Godfrey, Dwayne Jones, Gail Taylor, Alice Webb, Judy Willard

Guests: Mayor Lang, Councilman Nels Roseland

Call to Order – Chair, Liza Weidle called to order the joint meeting of the PRCR Advisory Board, Athletic Committee; Cultural Arts Committee and Greenway Committee. Board member Toby Kennedy gave the invocation. Mayor Lang welcomed members and thanked them for the time and effort they give to their respective committees and noted that their service has a major impact on our community. Introductions: Judy Willard led the group in a brief 'icebreaker' where staff and board/committee members introduced themselves.
Minutes – Stan Latta motioned that the minutes of the April 2, 2001 meeting be approved with changes duly noted. Toby Kennedy asked if the Greenway Survey compiled by Mark Ivy would go to Council. Mary Barry noted that she would get it to the Town Council.
Public Speaks Outs Councilman Nels Roseland spoke to the group on two issues: 1) Downtown Plan - a 6-10 acre premier destination park is proposed for downtown, located on the corner adjacent from Academy Street and Dry Avenue. 2) Dedicated Funding Source for Open Space and Acquisition of Parks and Greenways - Councilman Roseland would like the Town to identify 2.5-5 million dollars to set aside for open space. Councilman Roseland encouraged members to contact him with their ideas. Lastly, he stated he appreciates the time and dedication of committee and board members.
Mission Statement Board members reviewed the following mission statement: Our mission is to provide representation for the citizens of Cary in partnership with the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department and the Town Council in promoting understanding, appreciation, participation and support for open spaces, parks, recreational opportunities, cultural activities, programs and facilities. ACTION: Toby Kennedy made a motion to adopt the above mission statement for the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board. The motion passed unanimously.
Goals The goals for Cary Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board are to work with the standing committees of Greenways, Athletics, and Cultural Resources to become catalysts of action for our citizens, Town Council and the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department in the following four categories: Individual: Improving health and wellness, building self-esteem, providing alternatives to self destructive behavior, reducing stress and providing opportunities for learning and living a more balanced, productive life. Community: Building stronger families, reducing loneliness and alienation, enhancing community spirit, reducing crime and promoting ethnic and cultural harmony. Economic: Attracting business relocation and expansion, contributing to healthy and productive work forces, attracting tourist and retirees and enhancing real estate values. Environmental: Protecting natural resources and open space areas, enhancing air and water quality, reducing congestion, providing and protecting wildlife habitat and improving overall community livability. Toby Kennedy recommended adopting the goals and that objectives needed to be set.
Rules of Order - A copy of the Rules of Order is attached and numbered consecutively. ACTION: Stan Latta made a motion to adopt the Rules of Order and that the specific document from which they were pulled be referenced at the bottom. The motion passed unanimously. Mary Barry noted that it would be best if all committees of the Advisory Board have the same conformity and that these rules of order apply.
	Cultural Arts Committee – Toby Kennedy, Chair gave an overview of the committee's purpose and goals. Toby noted that committee members had a retreat last summer to prioritize their vision and to broaden appeal to all aspects of this division. Toby noted the need for a Cultural Arts Needs Assessment for Town and private groups to address the growth of cultural arts programming and facility needs. Toby noted that the Amphitheater at Regency, home of the Summerfest Series will open in June and will feature a variety of local talent and national tour groups.
	Greenway Committee - Greg Lytle This committee is focusing on: 1) Master Plan; 2) Open Space Acquisition; 3) Connectivity of the American Tobacco Trail from Crabtree to Bond Park; 4) Trail Map. Greg requested that the committee minutes be marked draft and mailed immediately following the respective meetings.
	Athletic Committee - Interim Chair, Johnny Gardner. This committee is addressing such issues as: 1) making fields available with shelters; 2) working with Wake County Schools in joint use and upkeep of gyms and ballfields; 3) revisiting the league age distribution for youth basketball; 4) expanding the fall basketball league to include 6-year olds.
	*Teen Council - Liza Weidle* Liza noted she had posters available promoting Creating Assets Reaching Youth. Liza reported that the Teen Program Sub-committee looked at different teen clubs across the country and studied the challenges and types of management for teen clubs. They then focused on establishing goals and strategies for a successful teen program. In July, the Town will offer structured monthly programs for teens; one for middle school students and one for high school students. In May, youth groups in Cary, i.e. Skate Cary; the Y; and the Chamber Youth Leadership program will meet with staff to assist in developing programs and activities for the fall brochure. Upcoming events include: Jamfest and Pay It Forward. PRCR Director Mary Barry noted that this teen programming is the result of a citizen approaching Town Council about programs and a facility for teens in Cary. The Town Council referred the citizen to the Advisory Board which in turn established a Teen Program Sub-committee in October to research the feasibility of a teen center. The Teen Program Sub-committee held their first meeting in January 2001.
Department Reports
	Administration
	MacDonald Woods Park - Alice Webb Alice reported on the plans for the renovation/expansion of MacDonald Woods Park, a 14-acre neighborhood park located on Seabrook Avenue. Prior to the preliminary design, staff met with interested neighborhood citizens and received their input. Alice noted that this park has experienced problems with flooding; it has steep slopes and two wetland pockets. The basketball slab (to be raised 1 foot) and the playground area (to include rubber surfacing) will switch locations; the picnic shelter will be removed and a sand volleyball court will be renovated. It was noted that DOT would be replacing the undersize drainage lines under US 1/64; however, a timeframe has not been established.
	Joint Meeting/Open Space Plan - Mary Barry Mary reminded board members of the upcoming joint meeting on June 18th at 7:30 p.m. Comments from both the Planning and Zoning Board as well as from PRCR Advisory Board will be heard at that time.
Adjourn