TOWN OF CARY Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Advisory Board 2005  MINUTES March 7, 2005, 5:15 PM Herb Young Community Center 101 Wilkerson Avenue Cary, NC 27513

Attendance:  Tom Hemrick; Susan Davenport; Jamie France; Leta Huntsinger; Toby Kennedy; Steve Smutko; Kay Struffolino; Melissa White; Marla Dorrel, Liaison; Selby Lo, Youth Member

Absent:  Jeff Boucher; Tullie Johnson

Staff:  Mary Henderson; Judy Newsome; Doug McRainey; Bruce Crocker; Dwayne Jones; Lyman Collins; William Davis, Paul Kuhn, Joe Godfrey

Guests:  Chuck Smith; Vicki Maxwell; Adria Kempner; Rob Wilson; Steve Sanchez; Christine Quay

I.         Call to Order – Tom Hemrick, Chair

II.        Minutes – February 7, 2005

Kay Struffolino made a motion to approve the February 7, 2005 minutes as presented.  The motion was carried by a unanimous vote.   

III.       Public Speaks Out – none

IV.       Special Presentations

Dog Park – Mary Henderson stated that two months ago staff recommended North Cary Park as the location for the Dog Park.  Since then, concerns from Weston Pointe homeowners prompted staff to look at alternatives.  Paul Kuhn, Parks Planner, reviewed the three potential sites with the Board, including North Cary Park, alternatives 1A & 1B and the Buffalo Tract at Godbold Park .  Paul stated that the Buffalo Tract at Godbold Park is 2 ½ acres total.  About 1-acre would be fenced allowing space for a small dog area and a large dog area.  Better parking would be available at the Godbold Park site. 

As a review from the February meeting, Dwayne Jones provided board members with a copy of the Dog Park Operations Plan.  Dwayne noted that staff is recommending a $40 annual fee rather than $50.

ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to accept staff’s recommendation of relocating the Dog Park to Godbold Park on the Buffalo Tract based on the components presented.  Toby Kennedy seconded the motion.  The motion was carried by a unanimous vote.

Black Creek Greenway Realignment Project – Chuck Smith reviewed the process that has taken place regarding Black Creek Greenway realignment.  Doug McRainey indicated that the 1^st public meeting was held on February 22, 2005 .  A mailing of 2000 postcards went out notifying citizens of this public meeting.  Approximately 30 citizens attended.  Issues included the following:

-          Funding of the realignment

-          Timing of the project

-          Potential interruption of trail use during construction

-          Design of the overlook

-          Details on the connecting points

Chuck Smith reviewed the issue of trail flooding and noted that the realignment would begin to flood at a 50-year storm interval.

The next step will be to hold a final public meeting in March with a vote at the April board meeting.

V.     Land Dedication Review

Turner Creek PDD – Doug McRainey stated that this property is located at the intersection of Turner Creek Road and Highway 55.  Turner Creek PPD is proposed as a 133.81 acre master planned residential community with a mix of housing types.  Staff recommended:

-          Approval of a payment-in-lieu in place of parkland dedication for the value of 14 acres

-          Approval of accepting a greenway easement for a future crossing (of the White Oak Creek) to link with the White Oak                  Creek Greenway, with the specific location to be approved at time of subdivision plan approval

-          Approval for the Town to conserve and manage approximately 15 acres of open space as delineated in the White Oak Conservation Plan

ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to accept staff’s recommendations. Toby Kennedy seconded the motion.  The motion was carried by a unanimous vote.

Gabel Farms PDD – Doug McRainey stated that this property is located north and south of Green Level Church Road; and east and west of Green Level to Durham Road.  Gabel Farms is a Planned Development containing 750 attached and detached single family residences on 196.61 acres.  Staff recommended:

-          Approval of a payment-in-lieu in place of parkland dedication for the value of 20 acres

-          Agreement with applicant to receive credit against the required PIL for the construction of a pedestrian underpass under Morrisville Parkway extension

-          Approval for developer to construct a greenway segment through eastern buffer of project site to link with the Hawes park property located to the north

-          Approval for developer to construct a short greenway segment along western buffer to link with Southbridge and Cary Park’s PDD’s located to the north

-          Approval for the developer to construct a 10’ wide multi-purpose trail along the north side of the Morrisville Parkway extension as well as the north side of Green Level to Durham Road.

ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to accept staff’s recommendations.  Leta Huntsinger seconded the motion.  The motion was carried by a unanimous vote.

 VI.           Reports

A.  PRCR Committee Chair Assignments – Agenda item presented earlier prior to Special Presentations.

Chair Tom Hemrick presented the following board/committee assignments:
- Kay Struffolino – Vice Chair, PRCR Advisory Board
- Leta Huntsinger – Chair, Greenways Committee
- Jeff Boucher – Chair, Athletics Committee
- Steve Smutko – Chair, Teen Advisory Committee
- Toby Kennedy – Chair, Cultural Arts Committee
- Kay Struffolino – Liaison to the Cary Senior Center
- Kay Struffolino – PRCR Advisory Board Representative to the Festivals
  Committee

ACTION:  Tom Hemick made a motion that the board approve the above board/committee assignments.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

B.      Committee Reports

Athletic Committee –
William Davis reported that the Athletic Committee did not meet in February, but would meet in March.

Cultural Arts Committee – Toby Kennedy, Chair
Toby reported that the Cultural Arts Committee had a long and frank discussion with Susan Moran, Town of Cary’s Public Information Officer, about improving communications.  A Cultural Arts Corner will be coming soon in BUD.

Greenway Committee – Leta Huntsinger, Chair
Leta reported that the Greenway Committee had an extensive discussion about multi-purpose trails – trail type that tends to not be paved.  Equestrian groups are in favor of these types of trails.  Leta stated that the committee discussed the need of inviting representatives from Equestrian groups to their meetings.  Leta gave an update on the educational initiatives.  Sharon & Beth are identifying information that could be placed in educational packets.  They are developing a questionnaire for teachers to fill out to help determine what is needed.  The committee also discussed conducting a photo or art contest as a possible project.  The goal of this project would be to get people involved in cultural events while enjoying greenways. 

Teen Advisory Committee – Melissa White, Chair
Melissa White reported that there were 97 attendees at the Teen Forum held on March 5.  It was a success.  Marla Dorrel complimented Cindi King’s work with the teens.

C.  Public Meeting Update

Black Creek Greenway Realignment – Doug McRainey
Doug reported on the February 22, 2005 meeting during the Special Presentation earlier in the agenda.

D.  Staff Report Update

E.  Administration           

F.  Recreation Programs – Dwayne Jones reported that 378 teens attended Band Night.  The Kite Festival had a crowd of over 200.  For additional information, Dwayne referred board members to the program update. 

Senior Center – Kay Struffolino, Liaison
A handout was provided for the board members.  Kay did remind everyone about volunteering for the Raleigh/Wake Senior Games.

Teen Council – Selby Lo, President
Selby Lo reminded board members about the upcoming Easter Egg Hunt at Bond Park.  For additional information, Selby referred board members to a handout.

G.  Cultural Arts Programs – Lyman Collins announced that the Cary Youth Video Project “Art Is” has received an invitation to the prestigious Cucalorus Film Festival in Wilmington, NC .  “Art Is” covers the topic of public art.  Lyman informed the board that the next Applause! Youth Theatre performance will be Charlie & the Chocolate Factory.  Auditions begin next week.  Lyman indicated that on April 4^th, the Koka Booth Amphitheatre will unveil the 2005 season.  This will be a joint media event with Alltel Pavilion and the NC Museum of Art.

Festivals Committee – Kay Struffolino announced that the Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival received the 2004 Regional Event of the Year in NC & SC.  The Best Event Photo went to Nanci Tanton, Arts Program Specialist at Jordan Hall Arts Center .  

H.  Athletic Programs – William Davis
William Davis reported that the Winter Basketball League finished last weekend.  He indicated that there has been good registration for baseball and softball.  He noted three free clinics:  Baseball Clinic – run by USA Baseball; Softball Clinic – run by Softball Coach from Campbell University ; and Soccer Clinic – run by North Carolina State University’s men’s team.  William also reminded board members that Cary Road Race volunteers are still needed. 

VII.       Old Business

Fees & Charges – Dwayne Jones
Dwayne Jones handed out a draft of the Fees & Charges Policy Philosophy and Service Level Definitions with the latest updates.  He reviewed these updates and asked for final consideration of this section to the policy.  The committee discussed amendments to the draft.

ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to accept this section of the Fees & Charges Policy with amendments.  Leta Huntsinger seconded the motion.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

Bruce Crocker handed out a draft Program Satisfaction Guarantee Policy for the board to review prior to the April meeting.

 VIII.         New Business

Tom Hemrick reminded board members to RSVP to Karen Gray for the upcoming Reception for Boards and Commissions.  He also reminded board members about the upcoming May 3 bond referendum.

Judy Newsome stated that the Joint Board/Committee Orientation will be held on May 2 at 6:30pm following the Advisory Board meeting.

IX.       Adjourn

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

The Town of Cary is committed to providing all citizens with the opportunity to participate fully in the public meeting process. Any person with a disability who needs an auxiliary aid or service in order to participate in this meeting may contact Sue Rowland at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. The e-mail address is  sue.rowland@townofcary.org; the phone number is (919) 469-4011; the TDD number is (919) 469-4012.  

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