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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRC minutes 060618Orange County Parks and Recreation Council Meeting Summary Date: June 6, 2018 Place: Environment and Agricultural Center Conference Room ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ PRESENT: Haywood Rhodes; Rachel Cotter; John Greeson; Katie Loovis; Robert Robinson; Robert Smith; Tim Tippen; Michael Zelek ABSENT: Gina Reyman; Tori Williams Reid; STAFF: Lynn Hecht; David Stancil ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ I. Call to Order: Introductions. II. Additions or Changes to Agenda, Meeting Summary: No comments on the May summary. Loovis would like to give a status update on the land banked farming proposal. III. Report of the Chair: Membership/Vacancies, Cedar Grove and Efland Cheeks both are still vacant. IV. New Business a. Potential Biennial Joint Advisory Board Meeting (Sept 18?) Stancil says this has been identified as a good time to bring up the idea of the multi-modal trail between jurisdictions in Orange County. V. Old Business a. Tennis Court Needs-Discussion/Follow up – Stancil said that the group spoke with John Stock of the SportsPlex. While that group has an interest, they do not plan to pursue a venture at this time, and there are questions about the revenue an indoor tennis structure could bring in. Stancil added the Soccer.com Center and/or Cedar Grove Park are other parks where there are plans for future tennis courts. Loovis spoke of a study by someone commissioned by the Visitor Center’s (Laurie Paolicelli) to see what would be a draw for tourism. An indoor multi-activity center was brought up. Tippen would like the PRC to endorse tennis courts be considered for the next phase at the Cedar Grove Park. Loovis motioned to have the staff draft a letter to the BOCC asking for them to consider building tennis courts at Cedar Grove Park. Tippen seconded the motion, all voted in favor. b. Mountains to Sea Trail - Some of the local trail advocates are becoming anxious about the speed of activity. However, several easements are underway and others are closer to being finalized. The process of acquiring easements takes time and requires review and negotiation among the parties c. Seven Mile Creek Natural Area - This portion of the Upper Eno Nature Preserve will actually have a part of the MST within the site. Staff is completing the work and hopes to have it open to the public in the fall. d. Update on farming on land-banked parklands proposal by Loovis - Orange County has land that has been banked for future park development, some of which might be able to be used in the interim for farming. Meanwhile, what can be done with the area? Farm to Table to Transformation is her idea. Allow disenfranchised folks to lease land at a low cost for farm use. Would the County allow for the land to be used this way? Several months ago, Stancil recommended that Loovis present her idea to the Agricultural Preservation Board (APB). The APB questioned if entrepreneurial folks could also farm this land? The APB gave the idea a vote of aff irmation. In the meantime, Stancil suggested that Loovis speak to the Agricultural Extension staff and also approach the Food Council. Stancil added that ultimately, this concept if pursued will be an agricultural venture, not one of Parks and Recreation. Cotter asked if park regulations allow for agricultural use on future park lands. Cotter also asked about infrastructure in place to support this venture, such as a well for watering the crops, and whether any revenue from this could go towards future needs at the park. VI. Report of the Director a. Updates on Other Projects, Facilities & Programs - Millhouse Road Park now being thought of as a place to relocate a mobile home park from another area in Chapel Hill. Over the last several months, a feasibility study has been done to look into this idea. This site was acquired to be a joint facility with Chapel Hill and Orange County, probably with a soccer complex. What is being looked at is whether 10 acres be used for a new mobile home park to help the people being relocated? The report to date notes that it is in the rural buffer where water and sewer would not be allowed. The cost of extending this may make it prohibitive. Stancil wants to get Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation back on board to work towards this park’s development. River Park will be getting a new ADA entrance, near where the newly built bus pull-in is located by the bridge at Churton Street across from Weaver Street Market. The park master plan calls for a band shell for the park and options are being explored. A pedestrian bridge needs to be replaced. The David Price Farmers Market Pavilion has had new electrical work completed in the last few months. Staff is working on the beginnings of a Master Plan for the expansion of the Soccer.com Center. Blackwood Park Phase 2A is coming up soon. Little River Park has a lot going on with the pollinator butterfly garden. Stancil has asked for more funding for additional staff for this park, as attendance numbers keep increasing. VII. Council and Committee Reports a. Intergovernmental Parks Work Group. Next meeting is in October. b. Items from the Council – none c. Friends of Orange County Parks and Recreation (FOPR): brief discussion of the status of fundraising. VIII. Meeting adjourned at 8PM. Next meeting will be August 1 at the EAC Conference room.