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

September 8, 2003

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

 
ATTENDANCE:  Tom Hemrick, Chair; Lisa Duke; Bob Hickey; Toby Kennedy; Greg Lytle, Kay Struffolino; Dave Upton; Melissa White; Doug Meardon, Youth Member 

STAFF: Mary Henderson; Lyman Collins; Bruce Crocker; William Davis; Dwayne Jones; Judy Newsome; Doug McRainey; Gail Taylor

ABSENT:  Leta Huntsinger, Jamie France; Marla Dorrel, Council Liaison

GUESTS:  Roy Alfred
I Call to Order - Chair Tom Hemrick called the meeting to order.
II Minutes of August 4, 2003 - Kay Struffolino made a motion to approve the minutes as presented.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
III Public Speaks Out - Chair Tom Hemrick noted that the public may speak only during this session of the meeting.  
IV Special Presentation
  Outstanding Board/Commission Award - Mary Henderson announced to board members that this board, Cary Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board, has been selected to receive the Outstanding Board Award from the National Recreation and Park Association Citizen-Board Member Branch.  The award will be presented at the National Recreation and Park Association Congress in St. Louis on October 24, 2003. Ms. Henderson noted that this was the first national award received by this board.  A formal presentation will be made at a Town Council meeting following the October presentation.
V Land Dedications - Doug McRainey
  Townes of Madison - This development will consist of 50 dwelling units.  It is located north of West Chatham Street and south of Lexie Lane Park with a required land dedication requirement of 1.43 acres.  Staff is recommending acceptance of payment-in-lieu of land dedication due to the proximity of Lexie Lane Park.
ACTION:  Greg Lytle made a motion to accept staff's recommendation of payment-in-lieu of land dedication.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
VI Reports
  Administration
  Greenway Committee - Leta Huntsinger
  No report was given.  The Greenway Committee did not meet due to the Steering Committee meeting.
  FY04 Budget - Mary Henderson presented the first in a four-part series of budget presentations to the board members.  Today's PowerPoint presentation focused on the previous year's data and accomplishments to set the basis for the budget plan for the upcoming year.  Mary read the PRCR Mission Statement and reviewed accomplishments by divisions  for 2003.  In November, Mary will review the Capital Improvements Budget to establish priorities.
  USA Baseball/Thomas Brooks Park - Mary Henderson advised board members that the staff report to Council on September 11, 2003 (attached to final minutes) presents the master plan for the USA Baseball National Training Center at Thomas Brooks Park.  With Council's approval, staff will continue to work with consultants to refine the design and prepare construction documents to bid the project this winter.  Groundbreaking is scheduled for this project on September 17, 2003.
There was discussion of operational costs.  Mrs. Henderson noted that the town, in conjunction with USA Baseball, will develop proposals to pursue other avenues of funding from sponsors, bidding events to come to Brooks Park in addition to USA Baseball contributing funds to defray operational costs.  
  Aquatics Facility - Mary Henderson gave board members an update on the aquatics project.  September 28th and 29th, consultant Scot Hunsaker will be in town to meet with staff along with representatives from Triangle Aquatics Center and State Capital Sports Center.  Individual as well as joint meetings are scheduled for these two groups. Mr. Hunsaker will then report back with potential solutions for the Town's proposed aquatic facility.
Cultural Resources
Cultural Arts Committee - Toby Kennedy noted that the committee is meeting on Tuesday, September 9 at the Kiwanis Shelter.  The last Cultural Arts Committee meeting was held prior to the Council Work Session on the PRCR Master Plan.  Toby noted there was a unanimous consensus that two facilities were needed downtown and one of the next proposed community centers (North Cary) have flat floor space.

Marvelous Music Series - Board members were provided with a flyer promoting the series with Livingston Taylor kicking off the first performance on September 27th.

Lazy Daze -Toby Kennedy reported a successful day at the Cultural Arts Booth this year.  Committee members were pleased with the turn out and thanked all those that volunteered.

Public Artwork Sculpture - A staff report is going to Council requesting consideration of accepting the donation of a sculpture for placement at Sears Farm Road Park.  Staff presented a model of the sculpture at a neighborhood meeting at The Reserve Clubhouse in August.  There was positive feedback from the neighbors. 
Recreation Programs
Teen Advisory Committee - Kay Struffolino noted that the committee did not meet in August.  The Forum sub-committee will meet next week.

Teen Council - Doug Meardon reported on the Teen Council's recent activities.  Those activities bringing in revenues included:  Mall Modeling/$350.00;$750/Lazy Daze; $350/Dog Wash (donated money to Duke's Children's Hospital).  Other volunteer activities included:  Mall Project; Hot Hoops.
Doug also noted that a Pen Pal program is being established through Sister Cities.  The last movie night had 30 teens in attendance.  The committee is brainstorming new ideas for promoting movie night.
Board member Bob Hickey noted the he could not find movie night on the teen site.  Doug noted that flyers were handed out at the schools.  Dwayne Jones indicated that staff is working on communications plan going to the Teen Advisory Committee at the next meeting.  Due to licensing regulations, staff had certain restrictions in promoting movies.

Senior Center - Kay Struffolino provided members with an update handout.  Highlights include:  Center will hosts it's first art reception, September 5, from 6-8 p.m.  The artwork will be displayed through October 3.
Two UNC nursing students will be at the center for 14 weeks of integrating with the staff on various programs and classes.
On September 23rd, the Center will host  a state-wide Arthritis Workshop.  It is open to the public.
The Volunteer Sewing Group that meets Monday's at the Center has made a total of 590 items that have been donated to area hospitals and institutions.
The Center continues to be busy with the increase of rentals.
Program registration is up however, 'no-shows' continue to be a problem at the programs.  Staff will implement reminder phone calls to those who have registered for a one-time class or event. 


Program Update - Dwayne Jones reported that teen programs are going well and Teen Band Night is a big success on the 4th Friday of every month.  One event, Ropes Course After Dark, filled and another session may be added.

Junior Counselor Program - Dwayne noted that 5 students participated in the day camp program this past summer at Bond Park Community Center.  This new program is volunteer training open to high school students.  Participating students will learn skills to qualify for future camp counselor positions.

North American Olympic Doubles Team Trials - Dwayne reported that Cary Table Tennis Association submitted a bid to host this event, in partnership with the Town of Cary for use of facilities, in April of 2004.   
Athletics
Athletics Committee - Bob Hickey reported the committee met for special requests for youth basketball.  The committee members continue to work with staff to 'tweak' the special request process.  Bob noted that the criteria for special requests needed to be more clear.  Other items discussed at the meeting included:  the Master Plan; Web Weather Update and a coaching issue.

Program Update - William Davis referred member's to the program update.
VII Old Business
  Stoplight Request @Bond Park Entrance - Dwayne Jones reported that he contacted the Town's Engineering Department and learned that they did a study last year for a stoplight at that location.  At the time of the study, there was no data to support a stoplight and no accident reports had been filed.  Mr. Jones noted that the Engineering staff will continue to review and evaluate data as they monitor the increase of traffic on High House Road.

Friends of Hemlock Bluffs Annual Recycle Sale - Members were encouraged to support this annual fundraiser for Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve.  The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 25th, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.  All proceeds from the sale benefit Hemlock Bluffs, the Stevens Nature Center as well as the conservation and environmental education efforts conducted onsite.

Lazy Daze Festival Update - Lyman Collins reported that this year's festival went very well and attendance was up.  Also noted, a record number of Lazy Daze shirts were sold this year.  The committee will review concerns of non-profit groups as related to concession operations.

VIII New Business
Bartley Park Design - A public meeting, with approximately 50 people, was held September 4th to discuss possible design elements for the proposed park.  A neighborhood design committee was established and representatives are needed from the PRCR Advisory Board to serve as liaisons to this committee.  Two board members were asked to serve as liaisons; Lisa Duke and Jamie France.

PRCR Master Plan Work Session - Tom Hemrick reminded members of the upcoming council work session on September 11th at 4:30 p.m. in the Page-Walker Gallery.

Volunteer Awards Committee - Judy Newsome reviewed the current award categories and criteria for nomination. Judy noted that a representative from each PRCR committee was needed, the past recipient of the Herb Young award and a representative from the PRCR Advisory Board.  Names of committee representatives need to be submitted to Judy by September 26.  Bob Hickey volunteered to serve as the PRCR Advisory Board representative.   Judy noted that the committee will meet three times.  The initial meeting would be to review the process for nomination and discuss, as a group, eligibility for awards.  The Annual Volunteer Awards Banquet is held in February.

Volunteer Picnic - Board members received invitations to the upcoming Volunteer Picnic on September 28 at Bond Park.
IX Adjourn