Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board

MEETING MINUTES

 

Monday, March 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: 
Mary Henderson; Lyman Collins; Bruce Crocker; William Davis; Dwayne Jones; Doug McRainey; Helen Stanfield; Gail Taylor

 

Guest:
Mike Curran  

I.  Call to Order/Roll Call – Steve Smutko, Chair

The meeting was called to order at 5:15 p.m.  

 

II.    Adoption of Agenda – Steve Smutko, Chair
ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to adopt the March 5, 2007 agenda; the motion was seconded by Denny Hoadley.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

 

III.   Adoption of Minutes of February 5, 2007 – Steve Smutko, Chair
ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to approve the February 5, 2007 minutes; the motion was seconded by Tullie Johnson.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

IV.   Public Speaks Out – Mike Curran
Mr. Curran addressed the advisory board regarding the aquatic project.  He voiced concern about the lack of public input for the project.

V.    Special Presentation - None
 
VI.   Land Dedications – Doug McRainey, Parks Planning Manager
►The Park at Westlake – 06-REZ-36

This is an initial zoning for 110.52 acres located in the Park at Westlake subdivision which is south of Optimist Farm Road, east and west of West Lake Road and north and west of the South Cary Water Reclamation Facility.  The initial zoning is associated with a citizen-initiated annexation request. The property was developed in Wake County under their cluster option and is currently under Wake County zoning districts.  Upon annexation into the Town, the zoning of the property must be changed to a Cary zoning district (Residential-12 or Transitional Residential).   

·        # of Units - 89

·        Required Dedication – not applicable as developed under Wake County ordinances

 

Staff Recommendation

  • Work with original developer to secure 30’ wide greenway easements through common open spaces along the western and eastern edges of this development.

ACTION:  Dennis Hoadley made a motion to accept staff’s recommendation.  Tony D’Amico seconded the motion.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote

►Cary Park Overlay/Meacham Property – 06-REZ-38
This is a request to re-zone 17.15 acres located northeast of the Carpenter Fire Station Road and Green Level to Durham Road intersection.  The Town’s Morris Branch park site is adjacent to this property on the north side.  Morris Branch designates the common property line between the Meacham property and the Town’s property.  The request is to re-zone the Meacham property from Residential 40 (R-40) to R-40 with a Mixed Use Center Overlay District.  The NW Area Plan Land Use Map recommends the subject parcel for Mixed Use, with no more than half the site designated as non-residential uses.

·        # of Units – unknown

·        Required Dedication – unknown

 

Staff Recommendation

  • Approval of a payment-in-lieu in place of any required parkland dedication.
  • Approval for developer to construct to Town standards a multi-use trail along the east side of Green Level to Durham Road.
  • Approval for developer to construct a private trail connection across Morris Branch to proposed public greenway located on Town-owned park land north of Morris Branch.
  • Approval for developer to donate to Town of Cary a conservation easement over the 200’ average width conservation buffer along Morris Branch.

 


ACTION:  Robert Bush made a motion to accept staff’s recommendation; the motion was seconded by Kay Struffolino.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote. 

VII. Reports
A.    Committee Reports
Athletics Committee – Jeff Boucher, Chair
►ACTION:  Jeff Boucher recommended the following appointment to the Athletic Committee:  Lewis Eldrige (1st term); the motion was seconded by Kay Struffolino.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote. 
William Davis noted that the four league representatives will be announced later.


Jeff reported that the Athletic Committee did not meet in February. 

Cultural Arts Committee – Dennis Hoadley, Chair
►ACTION:  New Member Appointments
Dennis Hoadley recommended the following appointments to the Cultural Arts Committee:  Gyan Gupta (2nd term); Philip Shepherd (2nd term); Debra Savage (1st term) and Ron Sherhofer (1st term); the motion was seconded by Susan Davenport.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Dennis reported the Cultural Arts Committee met and reviewed packets submitted by non-profits groups requesting funds from the Town. 

Joy Cox, Festivals Coordinator, updated the committee on plans for the 2007 Spring Daze Fesitval.  Sarah Bunch, Performing Arts Coordinator gave an update on the Marvelous Music Series planning for 2007-2008 and the Sertoma Series lineup for spring 2007.
 
Greenway Committee – Robert Bush, Chair
Robert noted three items that were discussed:  1) The Cary Pedestrian Plan Public Meeting on February 27; two committee representatives participating in the web update and that the sign design consultants will present their plan at the next Greenway Committee meeting. 

ACTION:  New Member Appointments
Robert Bush made a motion to appoint Reid Minor (fills an unexpired term ending 08);  Bob Morris (fills an unexpired term ending 09); Leta Huntsinger, Katherine ‘Cat’  Williams and Cameron Sweeney to their first 3-year term.  The motion was seconded by Sal Cammarata.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

The teen representative resigned and the replacement will be made in June.

Teen Advisory Committee – Tony D’Amico, Chair
Tony reported he attended his first meeting.  The teens continued with their final plans for the Teen Forum on March 24th.
Tony indicated possible future discussions on restructuring this committee.

►Goals Committee Reports
       Safety Town – Jeff Boucher
Jeff met with Dwayne Jones and Cindi King to review the concept and purpose of Safety Town.  The Town’s goal is to have a permanent Safety Town facility and the purpose of the Safety Town Goals Committee is to determine a process to accomplish that goal.
       Scholarship Fund – Sal Cammarata
Sal met with Helen Stanfield to review the basis of the scholarship program; the process for administering current requests and to project the scholarship needs for the next fiscal year.  Sal wants to identify a process on how this committee can work with staff to increase donations and facilitate the process.  Helen Stanfield indicated that last year’s scholarship funds were approximately $4500.  Kay Struffolino requested a spreadsheet of scholarship activity over the past five years.

B.   Public Meetings

►Cary/Chatham Land Use Plan Work Session/2/20/07 – Doug McRainey
Mary Henderson and Doug McRainey attended the Work Session.  Another Work Session will occur once Chatham County has obtained additional public input.


C.   Staff Reports – The following staff reports were provided as FYI to board members:

►PR07-21 Streetscapes – Public Art   P&D 2/15/07
►PR07-22  White Oak Creek Stream Restoration, Open Space & Greenway Plan

       Ops 2/15/07

►PR07-23  Budget Adjustment: Department of Transportation Enhancement Funds for   the American Tobacco Trail   OPS 03/01/07  

►PR07-24  Fit Community Designation Council Direct 02/22/07
►PR07-25 BAR Donation of Entry Map, Landscaping & Shade Structure by Kids     Together Inc. OPS 03/01/07

►PR07-26 Consideration of Sister Cities Association operating a beer garden at Lazy   Daze OPS 03/01/07

      
D.   Administration – Mary Henderson, PRCR Director
►Aquatics Center Project Overview - Mary, in a PowerPoint presentation, reviewed the process the Town has taken to come to a decision on an aquatic facility.  Additionally, the Board’s role was outlined for future phases.  The PRCR Advisory Board will make a recommendation to Council for selection of the site and the facility master plan. 

 

Board members discussed the process for input on capital projects both current and future projects and want to be involved in the planning process so they can best represent Cary citizens


Mary noted that with PRCR projects; typically a steering committee is in place with neighborhood representatives and a PRCR Advisory Board member during the planning stages.  The final design is then brought before this Board for a recommendation to Council.

Councilman Nels Roseland commented that Council is interested in aquatics and, during this budget, also has to consider the Old Cary Elementary School Renovations and the Downtown Street Improvements.  Councilman Roseland thanked the Board for its thoughtful dialogue, time and work and would like to see this project move forward in a manageable direction.

E.  Recreation Programs – Dwayne Jones, Recreation Manager
►Teen Council – Snayha Nath
Snayha reported teen members volunteered 160 hours in February.  Teens continue to move ahead with their Adopt-A-Highway project and Snayha will email PRCR Advisory Board members with the next scheduled work days.

At the Annual Volunteer Recognition Banquet in February, the following teens were recognized:  Marina Russo, Teen Award (Middle School) and Leslie Ann Willis, Teen Award (High School).

►Senior Center Liaison – Kay Struffolino
Kay referred members to the handout outlining current activity at the Senior Center.

Dwayne referred board members to the Program Update and reminded them of the Art N Bark Dedication on March 31st.

F.    Cultural Arts Programs – Lyman Collins, Cultural Arts Manager
Lyman referred members to the Program Update.

►Festivals Committee – Marilyn Goldman
Marilyn reported the committee reviewed the new layout for Spring Daze.  Marilyn noted that 250 artisan applications had been received for Spring Daze and 528 artisan applications had been received for Lazy Daze.
The staff report requesting Council approval for a one-year, trial beer garden (sponsored by the Sister Cities Association) at Lazy Daze goes before Town Council on Thursday. 

G.   Athletic Programs – William Davis, Athletics Manager
William referred members to the Program Update and also announced the International Soccer Match on Tuesday, March 27th between El Salvador and Honduras.

VIII. OLD BUSINESS
►Web Communications Task Force – Dennis Hoadley
Denny and Robert Bush exchanged ideas on moving forward with this task group.  The group, Web Design and Ease of Use will be led by Laurie Ringaert.  Dwayne Jones and Tony D’Amico will check with the teens for interest in serving on this committee.

IX.   NEW BUSINESS

►Joint Board/Committee Meeting (May 7 @Page-Walker)
In preparation for the joint meeting, the committee chairs were asked to query their committees on what they wish to accomplish as a group.  Steve Smutko will meet with the chairs and report at the April meeting. 
Teen member Snayha Nath asked that the role of teen committee representatives be discussed at the joint session.
►Board Member Information Share
Tullie Johnson announced two exhibits at the Museum of Natural Sciences:  Hunters of the Sky; Reptile & Amphibian Day and the St. Patties Day Parade.
►Marilyn Goldman announced her artwork will be exhibited at the Herb Young Community Center March 19 through April 20th. 

X.    ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

 

 

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.