Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board
MEETING MINUTES

Monday, June 4, 2007 @ 5:15 p.m.
Cary Town Hall – Conference Room #11130
316 North 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; Nels Roseland, Council Liaison

Absent:  Tullie Johnson; Snayha Nath

Staff: 
Lyman Collins; Bruce Crocker; William Davis; Dwayne Jones; Doug McRainey; Helen Stanfield; Gail Taylor

 Guests:
Andy Sentgeorge; David Boracke; Tony Pobee-Mensah

I.          Call to Order/Roll Call – Steve Smutko, Chair
►Chair Steve Smutko called the meeting to order and called roll.

II.         Adoption of Agenda – Steve Smutko, Chair
ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to add Senior Center Updates under Recreation Programs and Dennis Hoadley asked that PRCR Web Communications Update be added as a permanent agenda item under Old Business.  The motion to amend the agenda was seconded by Dennis Hoadley.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

III.        Adoption of Minutes of May 7, 2007 – Steve Smutko, Chair
ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to adopt the minutes of May 7^th; the motion was seconded by Tony D’Amico.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

IV.        Public Speaks Out
►Stage Soccer - Tony Pobee-Mensah, a Cary citizen, presented a proposal and provided a handout for a soccer facility which he named a “Stage Soccer Court”.  Board member Sal Cammarata asked if the court could be modified for multi-purpose use. Doug McRainey indicated that the update of the master would occur in 2008, and that might be a time to consider new facilities.

V.         Special Presentation
►2008 Budget Recommendations – Dwayne Jones, Recreation Manager & Doug McRainey, Parks Planning Manager

In a PowerPoint presentation, Dwayne Jones gave an overview of the proposed FY08 Operations and Maintenance Budget.  Robert Bush asked if the facility maintenance costs were included in the PRCR Budget.  Dwayne responded that Public Works facility costs are included only in the budget for certain special facilities.

In a PowerPoint presentation, Doug gave an overview of the capital projects.  Dennis Hoadley asked about funding for the aquatics facility.  It was indicated that there is $15 million in funding for this project. 

FY08-09 Funding for Old Cary Elementary – Council member Nels Roseland recommended moving this project forward and allocating funding in FY08.  Councilman Roseland noted that this board needed to send a clear message to Council to earmark the money and direct staff to expedite this project as quickly as possible; making it a priority.  Members noted the following:  1) delay would increase cost due to inflation; 2) Old Cary Elementary is an important, far-reaching element and will kick off the downtown revitalization and 3) the need to make this project a priority, sending the message to private/public partnerships that the Town is committed to funding this project.

ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to keep the plans to renovate Old Cary Elementary momentum going; to move forward as quickly as possible and recommend that that the funding be allocated in the FY08 budget.  The motion was seconded by Marilyn Goldman.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

AMENDED MOTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to keep the momentum going with plans to renovate Old Cary Elementary, moving forward as quickly as possible, and to recommend to Council that $10-12 million (initial installment) be incorporated in the FY08 budget and, the balance to be allocated in the FY09 budget.  The motion was seconded by Robert Bush.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

ACTION:  Sal Cammarata made a motion that the Board support staff’s FY08 Operation & Maintenance Budget and the Capital Budget proposal as presented; keeping with the Board’s prior motion on Old Cary Elementary.  The motion was seconded by Susan Davenport.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

VI.        Land Dedications – Doug McRainey, Parks Planning Manager

►Wrenn Property (07-REZ-04)
Andy St George; David Boracke representing the developer outlined plans for the development.
Staff Recommendation:

• Approval for developer to make payment-in-lieu for 1.09 acres of park land dedication requirement.
• The applicant agrees to construct that segment of greenway that extends along the northernmost property boundary that will affect approximately two future lots.  The Town agrees to provide the applicant a credit against the required payment-in-lieu for the construction of this segment of greenway.  The applicant also agrees to provide a 20’ wide public greenway easement.(The remainder of the greenway will extend along the north side of the buffer down to Yates Store Road . [outside of the current applicant's property]).
• The applicant further agrees to construct a 10' wide asphalt multi-use trail along Yates Store (approximately 200') to extend to the intersection of New Hope Church Road .
• Approval for developer to conserve the 200’ buffer on the south side of Panther Creek that overlaps this property (this is consistent with the 400’ total buffer called for in the Northwest Area Plan).

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

 ►Parkside Town Commons (07-REZ-06)
Staff Recommendation

• Approval for developer to make payment-in-lieu for any park land dedication requirement.
• Approval for developer to construct 10’ wide multi-use trail along north side of O’Kelly Chapel Road .
• Approval for developer to conserve any portion of the 200’ buffer along the south side of Kit Creek (in accordance with Northwest Area Plan and Alston Center Concept Plan) which may overlap this parcel.

►ACTION:  Tony D’Amico made a motion to accept staff’s recommendation; the motion was seconded by Jeff Boucher.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

VII . Reports
A.         Committee Reports

►Athletic Committee – Jeff Boucher, Chair
There was no meeting in May.

►Cultural Arts Committee – Dennis Hoadley, Chair
There was no meeting in May.  The committee will meet tomorrow night ( 6/5/07 ) to discuss the Old Cary Elementary renovation project.

►Greenway Committee – Robert Bush, Chair
Robert reported the committee reviewed the two land dedications that were brought before the board this evening and walked the Batchelor Branch and Green Hope School Greenway to Sears Farm Road Park .

►Teen Advisory Committee – Tony D’Amico, Chair
Tony reported the committee did not meet in May; however, 150 teens attended the end-of-year picnic at Bond Park and the Lazy Daze Scholarship was awarded to a deserving senior.

►Goals Committee Reports
♦Safety Town – Jeff Boucher
Jeff reported that he and Kay Struffolino met and will now schedule a meeting with Dwayne Jones to gather more information and present their ideas on Safety Town .

♦Scholarship Fund – Sal Cammarata reported that he had met with the North Carolina Community Foundation and outlined his plan (handout) to implement the scholarship program.

B.         Public Meetings

C.         Staff Reports

D.         Administration
►Cary Elementary Project – Doug McRainey, Parks Planning Manager & Lyman Collins, Cultural Arts Program Manager
Doug and Lyman reported that renovation plans for Old Cary Elementary School were moving forward.  A series of meetings are scheduled in June and July with the design team, the Cultural Arts Committee and focus groups to gain input for the project. A combined public meeting for both the Cary Elementary and Streetscapes projects has been scheduled for July 17^th  location of the meeting will be at the Old Cary Elementary School .  

►Aquatics Project Update – Doug McRainey, Parks Planning Manager
Doug reported that a staff report for the selection of the design team goes before the Operations Committee on June 7^th.  Staff will look at two sites; North Cary and Hawes tract as prospective locations.  The first steps will include selecting a site; developing the master and programming plan and then taking it to Council for approval. 
Chair Steve Smutko volunteered to be the board liaison for the aquatic facility.

E.          Recreation Programs – Dwayne Jones, Recreation Manager
►Fit Community Designation – Dwayne Jones
Dwayne informed board members that the Town of Cary will be recognized as a Fit Community.  Staff will partner with the school system and local businesses to promote fitness.
Dwayne referred members to the Program Update.

►Senior Center Update – Kay Struffolino
Kay referred members to the handout for current activity at the Senior Center .  Kay did share a photo of several seniors’ enjoying a recent visit to Cary ’s Skate Park that included BMX and skateboard demonstrations.

►Teen Council – Snayha Nath
No report.

F.         Cultural Arts Programs – Lyman Collins, Cultural Arts Manager
Lyman referred members to the Program Update and reminded members of the Independence Day events at Bond Park and the North Carolina Symphony Concert and Fireworks at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre on July 4th.

►Festivals Committee – Marilyn Goldman

Marilyn reported a successful Spring Daze and gave highlights of the May meeting reporting on finances; survey results and discussions of Old Cary Elementary.

 G.         Athletic Programs – William Davis, Athletics Manager
William referred members to the Program Update and noted that the Carolina Railhawks will offer a discount to Town of Cary employees and board members for the June 15^th game.

VIII. OLD BUSINESS
►Web Update – Dennis Hoadley
Dennis reported that he contacted the Information Services Committee.  Representatives from this Committee agreed to attend the Greenway; Teen Advisory and Cultural Arts Committee meetings to talk about the goal of the web redesign and to get feedback from the PRCR committees.

IX.        NEW BUSINESS
►Citizen Board Member State Forum – Greensboro , NC , August 2-4
PRCR Board Chair Steve Smutko reminded board members of the upcoming forum.  No one expressed an interest in attending this year.

►July PRCR Advisory Board Meeting
PRCR Board Chair Steve Smutko advised members that the July meeting has been rescheduled to July 9^th and it will be a Joint Meeting of the PRCR Advisory Board and Greenway Committee.  The sign consultant, Lose & Associates, Inc. will present their proposed comprehensive and unified sign program for the Town of Cary parks, special-use facilities and greenways.

►Board Member Information Share
Kay Struffolino asked other members about the request from the Division of Parks and Recreation regarding the proposed rule changes for the PARTF Grant fund.  This item was tabled and will be added to the July PRCR Advisory Board Agenda.

X.         ADJOURN – Tony D’Amico made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by Robert Bush.  The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 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 .