Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board
MEETING MINUTES  

Monday, August 6, 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; Tony D’Amico; Tullie Johnson; Susan Davenport; Dennis Hoadley; Steve Smutko; Kay Struffolino; Wesley Lo, Teen Council Representative

Absent:  Sal Cammarata; Marilyn Goldman; Nels Roseland, Council liaison

Staff: 
Mary Henderson; Lyman Collins; Bruce Crocker; Dwayne Jones; Doug McRainey; Helen Stanfield; Gail Taylor; Sam Trogdon  

I.     Call to Order/Roll Call – Steve Smutko, Chair at 5:15
Chair Steve Smutko called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m.

II.   Adoption of Agenda – Steve Smutko, Chair
ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented; the motion was seconded by Tony D’Amico.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

III.   Adoption of Minutes of July 9, 2007 – Steve Smutko, Chair 
ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to adopt the minutes with Wesley Lo’s Order of Business corrections duly noted; the motion was seconded by Tullie Johnson.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

Members were provided with copies of the department’s fall program brochure, featuring the Fit Community logo and a new tab feature.  Program participants can now purchase a Fitness Flex Pass giving them more choices for the best use of their time. It was noted Teen and Senior programs have been pulled and are now listed in separate Senior & Teen program brochures.  Cary PRCR is now offering programs that coincide with Wake County ’s track-out program.

IV.   Public Speaks Out - None

V.    Special Presentation – None
►Fit Community – Sam Trogdon – Program Specialist, Cary Senior Center
Mary Henderson introduced Sam Trogdon. Sam led efforts in Cary being recognized as a Fit Community. In a PowerPoint presentation, on Fit Community, Sam noted that Cary has been designated as a 2007 Fit Community; a public acknowledgement of the Town of Cary’s livability and commitment to improving the quality of life for its residents

VI.   Land Dedications – Doug McRainey, Parks Planning Manager
►Batchelor Property Prentiss Creek – (07-REZ-09)
This rezoning is a request for Council approval of an Ordinance to amend the official zoning map of the Town of Cary to change the zoning of approximately 54.36 acres located south of Green Hope School Road and west of Highcroft PDD from Residential-40 (R-40) to Residential-12 Conditional Use (R-12 CU) and Transitional Residential Conditional Use (TR CU).  The project will have a maximum of 200 units with a required dedication of 5.71 acres. The Greenway Committee reviewed this project and recommended approval but also requested that when the greenway is constructed, a buffer be provided between the greenway and the proposed multi-family housing. Staff recommended the following:  

1)      Approval of a payment-in-lieu of parkland dedication for the value of 5.71 acres.

2)      Approval for the developer to provide a 30’ wide greenway easement along the eastern edge of site.  The location of the greenway easement will be located on the outer edge of the 100’ buffer. (The exact location of the alignment for the greenway will be determined at site/sub plan approval.)  The developer will receive credit against the required payment-in-lieu for providing this greenway easement.

3)      Applicant has agreed to provide 2 private trail connections from the new development to the adjacent public greenway. Locations of these private connections will be made at time of site plan approval.

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

VII . Reports
A.  Committee Reports

►Athletic Committee – Jeff Boucher, Chair
The committee did not meet.
►Cultural Arts Committee – Dennis Hoadley, Chair
Denny noted items discussed last month included Clearscapes Architect’s summary of the Old Cary Elementary Public Meeting; the committee’s role at Lazy Daze; web updates and a recommendation to solicit more feedback at events.
►Greenway Committee – Robert Bush, Chair
Robert noted the committee met and reviewed the Batchelor Property Prentiss Creek land dedication; updates on current capital improvement budget for greenways; the announcement of the new planning position.  The committee also had discussions of the need to have directions to the Town’s greenway on the web.  The committee continued discussion on the proposed sign plan.
            ◊Committee Appointments
Robert Bush recommended that Kerry Mead and Steve Rembrandt be approved to fill the vacancies on the Greenway Committee.
ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to approve Robert’s recommendation; the motion was seconded by Tony D’Amico.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
►Teen Advisory Committee – Tony D’Amico, Chair
Tony reported the committee met on July 17th with the new committee members in attendance.
Deanna Boone gave a web update and requested input from the teen members.  There was a good discussion about the teen forum’s possible topics and discussion about the possibility of  hosting a booth at Lazy Daze to talk about the Committee’s role in the community.

►Goals Committee Reports
     ◊ Safety Town – Jeff Boucher
Jeff noted that a meeting has been scheduled next week with Dwayne Jones, Mary Henderson and Kay Struffolino.
    ◊Scholarship Fund – Sal Cammarata
No report.

B. Public Meetings
►Old Cary Elementary Renovations & Streetscape – July 17th
Lyman noted approximately 100 people attended the meeting where the project architect presented proposed programming spaces for Old Cary Elementary.  Another public meeting will be scheduled later in the fall.  Mary Henderson noted that the final program plan will come before this Board for review.

C.  Staff Reports

►Black Creek Greenway Public Art Project (PR08-02)
Lyman referred to staff report.

D.  Administration – Mary Henderson, PRCR Director
►Accreditation Update – Helen Stanfield, Recreations Project Coordinator
Helen noted that the department has a new NRPA contact and that NRPA is in the process of forming the visitation team.  We should learn of the team members in late August/early September and staff will work with the team to coordinate their visit to Cary in November.

E.  Recreation Programs – Dwayne Jones, Recreation Manager
►Senior Center Update – Kay Struffolino
Kay provided members with a handout highlighting recent activity at the Cary Senior Center .  Kay did note that FY07 reports showed a notable increase in participants and revenues over FY06 and, Kay gave credit to Sam Trogdon for doing a phenomenal job in programming.  Kay commented that the new Senior Program Brochure attracts the most attention at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre Information Booth.

►Teen Council – Wesley Lo
Wesley reported that the Fall Teen Scene Brochure is now available and registration began July 30th.  A total of 936 volunteer hours were logged by Teen Council members for the month of July and 45 new members have joined the Teen Council since May.  The Teen Council voted to purchase a paver to be installed in the walkway at Hemlock Bluffs.

F.  Cultural Arts Programs – Lyman Collins, Cultural Arts Manager
Lyman referred members to the Program Update and noted on Friday, August 10th, Applause, Cary’s Youth Theatre would perform The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

►Festivals Committee – Marilyn Goldman Out

Kay Struffolino reported for Marilyn and noted that volunteers are needed at Lazy Daze on August 25th. Kay also drew attention to a ‘volunteer sign-up sheet’ that was being circulated during the meeting.

 G. Athletic Programs – William Davis, Athletics Manager
No report.

VIII. OLD BUSINESS

►Action Item:  Sign Plan Proposal - Doug McRainey, Parks Planning Manager
Doug reviewed the PRCR Comprehensive Sign Plan – July 7, 2007 Joint Meeting Review Comments that members received in their board packets.
Board members wanted reassurance that the plan would include:

            Greenway Mile Markers – prominent numbers in a prominent color;
            Signage at greenway connectors – priority upon implementation;
            Sign material - signs constructed of a durable material;

            Hemlock Bluffs logo – make certain it is included on Hemlock Bluffs signage

ACTION:  Robert Bush made a motion that the proposed PRCR Comprehensive Sign Plan be approved in its entirety with the exception that this Board review all signs that do not confirm to the Town of Cary ’s Sign Ordinance.  The motion was seconded by Jeff Boucher.  The motion carried by a vote of seven to one.  Board member Dennis Hoadley voted against the plan.  Dennis was not in favor of the Town’s use of signs that do not conform to the Town ordinance.
Mary Henderson noted that staff will make certain that both this Board and Council are fully aware of the recommended non-conforming signs so that decisions can be made with full information.
►Web Task Force Update – Dennis Hoadley
Deanna Boone, Public Information Specialist attended the Greenway Committee and the Cultural Arts Committee.  Dennis noted that both committees provided recommendations for consideration in updating the web.  At this point, it is not certain which recommendations will be incorporated in the updates.  Mary Henderson noted she understands the staff will have the ability to directly update their respective information on the web which is a positive step forward.
►Black Creek Watershed Study Update – Susan Davenport
Susan noted the Black Creek Watershed Committee will be submitting a letter to the Town of Cary requesting they have an opportunity to give input in the planning of the aquatics facility as it will impact the watershed.  The next meeting of the Black Creek Watershed Committee is August 27th.

IX.  NEW BUSINESS
►Volunteer Picnic Feedback – Helen Stanfield, Recreation Projects Coordinator
Helen announced that the 29th Annual Volunteer Appreciation Picnic is scheduled for Sunday, September 30th.  She requested feedback from board members to comment on what we were doing right and what we could improve upon.  Board members offered no recommendations for change.  The menu, in addition to the barbecue will offer a vegetarian entrée; and the festivities will include a clown, bingo, prizes and a jazz band.  Mary Henderson asked that members talk with other volunteers to get feedback.
►Citizen Board Meeting Report – Tullie Johnson & Kay Struffolino
Tullie Johnson and Kay Struffolino, along with staff member Dwayne Jones, attended the Annual Citizen Board Forum in Greensboro on August 3rd.  They reported that the sessions mirrored what the Town of Cary already has in progress, i.e., master planning; partnerships and becoming a Fit Community.  This is a positive reinforcement that Cary is headed in the right direction.  The Forum provides a good opportunity to meet citizen board members of other North Carolina municipalities and learn of their current initiatives.  It was noted that attendance was down from past years.  Mary Henderson noted she would talk with Mike Waters of NCRPA to review comments gathered from Forum evaluations.
Tullie noted that the session on Parliamentary Procedure recommended a 2-minute limit for input at citizen board meetings
►Board Member Information Share
Tullie Johnson distributed flyers promoting Take a Child Outside Week; September 24-30th at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.   This week-long program is designed to get children acquainted with the natural world.

X.  ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 7:10 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 .