TOWN OF CARY
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board
2003 MINUTES

June 2, 2003

Town Hall Campus; Bldg. B
Upper Conference Room
318 N. Academy Street
Cary, North Carolina 27513

 

ATTENDANCE:  Tom Hemrick, Chair; Lisa Duke; Jamie France; Leta Huntsinger; Toby Kennedy; Kay Struffolino; Dave Upton; Melissa White; Liz Nacewicz, Youth Member; Marla Dorrel, Council Liaison

STAFF: Lyman Collins; Aubrey Clayton; Bruce Crocker; Dwayne Jones; Doug McRainey; Judy Newsome; Gail Taylor

ABSENT:  Bob Hickey, Mary Henderson, William Davis

GUESTS:  Scott Kruthoff, Jason Simpson, Athletic Interns

I Call to Order - Chair Tom Hemrick called the meeting to order.
  Introductions: Assistant Athletic Program Supervisor Aubrey Clayton introduced summer athletic interns Scott Kruthoff and Jason Simpson.
II Minutes of May 5, 2003 - Greg Lytle made a motion to accept the May 5th minutes with the corrections duly noted.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
III Public Speaks Out
IV Special Presentation
V Land Dedications - Doug McRainey
  Riggsbee Farm - Doug McRainey provided an update regarding this 230 unit mixed-use development located along High House Road, between Davis Drive and Jenks Carpenter Road. The developer offered to dedicate a 19.67 acres of open space for this project. Doug explained that staff rejected this because only 2 to 3 acres of contiguous land would be useable and this offer did not meet the intent of the land dedication ordinance.  Instead, staff recommended acceptance of payment-in-lieu for 6.56 acres and require approximately a 3,000' greenway easement.  Doug explained that  the applicant would receive credit for building the greenway against the PIL.
ACTION:  Greg Lytle made a motion to accept staff's recommendation to accept payment-in-lieu for 6.56 acres and require approximately a 3,000' greenway easement.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote. 

Highland - Doug McRainey stated that this 48 unit affordable housing development was located along High House Road.  This is actually a much larger development but only 48 units (town houses) are eligible toward the land dedication ordinance.  The required payment-in-lieu will be for the value for 1.37 acres. Doug explained that there had been an issue with local residents regarding the need for additional parkland and trail access in vicinity to Lexie Lane Park.  Staff recommends acceptance of payment-in-lieu of 1.37 acres and that the developer construct a multi-use trail along High House Road.
ACTION:  Greg Lytle made a motion to accept staff's recommendation to accept payment-in-lieu of 1.37 acres and that the developer construct a multi-use trail along High House Road.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
VI Reports
  A.  Administration
  Greenway Committee - Leta Huntsinger, Chair
  Leta reported that the Committee reviewed the revised breakdown of the greenway system (greenway, multi-use, existing, planned and proposed).  The revisions incorporated the Committee's concerns from the previous meeting, most notably, connections to downtown.  Discussions continued around the need to prioritize within the "priority system."  There was discussion on the role of the Committee and whether the Committee should prioritize actual greenway projects in the master plan or whether they should identify a process for setting priorities within the plan.  The consensus was to identify priority projects for the short range and then to identify a process that can be used for the long-range projects. Some issues raised with respect to priorities included: 1) increased focus on acquiring land, clearing land and laying something down so that trails could be used at a minimal level; 2) making sure that the committee identify a process that allows the town to be responsive to new funding sources; 3) taking into consideration what priority links contribute to complete a system of trails.  Committee members were asked to review the proposed greenway projects and come to the next meeting prepared to discuss their preferred priorities and what criteria they used in identifying these priorities.
Additionally, the committee discussed their Goals and Objectives, both in terms of the role of the committee and in terms of what they wish to accomplish in the coming year.  
The "Vision, Goals, and Objectives" for the Master Plan were edited to include the following under Goal #5:  provide linkages to neighboring communities; develop a trails system that is designed to serve diverse users' groups. 
Committee members were asked to give some thought to projects to undertake in the coming year, i.e. education or planned greenway days.
  Board member Lisa Duke expressed concerns that board members aren't invited to prioritize the funding and types of parks to be developed.  Council member Marla Dorrel noted that it would be helpful for staff to review the planning process. It was noted the Master Plan is an important tool that staff uses to move forward with facility/program development and, citizen and that board member involvement is invited during the preparation of the Master Plan.
  FY04 Budget - Bruce Crocker
  Bruce provided members with a handout of the PRCR O&M Budget Narrative and the Capital Improvements Summary Listing for their review.   Bruce requested that they email him with any questions and that the budget would be discussed at the next meeting.
Board members had concerns that, at this point, it would be too late to include any recommendations they may have and would prefer to have the information presented to them earlier.  Tom Hemrick noted that the budget isn't available to the public until the town manager presents it to Council and asked how the board can become more active in prioritizing long range plans.  Dave Upton suggested board members receive the summary list earlier in the budget process for review.    Council member Dorrel asked Doug to describe, for board members, the considerations given in preparing the summary list.  Doug explained that projects originally come from the master plan and are reviewed yearly.  Staff discusses potential projects throughout the year and begin to meet in earnest in the fall to develop a set list of projects to be sent to the Town Manager.  Doug noted that there are always issues that affect this potential list of projects including funding issues, new land use plan projects, and even other agencies like a DOT road widening project.
Doug McRainey noted once again that the Master Plan is the tool used by staff to prioritize short, mid and long term plans.  Once adopted by Council, staff checks the plan continually for park types and prioritization.  Council member Marla Dorrel noted that it was incumbent on Council to use the plan as a tool for capital projects.  Additionally, she cited the examples of the USA Baseball and the Aquatics Center as opportunities that Council had to act on immediately or the opportunity would be lost to develop them.
Tom Hemrick asked Doug what the board can do to provide citizen input.  Doug responded that members take seriously the Master Plan and be involved in the preparation of the Master Plan.  As with all Master Plans, the public along with citizen board members have several opportunities to contribute.   Doug further noted that staff will discuss internally ways to improve the process of communicating with board members.
Judy Newsome requested that further discussions be tabled and that budget concerns be included on the July agenda for discussion when Mary Henderson, PRCR director is present.  Chair Tom Hemrick agreed to table further discussion.

PRCR Master Plan Update - Doug McRainey
Doug advised board members that staff had received the 140-page final draft document.  Staff will do the first edit and that the draft would be presented to the Steering Committee in late July with plans to take the Final Document to Council in mid September.  Board member Toby Kennedy asked if members could meet outside this board.  Gail Taylor indicated she would check with the clerk's office.
  B.  Recreation Programs
  Teen Advisory Committee - Kay Struffolino, Chair; Liz Nacewicz, Co Chair
Kay reported that members were presented with a slate of by-laws for review for adoption at the June meeting.
Members also discussed 'how to best reach' all community youth and to keep them informed of programs and events.  Sonya Snyder and Cindi King will begin email reminders of upcoming activities along with the other communication avenues already in place.  It was determined that the newspaper was not a good method of promoting programs and events for this group.
Additionally, the committee approved plans to move forward with a Youth Forum slated for late winter/early spring 2004.  A sub-committee will be formed to plan the forum.

Senior Center - Kay Struffolino
Kay reported that the 2004 Senior Citizens' Day luncheon drew rave reviews and attendance topped at 178.  
Kay noted that the Senior Center rentals were up and that the center was booked every weekend in July.

Teen Council - Liz Nacewicz
Liz summarized recent events involving Teen Council members.  Liz did note members participated in the recent Relay for Life and raised $1,000.  Awards were made at the end of year picnic. Carla Witherington & Stephen Fu received awards for Middle School and High School Outstanding New Members respectively.  Liz Nacewicz was this year's recipient of the Lazy Daze Scholarship.
Additionally, members assisted with the recent 3rd birthday celebration for the Kids Together Playground.
Liz noted that June 9 was the application deadline for the Teen Executive Board.

Program Update - Dwayne Jones
Dwayne noted that the summer hours were now in effect for the skate park; Monday through Saturday 10a-10p and noon to 10p on Sunday.
The Band Show on May 23 at the Cary Senior Center was a success with 144 in attendance.  This event will be held on the fourth Friday of each month.

  C. Cultural Arts 
  Cultural Arts Committee - Toby Kennedy, Chair
Toby reported that discussions continued on evaluating priorities in regard to the proposed Master Plan and, that the committee hopes to come to a conclusion at the next meeting.  The committee meets next Tuesday at the Page Walker Arts & History Center and plans to hold 1 or 2 meetings at Regency.
Toby referenced staff report PR03-33, the donations of paintings by Cary Visual Arts.  The staff report requests hanging "The Harvest" at the Middle Creek Community Center and "Don't Lick Your Pencils" at the Jordan Hall Arts Center.
Toby encouraged everyone to attend the Cary Players performance of "Twelfth Night" at the Sertoma Amphitheatre.

Public Art Advisory Board -
Lyman Collins reported that the 1st meeting of this board takes place tomorrow night, June 3, 2003 and Council member Marla Dorrel will serve as the council liaison.  A permanent meeting time and location will be established at this meeting.


Program Update
Alice in Wonderland - Lyman commended the crew and actors on an excellent job in light of the adverse weather.  The production was moved to the Kiwanis Shelter and the crew and cast did a phenomenal job adjusting.  Tom Hemrick noted the whole production was wonderful.
The Summerfest Concert Series 2003 continues with much success. 
 Additionally, Lyman reminded everyone of Regency Movie Night, every Thursday evening during the summer.

  D.  Athletics 
  Athletic Committee - No Report
Aubrey Clayton did note that the rain had affected many of the ballgames.
VII. Old Business
  Citizen Board Meeting - Board members were provided meeting information and asked to email Gail Taylor if they plan to attend.  Gail will register all board members.
VIII. New Business
  Festival Committee Liaison - Lyman noted that this committee was currently being restructured and will include  representatives from the Heart of Cary, the Cultural Resources Committee and a liaison from the PRCR Advisory Board.  The Festival Committee meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:30a at Woodland Terrace.  Greg Lytle agreed to serve as the PRCR Board representative. 
IX. Old Business
  Park Stewardship - Discussion continued on establishing a park stewardship program.  Generally, members felt an extra set of eyes would be helpful in maintaining the level of service to our citizens.  It was agreed, there would be no official report filed but rather email Gail Taylor any concerns or comments.  Gail will then initiate a work order, if necessary, or forward comments to staff for review.  One board member had concerns of visiting facilities and not being able to enjoy with his family while having to listen to complaints or concerns.  Suggested, were other methods of inviting comments from citizens, i.e. suggestion box and a section on the department's web page.  
Council member Marla Dorrel noted on her visits to Kids Together she observes, i.e. are the restrooms clean, are the trash receptacles being emptied; are the water fountains working; use of tables, equipment repairs, plantings, graffiti., etc.
Further discussion was tabled until the July meeting.
  Adjourn