Cary Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board Meeting Minutes

Monday, November 1, 2004

5:15 PM

Herbert C. Young Community Center

101 Wilkinson Avenue, Cary, N.C.

Web Site:  www.townofcary.org  

Attendance:  Tom Hemrick; Greg Lytle; Bob Hickey; Toby Kennedy; Leta Huntsinger; Dave Upton; Jamie France; Kay Struffolino; Marla Dorrel, Liaison; Selby Lo, Youth Member

Absent:  Melissa White; Lisa Duke  

Staff:  Mary Henderson; Judy Newsome; Doug McRainey; Bruce Crocker; Dwayne Jones; Lyman Collins; William Davis, Kirk Matthews, Keith Jenkins, Brad Myers, Paul Kuhn

     I.                    Call to Order – Tom Hemrick, Chair

Introduction of new PRCR staff:  William Davis introduced Kirk Matthews, Assistant Athletic Program Supervisor; Keith Jenkins, SAS Soccer Park Facility Supervisor; Brad Myers, SAS Soccer Park Assistant Facility Supervisor; and Doug McRainey introduced Paul Kuhn, Parks Planner

II.                  Minutes – October 4, 2004

Kay Struffolino made a motion to accept the October 4, 2004 minutes as presented.  The motion was carried by a unanimous vote.

   III.                Public Speaks Out - none

 IV.                Special Presentation - none

 V.                  Land Dedication Review

Weycroft PDD – 125 units, 3.57 acres required dedication.  Staff is recommending a 30-foot wide greenway easement plus payment-in-lieu for the value of 3.57 acres. 

ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to approve staff’s recommendation.  Greg seconded the motion.  Toby Kennedy then asked for an amendment to the motion.  The amended motion included acceptance of a greenway easement along the western buffer in conjunction with Amberly.  All board members approved the proposed amended motion.  

VI.                Reports

A.  Committee Reports

Athletic Committee – Bob Hickey, Chair

Bob reported that the Athletic Committee would be meeting later that night at 7:00pm .

Cultural Arts Committee – Toby Kennedy, Chair

Toby reported that the committee discussed the turnout for Marvelous Music Series.  There has been disappointment with the attendance.  Committee members feel the Town Hall campus construction has not helped with the attendance.  Toby noted the Town Council’s recent approval of the Koka Booth Amphitheatre’s management plan.  Toby also reported that the committee was continuing to review marketing communications for cultural arts programs and events – the committee is defining ideas and looking at options to improve getting the word out.  Finally, Toby added that the last committee meeting was held at Old Cary Elementary.  He noted that over 100 people were in the building involved in various cultural arts programs in addition to the Cultural Arts Committee meeting.  Toby was pleased to see such good use of the space at Old Cary Elementary. 

 Greenway Committee – Leta Huntsinger, Chair

Leta reported that the Greenway Committee discussed the Black Creek Greenway and the possible realignment near Lake Crabtree .  The following dates have been suggested for committee members and board members to meet with the developer, consultant and staff:  November 10, 11 or 12.  Doug McRainey asked staff to email him or Gail Taylor on a preferred date.  In addition to discussing Black Creek Greenway, the committee focused more on their educational initiatives related to Cary ’s greenways.  The following committee members will take the lead on the following initiatives:  Sharon Ramsey will be working closely with the schools to provide information packets on Cary’s greenways for field trips; Reid Miner will be taking the lead on the adopt-a-greenway program; Beth Stipple will be contacting local businesses such as REI to get the Parks & Greenways maps in their locations.  Leta reported that there was good attendance at the trail’s work day at Bond Park.  A large number of high school students assisted along with a good turnout from committee members.

 Teen Advisory Committee – Melissa White, Chair - absent

Dwayne Jones reported that the committee discussed the March 5 Teen Forum, looking further at the format for the sessions.  Sub-committees, made up of adults and teens, have been assigned tasks and responsibilities.

 B.      Public Meeting Update

Swift Creek Greenway, Ph II – Doug McRainey

Doug reported that 150 – 175 people attended a public meeting for this project on October 25^th.   Mary Henderson stated that the vast majority of the Lochmere residents present at the meeting were in disagreement with the Town’s proposal.  The residents love the trails, but have strong concerns with the aesthetic and character of the trails.  Mary noted that the next steps will be to . . . 1) look at the cost of the project; 2) make sure the Town is meeting the goals of the overall plan; 3) look at resident input and then determine a course of action for consideration.

 Carpenter Historic District – Doug McRainey

Doug reported that a special area plan is being developed in the Carpenter area, east of NC55.  This plan is important to the Town because it includes park land and greenways.  A public meeting was held on October 26^th by the Planning Department and another public meeting is scheduled for February of 2005.  The Planning Department will present this plan for action to the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board in March or April of 2005. 

 C.      Administration

                          FY06 Capital Improvement Budget Priorities – Mary Henderson

Mary Henderson gave a PowerPoint presentation updating board members on project priorities (handouts were also provided to members).

                           Dog Park Update – Mary Henderson

Mary Henderson noted that several plans have been developed for a proposed dog park at North Cary Park .  Once plans are pulled together, a public meeting will be held.  Mary indicated that staff has been in the process of reviewing software regarding registration and entry into the park.  Currently, the software is being tested.  Dave Upton questioned the need for access passes.  Mary Henderson stated that staff felt the need to require access passes based on safety recommendations made by the Cary Dog Park Club and to recover operational costs as well as other research staff has done on Dog Parks.

Volunteer Banquet Awards Committee – Judy Newsome

Judy Newsome asked for a representative from the board to serve as Chair of the Volunteer Awards Committee.  Tom Hemrick stated that he would serve as Chair.  Then, Judy asked board members to submit a name of a representative from each committee (Athletics, Cultural Arts, Greenways, and Teen) to serve on the Volunteer Awards Committee.  Judy indicated that she would get a past Herb Young Award recipient to serve on the committee.  Judy also noted that the 2005 Volunteer Recognition Banquet will be held at the Herb Young Community Center on Tuesday, February 15 at 7:00pm .

D.      Recreation Programs – Dwayne Jones referred board members to the program update. 

Senior Center – Kay Struffolino, Liasion

A handout was provided for the board members. 

Teen Council – Selby Lo, President

Selby Lo referred board members to a handout.

E.      Cultural Arts Programs – Lyman Collins referred board members to the program update.  Lyman indicated that the next Applause! Youth Theatre production will be “A Christmas Story” held at Old Cary Elementary.

Festivals Committee – Greg Lytle reported that the Festivals Committee has had a successful year.  $25,000 is available for grants.  Grant applications are due the middle of November.  Greg also reported that the committee discussed notifying artisans earlier for 2005.  The committee is working on more sponsorships from vendors.  Greg also reported that Carol Allen will serve as the community co-chair and Lyman will continue as the staff co-chair.

                        F.      Athletic Programs – William Davis

William Davis referred board members to the program update.  Then he asked for questions from the board.  Greg Lytle asked how people would find out about tickets to events currently going on at the SAS Soccer Complex.  William indicated various methods – the ACC website, CASL’s website, the Town of Cary ’s website as well as people can inquire and purchase tickets at the gate.  Greg Lytle then asked about the renaming of the complex.  Mary Henderson indicated that staff will not address that issue at this time, but she agrees that it is more than a soccer complex.  Toby Kennedy asked how staff was handling who is eligible to use SAS Soccer Complex.  William Davis stated that staff is currently honoring the dates that had already been set for groups prior to the Town of Cary taking over this facility.  William also stated that staff is currently working on the philosophy and fees & charges for future use of the SAS Soccer Complex.  Tom Hemrick switched gears and asked how basketball registration was going.  William Davis indicated that registration was going well and that athletic staff was still in the process of recruiting more coaches.  Tom Hemrick also asked about the Pro Tournament at the Cary Tennis Center .  William Davis stated the tournament went very although spectator attendance was not very high.  This particular tournament was not well known right now in our area, but down the road he feels spectator attendance will increase.

     VII.              Old Business

Fees & Charges – Dwayne Jones

Dwayne Jones did a PowerPoint presentation for the board updating them on staff’s review and rewrite of the Fees & Charges policy.  Board members were very complimentary of Dwayne’s presentation.

Joint Advisory Boards’ Meeting – Tom Hemrick

Tom Hemrick reported that there was a very good turnout from the Wake County P&R Advisory Boards.  He indicated that he would like to see this gathering of boards every 2 years.  Tom stated that the key issue for this year’s meeting was open space.  Tom asked other board members who attended the meeting to give their feedback.  Kay Struffolino stated that it was interesting to hear struggles as well as positive happenings in other areas across the county.  Greg Lytle said that it was good to see the Wake County representatives working more with the local municipalities.  Toby Kennedy reported that it was amazing to see how far smaller areas in the county have come in the past 4 years.  He indicated that this year’s meeting format was better.  Tom Hemrick notified board members that Apex PRCR will host the next meeting.

      VIII.            New Business

                Requests for Updates – Greg Lytle asked for an update on Partnerships.        

 IX.                Adjourn

Please contact Gail Taylor with any questions about the minutes.  The e-mail address is gail.taylor@townofcary.org and the phone number is (919) 462-3961. 

Please contact Gail Taylor with the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources with any questions about the minutes.  The e-mail address is gail.taylor@townofcary.org and the phone number is 462-3961.