HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRC meeting notes 060612Quick Report
FROM: Parks and Recreation Council (PRC)
SUBJECT: June 6, 2012 Regular Meeting
DATE: June 8, 2012
LOCATION: Environment and Agricultural Center, 306 Revere Road, Hillsborough
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MEMBERS PRESENT: Bagby, Dickinson, Carter, deNijs, Warren, Bench, Green.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Roeder (excused), Bulkley (excused), Hobgood (excused).
STAFF PRESENT: David Stancil, Chris Sousa
VISITORS:
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Beginning time of meeting: 6:37 pm
Co-Chair Bagby called the meeting to order and asked for additions or changes to the agenda. Green indicated he had one possible addition, which would be added later in the agenda.
Report of the Co-Chairs:
No report. The report from Recreation Superintendent Chris Sousa was moved up on the agenda to be next.
New Business (moved) – Recreation Division Annual Update
David Stancil introduced Recreation Division Superintendent Chris Sousa and noted the lasdt year had been one of significant change for Recreation, including the merger of the former
Athletics and Recreation Divisions into one division for synergy, support and coordination. Sousa presented a written report that outlined the changes in the division, recent reorganization
of staff to better meet the needs of the public, participation numbers and budget information for programs, camps and offerings. PRC members had several questions about division staff
duties, the breakdown of participants and program types, costs, partnerships, and the Eurosport Soccer Center operation. Bagby invited Sousa to keep the PRC apprised of needs and concerns
as appropriate and thanked him for the thorough report.
Committee Reports
There was no news on the Friends of P&R and IP Work Group.
Old Business:
Parks and Recreation Master Plan – Stancil noted that a contract is being completed for assistance from two professors in the UNC-G Department of Community and Therapeutic Recreation
for conducting a statistical random sample of 4100 orange County households to assess community needs. The professors will also develop reports on tourism and parks, and economic development
linkages to parks and recreation. A UNC MPA student, Renisha Howard, has developed a draft Youth Survey companion price that will survey the County’s youth about their interests and
needs this summer. Dickinson suggested that this survey also be utilized in the school system in the fall to gain additional information. Stancil presented a timeline of activity and
a draft table of contents that showed the steps involved in creating the
plan, and the roles of the PRC, consultant and two staff groups. Background work on sections of the plan has begun, and a draft survey will be shared with the PRC prior to distribution
in September. The PRC will need to make this topic a standing agenda item for the next several months to provide feedback on draft sections and the three public input sessions. The
group agreed to include review of the survey, and planning for the first public input session (planned for October) on their August meeting agenda.
Given the lateness of the hour, the PRC agreed to delay discussion of the Action Strategies for Goal 5 until the August meeting, and instructed that it should be the first agenda item
for that evening, and that the adopted goals be emailed out in advance.
Report of the Director
Stancil provided an update on the CIP and budget, with DEAPR budget review slated to occur on the following night (June 7).
He noted that there has been substantial discussion among neighborhoods and citizens in Bingham Township regarding the planned Mountains to Sea Trail corridor, and that a large public
meeting is slated for June 26 in Hillsborough to answer questions, followed by meetings with other neighborhoods near the proposed future trail on OWASA land near Cane Creek Reservoir.
A fuller update would be provided after the summer break. This trail is still many years from creation.
The Board will need to create a new board-specific advisory board policy and amend the Code of Ordinances, coming up this fall.
Allan Green mentioned the item he wanted the group to consider, which is related to the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) discussion – asking the staff to explore what it would take to open
land-banked County future park and preserves lands for hikers and possible overnight camping, with minimal improvements. The group discussed what kind of facility needs would be involved,
and what locations might be conducive to such an action. (No action was taken. Stancil would bring this topic up to the staff Land Stewardship Team for informal review and discussion)
Adjournment
The group was reminded that there is no meeting in July, and that the next meeting is slated for August 8.
Meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.
Name of Notetaker: David Stancil