Attendance:  Tom Hemrick; Greg Lytle; Jamie France; Bob Hickey; Toby Kennedy; Dave Upton; Kay Struffolino; Melissa White; Lisa Duke; Marla Dorrel, Council Liaison; Selby Lo, Youth Member

Staff:  Mary Henderson; Judy Newsome; Doug McRainey; Bruce Crocker; Dwayne Jones; Lyman Collins;  Paul Kuhn; Gail Taylor

Guests:  Tony Withers; Robin Rose; Jeff Boucher; Alissa Eckstein; Rob Wilson; Christine Quay; Glen Turk; Laura Turk; Rick Cornell

I.

Call to Order – Tom Hemrick, Chair

II.

Minutes – December 6, 2004
Greg Lytle made a motion to approve the minutes with the correction duly noted.  The motion to approve was carried by a unanimous vote.

III.

Public Speaks Out

Dog Park - Rob Wilson, representing residents of Weston Pointe, addressed board members
with concerns of the proposed dog park in North Cary Park .  Mr. Wilson indicated that residents just learned of the proposed park in late fall of 2004.  While they support a dog park; they felt its location at the North Cary Park was not a good fit.  Mr. Wilson spoke to key concerns:  1) Loss of Un-programmed Open Lawn Space; 2) Access  Circulation; 3) Destination Facility; 4) Parking; 5) Overall Impact; 6) Awkward Fit vs. Master Plan.  Mr. Wilson requested staff to pause and pursue the identification of a more suitable site.  Mr. Wilson presented a petition with seventy signatures requesting that the Town Council, Town Staff and PRCR Advisory Board members identify and develop a more suitable site on the north side of Town for a Dog Park facility.                                                     

PRCR Director Mary Henderson agreed to meet with Mr. Wilson to further discuss the concerns presented. 

IV.

Special Presentation

            The Miracle League – Tony Withers and Robin Rose

Mary Henderson introduced Tony Withers and Robin Rose.  Mr. Withers shared with the board their vision for the development of The Miracle League in Wake County .  The Miracle League organization provides baseball fields to meet the needs of handicapped children so they can enjoy the sport of baseball as participants in the game.  Board members watched a taped HBO special on The Miracle League.  Basically, supporters are looking for land to develop the necessary synthetic rubberized turf field and asked that the town give consideration to incorporating it into one of the Town’s facilities, i.e. the USA Baseball Facility.  Officials at USA Baseball have also been contacted.  Nationwide 14 such fields have been built (one in Myrtle Beach , S.C. ) with 60 presently under construction.  It was noted that there are 5.2 million children in the US with disabilities.  The league is administered by the organization.  Mr. Withers is also talking with the YMCA and the City of Raleigh to gain support. 

PRCR Director Mary Henderson indicated she spoke with staff at Myrtle Beach .  In addition to staff looking at possible options at Town parks; Mrs. Henderson indicated that perhaps a school/park venture might be a better fit.  This field could also be used for kickball and restrooms, bleachers and parking would already be in place.
Board member concerns included: 1) the inclusion of this field at Tom Brooks Park might infringe on the proposed completion date; 2) what is the need for this type of field in Wake County ; Triangle; suggested contacting the Durham Bulls and the Mudcats for support.

ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion that PRCR support the Miracle League project based on further deliberation and discussions and, to have staff explore opportunities to use present parks and possible future sites and encourage this project in Cary .  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

            Dog Park Presentation – Dwayne Jones

Parks Planner Paul Kuhn reviewed a rendering of the proposed dog park design at North Cary Park .  The Master Plan proposes three dog parks for Cary, one to the north, one to the south and one to the west.  The proposed North Cary Park design places the 1.1 acre dog park on an open field leaving a one acre open space.  Fencing will surround the area and also separate the small and large dog play areas.  Owners will leash and unleash their dogs in a vestibule area.  The water source will come from the existing restrooms.  Board member Toby Kennedy recommended that the water source be moved from the entrance to the common fence area for the large and small dogs and that the setbacks be 5 foot from the pathway.

Recreation Manger Dwayne Jones gave a PowerPoint presentation reviewing the costs; 3 models outlining operational options and Benefits and Goals of the Operation Plan. The proposed rates follow:  Cary resident annual pass for a single dog - $40 with multi-dog pass at $60; nonresident annual pass for a single dog - $80 with multi-dog pass at $120; day pass for a single dog at $5 and multi-dog day pass at $10.  The construction estimate is $43,371 which includes the amenities and access technology.  Cary Dog Park proposes to donate $5,000 toward the amenities.

Board members voiced concerns of loss of open space; insufficient parking (currently 118 parking spaces) and dog park users sharing the same access as other park users.  It was noted that topography was too steep to add another access off Norwell.   
PRCR Director Mary Henderson noted that she had received several emails from residents opposing the proposed location of the dog park. 
It is staff’s recommendation to build the facility and move the proposed plan forward to Council for approval.

ACTION:  Jamie France made a motion to support staff’s recommendation to forward the proposed dog park onto Council for approval.  The motion carried.  Bob Hickey opposed the motion.

ACTION:  Toby Kennedy made a motion noting the concerns at North Cary Park as they relate to appropriate access and asked that this board go on record supporting additional pedestrian/bicycle access and that staff work with developers to incorporate sidewalks or appropriate access on both sides of Norwell.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

Mary Henderson indicated that she would work with the neighbors to find ways to modify the plans and to address the neighbors’ concerns.
 

Council member Marla Dorrel noted that Council member Julie Robison is currently working on the access issue at North Cary Park .

V.

Land Dedication Review – None

VI.

Reports

A.         Committee Reports

            Athletic Committee – Bob Hickey, Chair Bob reported that the committee did not meet.  In Bob’s last report he noted that NC State would offer basketball tickets at a discount to PRCR basketball coaches and participants.  Unfortunately, those discount tickets were SOLD OUT and not available to our coaches and participants.

     Cultural Arts Committee – Toby Kennedy, Chair
Toby reported a short meeting due to Cary Visual Art’s presentation of the installation of public art, “Balancing Act” at SAS Soccer Park . 
The committee continues its review of its marketing/communication plan.  Susan Moran, the Town’s Public Information Officer is scheduled to address the committee at their February meeting.

            Greenway Committee – Leta Huntsinger, Chair
No Report – the committee did not meet in December

            Teen Advisory Committee – Melissa White, Chair
Melissa reported that the committee continues to work on the Teen Forum scheduled for March.
Council member Marla Dorrel noted that Town Council, at its January 13, 2005 meeting, will recognize the Cary Parks , Recreation and Cultural Resources Department and the Teen Advisory Committee for receipt of the North Carolina Recreation and Park Association’s Innovative Program Award for the Cary Teen Forum focusing on the "Pressures of Being a Teen." The March Cary Teen Forum will be announced at this time as well.

Melissa White announced that Laura Robertson will run the meetings and that she and Laura will continue to co-chair the Teen Advisory Committee.

B.         Public Meeting Update

            Dog Park Public Meeting – December 18, 2004 – Dwayne Jones
Recreation Program Manager Dwayne Jones reported a good attendance at the December meeting and handed out a summation of comments from the citizens.  

C.         Administration

            Sears Farm Road Park Update – Doug McRainey
Parks Planner Doug McRainey noted the progress of this 13.5 acre neighborhood park.  The landscaping, paving and restroom structure are complete pending inspection.  The basketball goals need to be installed on the courts bringing this park to 95% complete.  The public art sculpture is scheduled for installation in March and the dedication for this park is targeted for late spring.  Doug further noted there is a 50-ft. pedestrian connection to the park from Highcroft Elementary.  Doug noted that staff is finalizing the punch list.  Chair Tom Hemrick mentioned that this park, with its unique features, stays busy even before completion.

            FY06 Operations & Maintenance Budget – Mary Henderson
In a PowerPoint presentation PRCR Director Mary Henderson reviewed the department’s proposed FY06 Capital Budget Improvement Priorities.  

            FY06 Capital Improvement Budget Priorities – Mary Henderson
Staff recommended a CIB based on a $5.9 million target.  

Projects targeted for 2005/6 include:
New Parks
- Bartley Park – Phase I Construction - $2.5 million
- Amberly Trailhead Park – $250,000

Greenway
- Nancy Branch Ped. Underpass (Design) - $20,000
- Morris Branch Ped Underpass (Design) - $20,000
- US1 & 64 Pedestrian Bridge and Trail Connections - $275,000 includes public art for   pedestrian   bridge
- Batchelor Branch Greenway - $200,000 to link ½ mile trail to USA Baseball /Tom Brooks Park

Renovations
- Higgins Greenway Renovation (Design) - $40,000
- Misc. Park & Greenway Renovation Projects - $151,200
- SAS Soccer Park – $246,750
- Tennis Court Renovations (PW) - $96,900
- Herb Young Renovations – $85,000

Acquisition
- Staff is requesting 2 million for acquisition to provide two neighborhood parks; one to the west and on to the south.
Board member Toby Kennedy asked about allocations for Cary Elementary.  Mary Henderson responded that staff is doing an RFP to broadly assess the potential for cultural and civic facilities in the downtown area.  Toby noted a concern to address in the proposal:  what is the best use of Cary Elementary and programming needs for downtown with or without the use of Cary Elementary.
It was noted that funding is not in the FY06 Budget submitted by staff for a community center at North Cary Park .

D.         Recreation Programs – Dwayne Jones – refer to program update

            Senior Center – Kay Struffolino, Liaison – Refer to handout.
Highlights in the handout include:  Linda Kendall, Resources for Seniors left her position at the Cary Senior Center .  Her replacement has been involved with the Total Life Centers and will be working 30 hours a week with 10 hours in community outreach.
Cary Senior Center, Inc. has changed its name to Friends of the Cary Senior Center .
Popular classes at the center include:  Senior Net; Funtastics (art classes) and Line Dancing.
Massage therapy services are now being offered on an appointment basis.

            Teen Council – Selby Lo, Vice President
Selby reported that teens provided 300 hours of community service in December.  Upcoming events include Movie Night; Band Night and Ski Wintergreen.

E.                     Cultural Arts Programs – Lyman Collins
Cultural Arts Program Manager Lyman Collins announced that due to the success of the play, the Christmas Story and Tinsel Town , staff is planning to present these events next year.  Tinsel Town has lots of potential and staff will meet the end of this month to ‘debrief’ both events.

Festivals Committee – Greg Lytle
The festival committee was able to grant $25,000 to various groups from 2004 festival proceeds.  Board members were provided a copy of the staff report listing the group recipients and the amounts.
Sunshine Magazine featured a glowing article highly recommending Lazy Daze and praising staff; volunteers and the orderly process for artisans exiting the event.

F.         Athletic Programs – William Davis – No report

VII.

Old Business

            Fees & Charges – Dwayne Jones
Recreation Program Manager Dwayne Jones gave a PowerPoint presentation focusing on Facility Reservations.  When doing revenue comparisons, Board member Toby Kennedy noted to consider that exhibit areas are not counted in facility usage.  Toby suggested that staff prepare target goals for use as all facilities are noted used the same and to look at times when facilities are under utilized. 

VIII.

New Business

IX.

Adjourn 8:05