Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board

MEETING MINUTES

 

Monday, December 3, 2007 @ 5:15 p.m.
Cary Town Hall – Conference Room #11130

316 North Academy StreetCary, NC 27513

www.townofcary.org

 

Attendance:  Jeff Boucher; Tony D’Amico; Susan Davenport; Marilyn Goldman; Dennis Hoadley; Tullie Johnson; Steve Smutko; Kay Struffolino; Wesley Lo, Teen Council Representative


Absent:  Robert Bush; Sal Cammarata; Nels Roseland, Council liaison


Staff:  Mary Henderson; Lyman Collins; Dwayne Jones; Doug McRainey; Helen Stanfield; Gail Taylor

Guests:  Mike Curran; Joslyn Reeves

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

II.         Adoption of December Agenda – Steve Smutko, Chair

ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to adopt the December agenda; the motion was seconded by Tullie Johnson.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

III.   Adoption of Minutes of November 5, 2007 – Steve Smutko, Chair
ACTION:
  Tullie Johnson made a motion to adopt the November 5th minutes; the motion was seconded by Tony D’Amico.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Carried

IV.
   Public Speaks Out
Mike Curran, founder of the Triangle Aquatics Center, updated members on TAC’s one month progress.  Currently training at TAC:  3 out of 4 USA swim teams; 4 out of 16 public swim teams; and 3 private teams and 3 swim meets a week.  Also underway, Home School Programs; Learn to Swim Programs and Aerobics Programs.

TAC looks forward to working with the Town as it moves forward with its proposed community aquatic center.

 

V.    Special Presentation – None


VI.   Land Dedications – Doug McRainey, Parks Planning Manager

►Samuel’s Keep Townhomes (06-SP-043)

A site plan was submitted for the development of townhomes on 9.6 acres in the northwest corner of West Chatham Street and High House Road.  The property is zoned as Town Center and Town Center Conditional Use. Site plans includes 79 units with a required dedication of 2.26 acres.  PRCR Master Plan Recommendation includes a 10’ wide multi-use trail is proposed along the north side of High House Road.  A recreation payment-in-lieu will be required for the residential development in accordance with the Town’s Land Development Ordinance.

 

Staff Recommendation

Approval of a payment in lieu of parkland dedication for the value of 2.26 acres and

approval for the Developer to replace the existing sidewalk along their High House Road frontage (approximately 340 linear feet) with a 10’ wide concrete multi-use trail, with credit for trail construction and easement to be applied towards the payment-in-lieu.

 

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

VII. Reports
A.    Committee Reports

►Athletic Committee – Jeff Boucher, Chair
Jeff reported the committee did not meet.

►Cultural Arts Committee – Dennis Hoadley, Chair
Dennis reported that Public Art Coordinator Denise Dickens gave a PowerPoint presentation of the Town’s public art projects.


►Greenway Committee – Robert Bush, Chair

The Greenway Committee did not meet in November.

►Teen Advisory Committee – Tony D’Amico, Chair
Tony reported the Committee met and continues to plan for the March 2008 Teen Forum.  The focus in November was media assignments and working towards an article in the News &Observer Newspaper.
Goals Committee Reports
     
Safety Town – Jeff Boucher
Dwayne Jones reported that the Kiwanis Club is interested in partnering with the Town to fund
Safety Town.  Staff is researching possible Safety Town sites and costs.  PRCR Director Mary Henderson noted she visited a Safety Town in Naperville, Illinois and further noted that the Cary Chamber’s intercity visit for 2008 is Naperville.  Mary suggested contacting Chamber President Howard Johnson and suggest a visit Naperville’s  Safety Town.

      Scholarship Fund – Sal Cammarata
No report.


B.    Public Meetings
►Open House –
November 15, 2007 Downtown Streetscape – Lyman Collins

Lyman reported the project continues to move forward with positive feedback from Cary citizens and, further noted that 60 % of the final design is complete.

C.    Staff Reports –

►PR07-08 Comprehensive Sign Plan
PRCR Director, Mary Henderson advised Board members that the Comprehensive Sign Plan is on the Agenda for the December 6th Operations Committee meeting and will go before Council on
December 13, 2007.

D.    Administration – Mary Henderson, PRCR Director
►Community Aquatics Update – Mary Henderson
Mary gave a PowerPoint presentation that encapsulated the information brought before this board at the November meeting.  The primary purpose at this meeting today was to get the PRCR Advisory Board’s recommendation on site selection.  There will be a work session (tentatively scheduled for January 8th) for the new Town Council to vote on a site selection.  This Board’s recommendation will be a part of the recommendation.

ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion that the PRCR Advisory Board recommend the Hawes site; the motion was seconded by Tullie Johnson.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

 

Discussion items:

►Population:  The Board discussed population density within the Town as related to the two sites.  One of the Board members urged the Town to consider locating the aquatic facility so it could best serve Cary’s lower income population.  Mary Henderson responded that the facility should ideally serve all the citizen’s of Cary.

►Costs: The Board asked about resident fees vs non-resident fees.  Staff noted the consultant will prepare a business plan that will include the fee structure.
►North Cary Site – Board members questioned the future use of the
North Cary site, if the aquatics center is not located on that site. Mary Henderson responded that the site was originally targeted for a smaller community center.  She indicated its future use undecided if the site was not chosen for the Aquatic Center.

►Additional Sites – The Board encouraged staff to continue to look at additional facilities due to the growth of the Town.  One aquatic facility will not adequately serve the citizens of Cary.

►Environmental Concerns – Whatever site is chosen, the Board stressed the need to be environmentally friendly.  They recommended low impact development regardless of site selection and urged the Town to take a leadership role in this.

ACTION:  Steve Smutko made a motion that this Board recommend that Council consider low impact development principles and practices in site design as the Town moves forward with this project.  Kay Struffolino seconded the motion.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.


►Budget FY08 – Capital Improvements Budget (see Capital Budget Discussion memo attached) – Mary Henderson

►In a PowerPoint presentation Mary outlined the FY09 Budget process and reviewed potential projects. Board members requested information and/or action on the following

  • Greenways –The Board discussed the Greenway Committee’s current effort to count trail users and decided  number of users on the Town’s greenways;
  • Sertoma Amphitheatre – Board member requested constructing a shade structure due to the excessive heat during summer performances.  It was recommended that staff also inspect the existing seating for repairs;
  • Bond Park Boathouse Docks – A Board member requested staff to check for protruding nails at the dock area;
  • Annie Jones Greenway (by the Coatbridge Trail) – A Board member asked staff to review this trail.  Several locations where there are washouts;
  • Black Creek Greenway @Cary Parkway – Board member requested that an existing “Greenway Closed” sign be removed from the Dynasty entrance.  There was also a question regarding the Wake County trail segment and the existing damaged foot bridge that will be replaced in the near future.
  • Jordan Hall Improvements – Board recommended including this in budget request, once the future use of this facility is determined.

At the January meeting, the Board will review and reaffirm priorities and discuss the operations and maintenance budget.  Steve Smutko requested copies of the PowerPoint presentation.  The Board will need a list of priorities to consider.

 

►Accreditation Visit Update – Helen Stanfield, Recreation Projects Coordinator
Helen thanked board members for attending the reception; meeting and talking with the visitation team.  She noted the team was very complimentary of the apparent coordination we have with our boards/committees.  Staff met the goal of meeting 100% of the 155 standards and received positive feedback from the team.  Next, the team will send us a report with their comments and, in March 2008, Mary Henderson and Helen will travel to
Washington, DC to meet with CPARA Commissioners for the Re-accreditation determination.

E.    Recreation Programs – Dwayne Jones, Recreation Manager
►Specialized Recreation Study Update – Dwayne Jones
Dwayne gave a progress update on the study.  The Town hired consultants Management Learning Laboratories to conduct a Special Recreation Study which kicks off next week.  The consultant will hold 5 Focus Group meetings for users and 3 Sessions for service providers.  The information from the Focus Group meetings will be used to develop a questionnaire that will go to 3500
Cary households with a family member with some sort of disability.  Preliminary findings will be presented at the January PRCR Advisory Board meeting.  In February, the consultant will mail and conduct web base surveys; in May, compile survey results and in April, complete the final report.
►Senior Center Update – Kay Struffolino
Kay provided a handout and highlighted that 270 veterans attended the Veterans’ Day Luncheon, the largest attendance on record.  Kay noted the Accreditation Visitation Team had much praise for the
Senior Center and the fact that it was located next to an adult day care facility making working together and sharing possible.
►Teen Council – Wesley Lo
Wesley submitted an electronic report noting 464 volunteer hours for November; At the last Teen Council meeting, Dwayne Jones, Recreation Program Manager gave a presentation on the aquatic center and the teens gave input on programming.  The teens are preparing for the Community Learning State Youth Conference in February.

 

F.    Cultural Arts Programs – Lyman Collins, Cultural Arts Manager
Members were referred to the Program Update.
►Festivals Committee – Marilyn Goldman

Marilyn noted 33 grant applications have been received.  A total of $30,000 will be divided among the grant recipients for 2007.

 

G.    Athletic Programs – William Davis, Athletics Manager
Members were referred to the Program Update.

 

VIII. OLD BUSINESS

Black Creek Watershed Study Update – Susan Davenport

At the November meeting, Susan shared the board’s comments on aquatics; they are creating an ornament for the Community Tree; the $1000 grant will be used for education and plans are underway to create a logo.  The committee will not meet in December; but will meet in January. 

IX.   NEW BUSINESS
2007 PRCR Annual Report – Steve Smutko
Steve will meet with committee chairs following this meeting and will prepare the annual report.  Steve asked that board members consider goals for next year.


2008 Board/Committee Recruitment – Gail Taylor
Gail gave advised the board that the Town is now accepting applications from
Cary citizens to serve on the committees of Athletics; Cultural Arts, Greenways and Teen Advisory.  The deadline for applications is January 31, 2008.
Board Member Information Share
Kay Struffolino reminded Board members of
Tinsel Town now in progress at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre.  Handouts were also available for Board members.

X.    ADJOURN
ACTION: 
Kay Struffolino made a motion to adjourn at
7:40 p.m.  Dennis Hoadley seconded the motion.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

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.

 


Memo to:       PRCR Advisory Board

From:             Mary G. Henderson, Director

Subject:  Capital Budget Discussion

Date:              November 26, 2007

 

Below I have provided the “big picture” capital budget priorities established by the Board during last year’s budget discussions.    This should help you prepare and focus for the capital budget discussion included as an agenda item.

 

FY08 Capital Budget Priorities

          Acquisition as top priority

           Continue to renovate and upgrade existing facilities

           Develop Parks based on Geographic area  rather than park type

           Emphasize Cultural Arts Facility Development

           Develop Safe Greenway crossings.

           ATT as a greenway priority

          Access & Linkage

          Improvement

 

Park Development Priorities

West

          Hawes

          Amberly/Weldon Ridge  

          Cameron Pond 

          Future Green Level to Durham Park Site 

          Shaffer

          Raftery

Central

          Northeast Park Site

          Twin Lakes

          Historic Carpenter Future Site  

South

          Bartley

          Tryon Road

          Arthur Pierce area future site 

 

Park & Open Space Acquisition priority

          Northeast Cary

          South Cary

          West Cary

(opportunity)

 

Cultural Arts Priorities

          Cary Elementary

          Performing Arts Center

          Jordan Hall/Page Walker Upgrade

          Arts Focused Community Center

          Flat Floor Space

          Sertoma Amphitheatre

 

 

 

Greenway Priorities

  • Trails located within a significant open space system
  • Trails that link with the "hub" system of Bond Park
  • Trails that create a "system" by linking series of parks, schools, neighborhoods and other greenways
  • Trails that are in close proximity to existing neighborhoods
  • Trails that are geographically distributed
  • Trails that are proposed in close proximity to downtown Cary.
  • Trails that can be constructed prior to development
  • Develop trails extending 1/2 mile from existing and new parks in order to provide links to the surrounding neighborhoods and to prepare tie-ins to the overall greenway system that will serve as an incentive to completion.