Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board

MEETING MINUTES

 

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

316 North Academy Street – 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; Wesley Lo, Teen Council


Absent:  Marilyn Goldman; Jennifer Robinson, Council Liaison


Staff:  Mary Henderson; Lyman Collins; William Davis; Dwayne Jones; Doug McRainey; Gail Taylor; Sandi Bailey; Rob Garner

 

Guests:  Dennis Pitts; Yvonne Maher; Ed Langan

 

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

►Introduction:  Cultural Arts Manager Lyman Collins introduced new staff member Rob Garner, Page-Walker Program Specialist.

II.    Adoption of Agenda – Steve Smutko, Chair
ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to adopt the July agenda as presented; the motion was seconded by Tom Hemrick.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

Adoption of Minutes
►June 2nd PRCR Advisory Board Meeting
ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to adopt the June 2nd minutes as presented: Tullie Johnson seconded the motion.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

 

 

IV.   Public Speaks Out

Dennis Pitts of McNeely Associates noted that Wake County Parks and Recreation Department and the Open Space Commission have worked with the Town of Cary in the past and would like to do so in the future.  Dennis commented he would like to see some portion of the recently approved $50 million bond spent in Cary on future open space acquisition projects.


Agenda Item #V – PARTF Grant Conversion Public/Input

Parks Planning Manager Doug McRainey introduced Parks Planner Sandi Bailey.

In a PowerPoint presentation, Sandi gave an overview of the PARTF Grant Conversion project. The Town received a grant from the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) in FY2008 to help fund acquisition of downtown parcels for an approximate 12-acre park. PARTF provided $217,760 towards the purchase of approximately 1.43 acres at the corner of South Academy Street, Kildaire Farm Road and Walnut Street. The stipulations of the grant required that these 1.43 acres be used strictly for public park purposes, and that deed restrictions be recorded to this effect.

In 2006, the Cary Town Council approved the Town Center Civic and Cultural Arts Study and the Downtown Cary Streetscape Plan. These new plans recommended a Town Square at the intersections of South Academy Street, Kildaire Farm Road and Walnut Street located on the 1.43-acre parcel for which the PARTF funds were provided. The vehicular square does not meet PARTF's stipulation that the parcel be used for public park purposes. Thus, the Town is pursuing PARTF's process for grant conversion, which will allow the Town to transfer the PARTF funds to a replacement property that is equal or greater in value.

The replacement property approved by Council is for a future neighborhood park site located at the southeast corner of Louis Stephens Road and Morrisville Carpenter Road. This neighborhood park site is approximately 16 acres, with an additional 29 acres on the north side of Morrisville Carpenter Road that is intended to be developed in the future as a farm park. View the preliminary plan.

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. 

PARTF Grant Conversion Schedule
The conversion process requires public input and an adopted resolution by the Town Council. The process is estimated to take approximately six months.

TASK

DATE

MEETING LOCATION

Council approves staff pursuing conversion process

April 24, 2008

Town Hall/Council Chambers

Public notice advertises conversion and public meeting

Mid-May

NA

30-day comment period

Late May to Late June

NA

Public meeting held

July 7, 2008
5:15 p.m.

Town Hall, 316 N. Academy St.
PRCR Conference Room #11130

Staff addresses public comments

July 8 - July 24

NA

Town Council / Public Hearing

August 14, 2008
6:30 p.m.

Town Hall, 316 N. Academy St.,
Council Chambers

Council adopts resolution

August 14, 2008

Town Hall/Council Chambers

PARTF approves conversion

September 2008

NA

Deed restrictions are transferred to replacement property

October 2008

 

 

 

ACTION:  Tom Hemrick made a motion that the board support the conversion process as defined; the motion was seconded by Tullie Johnson.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

 

Chair Steve Smutko closed the Public Input session at 7:45 p.m.

 

Comments:

Dennis Pitts:   Good idea; protecting more property for parkland.  New area has similar components to downtown, i.e. near library; major thoroughfare; many rooftops; the two acreages similar in value.

 

Steve Smutko:  Wanted to know the distance of the proposed park site to Alston.  Staff responded that it was at least 2 miles.

Robert Bush:   Noted that Morrisville Carpenter Road needed to be widened; does that meet requirements?  Sandi noted that while the grant monies need to be used towards the acquisition of parkland that staff could structure the easement to allow for the widening.

Tom Hemrick:  Asked if PARTF was supportive and whether it was a dollar for dollar transfer and would this conversion slow down any progress on the downtown project?  Doug McRainey responded that PARTF was supportive and that it was a dollar for dollar transfer.  Lastly, Doug indicated that the conversion would not hamper progress on the downtown streetscape project.  Tom also asked if the Town had applied for other PARTF grants. Doug indicated that the Town had applied for funding for Bartley and that the conversion did not prohibit the Town from applying for future funding.


Tullie Johnson:  Asked if the land for the Cary Agricultural Farm Park had been purchased?  Doug responded the acquisition of the Carpenter Park include 29 acres on the north side of Morrisville-Carpenter which would the location for the future Cary Agricultural Farm Park.

 

Sal Cammarata:  Asked if there was a deadline for the conversion and whether staff looked at land that is not currently owned by the Town.  Sandi responded there was no deadline and that we already had the money.  Doug noted that looking at non town-owned land would complicate the conversion.  Mary Henderson noted that staff had already identified the land when the application for conversion was submitted and, that the state did not have rules for conversion in place.  Those rules are in the process of being developed.

► Athletic Committee Restructuring– William Davis, Athletics Program Manager
William provided members with handouts of the bylaws and a history of the Athletic Committee noting

in the early 1990’s there were two commissions:  a baseball commission and a softball commission comprised of coaches from the respective leagues.  These were combined into the current Athletic Committee to create consistency between baseball and softball and included basketball.

As the department has grown; the addition of new venues; expanded program offerings, and outside groups using town fields so has the need to broaden the scope of this Committee.  Staff has reviewed those challenges and will come back to this board with their recommendations for revisions to:  the Athletic Committee By-Laws;  Policy 148 Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Committee Structure Policy and Code Chapter 2, Article V. Boards, Commissions and Authorities Amendments to reflect the member representation; revise the duties and description of the Committee for recruitment of volunteers to serve future terms and to assist staff in event recruitment and planning by working closely with the Cary Sports Alliance

 

► Teen Advisory Committee Restructure– Dwayne Jones, Recreation Program Manager
Dwayne provided members with a handout on the history of the Teen Council and the Teen Advisory Committee.  In 2003, a Teen Advisory Committee was established through the Board and Committee appointment process. The Teen Advisory Committee’s purpose is to advise Town Council through the PRCR Advisory Board on teen issues.  In 2005, the Committee was restructured at the request of the Advisory Board to accommodate more youth participation.  The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board requested staff consider merging the responsibilities of the Teen Advisory Committee with the Teen Council Executive Board to avoid duplication of responsibilities.  Staff will come back to the Board with its recommendation in August.


VI.   Land Dedications

►Kera Gardens Rezoning – 08-REZ-05
The applicant is requesting Town Council approve an Ordinance to amend the official zoning map of the Town of Cary for approximately 7.33 acres, located at 917 Reedy Creek Road, from Residential 40 (R-40) to Residential 12 Conditional Use (R-12 CU).

# of Units – maximum of 12; Required Dedication – .34 acres (maximum).

Staff Recommendation:  Approval of a payment-in-lieu of park land dedication for the value of approximately.34 acres.

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

 

►Viera Subdivision – 08-SB-03

The applicant has submitted a subdivision plan to construct 13 single family units on the 6.63-acre tract located at 10704 Penny Road.

# of Units – 13; Required Dedication – .37 acres.

Staff Recommendation:  Approval of a payment-in-lieu of park land dedication for the value of approximately.37 acres.

ACTION:  Dennis Hoadley made a motion to accept 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 reported that the last meeting was held at the USA Baseball Complex and, in August, the complex will be host to the National Chinese Baseball Team.  The committee discussed the committee’s structure and members were open to expanding their current roles.  The committee also discussed sports programming in the Western part of Cary.
►Cultural Arts Committee – Dennis Hoadley, Chair
Denny noted that new staff member, Page-Walker Program Specialist Rob Garner was introduced to the committee; Joy Ennis gave a presentation on the festivals; and members received an update on the progress of Old Cary Elementary Renovation project relative to the design team tying together the three major areas where public art will be incorporated into the facility.

Denny also noted there would be a joint Public Art Advisory Board/Cultural Arts Committee meeting to approve Clearscape’s final recommendation.

The committee reviewed the S.W.O.T. analysis and made comments that will be compiled with comments from all board committees and brought back to this board.
David Lindquest, Vice Chair will preside at the July Cultural Arts Committee meeting.
►Greenway Committee – Robert Bush, Chair

Robert noted in lieu of the June meeting, the committee met and walked Higgins Greenway.
In a PowerPoint presentation, Robert gave an overview of the Cary Greenway Use  One of the goals of Greenway Committee members was to conduct greenway user counts and members volunteered at assigned greenways and trails at varying times to conduct the count.  This report of Cary’s Greenway Usage (Winter 2008 Cycle; Feb. 07-March 08) noted the following observations:  44 facility segments; 320 observations and 4,645 users.
There was a suggestion to involve teen council volunteers in this project as well.

►Teen Advisory Committee – Tom Hemrick, Interim Chair
Tom noted that this committee did not meet.


►Goals Committee Reports
       Safety Town – Jeff Boucher
Jeff reported that the Safety Town program continues to grow and in 2008, 325 participants were registered.  Staff continues to look for a potential site for a permanent Safety Town; a site that would include a community center; parking; classrooms and restrooms.
       Scholarship Fund – Sal Cammarata
Sal provided members with a handout outlining the development plan and that he was open for comments.  Staff is working with the Finance department to gain their approval and plans to have their feedback by the next board meeting.
Sal met with Paul Seiler of USA Baseball and he is very interested in this project and would like to participate in some way.

       Go Green - Steve Smutko, Tullie Johnson and Susan Davenport
Steve noted that he has been appointed to the Town’s Environmental Advisory Board and will be reporting back to this board.  Steve is researching ‘green communities’; merging information that has come before this board and will bring this collective information before the board.

B.    Public Meetings

►June 3/Downtown Cary Streetscape Project Update – Lyman Collins, Cultural Arts Manager
Lyman reported a good turnout and, that the overall public perception was good.

C.    Staff Reports - FYI
►PR08-30 - Consideration of Bid Awards for Walnut Street Park Capital Project

►PR08-31 - Consideration for Funding Construction of the Cupola for Cary Community Arts Center  ►PR08-32 - Consideration of accepting donation of artworks from Cary Visual Art & artist Lily Karmatz  
►PR08-33 - Extension of Management Contract for the Koka Booth Amphitheatre

D.    Administration – Mary Henderson, PRCR Director
►Community Aquatics Update – Mary Henderson
Mary noted that the Town is still considering partnering with the Y or Triangle Aquatic Center.  Staff is in the process of refining these concepts and working toward a better cost structure.  The expectation is that Council will hold a work session to look at two potential partnerships in addition to the Town’s concepts.

E.    Recreation Programs – Dwayne Jones, Recreation Manager
Dwayne referred board members to the Program Update.
►Senior Center Update – Kay Struffolino
Kay noted that the Annual Yard Sale netted $3000 providing an allotment of $543 to each senior club.  Kay highlighted the new Cary Walk-About 90-90-90 Challenge to have 90 participants walk a combination of 90 million steps in 90 days; noting 72 participants logging over 8 million steps.  Kay also noted that the July Ice Cream Social attracted 200 participants.
►Teen Council – Wesley Lo
Wesley noted the Teen Council did not meet in June and that he would have a detailed summer report to present in August.

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

►Festivals Committee – Marilyn Goldman
Kay Struffolino reported for Marilyn noting that volunteers are still needed for Lazy Daze and, if interested, please contact Katie Crain with the department.
The committee reviewed the artwork for Spring Daze and for Lazy Daze.
Lyman Collins noted that the committee is moving forward with the Beer Garden sponsored by the Sister Cities Commission and a new location is under consideration.
Lyman also noted many good efforts came together for this year’s July 4th event.

G.  Athletic Programs – William Davis, Athletics Manager
William noted that the youth volleyball league; camps; clinics; classes went well.  The July 4th softball games for 45+; 50+; and 60+ went well; however there was a low turnout for the 45+.

William noted that we now have working lights at the Green Hope sand volleyball courts.
Members were referred to the Program Update for further program information.

VIII. OLD BUSINESS

►S.W.O.T. Analysis/Member Comments – Steve Smutko, Chair
A S.W.O.T. Analysis was done at the May Joint PRCR Advisory Board/Committee meeting.  Members were provided copies of the resulting analysis and asked to give feedback to the board.

Committee chairs have been asked to include the S.W.O.T. Analysis on their next agenda and report comments back the this board to gather a general consensus on ways to use the analysis and to incorporate it into the master planning process for PRCR..

►Citizen Board Member State Forum/August 7-9 – Steve Smutko, Chair
Gail Taylor noted that Steve Smutko; Denny Hoadly; Tullie Johnson and PRCR Director Mary Henderson will be attending the Forum on the 8th of August...
►Black Creek Watershed Study Update – Susan Davenport
Susan noted that maps targeting sources for pollution will be provided to NC State students to incorporate in the Black Creek Watershed Study.

IX.  NEW BUSINESS

►30th Annual Volunteer Picnic/Save-the-date/September 28, 2008 – Mary Henderson announced that 2008 marks the 30th anniversary and the event will take place at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre.  Members were asked to email Helen Stanfield any comments or requests for activities to include at this year’s picnic.

►Board Member Information Share
   North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences: The Dead Sea Scroll Exhibit & Lecture Series:  Tullie Johnson provided exhibit/lecture information handouts and noted that these were ticketed events (June 28-December 28, 2008).
   North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 2008 Photo Competition – Tullie Johnson provided handouts with entry information of the photo competition which ends September 15, 2008.
   The Town of Cary School of Government provides the community with an opportunity to learn how municipal government functions, what services are provided, and how citizens can become involved. Students get a behind-the-scenes look at Town government structure, culture and decision-making.  Jeff The 6th session will be offered in September; Jeff Boucher asked if attending would be useful.  Mary Henderson responded yes, very useful.

X.    ADJOURN
ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m.; Denny 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.