Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board

MEETING MINUTES

Monday, January 7, 2008 @ 5:15 p.m.
Cary Town Hall – Conference Room #11130

316 North Academy Street – Cary, NC 27513

www.townofcary.org

ATTENDANCE:
Attendance: Robert Bush; Susan Davenport; Marilyn Goldman; Dennis Hoadley; Tullie Johnson; Steve Smutko; Kay Struffolino; Jennifer Robinson, Council Liaison; Wesley Lo, Teen Council Representative

Absent: Jeff Boucher; Sal Cammarata; Tony D’Amico;

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

Guests: Robert Edwards; Bill Kamszik; Kasey Sellati

I. Call to Order/Roll Call – Steve Smutko,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 January agenda. The motion was seconded by Tullie Johnson. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

III. Adoption of Minutes of December 3, 2007 – Steve Smutko, Chair
Action: Kay Struffolino made a motion to adopt the December 3, 2007 minutes with the amendment that Dennis Hoadley noted he had requested that improvements to Jordan Hall for its future use remain a priority on the list of proposed FY09 projects. The motion was seconded by Tullie Johnson. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

IV. Public Speaks Out
Robert M. Edwards, Vice President of Community Relations, Western Wake Tennis Association, gave a PowerPoint presentation to the Board and emphasized the need for additional tennis courts in Cary. Mr. Edwards provided copies of the PowerPoint to the Board and to staff.

V. Special Presentation
►Budget FY09 – Operations & Maintenance and Capital Improvement Priorities Follow-up Mary Henderson, Director
Mary reviewed the FY09 Operations & Maintenance and Capital Improvement Priorities. Proposed goals/projects include:

• Survey citizens regarding programming expectations and satisfaction levels beyond that included in the Biennial Survey

• Develop a Parks and Greenways Data Management System

• Develop an improved Payment-in-Lieu Data Management System

• Research and Expand Track-Out Programs

• Complete Specialized Recreation Study and Make Recommendation

• Initiate planning toward the NRPA Gold Medal Award

• Develop operations and staffing plan for Cary Elementary

• Develop operations and staffing plan for Community Aquatic Facility

• Develop plans for best use of Jordan Hall

• Develop Business Plans for Venues

• Complete update to Comprehensive Plan

• Finalize process for inter-department planning for sidewalk project selection and transportation projects impacting parks and greenway projects/facilities

• Implement sponsorship plan recommendations

Mary then presented the proposed Capital Budget priorities to the Advisory Board. These guidelines include:

• Selectively acquire property based on plan priorities

• Emphasize Venue Upgrades to provide improved service and enhanced revenue generation

• Renovate and upgrade park & greenway facilities as a high priority to maintain safety, quality, and diversity of experiences

• Implement design and construction of the Community Aquatic Center

• Develop parks based on geographic need for facilities

• Emphasize downtown arts facilities & park development

• Develop safe greenway crossings

• Connect Primary Greenway System

• Protect prioritized historic resources

Board members discussed the following specific issues:

· Emphasis on downtown sculpture park;

· Emphasis on restoring stream and greenway near Annie Jones Park;

· Identification of a trailhead site in West Cary for the newly opened segment of the White Oak Creek Greenway;

· Emphasis on greenway connections, particularly as part of new park planning and renovation projects.

· Ms. Robinson also noted that a group of individuals have begun fundraising for New Center for the Arts. She emphasized the need for the Board to reaffirm the need for this facility to Council.

ACTION: Kay Struffolino made a motion that the Board adopt the Capital Priority Guidelines as presented; Dennis Hoadly seconded the motion.

Discussion: It was noted that this list provides broad guidelines for moving forward and also supports reaffirming the Master Plan. Council liaison Jennifer Robinson noted it was important to have these guidelines in place and will give strong direction to Council members.
Board member Robert Bush noted that the aquatics facility was not included in the Capital Project listing. Mary Henderson responded that that project already had Council endorsement. Council liaison Jennifer Robinson recommended that the aquatics facility be included in this Board’s support of the FY09 Capital Projects.

MOTION AMENDMENT: Kay Struffolino amended her motion to endorse moving forward with the development of the community aquatics center. The motion carried with one dissenting vote, Marilyn Goldman.

After the motion carried, Robert Bush noted that in addition to the Trail User Survey which the Greenway Committee is currently conducting, the Town should consider implementing a Park User Survey. In addition, he also emphasized the need to budget for sufficient staff to implement all of the new capital projects.

VI. Land Dedications – Doug McRainey, Parks Planning Manager
► Evans Farm Townhomes #06-REZ-10

This is a 219 unit townhome development in northwest Cary. The project is 17.39 acres in size. The project is located at the southeast corner of Green Level to Durham Road and O’Kelley Chapel Road

· # of Units - 219

· Required Dedication – 6.26 acres

· PRCR Master Plan Recommendations

o There are no master plan related recommendations affecting this site.

· Staff Recommendation –

o Approval of a payment-in-lieu of parkland dedication for the value of 6.26 acres.

ACTION: Kay Struffolino made a motion to accept staff’s recommendation; the motion as seconded by Marilyn Goldman. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

VII. Reports
A. Committee Reports

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

►Cultural Arts Committee – Dennis Hoadley, Chair
Dennis reported that SMG General Manager Becky Schmidt gave an overview of the 2007 season at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre noting 63 events and that attendance, rentals and movie night attendance had increased over the previous season.

Also in December the Committee reviewed 2007 goals, discussed ideas for 2008 goals and reviewed 2008 the Cultural Art’s budget priorities. The Committee continues work on the development of citizen feedback and facility priorities.

►Greenway Committee – Robert Bush, Chair

The Committee met in December and focused on implementing the sign plan and identifying priority corridors. The Committee reviewed FY08 greenway priority projects and completed an initial review of proposed FY09 greenway projects. The Committee also discussed a current concern of the sidewalk along the west side of NC55 and the adjacent neighborhood’s concern that the sidewalk does not meet Town standards.
Robert Bush noted that greenway priorities will be discussed next month and he plans to prepare a bi-annual priority listing. Steve Smutko requested that the greenway priorities come to this board in writing.
Council member Jennifer Robinson also noted the need to implement road/greenway projects jointly and the need to incorporate safe greenway crossing with road projects. PRCR staff should meet routinely with engineering staff to determine the need and the cost of at-grade crossings and include that cost in the engineering budget.

►Teen Advisory Committee – Tony D’Amico, Chair absent
Dwayne Jones reported that the Committee’s plans for the March 15, 2008 Teen Forum are coming together. Cary’s Downtown Streetscape Artist Elizabeth Conner gave a presentation on the proposed concepts for downtown Cary.

►Goals Committee Reports
Safety Town – Jeff Boucher

Kay Struffolino noted that the Kiwanis Club has been contacted regarding a partnership with the Town on this project.
Scholarship Fund – Sal Cammarata
No Report

B. Public Meetings

C. Staff Reports –
►PR08-07 & 07a – Comprehensive Sign Plan (Amended) (Ops 1/3/08)
►PR08-15 – NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund Grant Applications (OPS 1/3/08)
►PR08-16 – North Carolina Recreational Trails Program Grant Application (OPS 1/3/08)
►PR08-19 – Fit Community Designation (OPS 1/3/08)

D. Administration – Mary Henderson, PRCR Director
►Community Aquatics Update (Work Session January 8, 2008)
Ms. Henderson advised Board members that she will take the Board’s recommendation of the Hawes site and recommended programming for the community aquatics facility to the January 8^th Council Aquatic Work Session.
►Sponsorship Policy
Ms. Henderson advised Board members that she will present the proposed Sponsorship Policy at the February Board meeting.
►Land Dedication Review
Ms. Henderson advised Board members of a significant change to the land dedication ordinance that staff is currently working on. Previously exempt, legislation now provides for impact fees for multi-family development. The Clarion firm of Chapel Hill has been hired to rewrite the ordinance and determine how we allocate funds to meet the recreation needs of those residents. Staff expects to have the consultant’s recommendation in four or five weeks.
►Volunteer Recognition Banquet – Helen Stanfield, Recreation Projects Coordinator
Helen reminded Board members of the February 26^th Annual Volunteer Recognition Banquet @ 7 pm at the Herbert C. Young Community Center. Helen also reminded Board members of the January 18^th deadline for volunteer award nominations. Following the deadline, the Selection Panel will meet to select this year’s volunteer award recipients. Dr. Beth Wilson, retired NC State professor will be the guest speaker. Dr. Wilson was instrumental in organizing the NC Senior Games in 1983.

E. Recreation Programs – Dwayne Jones, Recreation Manager
►Specialize Recreation Study Update
Dwayne reported that Management Learning Laboratories conducted Focus Group meetings in December 2007. Meetings consisted of 5-User Groups (program participants) and 2 separate sessions for Service Providers (includes PRCR, local and private). The purpose, information gathering from the community to develop two surveys; one to potential users and one to service providers. Draft surveys were provided to board members and feedback was requested by Wednesday, January 9^th. Once data is compiled, the consultant will make a presentation to this Board.
►Senior Center Update – Kay Struffolino
Kay provided members with a handout listing recent activities and noted that former staff employee Ana Sumner will exhibit her fiber art at the Cary Senior Center Art Show opening January 22^nd.
►Teen Council – Wesley Lo
Wesley reported 200 volunteer hours for November. Santa’s Workshop netted $129 which the teens contributed to the Food Bank.
Cary will host the State Youth Council in February and the focus will be community service learning. The State Youth Council consists of 24 chartered councils from across the state.

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

►Festivals Committee – Marilyn Goldman
Marilyn reported the Grants Reception will take place January 24^th at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center. Marilyn also noted that her artwork will be on exhibit (under the name of Marilyn Bass) at the Page Walker beginning January 25^th.

G. Athletic Programs – William Davis, Athletics Manager
William referred board members to the Program Update and announced that SAS Soccer Park’s name has changed to Wake Med Soccer Park.

VIII. OLD BUSINESS

►Black Creek Watershed Study Update – Susan Davenport
Susan noted they did not meet in December. The January meeting is scheduled for January 28, 2008.

IX. NEW BUSINESS
►2007 PRCR Annual Report/2008 Goals – Steve Smutko
2007 PRCR Annual Report - Steve Smutko asked members to review the 2007 Annual Report and if they had any changes to notify Gail Taylor.

2008 Goals - Board members discussed goals for 2008 and agreed to support the following:

1. A major cultural arts event celebrating the opening of the new Community Arts Center (old Cary Elementary) -- Start the planning in 2008.

2. An adopt-a-park program -- each board member adopts one or two parks to monitor

3. Organize service projects for volunteers

ACTION: Robert Bush made a motion to adopt the 2008 goals; Kay Struffolino seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

This Board will continue to seek community partners in establishing a Safety Town in Cary and continue with the Trail User Survey.

Board requests have been made regarding the Town’s recycling program at parks and special events. Mary Henderson noted that she would request a Public Works representative to speak to this Board regarding the program.

►Board Member Information Share – none

X. Adjourn – Kay Struffolino made a motion to adjourn at 8:15 p.m. Robert Bush seconded by 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.