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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRC minutes 100114 Meeting Summary Parks and Recreation Council (PRC) Monthly Meeting Summary MEETING: October 1, 2014 LOCATION: Environment and Agricultural Center Conference Room ____________________________________________________________________________ MEMBERS PRESENT: Neal Bench, James Carter, Joel Bulkley, Rob Robinson, Tori Williams Reid, Betty McDade Khan, Allen Green MEMBERS ABSENT: Erin Dillard, Denise Dickinson, Eric Roeder STAFF PRESENT: David Stancil, Chris Sousa, Lee Barnes, Molly Fitzsimons, Ardra Webster, Stacy Stanley, James Lyon, Lewis Harrelson, Ryan Pherribo ____________________________________________________________________________ I. Call to Order / Welcome New Member The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m., with a quorum present. II. Review Meeting Summary (9/3)/Additions or Changes to Agenda: The September 3 summery was reviewed without comments. Chris Sousa has been asked to speak first on the agenda. III. New Business a. Chris Sousa, Recreation Superintendent: Chris introduced his staff. He introduced a seasonal part-time employer, Lewis Harrelson, who has worked with the department for twenty five years (since 1989.) He wanted Lewis recognized for his years of service with us. He was presented with a plaque, a gift card to Buffalo Bowling Lanes, a hat, a t-shirt and a coat to commemorate his service. b. Chris then spoke about our summer camp program. 64 Camps in 9 weeks. Over 1100 children enrolled in these summer camps. Paperwork was distributed to give an overview of the camps. c. Lee Barnes played a video that gives a snapshot of the camps. d. A question and answer session then followed with the Council having time to ask questions. IV. Report of the Chairs (Bench) a. Membership Status. Bench brought up that the PARC was considering two candidates to fill empty positions on the Board. Stancil said the BOCC should act on this on October 7th. Teri Driscoll and Sandi Green. Stancil pointed out that we should be able to fill those slots by November. Bench said he believed that one slot was to fill Denise Dickinson’s spot and the Cheeks Township slot. There is still an At-Large position open with Jamie Paulen’s departure from the Board. There was also discussion about Eric Roeder’s ability to remain on the Board. If he goes off the Board, that will open a position in the Carrboro Town Limits. Bench pointed out that Robb English’s application is still available. Stancil said that the BOCC has not yet had their discussion about repeat board members, so for now there is no direction. Bench polled the group. Bulkley made the motion to present English’s name to the Board, Khan 2nd the motion and all unanimously voted in favor. The other discussion came up about not seeing Erin Dillard at the last few meetings. Stancil noted we may need to recruit from Carrboro. V. Old Business a. Final review of the Master Park Plan 2030. Stancil had available a few black and white copies and 1 color copy for those who wished to take one last look. Stancil says that the staff has done a final cleanup. T his final draft is slated to be on the BOCC November 6 Agenda. A Supplemental Report to this will be a document with areas BOCC asked about wanting more information on them. There was a discussion about the MST about its future development. After much discussion about the MST and its place in the priority list, it was decided to move it up on the list of importance in the Supplemental Report. The Board then voted to send the master plan forward with a recommendation for adoption to the BOCC. b. Blackwood Farm Park—Limited Opening Update. Staff are now looking at this being a first of the year start due to the slow process of bids and site plan review. The park would be open on weekends to start 8-5, more likely beginning in February. There will be an open play area, and a picnic shelter as well as several miles of trails with interpretive signage along the way as well as around the farmstead buildings. There will be picnic tables and benches around the park. Fishing will be allowed around the pond. It promises to be a popular park for special events as evidenced by groups who already called about using it. A discussion ensued about primitive camping. VI. Report of the Director (Stancil) a. Cedar Grove Park—Little Free Library. A dedication ceremony is scheduled for October 7 at 4pm at the Cedar Grove Park to open a new Little Free Library. Arthrell Saunders was given a library box as a gift and has now donated it to the park. Our staff has worked with the library to get it painted and to put a plaque on it. The library will stock it with books with the opportunity to take a book or leave a book. b. New Hope Preserve/Hollow Rock Public Access Point. Moved are moving towards trail construction. There is a $200,000 grant for this. Staff is working with Durham County to get the site open in the next 12-18 months. It will be another inter-local agreement situation. c. Soccer.com Center/Triangle Orthopedic Naming Rights. A mobile restroom trailer is in and will be installed in time for upcoming tournaments. This was purchased due to long lines at the restrooms and should pa y off quickly on return in investment. On the October 21 BOCC agenda, Triangle Orthopedic has signed a new naming rights agreement for the concession stand. With matching funds from Sports Endeavors, their $8000 donation will go up to $14,000. VIII. Committee Reports a. Intergovernmental Parks Work Group: No report b. Friends of P&R: No report IX. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Next Meeting- 11/5/2014 (Location: EAC Conference room)