Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board

MEETING MINUTES

 

Monday, March 3, 2008, 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; Marilyn Goldman; Tom Hemrick; Dennis Hoadley; Tullie Johnson; Steve Smutko, Chair; Kay Struffolino; Jennifer Robinson, Council Liaison; Wesley Lo, Teen Council


Absent:  Robert Bush


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

 

Guests:  Mike Bajorek, Director Public Works; Scott Hecht, Solid Waste Division Manager, Public Works

I.    Call to Order/Roll Call – Steve Smutko, Chair
 
New Member Welcome – Tom Hemrick
  Member Re-appointments – Jeff Boucher; Susan Davenport; Tullie Johnson; Steve       Smutko, Chair    

 II.  Adoption of Agenda – Steve Smutko, Chair

III.  Adoption of Minutes of February 4, 2008 – Steve Smutko, Chair

IV. Public Speaks Out

V.  Special Presentation
Recycling – Mike Bajorek, Director of Public Works
Directed by council, staff looked at opportunities to enhance the solid waste management services provided to Cary citizens, Mr. Bajorek, reviewed options, for Council consideration.  In particular, Mr. Bajorek presented increased opportunities for waste diversion with the park system as outlined below:

Recycling at Town’s Special Use Facilities

The Town operates and maintains five special use facilities.  These facilities are Koka Booth Amphitheatre, WakeMed Soccer Park, Thomas Brooks / USA Baseball Complex, Cary Tennis Park and Sk8 Cary.  Below is a description of the current waste diversion activities at each facility and available options to increase these efforts.

Koka Booth Amphitheatre

Currently, plastic and glass bottles, aluminum cans, and cardboard are collected at a cost of $10,500 annually.

WakeMed Soccer Park

Plastic bottles and aluminum cans are collected at a limited number of events in plastic, non-securable containers.  Office paper is also provided to this staffed facility.  The program could be enhanced with the addition of a cardboard dumpster and 20 permanent recycling containers ($700/container) located throughout the facility collected on a weekly basis.

USA Baseball Facility

No waste diversion activities are currently being accomplished at this facility.  A cardboard dumpster and 15 permanent recycling containers could be located throughout the facility and collected on a weekly basis.

Cary Tennis Park

No waste diversion activities are currently being accomplished at this facility.  A cardboard dumpster and 15 permanent recycling containers could be located throughout the facility and collected on a weekly basis.

Sk8 Cary (One-time cost – $2,800)

Plastic bottles and aluminum cans are collected once per week from plastic, non-securable containers.  A cardboard collection and 4 permanent recycling containers could be located throughout the facility. 

Recycling at Park Facilities (excluding Special Facilities)

With the exception of Bond Park, very little recycling is achieved within the park system.  Staff developed three options to increase waste diversion activities within the park system.  Each container ($700/container) would accept plastic/glass bottles and aluminum cans.

 

Base Level

Placement of a recycling container every shelter/comfort station.

Core Level

The placement of a recycling container at every shelter/comfort station, field or field cluster, court entrance (gated or foot path), playground focal point, and every main greenway entrance.

Premium Level

The placement of a recycling container at every trash can within the park system.

 

Board member comments

Increase recycling at greenway entrances and athletic fields
Provide cardboard recycling at the senior center

Provide recycling containers at Black Creek Greenway Overlook

ACTION:  Tom Hemrick made a motion that the PRCR Advisory Board support Public Work’s concept of waste removal enhancement within the Town’s park system.  The motion was seconded by Jeff Boucher.
MOTION AMENDED:  Tom amended the motion to read the PRCR Advisory Board supports Public Work’s concept of waste removal enhancement within the Town’s parks system and requests that the expansion includes recycling containers in areas of high level disposal.  Jeff Boucher’s second of the amendment stands.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

Green Level Greenway Stream Restoration Project – Doug McRainey, Parks Planning Manager
Doug gave board members an update on this restoration project noting the Town is completing a study between
Green Level Church Rd and Green Level West Rd along an unnamed tributary to the White Oak Creek, a distance of 2 miles.  The objectives of the study are to develop a stream restoration plan, recommend areas for open space preservation, and develop plans for a greenway along the stream corridor.

A grant of $280,020 has been awarded from the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture to complete this project.

When completed, the plan will include a natural community’s inventory; wetland inventory; topographic and other surveys; greenway plan development and stream restoration plan.  This project is very similar to the previous White Oak Stream Restoration and Greenway Project

 

VI. Land Dedications – Doug McRainey, Parks Planning Manager

Del Salto Property (07-REZ-20)
Staff Recommendation - Approval of a payment-in-lieu of parkland dedication for the value of approximately .6 acres.

 

ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to accept staff’s recommendation of payment-in-lieu; the motion was seconded by Dennis Hoadley.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

 

Davis Drive PDD (07-REZ-30)

Staff Recommendation: - Approval of a payment in lieu of park land dedication for the value of approximately 2.03 acres.

 

ACTION:  Tom Hemrick made a motion a accept staff’s recommendation of payment-in-lieu; the motion was seconded by Kay Struffolino.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

 

Commons at Falcone Townhomes (08-SP-003)
Staff Recommendation:  Approval of a payment in lieu of park land dedication for the value of .2 acre.

 

ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to accept staff’s recommendation of payment-in-lieu; the motion was seconded by Tullie Johnson.  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
Dennis noted that Elizabeth Grimes-Droessler, Wake County Public Schools talked about funding for arts programs and the need for
Wake County Public Schools, United Arts Council and the Town of Cary to continue communication regarding activities, this collaboration would bring about more opportunities for the arts to grow.
In addition, Clearscapes presented the schematic design plan for the
Cary Community Arts Center.

Greenway Committee – Robert Bush, Chair
Doug McRainey reported in Robert’s absence noting the committee talked about continuing the Greenway User Survey and concerns regarding the bollards at access points.
Teen Advisory Committee – Dwayne Jones, Recreation Project Manager
Dwayne advised board members that adult participation has declined on this advisory committee.  The committee is currently made up of 11 teens and 4 adults.  Dwayne noted 2 adult vacancies exist and no applications were received during the recruitment process.  Steve Smutko urged Tony D’Amico to continue working this committee.
Goals Committee Reports
     
Safety Town – Jeff Boucher
Jeff noted that there is a need for a new Kiwanis contact and meetings continue regarding the partnership in building a
Safety Town in Cary.  Returning this year, Safety Town Coordinator Bonnie Drake will oversee the 2008 Safety Town program at the Herb Young Community Center.  As of February 25, 100 children were registered.
      Scholarship Fund – Sal Cammarata
Sal provided members with a handout of information regarding the Fund, its name; its mission; establishing and administering the fund and the appointment and responsibilities of the board of directors.  Council member Jennifer Robertson requested that a council member not serve on the board of directors as it will politicize the process.

B.  Public Meetings

C.  Staff Reports – Staff reports provided to Board members as an FYI
Alexan Panther Creek Apartments Public Art Project (PR08-18) – Ops 2/7

Funding Allocation for Greenways (PR08-20) – Ops 2/7

Consideration of accepting donation of painting/collage “Honeycomb” by artist       Susan Buret (PR08-21) – P&D 2/21

 

D.  Administration – Mary Henderson, PRCR Director
Mills School Park – Joint Developer Use

Mary advised Board member of current Joint Use negotiations with Wake County Public School System for joint use of outdoor facilities at Mills Elementary and the proposed Mills Middle School to be located on the Hawes Property in west Cary.  The town owns a 50-acre adjacent park with a greenway, at grade connection to Cary Park.  With a need for facilities in that area, and the cost savings to build together and have joint use, the town proposes to provide irrigation and lights to three fields; irrigate a smaller field; add a backstop and a small comfort station.
ACTION:  Dennis Hoadley made a motion that the Board endorse staff’s efforts to move forward with the Joint Use Agreement with Wake County Public Schools; the motion was seconded by Tom Hemrick.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

PARTF – Doug McRainey, Parks Planning Manager
Doug reported, in January 2007, staff submitted a $5,000 PARTF grant request for use in developing
Bartley Park.  Staff should receive a response in June or July.  PRCR Director Mary Henderson informed staff that this is a 2-part process involving prior PARTF grant monies intended for use in developing a downtown tract.  Now, that tract is part of the downtown streetscape and staff is now applying to the state to keep and redirect those funds to place an easement on the Ferrell property for Bartley Park.  The Town of Cary is the first municipality to use the process of redirecting approved funds slated for a specific site.  The state wants to use Cary as a model as it works through the public input process. 

Community Aquatics Update – Mary Henderson, PRCR Director
Mrs. Henderson advised Board members that the February 25th Work Session was cancelled.  She also noted that the YMCA has approached the Town with regard to opportunities for partnering in this project.  Staff will meet YMCA representatives to discuss intended goals of the Town and the YMCA.  The consultants involved in this project have been put on hold.

►Volunteer Recognition Banquet Follow-up
– Helen Stanfield, Recreation Projects Coordinator
Helen reported 325 volunteer guests attended the banquet on February 23rd; the largest turn-out to date.  There were many favorable comments about the guest speaker, the food, and the theme.  Helen did note that staff would review the bottleneck with the sign-in table and also, of note, look at ways to improve safety when the protective floor covering is in use.  Board members also congratulated Wesley Lo, recipient of the High School award.

E.  Recreation Programs – Dwayne Jones, Recreation Manager
Dwayne referred member to the Program Update and highlighted the following upcomiung events:  Kite Festival; Easter Egg Hunt; Teen Forum and the Cary Cup Tennis Tournament.
►Senior Center Update – Kay Struffolino
Kay provided members with an update of recent activities and noted that the new Senior Center Monthly Calendar of Events is an overwhelming success with the seniors.  Additionally Kay noted that Senior Games were underway and volunteers are still needed – handouts provided as well.
►Teen Council – Wesley Lo
Wesley report 198.5 volunteers hours for the month of February.  Also, in February, Cary Teen Council hosted the State Youth Conference; 8 councils with 89 teens in attendance.


F.  Cultural Arts Programs – Lyman Collins, Cultural Arts Manager
Lyman referred members to the Program Update and noted the Page-Walker Arts & History Center continues to run smoothly as staff works through the transition of filling the positions of facility supervisor and program specialist.

►Festivals Committee – Marilyn Goldman
Marilyn announced the Lazy Daze Grant reception was a big success and also noted artist Ella Williams artwork has been selected for the Spring Daze poster.
Cary’s festivals won 4 NCAFE awards:  Lazy Daze: 
2nd Place Best Poster; 1st Place Best T-Shirt; 1st Place Best Merchandise; also, 1st Place Spring Daze Brochure.
Chair Steve Smutko encouraged members to volunteer at Spring Daze.


G.  Athletic Programs – William Davis, Athletics Manager
William referred board members to the Program Update for current programs in athletics.
►Western Wake Tennis Association Presentation (January 2008) Update –       William Davis

William attended a Western Wake Tennis Association (WWTA) monthly meeting to address concerns brought before the PRCR Advisory Board at the January 2008 meeting.  Items discussed:

·        Potential use of Panther Creek High School tennis courts

·        Incorporating additional tennis courts in the upcoming update of the Master Plan

·        WWTA worked with Cary Tennis Park to accommodate league scheduling

·        Satellite tennis courts will be available as options

IIX.      NEW BUSINESS
►2008 GoalsSteve Smutko, Chair
Steve announced that the Board has endorsed the following goals and appointed board liaisons for 2008:

1) Go Green, liaisons, Steve Smutko, Tullie Johnson and Susan Davenport

2) Safety Town; liaisons, Jeff Boucher and Kay Struffolino

3) Scholarship Fund, liaison Sal Cammarata

PRCR Board Committee Chair Appointments – Steve Smutko, Chair
ACTION:  Steve Smutko made a motion to appoint committee chairs as follows:
Athletic Committee, Chair Jeff Boucher
Cultural Arts Committee, Chair Dennis Hoadley
Greenway Committee, Chair Robert Bush
Teen Advisory Committee, Interim Chair Tom Hemrick

The motion was seconded by Kay Struffolino.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

IX
. OLD BUSINESS

Black Creek Watershed Study Update – Susan Davenport
 - Susan noted that prizes were needed for the logo contest and asked members to contact her with names of potential prize contributors.

►Board Member Information Share
 - Hemlock Bluff Paver Dedication
– Tullie Johnson noted that the dedication was well attended and 257 pavers were dedicated.
 - Volunteers – Members were reminded volunteers were needed to help with the Cary Road Race on April 12 and the Spring Daze Arts and Craft Festival on April 26.

X.  ADJOURN – ACTION:  Tullie Johnson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at
7:55 p.m.; the motion was seconded by Tom Hemrick.  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