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

Guests:  Council member Marla Dorrel; Scott Fogleman; David Lindquest

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

I.

Call to Order – Tom Hemrick, Chair

II.

Minutes – December 5, 2005
Action:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to accept the minutes of the December 5, 2005 meeting.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

Board members and staff welcomed Nels Roseland as the new council liaison to the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board.  

Board member Kay Struffolino provided pizza and refreshments for the board this evening.

III.

Public Speaks Out
Board member Tullie Johnson informed members of the upcoming Paver Dedication at Hemlock Bluffs on Sunday, January 22^nd.   Friends of Hemlock Bluffs, members and patrons who ordered engraved pavers in 2005 are invited to join the Friends of Hemlock Bluffs and the staff of the Stevens Nature Center to dedicate the latest installation of engraved pavers in the Stevens Nature Center courtyard.

Outgoing council liaison Marla Dorrel addressed the board and staff thanking them for their hard work and assured them she would continue to be an advocate for Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources.  She also presented staff and board members with a ‘treat bag’, each item a reflection of a program, facility or stepping stone for the department.  Mrs. Dorrel also recognized PRCR Director Mary Henderson and applauded her for having the #1 staff in the State.  Additional recognition was given to board members for the dedication of their time and talent in serving as advocates for the citizens of Cary .

Board members Toby Kennedy; Kay Struffolino and Chair Tom Hemrick, having served two consecutive terms, are also cycling off the board in January.  Each member addressed the board and staff noting the boards’ accomplishments and thanked staff for their dedication.  Outgoing Chair Tom Hemrick thanked council for their support and in recognizing the importance and quality of programs.

Kay Struffolino presented Council Member Marla Dorrel with a brick at Kids Together Playground in recognition of her guidance; assistance and support.  Mrs. Struffolino, as a thank you to staff, presented two pavers; one at the Page-Walker Arts and History Center and one at Hemlock Bluffs.

Councilman Nels Roseland, indicated he was looking forward to working with the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board as its new liaison. He noted he wanted Cary to have the highest per capita number of parks, open space and greenways than any other city in North Carolina .  He is looking forward to listening to everyone’s opinion and perspective and learning what is important to board members and their neighbors. 

IV.

Special Presentation – None

V.

Land Dedication Review – None

VI.

Reports

A.         Committee Reports

            Athletic Committee – Jeff Boucher, Chair
The Athletic Committee did not meet.

            Cultural Arts Committee – Toby Kennedy, Chair
Toby noted the committee reviewed the initial recommendations from consultants Pfeiffer Partners with regard to the Town Center Civic and Cultural Arts Study; and, in broad terms, specific concerns were resolved.  Toby did note that one unanimous recommendation they wished to pass along to this board would be that the design of Cary Elementary as a Community Arts Center be a top priority, if not this year in FY07 CIB.
Tomorrow night the Cultural Arts Committee, along with various cultural groups, will meet with Pfeiffer Partners as well.  Toby extended an invitation to this board.

            Greenway Committee – Leta Huntsinger, Chair
The Greenway Committee did not meet.

            Teen Advisory Committee – Steve Smutko, Chair
Steve reported the committee had a great turn out at the December meeting.  The committee continues to work on finalizing the plans for the upcoming Forum on March 11.  This is the third year for the Forum and this year’s theme is Making Your Mark.

B.         Public Meeting Update – Town Center Civic and Cultural Arts Study Consultants, Pfeiffer Partners will be meeting with cultural arts groups tomorrow evening at 7 p.m.

C.         Staff Report Update – Tom Hemrick
Tom Hemrick referred board members to the Staff Report Log.

D.         Administration

Capital Projects Prioritization – Mary Henderson
In a PowerPoint presentation Mrs. Henderson reviewed the categories to be considered for prioritization.  They include: Park Types; Neighborhood Parks ; Community Parks ; Greenways; Cultural Arts; Renovation Projects.  Mrs. Henderson also provided Priority Guidelines recommended by staff that included:  Acquisition as top priority; Develop parks based on geographic area rather than park type; emphasize Cultural Arts Facility Development; Develop Safe Greenway Crossings; American Tobacco Trail as a greenway priority.  The board agreed with the Priority Guidelines.

Neighborhood Park Priorities: The board prioritized neighborhood park projects as follows:  Tryon Road ; Future Arthur Pierce Park Site; Amberly/Weldon; Cameron Pond; Future Historic Carpenter Park Site; Future Green Level to Durham Park Site.

Community Parks Priorities:  Hawes; Shaffer and Raftery.

Greenway Priorities:  Black Creek IV; White Oak Creek III-V; Higgins & Lake Pine ; Batchelor Branch II and Speight Branch.
Board member Steve Smutko asked that the board review the prioritization in more detail as well as the prioritizaton process.  Mrs. Henderson indicated that these priority listings will come before this board in February for input.

Cultural Arts Priorities:  Cary Elementary as a Community Arts Center; New Arts Center (Town Center); Jordan Hall & Page Walker Issues; Arts Focus within a New Community Center; Flat Floor Space; Sertoma Amphitheatre.

Recreation Programs – Dwayne Jones
Dwayne referred members to the Program Update and noted that the new 2006 programs were included in the update.

            Senior Center – Kay Struffolino, Liaison
Kay referred members to the handout highlighting recent activity at the Senior Center .  Registration for winter classes and programs went well and was extremely busy.  Many activities are full and only 10 are below minimum enrollment.

            Teen Council – Snayha Nath, Teen Representative
Snayha reported that the teens brainstormed on engaging their members in a large project.  Snayha asked board members for suggestions.  Suggestions included spreading mulch on greenways; picking up trash on greenways; helping with a planting project; policing the parks noting things that need attention.  Park Planner Doug McRainey will review suggestions with the Greenway Committee and get recommendations to Snayha.

Cultural Arts Programs – Lyman Collins
Lyman deferred to the Program Update and reminded board members that the MLK Dreamfest begins this Wednesday, January 11^th.

            Festivals Committee – Kay Struffolino
Kay provided members with a handout and noted the upcoming Festival Grant Reception taking placing on Friday, January 27^th.

Athletic Programs – William Davis
William referred board members to the program update and encouraged everyone to visit the community centers and watch some basketball games this coming weekend.

VII.

Old Business

Cary Dog Park Update – Dwayne Jones
Dwayne reported that the irrigation contractor is expected to finish on Friday and that the park needed to be cleared of construction debris.  It is expected that the Cary Dog Park will open the week of January 16^th following Martin Luther King holiday.
Dwayne reported that to date seventy-five dog park passes have been sold.

VIII.

New Business

IX.

Adjourn – The meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m.