Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board


Meeting MINUTES


Monday, May 5, 2008 @5:15 p.m.

Page-Walker Arts and History Center

119 Ambassador Loop, Cary, NC  27513

www.townofcary.org

 

Attendance:  Steve Smutko, Chair; Jeff Boucher; Robert Bush; Sal Cammarata; Tom Hemrick; Susan Davenport; Dennis Hoadley; Tullie Johnson; Kay Struffolino; Jennifer Robinson, Council Liaison; Wesley Lo, Teen Council


Absent:  Marilyn Goldman


Staff:  Mary Henderson; Lyman Collins; Bruce Crocker; William Davis; Dwayne Jones; Doug McRainey; Cindi King; Kris Carmichael; Vicki Hayes

 

Guests:  Representatives of Boy Scout Troop #244

 

I.          Call to Order – Steve Smutko, Chair

The meeting was called to order at 5:15 p.m.

           

►Introduction of new staff

Kristina Carmichael, Supervisor, Page-Walker Arts and History Center – Lyman Collins, Cultural Arts Manager

 

►Introduction of guests

Representatives from Boy Scout Troop 244 attended for a service project.

 

II.         Adoption of Agenda

►Approval of DRAFT Agenda

ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to approve the agenda.  Tullie Johnson seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.


III.        Minutes

►Approval of DRAFT March 3, 2008 Minutes

ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to approve the minutes.  Tom Hemrick seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

IV.        Public Speaks Out

 

V.         Special Presentation

Specialized Recreation Study – Dwayne Jones, Recreation Program Manager

Dwayne presented a PowerPoint presentation based on the consultant’s findings and recommendations.  The final report will be given to staff by the end of May, which will be distributed to the Board.  The Board would take action at the June meeting.  The final step would be for Council consideration.

 

VI.        Land Dedications – Doug McRainey, Parks Planning Manager

There are no land dedications to present at this time.

 

VII.         Reports

   A.  Committee Reports

►Athletics Committee – Jeff Boucher, Chair

Jeff noted that committee will begin meeting on a monthly basis to have more involvement on the issues. Topics of discussion at last month’s meeting included the sign plan, road race, scheduling software, and public school partnerships.

 

►Cultural Arts Committee – Dennis Hoadley, Chair

Dennis distributed a handout showing the Cultural Arts Non-Profit Funding Requests for 2008 which included requests from seventeen non-profit groups.  This is the first year that the committee has been directed to use the town’s population to distribute funds ($128,000) on a per capita basis.

The Cultural Arts Row at Spring Daze was a great success.  There were eighteen groups that were represented at the event.

The committee would like to have the calendars of May – June on the website for easy access.  The PRCR Advisory Board questioned the new web update and when it would be implemented.  Mary will verify with Technology Services on the date and share the information at the June meeting.

 

►Greenway Committee – Robert Bush, Chair

Robert noted there were no land dedications for review.

Robert presented the current trail user counts (handout) on the greenways.  Robert requested that he might present this information to the PRCR Advisory Board at the July meeting.

 

      ►Teen Advisory Committee – Tom Hemrick, Interim Chair

Tom noted the committee recapped on fifth year Teen Forum.  The theme was “What in the World is going on?”  The forum was held at the Herb Young Community Center with 100 participants.  The feedback was positive and the event was an overall success.  Discussions have begun for next year’s forum.

 

               ►Goals Committee Reports

Safety Town – Jeff Boucher

Meet with the landscape architect, Ron Price to discuss the next steps in the process.  Jeff would like to add this with the facilities tour in June to look at areas that would be appropriate sites.  He also showed pictures of Greensboro’s Safety Town for the Board to review.

 

►Scholarship Fund – Sal Cammarata

Sal and Mary Henderson met with the North Carolina Community Foundation and want to continue to work toward establishing an endowment through Cary Community Foundation.  Mary will meet with the town finance department and report back to this board.

 

►Go Green Goal

Steve Smutko noted there was no report.

 

B.  Public Meetings

Specialized Recreation Study – Dwayne Jones, Recreation Programs Manager
The meeting was held at the
Herb Young Community Center on Monday, April 21, 2008.  There were about 20 in attendance.  The information collected at this meeting will be in the final report from the consultant.

 

C.  Staff Reports

PR08-23 – Town Center Park PARTF Grant Conversion

PR08-24 – Sponsorship Policy for PRCR

PR08-25 – Budget Adjustment for Skate Cary Park*

PR08-26 – Bid Award and Budget Adjustment Request for a Sprayground at Bartley Park

*Robert Bush requested that the Skate Park hours be posted on the outside of the building.

 

D.  Administration – Mary Henderson, PRCR Director

►Community Aquatics Update

Mary noted that staff should receive information from the YMCA this week. 

 

E.  Recreation Programs – Dwayne Jones, Recreation Manager

►Senior Center Update – Kay Struffolino

Kay noted that her report was included in the board packet for board members to review.

 

►Teen Council – Wesley Lo

   Wesley reported that 437 volunteer hours were logged for the month of April and also, that election of new officers took place in April.

   In March 2007, the Teen Council donated $500 towards the scholarship fund, and in

   2008, $1,500 was donated to the scholarship fund.

   PRCR Staff collected items for the military in Iraq and the Teen Council donated $280.00 to pay for shipping 35 boxes of supplies.

   The new representatives from Teen Council will begin serving on their committees in August.

   Mother’s Day Events will take place at the Senior Center and at Stevens Nature Center.

 

F.  Cultural Arts Programs – Lyman Collins, Cultural Arts Manager

Lyman noted that Beauty and the Beast is scheduled for May 15-17, 2008 at the Sertoma Amphitheatre at Bond Park, and, Summerfest will begin on May 31 with the free Play with the Pros concert.

 

►Festivals Committee– Kay Struffolino presented for Marilyn Goldman

Kay asked that members review the festival information that was mailed with the May board packet. 

Kay noted that approximately 15,000 visitors attended the 2008 Spring Daze Festival and extended thanks to all of the volunteers who helped make the event a success.

 

G.  Athletic Programs – William Davis, Athletics Manager

William referred members to the Program Update.

 

VIII.      Old Business

►Black Creek Watershed Study Update – Susan Davenport

Susan noted the April meeting did not take place.  The next meeting is scheduled for May 19, 2008 at Bond Park.  A report will be given at the June meeting.

 

IX.        New Business

►PRCR Advisory Board Facility Tour – Steve Smutko

Steve announced that the PRCR Facility Tour has been scheduled for June 24, 2008.  Steve would like to have a focus for the tour like the Master Plan.  He will keep the board informed.

 

   ►2008 Citizen Board Member State Forum – Steve Smutko

Steve reminded members that the forum is scheduled for August 7-9, 2008 and to please review the packet of information.  The schedule looks interesting, please send Gail Taylor an email if you plan to attend.

 

►Board Member Information Share

Tullie Johnson shared that Stevens Nature Center will hold their 10th Annual Celebration of Nature on Sunday, May 11, from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

 

X.         Adjourn

Kay Struffolino made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:15 p.m.  Tom Hemrick seconded.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

 

 

The Town of Cary is committed to providing all citizens with the opportunity to participate fully in the public meeting process.  Any person with a disability who needs an auxiliary aid or service in order to participate in any meeting may contact the Town of Clerk at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.  The e-mail address is sue.rowland@townofcary.org; the phone number is (919) 469-4011; the TDD number is (919) 469-4012.

 

Please contact Gail Taylor with any questions about the minutes.  The e-mail address is gail.taylor@townofcary.org and the phone number is (919) 462-3961.