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

Monday, June 4, 2001
5:00 p.m. 

111 James Jackson Avenue
Suite 201
Cary, NC 27513
ATTENDANCE:
 Board Members:  Chair Liza Weidle, Allison Ascenzi, Lisa Duke, Jamie France, Tom Hemrick, Toby Kennedy, Stan Latta, Greg Lytle

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

Guests:  Roy Alfred, Shawn Griffin, John Nelli, Donna Jo Gunlak, Andy Milner, Bo McCormick, James Campbell, Davis Litzenberger, Harold Litzenberger
Call to Order – Chair, Liza Weidle called to order the June meeting of the PRCR Advisory Board.
Minutes – Greg Lytle made a motion that the minutes of the May 7th meeting be approved with corrections duly noted.  The motion carried unanimously.
Special Presentation - Shawn Griffin, President, Cary Booster Club 
Shawn gave a power-point presentation overview of Pop Warner.  Shawn noted that Pop Warner is an international organization with over 400,000 participants.  Cary Pop Warner Football & Cheerleading, established in 1969, has experienced over 120% growth in the past 5 years with over 500 participants.  Currently, the program is operating beyond field and facility capacity.  The Pop Warner organization requested an opportunity to expand a partnership with the Town in the use of fields and facilities.

PRCR Director Mary Barry noted the Town's proposed budget includes an evaluation of  existing school facilities which could be upgraded.  Doug McRainey, Principal Planner will be leading the evaluation of the school facilities.  Ms. Barry indicated that the Town was willing to talk with Pop Warner in more detail about the possibility of partnerships.

Liza Weidle applauded the group for their dedication and commitment to youth programs.  

Committee Reports
  Cultural Arts Committee – Toby Kennedy
Toby reported that this committee is working on plans to host an open house at the  amphitheatre at Regency.  Additionally, the committee looks forward to the Cultural Arts Needs Assessment study.
  Greenway Committee - Greg Lytle
 Greg noted that this committee stays busy reviewing the ongoing greenway projects.  Greg extended an invitation to anyone wishing to join a walking tour of Blackcreek Greenway, Phase IV which is scheduled for Saturday, June 9th.  Greg noted that the memorial bench for Ray Tiedman is being designed by a volunteer.

Toby Kennedy asked whether renovations to MacDonald Woods Park, including the pedestrian access tunnel, would be tied to the widening of US 1/64.  Tom Hemrick further asked whether the tunnel could be incorporated with the US 1/64 interchange project.  Doug McRainey stated that he would report back at the next meeting.
  Athletic Committee - Interim Chair, Johnny Gardner.  
 No report.  This committee did not meet.
Teen Council - Liza Weidle, Liaison
Liza reported that the Graduation and Awards Picnic held in May was well attended.  Rose Brown, our very own PRCR youth advisory board member, was the recipient of the Mayor's Award and accompanying scholarship.  Teen representatives from the Cary Teen Council met with staff to give input on the types of programs they would like to see offered.  Monthly program:  1 for middle school students; 1 for high school students will begin in July.   Also, this summer some members will be attending state youth conferences and some assisted with the one year birthday celebration of Kids Together Playground on June 3. 
Senior Center Liaison Report - Stan Latta
1. Stan reported that Cary's Transportation program for Seniors and People with Disabilities will begin operation August 1st of this year.  C-Tran will be the name of the transportation system. 
2. Nine different senior clubs are now operating out of the new Senior Center.  Staff is working with the groups to compile an all inclusive newsletter that will be available in the near future.
3. This fall, staff will apply to the State of North Carolina for state certification for Senior Center of Merit.
4. Senior Citizen Day activities, held May 16 at the center, drew capacity attendance.
5. The Senior Center was featured on BUD TV for the month of May.
Stan commended Jody Lindsay on doing a good job! 
 
Department Reports
  Administration
Mary Barry gave a powerpoint presentation highlighting the 2002 proposed budget for PRCR.  Mary noted that the budget is divided into four divisions:  Administration, Recreation Programs, Cultural Arts, and Athletics.  Currently, the department consists of 38 regular permanent staff (this does not reflect part time staff).  Additionally board members were presented with hard copies of the proposed budget.  Proposed totals for each division are:  Administration/$786,912; Recreation Programs/$1,735,466; Cultural Arts/$806,779;  Athletics/$815.138.

The proposed Capital Improvement Budget includes $1,317,021 for renovation projects (includes Public Works projects); $2,540,200 for new greenway development; $1,215,000 for new park and special facility development; $1,508,500 for site acquisition for a proposed total Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources CIB budget of $6,580,721.  

Mary Barry noted that currently there is no funding in the proposed PRCR FY02 budget for the downtown park.

Toby Kennedy noted that it would be helpful to give non-profit groups feedback about funding requests.

Toby Kennedy asked how much of the Public Works budget is attributed to Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources.  Mary noted she would check with Public Works.

Amphitheatre at Regency Park - Lyman Collins reported that due to severe weather, the opening of the Summerfest Series was postponed until June 9th when the facility will open with the previously planned Mike Cross Concert.  Lyman noted that staff is working with the management company, SMG to finalize their contract and to develop long range ideas after the close of the Summerfest Series on July 14.  Lyman noted that within two weeks there will be a notice of new programs.  Lyman reported that the Cultural Arts Committee is planning an open house for this facility for July 27.

Public Art Master Plan - Lyman noted that the committee will be meeting on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of June and will hold a work session with Council on Thursday, July 19th from noon to 1 p.m.  The committee's recommendations will be provided at the next meeting. 

Golf Course Feasibility Study - Doug McRainey reported that Town Council approved $20,000 for a municipal golf course feasibility study.  Doug noted that he has put together a list of the best firms in the country to consult on this project. 

Open Space Joint Meeting - Doug McRainey reminded board members of the upcoming joint work session of the Planning and Zoning Board and the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board on June 18th.  The meeting will begin at 6 pm with a light dinner and will convene at 7:15 pm.  The Planning and Zoning Board will hold their regularly scheduled meeting at 7:30 pm following the joint work session.  Information packets will go out to both boards on July 11th. Recommendations from both boards will go before Council in July.  

Aquatics Feasibility Study Update - Mary Barry noted that Hill Carrow with Capital Sports Marketing reported to Council about this 45 million dollar project.  It is anticipated that 1/3 will come from private; 1/3 from donations/Occupancy Tax and 1/3 from the Town.  If these occur, the Town would need a letter of commitment.  The facility would include aquatics, 2 ice sheets and a fitness center.  

Skate Park Update - Dwayne Jones noted that the construction drawings were 98% complete.  Bids are planned to open the end of June and the recommendations would go before the Operations Committee in July.  Pending approval, groundbreaking for the skate park will take place in August.  

Hawes Property - Doug McRainey reported that the Town purchased 245 acres (5.2 million dollars) for additional parkland. This property will connect to the Panther Creek Greenway.  The acreage is tentatively slated for a 50-acre park; 60-acres of open space and 20-50 acres for schools.  The remaining land is slated for affordable housing.  The Town will be meeting with Wake County Schools relative to the proposed school sites.  

Facility Tour - Judy Willard requested that board consider changing the August meeting date to August 13th at 6 p.m. as staff will be involved in hosting the National Pony Softball Tournament.  On August 13th, board members will be given a two-hour tour of facilities.  Members were provided with a facilities list.

ACTION:  Stan Latta made a motion to change the August meeting date to August 13 with a start time of 6 p.m.  The motion carried unanimously.

Lisa Duke noted that she would not be able to attend the rescheduled August meeting.
Recreation Programs - Dwayne Jones
1. The Canine Frisbee Disc Competition is scheduled for June 9 at 10 a.m. at Bond Park.
2. Summer Day Camp (Bond Park Community Center) and Teen Adventure Camp (Green Hope Elementary School) start Monday, June 11th.  The day camp staff is already on board going through orientation.
Cultural Arts - Lyman Collins
1. Summerfest Series begins this Saturday, June 9th at Regency Park and will run through July 14th.
2. The Starlight Concert Series is underway at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center.  The next performance is June 15 with Frank Corbi Quartet performing at 7:30 p.m.
3. Broadway Love Songs Under the Stars will take place June 30th at the Sertoma Amphitheatre with performances at 6 pm & 8 pm.   This is an audition-based performance.
4. Art Exhibits at Town Facilities - Jordan Hall/water color artist Christine Taylor MacLellan; Page Walker Arts & History Center/acrylic on canvas/paper, Joyce McKee and water color artist Carl Amblad.
5. July 4th Celebration activities will be presented at the July meeting.

Liza Weidle noted that Pay It Forward, sponsored by Creating Assets Reaching Youth and the Town, will be shown June 14th at Bond Park's Sertoma Amphitheatre at 9:15 p.m.  A light show will also be featured that evening.
Athletics - William Davis
1. The tennis programs are exploding; Tennis 1,2,3 lessons are almost full.
2. The youth team tennis is going well.
3. A doubles tennis ladder is being added.
4. USTA has requested use of our tennis courts.
5. Staff has been busy scheduling make-up games due to recent rains. 
Old Business
1. Citizen Board Meeting/August 2-4 - Mary Barry reminded board members of the upcoming CBM meeting in Greensboro.  Some members indicated they had not received the information flyer.  Gail Taylor will email board members a copy.  Members were instructed to contact Gail by June 29th should they plan to attend and she will submit the necessary registration form.
2. PRCR Committee Goals - The committee will revisit the goals in the fall to discuss objectives.
3. Park Signage/After Hour Contacts - Board members expressed concerns that the general public would not know who to call should they observe a problem at our facilities.  Issues that might arise needing immediate attention would be overflowing trash receptacles and plumbing issues, etc.  Mary explained that facilities are not staffed during all hours that the parks are open and, in many, cases they would get a recording that would not be addressed until the following business day.  Additionally, concerns that the restrooms, in some cases, were not being opened by 9 a.m. and trash receptacles are not adequate for the heavy use of some facilities.  Mary indicated she would contact public works to remedy these concerns.
New Business
1. July 2nd Meeting Date - Tom Hemrick reminded members that the July 2nd meeting occurs during the July 4th holiday weekend and asked if they had conflict with the meeting date.  No one voiced a conflict.
2. 2001 State Games - Stan Latta noted that volunteers were needed for State Games and provided members with flyers.
3. People for Parks - Roy Alfred, PRCR representative to People for Parks, announced that the meeting time has been changed to the third Monday at 7 p.m. at Jaycee Park on Wade Avenue.  Additionally, on June 11th at 7 p.m. there will be a meeting for public art.
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 

 

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