Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board

MEETING MINUTES

 

Monday, June 2, 2008 @ 5:15 p.m.
Cary Town Hall – Conference Room #11130

316 North Academy StreetCary, NC 27513

www.townofcary.org

 

 

Attendance:  Jeff Boucher; Sal Cammarata; Tony D’Amico; Susan Davenport; Tom Hemrick; Dennis Hoadley; Tullie Johnson; Steve Smutko, Chair; Kay Struffolino; Jennifer Robinson, Council Liaison;


Absent:  Robert Bush; Marilyn Goldman; Wesley Lo, Teen Council

Guest:  Elizabeth Conner; Butch Doreser


Staff:  Mary Henderson; Bruce Crocker; William Davis; Dwayne Jones; Lyman Collins; Doug McRainey; Gail Taylor; Denise Dickens; Gail Taylor; Kelly Salmon; Jonathan Mcrae

I.     Call to Order/Roll Call – Steve Smutko, Chair
Chair Steve Smutko called the meeting to order at 5:20 p.m.
►Introduction of athletic staff interns:  Kelly Salmon and Jonathan Mcrae

 II.   Adoption of Agenda – Steve Smutko, Chair
ACTION: 
Kay Struffolino made a motion to adopt today’s agenda; the motion was seconded by Jeff Boucher.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

 

III.   Adoption of Minutes
►May 5th PRCR Advisory Board
►May 5th PRCR Joint Board/Committee Meeting – Steve Smutko, Chair
Action:  Tom Hemrick made a motion to adopt the minutes of both the May 5th PRCR Advisory Board minutes along with the May 5th Joint Board/Committee meeting minutes.  The motion was seconded by Jeff Boucher.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

IV.   Public Speaks Out

V.    Special Presentation
    Streetscapes Presentation– Elizabeth Conner
Public Art Coordinator Denise Dickens introduced artist Elizabeth Conner.  In a PowerPoint presentation,
Elizabeth previewed the concepts for public art for the downtown streetscape project.

Mrs. Dickens also announced the upcoming June 3rd Downtown Streetscape Public Meeting.


VI.   Land Dedications – Doug McRainey, Parks Planning Manager

Siemens Medical Expansion 08-SP-016

This is site plan is to expand the applicant’s current office and parking facilities on the site located at 209 & 211 Gregson Drive. 

Staff Recommendation:  Approval for the developer to dedicate a TOC greenway easement where the 100’ Urban Transition Buffer and/or the floodplain overlaps the site’s northern property line.

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

►Hatley Rezoning 08-REZ-04

This rezoning is located at 805 Rochelle Road and 1139 Evans Road and is a request to rezone 10 acres from Residential 40 (R40) to Transitional Residential-Conditional Use (TR-CU).

Staff Recommendation: Approval of a payment-in-lieu of park land dedication for the value of approximately .86 acres.
ACTION:  Tom Hemrick made a motion to support staff’s recommendation; the motion was seconded by Kay Struffolino.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

VII. Reports
A.    Committee Reports

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

►Cultural Arts Committee – Dennis Hoadley, Chair
New staff member Kris Carmichael, Page-Walker Supervisor was introduced to members and shared her background and vision for the Page-Walker’s future.

Members reviewed funding applications; ways to work better with Community Schools.
Members reviewed the S.W.O.T. Analysis of the May 5 Joint PRCR Board/Committee meeting.
Staff is working with schools to develop cultural programs.

 

Mary Henderson, PRCR Director added that the consultants have completed the cupola study and presented four options with varying prices.  Staff is recommending that none of the options be included because of funding.  Mrs. Henderson noted that staff wants Council to know that because of the budget restraints, additional funds may be needed elsewhere and that staff continues to work with the architects for a “WOW” factor in the lobby.
 
ACTION:  Tom Hemrick made a motion to support staff’s recommendation; there was no second.  The motion did not go forward.

 

►Greenway Committee – Robert Bush, Chair
Doug McRainey reported in Robert’s absence and noted that the Greenway Committee reviewed the proposed easement for the Seiman’s site plan.  The Committee also briefly discussed the issue of web updates, a follow-up discussion regarding the committee’s participation in Spring Daze, and the status of the sign plan in which the construction drawings for the signs are complete and will soon go to bid.


►Teen Advisory Committee – Tom Hemrick, Interim Chair
Tom noted the committee did not meet in May; however, 110 members attended the annual picnic.  Leslie Ann Willis was the recipient of the $1000 Lazy Daze Scholarship.  Other recognitions included:  New Member of the Year/Middle School, Sonia Su; New Member of the Year/High School, Brooke Merrill; President’s Volunteer Service Awards, Savannah Alfonso, Sunny Su, Alyssa Egel, Tiffany Tutwiler, Christine Nacewicz, Marina Russo, Wesley Lo and, the Cary Teen Council was awarded the Most Diverse Council by the State Youth Council.

Goals Committee Reports
      
Safety Town – Jeff Boucher
Jeff noted that there was no new information to report.
       Scholarship Fund – Sal Cammarata

Sal proposed an endowment scholarship set by the Town and managed by a board of directors.  Sal asked that Mary Henderson take this proposal to the Finance Department for their review.  A formal proposal will be presented at the July meeting.

       Go Green - Steve Smutko, Tullie Johnson and Susan Davenport
Steve Smutko noted he is putting together a set of principles for sustainable buildings in the development of the parks system.  The goal is to reduce the operation and maintenance costs; to reduce the impact on encircled lands and to increase the comfort and safety of building occupants.  This fall, Steve plans to present these principles to staff to see if they are workable.  Steve also noted that the Town will have a new board, Environmental Advisory Board and it would be good to have a liaison from this board for a better tie-in to environmental matters.


B.    Public Meetings

C.    Staff Reports

Below is a list of staff reports currently going through committees provided as FYI to board members:
►PR08-27  Donation of Artwork Ecclesiastes                                    P&D
5/14/08

►PR08-28 Green Level Stream Restoration and Greenway          P&D 5/14/08

(Pulled: Council asked staff to contact all adjacent property owners that are impacted by the project before returning to Council.)

►PR08-29  Budget Adjustment:  USDA Stream Restoration & Greenway Planning Funds for Swift Creek                                                                                                P&D 5/14/08

D.  Administration – Mary Henderson, PRCR Director
Community Aquatics Update – Mary Henderson
Mary noted that staff is working with both the YMCA and Mike Curran of
Triangle Aquatic Center to review their proposals to consider opportunities to partner in providing aquatic use for our citizens.  Costs will need to be established and it is expected that a council work session on aquatics will be held in July.  Council member Jennifer Robinson asked that staff provide numbers for program participants, including camps. 
FY09 Budget Presentation – Mary Henderson, PRCR Director
In a PowerPoint presentation Mrs. Henderson outlined budget recommendations for the FY09 Capital Improvement Plan.

 

►Review/Evaluation of May 5th Joint Meeting – Mary Henderson, PRCR Director
Mrs. Henderson asked for input from board members on the S.W.O.T. Analysis exercise.  Chair Steve Smutko noted that all PRCR committees should read it and be mindful of the content for consideration in decision making.  Committee members were asked to share their comments at the July meeting.

                                                                                                                                                    

E.  Recreation Programs – Dwayne Jones, Recreation Manager
Dwayne referred members to the Program Update and invited members to Bond Park on June 7th for the Canine Disk Championship at 9:30 a.m. and noted camp registration numbers are listed on the Program Update.


Senior Center Update – Kay Struffolino
Kay provided member with a handout of recent activities at the Senior Center.


Teen Council – Wesley Lo
No Report

F.  Cultural Arts Programs – Lyman Collins, Cultural Arts Manager
Lyman noted that Rob Garner has been hired as the Page-Walker Program Specialist and will join the PRCR staff in two weeks.
Lyman referred members to the Program Update and highlighted the Summerfest Series beginning June 7th.  Lyman also reported that the May 31st Play with the Pros Concert was a great success.

 

Festivals Committee – Marilyn Goldman
Kay Struffolino reported for Mrs. Goldman.  The committee reviewed Spring Daze and plans are moving forward for the Lazy Daze Festival on August 23rd.

G.  Athletic Programs – William Davis, Athletics Manager
William referred members to the Program Update.  William also noted that UNC was host to Regional Division I Baseball as well as NC State; both Regional’s went very well; great attendance. Carolina won.  USA Baseball may be host to the Super Regional this coming weekend.

 

VIII. OLD BUSINESS

►Specialized Recreation Study – Dwayne Jones, Recreation Program Manager
Dwayne referenced last month’s PowerPoint presentation summarizing the consultant’s recommendations. In addition to posting the final report on the web; Dwayne emailed the report to all public meeting attendees.  In a staff report, staff will take the consultant’s recommendations to Town Council.

Board members suggested building relationships with other agencies to see what works; check to see where there were gaps; the ease of use of transportation; and the possibility of sharing facilities and instructors.

ACTION: Denny Hoadley made a motion to forward the Specialized Recreation Study to Council for their review and recommend approval; Tullie Johnson seconded the motion.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Steve Smutko asked that Butch Duroser review the study, and email concern/recommendations regarding autism to Dwayne Jones
Black Creek Watershed Study Update – Susan Davenport
Susan noted a June 9th meeting to train volunteers for a second stream monitoring activity to identify potential sources of pollution.
Citizen Board Member Forum/August 7-9 – Board members were reminded to contact Gail Taylor if there are interesting in attending the Forum.
►Facility Tour – Members were reminded of the PRCR Facility Tour on June 24th at 5:15 p.m. and to     meet in the Bond Park Community Center Parking lot.


IX.   NEW BUSINESS

Kids Together Park Renamed – Council voted to rename the Kids Together Park as the Marla Dorrel Park.  The playground will continue as the Kids Together Playground.

Board Member Information Share

Board Member Tom Hemrick asked that staff pull together information that gives a short background on the names of the Town’s parks and greenways.
►June 28 – Natural Science Museum Exhibit:  Dead Sea Scrolls

►PRCR Program Brochures/Rental Facility Trifolds were provided for members.
►Handouts/Summerfest Series/Amphitheatre Schedule were provided for members

X.    ADJOURN
ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion that the meeting adjourn at 7:50 p.m.  Tullie Johnson 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,