Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board

MEETING MINUTES

Monday, February 5, 2007 @ 5:15 p.m.
Cary Town Hall

316 N. Academy Street – Cary, NC 27513

www.townofcary.org

Attendance:
Jeff Boucher; Robert Bush; Sal Cammarata; Tony D’Amico; Susan Davenport; Marilyn Goldman; Dennis Hoadley; Tullie Johnson; Steve Smutko; Kay Struffolino; Snayha Nath, Teen Council Representative; Nels Roseland, Council Liaison

Staff:
Lyman Collins; Bruce Crocker; William Davis; Dwayne Jones; Doug McRainey; Gail Taylor; Paul Kuhn; Courtney Hinson

I. Call to Order/Roll Call – Steve Smutko, Chair at 5:15
►Introduction of new members: Robert Bush; Sal Cammarata; Tony D’Amico; and Kay Struffolino
Chair Steve Smutko welcomed new board members and both staff and board members made their own introductions.

II. Adoption of Agenda – Steve Smutko, Chair
►Steve Smutko asked that the board approve a new agenda item, under Old Business, Election of a Vice Chair.
ACTION: Kay Struffolino made a motion to add the agenda item as requested; Marilyn Goldman seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

III. Adoption of Meeting Minutes for January 8, 2007 – Steve Smutko, Chair
ACTION: Marilyn Goldman made a motion to accept the January minutes; the motion was seconded by Jeff Boucher. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

IV. Public Speaks Out – None

V. Special Presentation
►Urban Park Redesign - Paul Kuhn, Parks Planner
In a PowerPoint presentation, Paul reviewed the proposed master plan for the renovation of the Urban Park play area, funded by a $100,000 grant. A November public meeting brought noteworthy citizen comments that were incorporated into the plan. Renovations include: two new play structures, rubberized play surface and replacement of benches. A lawn and boulder area, along with walkways are targeted for future renovations. Board member Robert Bush suggested that staff consider de-emphasing the streets surrounding the park by designating them as park roadways; including a staging area for local parades and connectivity to the Walnut Creek Greenway. Board member Marilyn Goldman asked about the current plantings at the Chatham Street entrance noting that location would be a good opportunity for a children’s garden.
ACTION: Tullie Johnson made a motion to accept staff’s master plan recommendations for the renovations of Urban Park; the motion was seconded by Kay Struffolino. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

VI. Land Dedications – No Dedications

VII. Reports
A. Committee Reports
►Athletic Committee – Jeff Boucher, Chair
Jeff noted that no meeting occurred since his January report.

►Cultural Arts Committee – Dennis Hoadley, Chair
Dennis reported to the committee continued work on goal setting and plans for 2007 and to continue with citizen feedback.

Dennis also noted this committee will continue to support the Cary Elementary Renovation project as it moves forward.

►Greenway Committee – Robert Bush, Chair
Robert noted there were no development reviews to come before the committee. Staff gave project updates on the American Tobacco Trail; in that the project was moving forward with the Chatham County section. The 1/64 pedestrian bridge project that is tied into the Pirates Cove and Hinshaw Greenways is slated for completion in June. Additionally, Doug McRainey indicated that the update of the Town’s greenway website was also discussed at the meeting.

Board member Dennis Hoadley suggested that a task group be created to address several PRCR web site issues. Doug McRainey noted that the Town is currently redeveloping the Town’s website and that process needs to be completed prior to committee involvement. A joint meeting was suggested, with this board and the Information Services Advisory Board. Board chair Steve Smutko asked that Dennis lead this initiative and report back to this board in March.

►Teen Advisory Committee – Steve Smutko, Chair
Steve reported that due to exams the committee did not meet.

B. Public Meetings
►Walnut Street Park Public Input Meeting/01/30/2007 – Paul Kuhn, Parks Planner
At the public meeting, citizens were updated on the proposed components for the park. Approximately 40-50 people attended, giving positive, constructive input.

Walnut Street Park is Cary’s first park project that integrated public art in the design process and will feature a promenade through the park. The master plan will come before this board in March or April.

C. Staff Reports – The following staff reports were provided as information to board members:
►Budget Adjustment Department of Transportation Enhancement Funds for Black Creek Greenway, Phase IV – PR07016
►Hawes Property – WCPSS Agreement PR07-18

►Consideration of Bid Award to develop a comprehensive Sign Plan for the Town of Cary Parks, Greenways and Special Use Facilities (PR07-19)

D. Administration

►White Oak Stream Restoration – Paul Kuhn, Parks Planner
Paul outlined the study resulting from a $282,000 USDA Grant. The study, in conjunction with Apex, had 3 primary goals: 1) stream restoration; 2) open space and 3) alignment for greenway. The funding is for the study only. The Town of Cary will partner with Apex and when completed, the plan will include a natural communities inventory; wetland inventory; topographic and other surveys; greenway plan; development and a stream restoration. The plan will include a 2-mile greenway to connect to the American Tobacco Trail giving Cary residents an additional 23 miles of trails.

ACTION: Kay Struffolino made a motion to support staff’s effort in moving forward with this project; Susan Davenport seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

E. Recreation Programs – Dwayne Jones, Recreation Manager
Dwayne referred members to the Program Update.

►Teen Council – Snayha Nath
Snayha reported approximately 160 teen volunteer hours for the month of January. One of Teen Council’s major projects, Adopt-A-Highway, includes a 2-mile stretch of highway off Davis Drive on Stone Road. April 14 is one of four clean-up sessions. If any board member would like to participate, please see Snayha. Snayha was asked to bring a flyer to next month’s meeting.
Snayha reported a record setting new member enrollment of 107 since May 2006.

F. Cultural Arts Programs – Lyman Collins, Cultural Arts Manager
Lyman referred members the Program Update and highlighted the upcoming Dukes of Dixieland on February 23^rd. This is tied into the Cary Art Loop event and concert-goers will receive a discount should they visit Art Loop locations earlier in the evening. Artwork of native New Orleans artist Bruce Brice will also be on display.

►Festivals Committee – Marilyn Goldman

Marilyn advised board members of the fund-raising project, Take a Seat, where chairs, decorated by local artists, will be auctioned to the public.

Under consideration by the Festival’s Committee is a proposal from Sister Cities Association to sponsor a beer garden featuring beers representative of our four sister countries. Marilyn asked board members for their comments. Generally, board members felt that provided the area was contained; with proper policing; and the inclusion of food, the concept was good. It would show support for Sister Cities and increase revenues for grant funding.
ACTION: Robert Bush made a motion to support the Festival’s Committee in further development of the beer garden concept; the motion was seconded by Tony D’Amico. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

G. Athletic Programs – William Davis, Athletics Program Manager
William reported good winter field rentals at SAS Soccer Park and good season ticket sales for the Rail Hawks. William also noted that Cary submitted a bid for the 2008 NCAA Soccer Tournament and that the Cary Tennis Park hosted a successful Polar Doubles event this past weekend.

VIII. OLD BUSINESS
►2007 Volunteer Banquet/February 27, 2007 @7:00 p.m. – Dwayne Jones, Recreation Program Manager – Dwayne Jones reminded board members of the upcoming banquet and also that the award recipients had been selected.
►PRCR Advisory Board Appointments – Steve Smutko, Chair
Steve Smutko announced the following committee chair appointments: Greenway Committee, Robert Bush; Athletic Committee, Jeff Boucher; Cultural Arts Committee, Dennis Hoadley; Teen Advisory Committee, Tony D’Amico.
Steve also announced that Marilyn Goldman will continue as the board’s liaison to the Festival’s Committee and appointed Kay Struffolino as the board’s liaison to the Senior Center.

This board adopted two goals for 2007: Safety Town and PRCR Scholarships. Steve appointed Jeff Boucher to facilitate Safety Town and Sal Cammarata to facilitate PRCR Scholarships. A new item will be added to the agenda, Goal Reports.

PRCR Advisory Board Vice Chair – Election of Vice Chair
ACTION: Steve Smutko made a motion to appoint Dennis Hoadley as Vice Chair to the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board. The motion was seconded by Kay Struffolino. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

IX. NEW BUSINESS
►Board Member Information Share – No Report

X. ADJOURN
ACTION: Kay Struffolino made a motion to adjourn at 6:50 p.m. The motion was seconded by Jeff Boucher. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

Please contact the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources with any questions about this agenda. The e-mail address is gail.taylor@townofcary.org, and the phone number is (919) 462-3961.