Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board

MEETING MINUTES

 

Monday, August 4, 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; Susan Davenport; Marilyn Goldman; Tom Hemrick; Dennis Hoadley; Tullie Johnson; Kay Struffolino; Jennifer Robinson, Council Liaison

Absent:  Wesley Lo, Teen Council  


Staff:  Mary Henderson; Lyman Collins; William Davis; Dwayne Jones; Doug McRainey; Helen Stanfield; Bruce Crocker; Vicki Hayes

 

Guests:  Rashi Bisyra, Teen Council President

 

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

Introduction

Steve Smutko introduced and welcomed the new Teen Council President, Rashi Bisya.  Rashi is filling in for Wesley Lo, who could not attend the meeting.

 

II.    Adoption of Agenda – Steve Smutko, Chair

ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to adopt the August agenda as presented; the motion was seconded by Tom Hemrick.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

 

III.   Adoption of Minutes

July 7th PRCR Advisory Board Meeting Agenda Item
Lyman Collins noted one correction under F. Cultural Arts Programs.  It should read the Sister Cities Association not Sister Cities Commission.
ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to adopt the July 7th minutes with the correction: Tom Hemrick seconded the motion.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

 

IV.   Public Speaks Out

 

V.    Special Presentation

 

VI.   Land Dedications

No land dedications to present this month.

 
VII.  Reports

 

A.    Committee Reports

►Athletic Committee – Jeff Boucher, Chair
Jeff reported the committee reviewed the S.W.O.T. information, but did not have further comments.  The committee discussed the structure, directions and moving forward.  Jeff will meet with William Davis to narrow the focus and present it to the committee in September.  The committee also discussed programs in Southern Cary.  A Teen Council member suggested creating a survey to poll the teens to see what their interest would be.

 

►Cultural Arts Committee – Dennis Hoadley, Chair
Denny was unable to attend the last Cultural Arts Committee.  The meeting was supposed to be a joint meeting with the Public Art Advisory Board; however the consultant did not have new information to present.  The Cultural Arts Committee will have a joint meeting with the PRCR Advisory Board on August 27, 2008 at the Page-Walker Arts and History Center.  The committee discussed the S.W.O.T. analysis and provided comments.  The Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival was discussed.  Ron Sherhofer has resigned because of conflicting time issues.  Lyman Collins and Denny Hoadley reviewed the applications and would like to recommend Dr. Mark Fountain.

  ACTION:  Denny Hoadley made a motion to recommend Dr. Mark Fountain fill Ron Sherhofer’s term on the Cultural Arts Committee; Kay Struffolino seconded the motion.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

 

►Greenway Committee – Robert Bush, Chair

  Robert reported the committee discussed and provided commits to the S.W.O.T. analysis.  The
committee discussed the by-laws and made suggestions for changes.  Robert reported there are several clauses that should be compared with the other Committee’s by-laws to assure consistency.

►Teen Advisory Committee – Tom Hemrick, Interim Chair
Tom reported the Committee discussed the S.W.O.T. analysis and provided comments.

 

►Environmental Advisory Board Update – Steve Smutko, PRCR Liaison
Steve reported the first meeting was held and Karen Gray also attended and reviewed how the board will operate.  The next meeting will be Saturday, August 9, 2008 at 8:30 am in the Bond Park Community Center.

 

►Goals Committee Reports

Safety Town – Jeff Boucher

      There is nothing to report at this time.

 

►Scholarship Fund – Sal Cammarata

Sal provided members with a handout of the Scholarship Donation Fund Proposals and asked the board for any comments.  Staff met with the Finance Department and staff indicated that a Town-funded scholarship program could be established.  This would allow for more control over the use of money; no administrative fees; and staff would distribute the money.  The Town currently operates the Oasis program which is a utility assistance program for customers of limited financial means.  Christian Community in Action, Inc. (CCA), a N.C. nonprofit charitable agency is a social service organization that administers the Oasis program for the Town.  The CCA would like to administer this program.  They would determine the client’s eligibility and disburse funds under the guidelines of the Town.
ACTION:  Sal Cammarata made a motion to establish the PRCR Scholarship Fund through the Town and contract with Christian Community in Action, Inc. (CCA) to administer the program.  Jeff Boucher seconded the motion.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

 

►Go Green - Steve Smutko, Tullie Johnson and Susan Davenport
At this time there is nothing new to report.


B.    Public Meetings

►July 15th – Open Public Meeting – Replacement of the Kildaire Farm Rd. Water Tower and a Gateway Feature and integrated Public Art- Mary Henderson, PRCR Director

C.    Staff Reports – FYI

►PR09-01 – WakeMed Soccer Park Lease Assumption, OPS 7/10/08

►PR09-02 – ATT Bid Award, OPS 7/10/08

 

D.        Administration – Mary Henderson, PRCR Director

►Community Aquatics Update – Mary Henderson
Mary explained staff is working with the design team to review the potential for expanding the Triangle Aquatic Center (TAC).  A Council work session will take place in September.  This board will be encouraged to attend and provide feedback.  Staff is currently looking at partnering for use of the hotel/motel tax.

 

►Draft RFP/Master Plan – Doug McRainey
Doug distributed a handout on Proposed 2009 Parks, Greenways & Open Space Master Plan and discussed. 

 

E.         Recreation Programs – Dwayne Jones, Recreation Manager

Helen Stanfield reported for Dwayne and directed the board to look at the new program brochures.  Also, there is a new brochure section, “Schoolz Out 411”.

 

►Senior Center Update – Kay Struffolino
Kay noted the 90-90-90 Challenge, as of the end of July, is at 21,982,395 steps, which represents approximately Ό of the goal for the summer.  The rentals at the Senior Center are in high demand.  Registration for programs, events and classes continues to be strong.  The Program Brochure for PRCR as well as for the Cary Senior Center continue to get the most attention and generate the most questions from all the material offered at Guest Services at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre.

 

►Teen Council – Wesley Lo
Rashi Bisarya reported in Wesley Lo’s absence.  The first meeting for the 2009 school year was held with 186 teens in attendance.  Teen Council recorded over 1000 volunteer hours for June.  New members have been accepted, which increase the total to 342 active members.


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

►Festivals Committee – Marilyn Goldman
Marilyn reported from the July 15, 2008 meeting.  Joy Ennis gave the financial report on the current status of the budget.  The poster art for Spring Daze 2009 was selected.  The new activities were voted in for Spring Daze.  The poster art for Lazy Daze 2009 were reviewed.  The new areas in Lazy Daze this year will be Hands on History and Wellness World.  Transportation for Lazy Daze is proceeding smoothly.  There was a proposal to include Cary Performs into the 2009 Spring Daze Festival which was met with enthusiasm.  The next meeting will be August 5, 2008.

 

►Cultural Arts Programs – Lyman Collins

Ritmo Latino Music, Dance & Art Festival will be August 10, 2008 from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Bond Park.

Cary Youth Video Project will showcase their two films on Saturday, August 9, 2008 in the Council Chambers.

A new program to be introduced in September will be produced by the Sister Cities Commission that will commerate the vents of September 11th.  The Sister Cities Commission began on 9/11 in the 1950’s and this commeration began in 2002 to both remember the tradgey and express hope for the future through the Sister Cities Movement.  Cary will participate with four Cary based high schools participating in four different concerts/events:  noon – Town Hall with Cary High; 2pm – Senior Center with Green Hope High; 4pm Booth Amphitheatre with Middle Creek High; and 6pm Sertoma Amphitheatre with Panther Creek High.

 

G.   Athletic Programs – William Davis, Athletics Manager

       William reported the Athletic Division has been extremely busy.

The Pony National Championship was held the end of July with 107 softball teams in attendance.

The NC State Close was also held the same week July 25-August 1.  A record of 612 juniors played in this years’ event.

The 2008 US Olympic Team will be training at the USA Baseball Complex while they are in Town.  They will play one game on August 1, 2008 against Canada.

 

VIII. OLD BUSINESS

►Athletic Committee Restructuring – William Davis, Athletics Program Manager and Jeff Boucher, Committee Chair
Jeff presented the report under the Athletic Committee.

 

►Teen Advisory Committee Restructure – Dwayne Jones, Recreation Program Manager and Tom Hemrick, Interim Committee Chair
Tom referred everyone to the Staff Report on the merging of Teen Advisory Committee and Teen Council Executive Board.  He explained that staff has met with the Teen Advisory Committee and the Teen Council Executive Board and the teens are in agreement with the merging the two groups.
ACTION:  Tom Hemrick made a motion to merge the Teen Advisory Committee and the Teen Council Executive Board into one group.  Kay Struffolino seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

►S.W.O.T. – Committee Follow-up – Steve Smutko, Chair
Steve reported each committee had provided useful information on the S.W.O.T. analysis.  At the time Steve will email the committee liaisons and staff to gather information.

 

►Black Creek Watershed Study Update – Susan Davenport
Susan reported the next meeting will take place on Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at Page-Walker Arts and History Center at 6:30 p.m.  Currently working on population study and submitted to report to NC State.

 

IX.  NEW BUSINESS

      ►Walnut Street Park Groundbreaking – August 7, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

      ►Citizen Board Forum – August 8, 2008

      ►PRCR Facility Tour – September 8, 2008 at 5:15 p.m.

Everyone will meet at Bond Park Community Center at 5:15 p.m.  There will be thirteen sites visited in West Cary.  The Board requested a map be sent of where each site is located.

 

►Middle Creek Park, Phase II Dedication – September 13, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.

 

►30th Annual Volunteer Picnic – Koka Booth Amphitheatre on September 28, 2008 at 4:00 p.m.

 

►Board Member Information Share

Kay Struffolino asked the Board to take a few of the Lazy Daze brochures and post or distribute at their place of employment.

The joint meeting with PRCR Advisory Board and Cultural Arts Committee will take place on August 27, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.

Robert Bush thanked Doug McRainey and all others involved in getting the Master Plan map on the website.

 

X.  ADJOURN
ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:05 p.m.; Tom Hemrick 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.