HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRC minutes 020718Orange County
Parks and Recreation Council
Meeting Summary
Date: February 7, 2018
Place: Environment and Agricultural Center Conference Room
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PRESENT: Tori Williams Reid; Haywood Rhodes; John Greeson; Gina Reyman; Robert
Robinson; Tim Tippen
ABSENT: Rachel Cotter; Katie Loovis; Evelyn Daniel; Rachel Massai; Robert Smith; Betty
McDade Khan
STAFF: Lynn Hecht; David Stancil; Dan Derby
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I. Call to Order: Introductions. A quorum was not present.
II. Additions or Changes to Agenda, Meeting Summary: no comments on the December
meeting summary.
III. Report of the Chair: Chair and Vice-Chair Elections in March. Tori Williams Reid and
Haywood Rhodes are willing to run again. The board is also losing 3 members by the
end of March - McDade Khan; Massai; and Daniel.
Attendance Participation has become an issue. Williams Reid asked members try to let
us know when you cannot attend a meeting, and do try to attend meetings so we can
have your participation.
IV. New Business
a. Possible “Home Park” at Millhouse Road Park – Stancil noted that there are a few
mobile home parks in and around Chapel Hill where there are development
proposals that could displace these people. The BOCC are looking at how they can
help these people when they are displaced. Millhouse Road Park is one possible
option. This would be done after it has been rezoned. Stancil included an agenda
abstract that speaks to this issue.
b. Parks Division Annual Update - Derby gave a presentation on what’s going on with
the Parks Division and County parks. He provided a bit of a history leading up to the
present time. On February 17, parks staff worked on trail development at Seven Mile
Creek and part of the MST. March 16 will be an Arbor Day Celebration at Blackwood
Farm Park with New Hope Elementary School with a presentation from a local
forester. At Little River Park the Trailheads group recently had their trail run with over
600 runners. This was their 13th year. Derby noted that the Mountains to Sea Trail
has had increasing demands on staff resources. Blackwood Farm will be hosting a
Festival in September to feature local farm products and initiatives. Staff is planning
a small prescribed burn demonstration in a small meadow at Blackwood to help
educate the public about the benefits of doing of burns on native grass and
wildflower regeneration. There is also a plan to expand Cedar Grove Park in the
upcoming year - this will include an additional ball field. There are also talks to
expand Fairview Park. As the Council has heard, there is also expansion plans for
West Ten Soccer Center.
V. Old Business
a. MST Approval and Update - Stancil spoke on the action on the MST that the BOCC
recently approved on January 23. Staff is working with landowners in the initial section of
the trail, and others who have come forward in the Cane Creek area. He also noted the
potential for grant funding opportunities. Finally, Stancil addressed time frames for the
various sections within this section.
b. Upcoming Parks Capital Work Session – On Feb 15 there is a BOCC work session.
During this time, the Board will look at how the County can get parks built, and take a
look at prioritizing projects given the tight capital budgets.
c. Parks Operations Base and Environment & Ag Center - Orange County is looking at a
possible new northern campus that would house the County’s detention center, a new
Environment and Ag Center and a relocated Park Operations Base. Decisions by the
Town of Hillsborough related to this issue to come later in March.
VI. Report of the Director
a. Updates on Other Projects, Facilities & Programs
Staff is participating in Fairview Community Watch meetings to share information on
the state-funded geotechnical assessment of the former landfill portion of the site.
Fairview Park continues to have research done to determine how and whether the
land can be mitigated.
VII. Council and Committee Reports
a. Intergovernmental Parks Work Group. Meets twice a year now. Evelyn Daniel will be going
off our board, which leaves the PRC representative to the group vacant. The Council will look at
filling this spot when we have a quorum.
b. Items from the Council –
c. Friends of Orange County Parks and Recreation (FOPR) – Robinson spoke of the
upfront money to start this group.
VIII. Meeting adjourned at 8:00pm. Next meeting will be March 7