TOWN OF CARY
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board


2003 MINUTES

October 13, 2003

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

ATTENDANCE:
Tom Hemrick, Chair; Lisa Duke; Jamie France; Bob Hickey; Leta Huntsinger; Toby Kennedy; Greg Lytle; Kay Struffolino; Dave Upton; Melissa White; Council member Dorrel; Doug Meardon, Youth member

ABSENT:  

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

GUESTS:  Jim Hawk, Brian Magee, Jeff Boucher

I Call to Order - Tom Hemrick, Chair
II Minutes of September 8, 2003 - Kay Struffolino made a motion to adopt the minutes of the September 8th meeting.  The motion carried by a majority vote.
IV Public Speaks Out
  Citizen Request for Lights at North Cary Park - Jim Hawk and Brian Magee applauded the North Cary Park Facility.  Mr. Hawk and Mr. Magee are both avid volleyball players and participate in league play at the North Cary Park volleyball courts.  They noted that volleyball is a growing sport in North Carolina and to accommodate additional league play in the cooler, late summer evenings, they have requested that the Town consider lighting the volleyball courts.  Additionally, they have requested that the back fence of the courts be raised and the installation of environmental fencing installed below the courts.  Their request also included the repair/replacement of the volleyball nets.
Staff noted that the initial park plan did not include lighting the volleyball courts.  This expense will be considered during the budget process.
V Special Presentation
VI Land Dedications - Doug McRainey
  Carramore  - Doug presented this 188 unit project stating that 5.37 acres of land dedication would be required.  He also indicated that additional requirements included a greenway through the site connecting Davis Drive with Louis Stevens Drive and multi-use trail along Louis Stevens Drive.  
Staff Recommendation:  Acceptance of design and construction of 6,000' multi-use and greenway trail, with the remainder to be paid as payment-in-lieu fees.
Board members voiced  concerns with too many curb crossings; more connections to tennis facility with more payment-in-lieu money.
Action:  Greg Lytle made a motion to accept staff's recommendation.  Discussion:  Toby Kennedy asked if the plan included multi-use trail down Upchurch Meadow.  Doug McRainey indicated that staff will work internally.  Members felt they did not have enough information to consider this recommendation.  Greg Lytle withdrew the motion.
Action:  Toby Kennedy made a motion to table action on staff's recommendation and that staff convey to Planning and Zoning that additional detail information is needed prior to this board's approval.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Powell Site Plan - Doug McRainey reviewed the revised greenway alignment and that plan was approved at Council's last meeting.
A. Administration
  Greenways Committee - Leta Huntsinger, Chair - Due to hurricane Isabel, the meeting was canceled.
  Dog Park Update - Mary Henderson reported that the proposed Master Plan calls for three dog parks located throughout the Town's park system and that staff continues to review opportunities to include dog parks in the park system.  The proposed Bartley Park may be a potential site.  Recently, staff visited North Cary Park to consider the 'open grassy area' as a site.  Staff will determine the cost of 'fit-up' for the North Cary Park site and bring back to this committee.  Board members requested that staff keep the dialog open with the neighbors.  Board member Greg Lytle voiced a concern of getting away from the North Cary Park Master Plan and the costs of retrofitting.
  Bartley Park Update - The neighborhood design committee met to discuss the elements of this proposed 52-acre park on Penny Road.  Located on the property is an occupied historic 1840 farmhouse.  The Bartley family would like to see the home preserved.  Jamie France and Lisa Duke, PRCR Advisory Board liaisons to the Bartley Design Committee attended the meeting and noted that the general consensus was to keep this park very passive with forests, fields, trails and picnic shelters and no large community center.  Another design meeting will take place in four weeks followed by a public meeting presenting the proposed design, spring 2004.
PRCR Master Plan - Mary Henderson reviewed with board members the schedule for final recommendation for approval of the proposed PRCR Master Plan.  The schedule is as follows:  1) A PRCR Master Plan Steering Committee will be scheduled immediately following the November 3rd board meeting; 2) November 13, Public Hearing (Town Council); November 17 (Public Hearing (Planning and Zoning Board); December 11, Recommendation to Town Council for Approval.
Aquatics Proposals - Mary Henderson updated the board on the two groups proposing to partner with the Town on an aquatics facility.  Consultant Scot Hunsaker, along with staff, met individually and collectively with representatives of Triangle Aquatics Center (TAC) and State Capital Sports Center.  Land in Weston and adjoining Cary Towne Center are two potential sites under consideration.  Staff anticipates a report from Mr. Hunsaker in early November.  Council member Marla Dorrel asked Mrs. Henderson if she felt progress was made at these recent meetings.  Ms. Henderson responded that TAC will be closing on land soon and are currently working with a design firm.  TAC will move forward in early 2004 regardless of the Town's decision.
Lisa Duke requested a copy of the Aquatics Feasibility Study.
Volunteer Awards Committee - Judy Newsome advised board members of those serving on the 2004 Volunteer Awards Committee:  Bob Hickey (PRCR Board); Walker Reagan (Athletic Committee); Deborah Yalacki (Cultural Arts Committee); Jeff Boucher (Greenways Committee); Jonathan Nacewicz (Teen Advisory Committee); and a past  Herb Young recipient.  This committee will meet in late October, early November to review existing forms and criteria.  The nomination forms will be available in November.  The deadline for nominations is January 9th, with award selections in late January.  The Volunteer Awards Banquet will be held in late February 2004.
  B.  Athletics - William Davis
  Athletics Committee - Bob Hickey, Chair - Bob noted that due to a mix-up in meeting location, a quorum was not present.
  NCASA Commissioner's Award - William Davis noted that the Town of Cary was the 2003 recipient of this award in recognition of it's outstanding support and involvement in the ASA Amateur Softball Program in North Carolina.  Only 6 of these awards have been presented since the 1980's.  
  AAU Baseball Tournament - William Davis noted that the Town submitted a bid to host the 13 & 15 yr old baseball tournament in 2006.  The Town did not receive the bid.
End of Season Feedback - Lisa Duke commended William Davis and staff on their request for feedback prior to the close of the youth baseball season.  There were 70 responses with good suggestions and lots of positive comments. were positive.
  C.  Cultural Resources - Lyman Collins
   Cultural Resources Committee - Toby Kennedy, Chair
  Toby noted that Council approved The Public Art Advisory Board's recommendation to accept two additional works of public art:  1) sculpture by Russ RuBert at Sears Farm Road and 2) The Balancing Act at SAS Soccer Park.  An Interim Review Process for the Placement of Public Art was approved by Council on September 23rd.
  Program Updates - Lyman Collins referred to the program updates and highlighted two upcoming events:  Diwali:  Indian Festival of Lights on October 18th, 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Amphitheatre at Regency Park and Music Makes Families and Friends on Saturday, October 25, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Page-Walker Arts and History Center.
  D.  Recreation Programs - Dwayne Jones
Safe N Sane Halloween - Members were provided a flyer for this upcoming event on October 31st.  
   Teen Advisory Committee - Kay Struffolino & Doug Meardon  
Kay provided members with a handout of recent activities of this committee.  The meeting start time for this committee has been changed to 5:30 p.m. due to late arrivals and attendance.  The projected date for the Teen Forum is March 27, 2004.  A brochure, to be distributed for input on teen issues that will become topics for the forum.  An application was made to the NC Civic Consortium for grant money to assist in funding the Teen Forum.  A decision on the funding will be announced in December.
  Teen Council - Doug Meardon
Doug noted that membership has increased.  Attendance at two recent events was up with 200 at Band Night bringing in $100 in concessions and 100 for Movie Night bringing in $100 in concessions.  Members volunteered at the Santori concert.  Members will assist with the upcoming Safe N Sane Halloween and their own events for the holidays, Mad Dash Babysitting and Santa's Workshop.
  Senior Center- Kay Struffolino
   Kay Struffolino provided members with a handout of recent activities at the Senior Center.  Highlights include the recent EXPO held October 9 showcasing the center, clubs, classes and programs.  Attendance at this event was less than expected.  On November 7 the Senior Center will host the Regional Senior Net Conference with a projected attendance of 100.  The annual Veteran's Day Luncheon will take place on November 6.
VII Old Business
IX New Business
  PRCR Board Member Terms - Chair Tom Hemrick reminded members Jamie France, Leta Huntsinger and Melissa White that their current terms expire in 2004 and encouraged them to reapply.

People for Parks - Chair Tom Hemrick reported that Roy Alfred, this Board's liaison to People for Parks resigned.  Tom asked anyone interested in attending these monthly meetings (3rd Thursday, each month @ various locations in Raleigh) to please contact him.

Agenda Item - Public Speaks Out - Board members discussed their views on attending other Advisory Board PRCR Committee, i.e. Greenways, Cultural Arts, Athletic, Teen meetings and having the opportunity to speak to agenda items.  The general consensus was that those members appointed by Council should be allowed to provide input under the umbrella of the PRCR Advisory Board but not to vote on issues.

American Tobacco Trail - Toby Kennedy encouraged board members to attend the upcoming Greenway Committee Meeting to learn about the American Tobacco Trail.  Mary Henderson indicated she would like to have a presentation made to this board on the Trail, perhaps at the December meeting.  It was noted that funds are now available to construct the Wake County section.

Council Agenda Item - Tom Hemrick asked if action on the Chatham County agenda item would affect any PRCR plans.  Mary Henderson noted that Jordan Lake (Chathm County) is addressed in the PRCR Master Plan.

N&O Article - Kay Struffolino noted that a recent article on the proposed art museum pedestrian overpass highlighted Cary's greenways and trails and the intent to connect.

Annual Volunteer Picnic - Tom Hemrick thanked Judy Newsome and PRCR staff for another successful event. 

X Adjourn