TOWN OF CARY Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board 2004 MINUTES DATE:  Janurary 5, 2004 Town Hall Campus; Bldg. B Upper Conference Room 318 N. Academy Street Cary, North Carolina 27513
ATTENDANCE:  Tom Hemrick, Chair; Lisa Duke; Jamie France; Bob Hickey; Leta Huntsinger; Greg Lytle; Toby Kennedy; Kay Struffolino; Dave Upton; Melissa White; Doug Meardon, Youth Member; Marla Dorrel, Council Liaison STAFF: Mary Henderson; Lyman Collins; Bruce Crocker; William Davis; Dwayne Jones; Doug McRainey; Judy Newsome; Gail Taylor ABSENT: GUESTS:  Dennis Pitts; Boots Elam; Hill Carrow; Richard Joanis; Nan Hannah; Paul Silver; Cid Cardoso;  Wendy Lemus
I	Call to Order - Chair Tom Hemrick called the meeting to order.
II	Minutes - Kay Struffolino made a motion to approve the December 2003 minutes as presented.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
III	Public Speaks Out Aquatics Facility - Hill Carrow, representing the State Capital Sports Center Project (SCSC), spoke to the board summarizing the vision of this grass roots organization.  Mr. Carrow presented a concept plan which includes 5 pools overall. In addition, this center would also include ice and fitness facilities.  SCSC proposes marketing this facility as a community hub for recreation, fun and fitness.  The addition of ice and fitness along with indoor diving, seating and an outdoor 50-meter pool would attract regional and national events and impact Cary economically.  A 26-acre Weston tract (Cary Parkway and Sheldon Drive) has been proposed for this facility.  In summary, Mr. Carrow indicated that SCSC sees this as an opportunity to further develop amateur sports which was the #1 generator of economics in 2002; always keep facility open for the public with no 'down' time for recreational swimmers. Board member Leta Huntsinger asked if Mr. Carrow's group would move forward with the project in the event the Town chose not to partner.  Mr. Carrow responded that the group would not proceed with the entire facility. He mentioned that perhaps some components could be done privately and that some components would better lend themselves to public/private partnerships. Board member Lisa Duke wanted to know why the entire pool wasn’t dedicated to leisure activities versus competitive swimming. Mr. Carrow noted that leisure pools make money, competitive pools do not.  Despite this, Mr. Carrow also noted that while the recent Town sponsored survey indicated the need for swimming facilities, it did not exclude the need for competitive swimming. Youth member Doug Meardon noted the need for high school competitive swimming.  Currently, the meets are held at Raleigh's Pullen Park or teams must travel to Campbell University.   Council member Marla Dorrel noted that she has been involved in this project for 2-years and believed in the concept or some hybrid thereof.  Ms. Dorrel noted that Mr. Carrow had brought the economic development aspect to this project.  The questions raised include:  Does the Town want to partner to bring in ice and fitness?  What are the benefits to the community (use and economy)?  Does the Town wish to take this project to another level?  Council will be looking for a recommendation from this board as to the direction and amenities to incorporate into this facility. Mr. Carrow indicated there were several ways to get the project off the ground; lease arrangements using the ground as collateral.  Mr. Carrow also indicated a decision on the Convention Center will be announced this Thursday which would affect the monies available from the Wake County Hotel/Motel tax. Supporters of the SCSC attending this meeting included:  Richard Joanis; Nan Hannah; Paul Silver; Cid Cardoso. No action was required at the meeting.
IV	Special Presentation - Middle Creek Master Plan, Phases II & III - Alice Webb Alice updated board members on the Middle Creek Master Plan, phases II & III for this 106 acre community school/park in southern Wake County.  Alice noted that there have been two public meetings to generate input as to the amenities participants would like to see at this park.  Additionally, there were discussions with representatives of nonprofit sports groups to determine potential partnerships with the Town in building/improving athletic fields at Middle Creek Park. Alice introduced consultant Dennis Pitts with McNeely & Associates.  Dennis reviewed renderings pointing out the features of this park.  Proposed for Phase II:  ticket booths/softball pinwheel area; 113-space parking lot; multi-use athletic field; paved trail in northwest area of school/park; restroom/small shelter building; playground; public art; mulch trail in southeast portion of school/park; 18-hole disc golf course; maintenance storage area.  Proposed for Phase III:  93-space parking lot; large picnic shelter with restrooms; large playground; open play lawn.  For the first time, reclaimed water will be used to irrigate the fields. The remaining acreage is reserved for a potential fire station/Safety Town and a potential Wake County Library site. Lisa Duke asked about the play area and the possibility for input during the design phase. Mr. Pitts noted this area could include a spray element and climbing wall but that the overall theme of the playground had not been determined. Doug McRainey noted that input would definitely be possible during the design phase. Toby Kennedy questioned why the greenway did not extend both to Optimist Farm Road as well as to the Jamison Park Subdivision. Doug McRainey noted that there was no connection planned during phase II but could be considered for later phases. ACTION:  Greg Lytle made a motion to accept staff's recommendation of the design plan as presented.  The motion carried with two dissenting votes (Melissa White and Toby Kennedy).
V	Land Dedications - Doug McRainey
	Twin Lakes PUD - This project is a 300-acre master-planned community located on the east side of Davis Drive; and north and south of McCrimmon Parkway.  1104 units are proposed for this development with a required dedication of 20 acres.  Boots Elam with ETD presented a rendering of the project reviewing the developers PIL proposal.  Mr. Elam noted that the applicant would provide a 42-acre tract, which would include several ponds to meet the land dedication requirement. He also noted that greenway easements would also be provided to link with Downing Village to the east of the Twin Lakes project. The applicant would also construct a multi-use along McCrimmon Parkway, which would extend from Davis Drive to the northern edge of the proposed park site. Board member Toby Kennedy felt there was a need to extend the multi-use trail further along MCrimmon all the way to Town Hall Drive. Doug McRainey stated that sidewalks were proposed.  Toby questioned this and considered this a missing link in the trail system. Mr. Elam responded that the trail placement will be done at the master-planning stage. Staff recommended approval of:  1) 42.6-acre park dedication 2) Dedication of greenway easement along Town  Hall Drive extension 3) Dedication of greenway easements to link  park site with greenway parallel to Town Hall Drive 4) Donation of 7.32 acres of open space along eastern side of development project. ACTION: Kay Struffolino made a motion to accept staff's recommendation.  The motion carried.  There was one dissenting vote (Toby Kennedy).  Forest Oaks - This is a 545 -unit project located west of Highway 55, southwest of Cary Park PDD. The required dedication of 15.57 acres.  Doug McRainey reviewed staff’s recommendation with the Board. Doug also reviewed the Greenway Committee's recommendations with the Board.  A conversation developed regarding the differences between staff’s recommendations and the Greenway Committee’s recommendations. payment-in-lieu of park dedication; any access to SF-9 (located west of the American Tobacco Trail) should go under the American Tobacco Trail; Recommend design and construction of 10' greenway (asphalt) through east-west tributary linking Yates Store Road to the American Tobacco Trail. Staff recommended approval of: 1) Payment-in-lieu or Swap of park land with the Amberly PDD 2) Greenway Easement (if applicant owes payment-in-lieu then the funds should be used to construct the greenway) 3) Access to SF-9, if developed, by grade separated crossing of tobacco trail ACTION:  Lisa Duke made a motion to accept staff's recommendation excluding the greenway.  The motion did not carry. ACTION:  Greg Lytle then made a motion to accept staff's along with the additional recommendations listed below: 4) Greenway connection; direct from Yates Store Road to Cary Glen Boulevard in lieu of connection to the south 5) 100' buffer for any private development adjacent to ATT The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
VI	Reports
	A.  Committee Reports
	Athletic Committee - Bob Hickey Bob reported that the committee did not meet and that youth basketball programs were underway.
	Cultural Arts Committee- Toby Kennedy Toby reported that the last meeting was held at Cary Elementary School with four PRCR Board members in attendance.  Members were given a tour of the school to get a feel for the size and nature of the building.
	Greenway Committee - Leta Huntsinger Leta reported that the committee did not meet.
	Teen Advisory Committee- Kay Struffolino Kay provided members with a handout of recent activities and noted that the work of this committee continues to focus on the Teen Forum to take place in March.
	Senior Center - Kay Struffolino, Liaison Kay provided members with a handout of recent activities.  Kay noted that 130 attended the holiday party and concerts,  and that Warm Up America donated 18 afghans to the Dorcas Shop to be given to needy families in Cary.
	Teen Council - Doug Meardon, President Doug reported that Santa's Workshop was a huge success and that they visited a nursing home in December.  Upcoming events include:  Movie Night and Band Night; State Youth Conference in Raleigh; a synergy meeting with the PRCR staff to pull in new program ideas.  Teen Council membership continues to grow making it necessary to revisit and amend the bylaws.  A leadership skill-building program is also on the horizon.  Another program being discussed is washing Town of Cary emergency vehicles.
	B.  Public Meeting Update - No Report
	C.  Administration Budget Report - Mary Henderson did a PowerPoint presentation on Operations and Maintenance (planning to establish board priorities related to services).  Members were provided hard copies of the presentation. Lisa Duke suggested more track-out/home school programs and timing program offerings that accommodate elementary age children allowing siblings to attend age-appropriate classes at the same time.  Lisa asked if staff considered hiring professional coaches.  Mary indicated staff would report on these topics at the next meeting.  Dwayne Jones noted that staff has met with home school groups to develop alternative programming. Toby Kennedy asked about Building and Grounds staffing for PRCR facility/program support.  Mary responded that they do this same budget process to accommodate our needs through their own department budget. It was noted that two rates (resident & non-resident) are in place at our special use facilities. Bob Hickey asked about the open gym policy and if citizens could use the gyms as long as they were not programmed.  Dwayne Jones noted that gyms were available to citizens when not programmed and that standard fees, waivers, and policies apply.  Dwayne indicated he would follow through with center staff to make certain they were following policy.
	D.  Recreation Programs - Dwayne Jones Dwayne referred to the Program Update.  Dwayne noted that mailings of the Teen Scene now reach 2500 Cary youth.  Staff is looking at redesign of this monthly mail out.  Movie Night is also being revisited to increase attendance and referenced the recent article on 'What it Means to be a Teenager".
	E.  Cultural Resources - Lyman Collins Lyman referred to the Program Update..
	F.  Athletic Programs - William Davis William noted that youth basketball was in progress with 1230 participants.  Registration is currently being accepted for Men's 35+ Basketball League.
VII.	Old Business Volunteer Awards Committee  - Judy Newsome noted that the volunteer nominations forms are available on the web and that this committee will meet on January 27th.  The banquet is February 24, 2004. Master Plan - Mary Henderson reported that the PRCR Facilities Master Plan was approved by Town Council in December 2003.
VIII.	New Business PRCR Board Liaison - Marla Dorrel noted the she will continue as the liaison to the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board. NCRPS President - Mary Henderson was recognized and congratulated on her appointment as president of the North Carolina Recreation and Parks Society.
IX.	Adjourn