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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRC minutes 080316FROM: Parks and Recreation Advisory Council (PRC) SUBJECT: Monthly Meeting DATE: August 3, 2016 LOCATION: Environment and Agricultural Center Conference Room ____________________________________________________________________________ MEMBERS PRESENT: Neal Bench; Joel Bulkley; Evelyn Daniel; Tori Williams Reid; Haywood Rhodes; Betty McDade Khan; Rachel Massai; Bob Smith; Rob Robinson; Allen Green MEMBERS ABSENT: Michael Dempsey; John Greeson STAFF PRESENT: David Stancil; Lynn Hecht ____________________________________________________________________________ I. Beginning time of meeting: 6:30pm II. Meeting Summary (6/1) A few corrections were noted and will be edited. No additions to the agenda. Bench wanted to discuss the working group committee. That item was added under Old Business. Green asked to bring up wanting to sponsor a connector hike between current Hillsborough and Carrboro section of MST. III. Report of the Chair (Williams Reid) a. The Chair introduced Robert (Bob) Smith, and everyone introduced themselves. IV. New Business a. Priorities for Remainder of 2016 were reviewed: Stancil noted a list of priorities on the whiteboard. These included: Parks and Recreation Master Plan implementation - with Issues for Further Study including a pool study; SportsPlex cooperation and other topics; the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST); Improvements to River Park; Millhouse Road Park (with Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation); Friends of Parks and Recreation; Disc Golf Course (with PRC recommendation to be at Blackwood Farm Park); Orienteering course at Little River. In addition there were questions, interests, and concerns that came from the adopted work plan for 2016: How to finance long term park and recreation improvements; Access to Open Space (Orange Water and Sewer Authority or OWASA, UNC, Duke); Senior Centers and Parks; and Nature Preserves. Bench asked about the letter that PRC sent to the BOCC about funding such projects. Stancil said that it was sent, but due to the busy budget season, the Board of Commissioners (BOCC) probably did not have time to address this letter. Bench asked if it could be resent so the BOCC could now ponder the consideration. A member suggested perhaps resending a letter that was sent some six months ago related to park plans funding. Bench asked if this letter can be resent and reconsidered by the BOCC. In response to a question, the Council then discussed the budget and the bond referendum components. b. Park Construction Projects for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016-17: Projects that did get funded and others that did not were discussed. Participants were given a table that lists projects and the budgeted amount for them with included notes. Green suggested instead of developing the planned Bingham District Park instead gain access to the OWASA-owned lands. V. Old Business a. Update - Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) Stancil provided an update. After the April 21 meeting, in consultation with the Manager and commissioners, it was decided there should be a facilitator at the future MST meetings to help manage the meetings. Andy Sachs with the Dispute Settlement Center will be the meeting facilitator. Tentatively, September 19 is the likely next meeting. OWASA has been discussing possible conditions if they do allow MST to go along their property. OWASA will again be looking at these conditions on August 25 b. Update - Hollow Rock Nature Park (Grand Opening): The opening event happened in June after a weather delay. The facility is seeing regular daily usage. Bulkley noted that the interior signage along the trails was poor. c. Update- Community Centers (CG Grand Opening): In June the Cedar Grove Community Center had its grand opening. The event attracted at least 150 people. The center is going well and is well organized, with a cedar Grove Neighborhood Association (CGNA) now formed. Efland Cheeks is not as far along at this point. A few of the CGNA board asked if the hours of operation could be moved to later in the day after school opens so it can be used after the typical work day by adults and by children after school. d. Update - Fairview Park Parking Lot: The project is under construction. VI. Report of the Director (Stancil) a. There was a question from a community member who asked about shade at playgrounds in our parks. Stancil noted there were shade sails at Fairview Park but others may not have shade, though they are often located near wooded areas to achieve some shade. But during midday in the summer most playgrounds are in direct sun. The same resident asked about the potential for spray grounds and spray parks. At present, one is planned for Twin Creeks Park, but this could be a way of meeting water-based recreation needs without a pool. VII. Council and Committee Reports a. Intergovernmental Parks Work Group: No meeting. b. Bench spoke about the joint P&R groups formed from the joint advisory board meeting in March. There were 4 topics selected: Trail and greenway connectivity between jurisdictions; County and municipal partnerships with a focus on the potential Millhouse Road Park; focus on preserving wildlife corridors and riparian buffer; and recreation programming for teens. Each group had members from the combined jurisdictions. Also, the groups are working on sharing email/phone contact amongst themselves and they will work to have a point person for each topic. c. Connector hikes. Green spoke of an idea of jumpstarting an inter-park group by organizing a hike from South Orange to Hillsborough. He’d like to do it in mid-September and either camp at Blackwood Farm Park or Millhouse. d. Items from the Council. e. Friends of Orange County Parks and Recreation (FOPR) No updates. There has been no replacement for the presidential position since Khan resigned. VIII. Adjournment at 8:25pm. Next Meeting: September 7, 2016 (Environment and Ag Center)