Cary Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board Meeting Minutes

Monday, October 10, 2005

5:15 PM  
Herb Young Community Center
101 Wilkinson Avenue
Cary , NC    27513

Web Site:  www.townofcary.org  

 

Attendance:  Tom Hemrick; Jeff Boucher; Tullie Johnson; Susan Davenport; Jamie France; Toby Kennedy; Steve Smutko; Kay Struffolino; Marla Dorrel, Council Liaison; Snayha Nath, Youth Member

 Absent:  Leta Huntsinger

 Staff:  Mary Henderson; Judy Newsome; Doug McRainey; Bruce Crocker; William Davis

 I.    Call to Order – Tom Hemrick, Chair  

II.    Minutes September 12, 2005

Kay Struffolino made a motion to accept the September 12, 2005 minutes with the addition of the Festival Committee Report.  The motion was carried by a unanimous vote.

  III.   Public Speaks Out – none

 IV.    Special Presentations – none

 V.            Land Dedication Review

Weldon Ridge PDD Amendment – Doug McRainey stated that this is an amendment to Weldon Ridge PDD previously called Forest Oaks, which was approved in 2003.  This request adds a parcel of approximately 86 acres to the western portion of the Weldon Ridge PDD.  The proposal includes an additional 79 single family residential units to the Weldon Ridge PDD with a gross density of 1.55 units per acre.  The current Weldon Ridge PDD includes 563 units.  This amendment increases that unit count to 642.

Staff recommended:

-          Approval for the 75’buffer adjacent to the American Tobacco Trail.

-          Approval of applicant providing 30’ wide greenway easement for north-south greenway.

-          Approval of applicant providing 8’ private trail connections to the adjacent public greenway with Parcels SF-4, SF-5, SF-6, SF-7, SF-8 and SF-9.  Final locations of these private connections will be made at time of site plan approval.

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

Laurel Park – Doug McRainey stated that this project is located at 2450 Laura Duncan Road, southeast of the intersection of Laura Duncan Road and Old Apex Road .  The request is to rezone the property from Office, Research and Development (ORD) to Planned Development District (PDD).  A total of 300 units of single family homes have been proposed for this project.

      Staff recommended:

-          Approval of a payment-in-lieu in place of parkland dedication for the value of approximately 8.57 acres.

-          Approval for developer to construct a multi-use trail along the east side of Laura Duncan Road .

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

VI.   Reports

A.      Committee Reports

Athletic Committee

William Davis reported that there were no special requests for Fall Basketball Registration so the Athletic Committee did not meet in September.

Cultural Arts Committee – Toby Kennedy, Chair

Toby Kennedy reported that the Cultural Arts Committee members attended a work session with the consultants of the Town Center Civic & Cultural Arts District Study.  He stated that members had a detailed discussion with the consultants regarding cultural needs.

Greenway Committee – Leta Huntsinger, Chair

Doug McRainey reported for Leta saying that the Greenway Committee did not meet in September.

Teen Advisory Committee – Steve Smutko, Chair

Steve Smutko reported that the new Teen Advisory Committee consists of eleven members.  He stated that the committee is focusing on the Teen Forum that will be held on March 11, 2006 .  Marla Dorrel stated that Town Manager, Bill Coleman, will be meeting with the Teen Advisory Committee on October 18 and to give an overview of Town of Cary operations.  Marla also stated that 2 teens would be attending the League of Municipalities Conference in Hickory Sunday, October 16.

 B.      Public Meeting Update

Walnut Street Park Master Plan – Doug McRainey

Doug reminded board members of the Walnut Street Park Master Plan public meeting on October 18 at 7:00pm .  There will not be a formal presentation; this meeting will be a question and answer session.  The Steering Committee will meet at 6:00pm prior to the public meeting.  Following the public meeting, the Master Plan will be presented at the November advisory board meeting.

  Town Center Civic & Cultural Arts District Study – Mary Henderson

Mary Henderson stated that two meetings have been conducted by the consultants.  The first meeting was focusing on groups representing the arts.  Local art groups were well represented at the meeting and the consultants received good input from these groups.  The second meeting was open up to the entire public and approximately 117 people were in attendance.  Tullie Johnson asked about the downtown residents’ involvement and if they were notified of the meeting.  Mary stated that some of the downtown residents were in attendance.  Doug McRainey indicated that postcards advertising the public meeting were mailed to all residents in the downtown area.  Mary stated that the consultants would be back on November 29 to conduct another public meeting.  A work session would be followed by this public meeting.  

C.      Staff Report Update – Tom Hemrick referred board members to the staff reports that are currently on council/committee(s) agendas.

D.      Administration

PRCR Committee Structure – Mary Henderson

Mary Henderson reminded advisory board members of the discussion at the September advisory board meeting regarding the committees being removed from the Code of Ordinances and being addressed in policy form.  Staff presented a draft policy to the board members for their review. 

ACTION:  Jamie France made a motion to accept the policy as approved with the changes as noted.  Kay Struffolino seconded the motion.  The motion was carried by a unanimous vote.

                 

E.  Recreation Programs – Mary Henderson referred board members to the Program Update. 

Senior Center – Kay Struffolino, Liasion

A handout was provided for the board members. 

Teen Council – Snayha Nath, Teen Representative

Snayha reported that Teen Council members logged 261 volunteer hours for the month of September.  Six members represented the Teen Council at the State Youth Council Conference on September 30 – October 2 in Greensboro .  On October 15, some of the teen council members will be attending a leadership workshop sponsored by the NC Education Consortium.  This workshop will be held at Exploris.  This is the second year the Teen Council is participating in Project Give a Child a Smile.  Teen Council members are collecting luggage that can be given to foster kids so that the kids can have appropriate bags to pack their belongings in when they are placed in a home.  Snayha stated that October 22 is the last day the Teen Council can accept luggage for this worthy project.  The drop-off location for the luggage is the HerbYoung Community Center .  On November 12, the Teen Council members will be participating in Rebuilding Together.  This is similar to Habitat for Humanity.  Teens will be helping repairing homes in the Cary area.  More adult volunteers are needed to help.

 

F.      Cultural Arts Programs – Mary Henderson referred board members to the Program Update.

Festivals Committee – Kay Struffolino stated that a handout was provided to the board members.  She did note that the Festivals Committee would be meeting with the consultant hired to review and critique the Lazy Daze Festival.  

 

G.     Athletic Programs – William Davis

William Davis reported that the Cary Tennis Park would be hosting a mixed doubles tournament on October 21.

 

VII.   Old Business

 

VIII. New Business

Tom Hemrick promoted the upcoming production of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe presented by Applause! Youth Theatre.

Tullie Johnson encouraged board members to come out to Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve’s annual yard sale on Saturday, October 29.  She asked everyone to recycle and support the event.

Marla Dorrel notified the board members of the upcoming Planting Day that will be held at Kids Together Park on Saturday, November 5 from 9:00am -12:00n.  This is a volunteer opportunity for all ages.

Mary Henderson reported that Raleigh Parks & Recreation’s advisory board has extended an invitation to our board members to attend their next meeting on Thursday, October 20.  Any board members planning to attend should contact Gail Taylor by Wednesday, October 12.

2006 Meeting Calendar – Tom Hemrick asked the board to discuss the 2006 meeting dates and times. 

ACTION:  Steve Smutko made a motion that the PRCR advisory board meetings remain on the 1st Monday of the month at 5:15pm .  Tullie Johnson seconded the motion.  The motion was carried by a unanimous vote.

Board Annual Report – Mary reported that Council is now requesting annual reports from boards and committees.  Mary discussed an initial outline for the board’s annual report and asked committee chairs to be thinking of items for committee reports.    

IX.   Adjourn

              

Please contact 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 (919) 462-3961.