Attendance:  Tom Hemrick; Greg Lytle; Bob Hickey; Toby Kennedy; Leta Huntsinger; Dave Upton; Jamie France; Melissa White; Marla Dorrel, Liaison; Laura Robertson, Youth Member substituting for Selby Lo

Absent:  Kay Struffolino; Lisa Duke; Selby Lo

Staff:  Mary Henderson; Judy Newsome; Doug McRainey; Bruce Crocker; Dwayne Jones; Lyman Collins; Nancy Novell; Scott Musgrave

I.

Call to Order – Tom Hemrick, Chair

                Introduction by Mary Henderson:  Scott  Musgrave, Thomas Brooks Park Facility Supervisor

II.

Minutes - Leta Huntsinger made a motion to accept the July 6, 2004 minutes as presented.  The motion was carried by a unanimous vote.

III.

Public Speaks Out                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

IV.

Special Presentation

Gates of Light – Nancy Novell, Public Arts Coordinator, PRCR
 Ms. Novell gave a presentation on the Gates of Light, a public art project located at Town Hall.  She first informed the board that the overall design concept has been approved by Council; however, there are still questions by some council members.  In order to gather further public input, Ms. Novell and members of Cary Visual Arts are doing a series of presentations.  Ms. Novell began by giving a little background on the artist, Catherine Widgery.  Ms. Widgery did a great deal of research on the Town of Cary and came up with the theme of Cary having a strong link with nature and showing that Cary is a place that is warm, embracing, expansive and energetic.  The Gates of Light piece will have a forest of columns.  These columns are representative of the loblolly pine forest that once stood on the Town Hall Campus before development.

Other components of the project were also mentioned:

1)     There will be a glass walled bridge linking into the new council chamber building and the the etching of the glass will be a project of Ms. Widgery’s.

2)  Also proposed is stoned seating outside near the new council chamber building

V.

Land Dedication Review – None

VI.

Reports

A.        Committee Reports

            Athletic Committee – Bob Hickey, Chair – No Report

            Cultural Arts Committee – Toby Kennedy, Chair
            The Cultural Arts Committee did not meet.

            Greenway Committee – Leta Huntsinger, Chair
Leta reported that the Greenway Committee spent their last meeting walking an uncompleted section of White Oak Creek Greenway.  This section is between Davis Drive Park and Cary Parkway .  Leta stated that this walk definitely enlightened the committee members to the challenges of building a greenway in a narrow corridor.  Doug McRainey commented that staff is working with the railroad company to get moving on this link.  Leta stated that the August 19^th meeting will be walking the new section of the White Oak Greenway.  Anyone wishing to join the committee members on August 19^th, the walk will begin at 6:00pm .  Leta also referred members to the new Parks & Greenways map.

Toby Kennedy asked that the following two items be addressed:

1)                    Crossings – getting marked crossings at greenways

2)                    Signage

            Teen Advisory Committee – Melissa White, Chair

Melissa reported that although they had quorum at the July meeting, the committee still needs to have more teens represented than adults.  They discussed the direction of the committee and restructuring the committee so that teens can outnumber adults.  The next couple of months, the committee will be working on finding identity and a direction.    Melissa stated that the teens desire to have a voice i.e. more contact with the Council.  Dwayne Jones added that the committee members focused on a mission statement.  The group came up with a list of priorities that will be narrowed down to create a mission statement.  This will be presented at the next meeting.  Melissa referred the members to the new Teen Scene Brochure.

B.        Public Meeting Update – None

C.        Administration

        Fees & Charges – Mary Henderson, Director, PRCR
Mrs. Henderson informed the board of the next steps of the Fees & Charges                    Study.  PRCR staff is benchmarking information from cities listed in the Master Plan and other local municipalities.  Staff is capturing more data from PRCR facilities.  More information will be brought to the September board meeting.

Partnerships – Mary Henderson, Director, PRCR
Mrs. Henderson provided members with a listing of current Town of Cary PRCR partnerships.  She reviewed the list with the board members and. Discussed examples from each category.  After discussion, Mary asked the board members for feedback as to what direction we should go.  Toby Kennedy first asked if there were lessons learned when looking at hiring an outside contractual management company.  Mary indicated “most definitely.”  Greg Lytle suggested that staff look at the larger projects on the partnership list and then prioritize.  Leta Huntsinger recommended that since many partnerships were already in place that staff do the following:

1)  look at the identified guidelines – goals

2)  identify objectives for each category

3)  find ways to measure effectiveness

D.        Recreation Programs – Dwayne Jones

Dwayne Jones referred board members to the program update.  He also reported that the Town of Cary would be partnering with the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and SAS to bring the 2005 and 2006 State Games to Cary .

Senior Center – Kay Struffolino, Liasion
A handout was provided for the board members.  The Senior Center ’s yard sale brought in approximately $2,000.  $300 was given to each Senior Center Club and the remaining amount went into the Senior Center ’s donations account.  This was a great success!

Teen Council – Selby Lo, Vice Chair
Laura Robertson reported in Selby’s absence.  Laura stated that the Campus Cruisin’ program was in progress and going well.  The Executive Council meeting of the Teen Council would be held the week of August 9.  They were planning to poll the teens to get more ideas for Teen Scene programs.  Band nights would be starting up soon.

E.        Cultural Arts Programs – Lyman Collins reported that staff is working to re-organize the Cary Players.  There will be two informational meetings held.  Lyman indicated that the Koka Booth Amphitheatre at Regency Park had its first cancellation due to rain – Mary Chapin Carpenter concert.  Lyman reported the following Best of Cary awards that touted Town events/facilities:  Best Community Event – Lazy Daze; Best Park/Playground – Bond Park; Best Place to Learn a New Hobby – Jordan Hall Arts Center; Best Place for Live Music – Koka Booth Amphitheatre at Regency Park; Best Place to Take Out-of-towners – Koka Booth Amphitheatre at Regency Park; Best Kept Secret – Hemlock Bluffs.

Festivals Committee – Greg Lytle reminded everyone about the date of Lazy Daze – August 28^th and asked board members to sign up to volunteer Friday night for set up as well as Saturday, the day of the event.  Greg reported that a new feature would be offered to the artisans – boxed lunches reserved and paid for in advance.  Whole Foods, as part of its festival sponsorship package, will be donating these lunches.  It is a service to the artisans and a revenue source for the festival.

F.         Athletic Programs – William Davis

Mary Henderson reported in William’s absence.  The PONY tournament had close to 300 teams; 20 different states were represented; approximately 5,000 attendees at opening ceremonies.  The out of town teams, umpires and PONY staff loved our facilities!  Staff will have a report on revenues from this year’s event soon.  Bob Hickey recommended staff look into an ambassador program for the PONY tournament.  Individuals or other families would be assigned to the out of town teams assisting them in getting around our area.  Marla Dorrel suggested that staff get the Cary Chamber businesses more involved in welcoming the PONY teams to Cary .

Mary also reported on the Tennis Tournament – over 800 entries (singles & doubles)  – largest participation.  Since the weather did not cooperate, the doubles matches had to be canceled in order to get all the singles matches in.  UNC- Chapel Hill and Duke indoor courts were used.  All persons involved gave great reviews for the work the Cary Tennis Center staff and Public Works did in pulling this event off during all the rainy weather! 

VII.

Old Business

Citizen Board Meeting - Mary Henderson commented that she and Tom Hemrick would be attending the CBM in Greensboro , August 5 – 7.  Mary said the CBM is a good learning experience for board members and a great opportunity for them to network with other board members across our state.

VIII.

New Business

Article in NCRPS Review - Mary noted that Cindi King, Assistant Supervisor at Herb Young Community Center has an article on Cary ’s Safety Town program in the NCRPS Review.

Skate Park Operation Staff Report - Mary handed out copies of Staff Report PR05-04 Skate Park Operations.  This staff report will be going to Council on August 12, 2004 asking for consideration to conduct operations in-house at Sk8-Cary.  There was discussion among the board members.

Requests for Updates - Jamie France inquired about the status of the Dog Park .  Mary stated that staff would be meeting with Jeff Boucher regarding the location of a fence for the Dog Park .  She also indicated a public meeting would be set up very soon.

Facility Tour – Judy Newsome reported that the tour of facilities would occur on Monday, August 30, 2004 from 6:00 – 8:00pm .  Tom Hemrick asked that Council be invited as well.

IX.

Adjourn