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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRC meeting summary 12012021 Meeting Summary—Parks and Recreation Council December 1,2021 Virtual Meeting-Zoom Members Present: John Greeson (Chair), Xilong Zhao (Vice-Chair), Chris Colvin, Natalie Ziemba, Robert "Bob" Smith, Haywood Rhodes, Mikki Fleming, Greg Hughes Members Absent:Tim Tippin, Andrew Landstrom, Alice Armstrong Staff: David Stancil, Beth Young, Kalani Allen Chair John Greeson called meeting to order at 6:30pm. Review of Meeting Notes,Additions to Agenda: a. No changes or additions to meeting summary. Report of the Chair: The council reviewed applicants for the open Chapel Hill Township vacancy. Chris Colvin asked whether the council could submit more than one candidate for the vacancy to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). David Stancil suggested that council vote on the recommendations and hold them until February 2022 for when the BOCC meets for its work session that month.After discussion of the applicants; Chair Greeson opened the floor for a motion to vote for a candidate. Colvin made a motion to approve applicant Jessie Birckhead for the Chapel Hill Township vacant position (position#7) and Rebecca Turlock for Hillsborough Township (position #2)which is held by Chair Greeson,who will rotate off the council March 31, 2022. Robert Smith seconded the motion. With a vote,the council approved both candidates to be recommended. Colvin asked if DEAPR staff could send emails to both applicants to notify them that they were being considered for the council. Stancil stated that this could be done. Chair Greeson encouraged council members to seek out individuals in the Chapel Hill area to apply for the board so that the town can be represented on the council. New business: a. Approval of 2022 Annual Report and Workplan-Stancil showed the 2022 Annual Report with additions he created as suggested by the council at the November meeting. He highlighted the collaboration relationships section of the report. He explained that though COVID 19 affected some collaborations,the PRC does have regular meetings with sister advisory boards. Stancil reviewed the new additions of goals pertaining to create a joint committee with Commission of Environment (CFE)to help plan the Nature Preserve and public areas at the Greene Tract and Headwaters Preserve, combine existing trail planning work in towns into a County Trails Plan. The council agreed that the creation of a County Trails Plan by DEAPR staff should be a goal for 2022. Stancil discussed the additions made to the report for the subject matter of concerns or emerging issues the board has identified for the upcoming year. He reviewed the potential for construction of a joint survey on parks and recreation needs with towns in the county. Haywood Rhodes said that this would be helpful for when it comes time to review the 2030 Master Plan. Chair Greeson opened the floor for a motion to accept the Annual Report 2022. Greg Hughes motioned to accept and Rhodes seconded.The Annual Report was voted on and unanimously approved by all members. b. "Nature of Orange" Photography Contest 2022- Kalani Allen,Administrative Support DEAPR staff member presented information about the 2022 Nature of Orange Photography Contest. She provided the council with promotional material to be posted on social media, and in Orange County businesses. She gave a summary of the contest rules and highlighted that the contest was created to highlight Orange County nature preserves, parks and trails. PRC agreed to be a sponsor for the photo contest once again for the upcoming 2022 contest. c. Approval of 2022 Meeting Calendar—Council reviewed the 2022 meeting calendar. Stancil emphasized the April and November meeting location in Chapel Hill and the May park site meeting. Rhodes asked about touring the new Bonnie B. Davis Center and new parks base prior to any in-person meetings when applicable. Stancil agreed that a tour of the new facilities could be done. Rhodes moved that the 2022 meeting calendar be accepted. Smith seconded the motion.The calendar was unanimously approved by all members. Old Business: a. Approval of IP Work Group Representative—Stancil reviewed that former member Cecily Kritz was the representative to the IPWG. Colvin stated that he was still interested in the representative position. Chair Greeson asked if any additional members would like to be considered, with no responses Smith moved to approve Colvin, and Mikki Fleming seconded the motion.The council approved unanimously for Colvin to be the new PRC representative to the IPWG. b. Little River Regional Park-Approvals from 11/16-Stancil reviewed that on November 16 BOCC approved the renewal interlocal agreement with Durham County for the Little River Regional Park. Stancil explained the newly adopted master plan for the Little River Regional Park was created by Orange County graphic designer Melissa Blackburn largely from materials the department had on hand about the park and staff discussions of the last few years. Stancil explained and highlighted that this agreement is for the next five years and gave insight to what is included in the master plan, such as priorities for the park, handling of signage, and the maintenance of the partially developed mountain bike skills course. Chair Greeson asked if any changes were made to the agreement the council should be aware of as it relates to the new agreement. Stancil explained the new provision on things like the Laws House which is located on park land, as an example of the two counties may come together to discuss an issue where one county has an interest in pursuing an action and the other does not. c. 2030 P& R Master Plan Review-Brainstorming First Priority-The council discussed items that would be a priority for staff to bring to the council to complete for 2022 as it relates to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Stancil highlighted areas that would take additional time and would not be achievable by the February meeting. The council took time to discuss potential speakers to present and address the council on collaborations in the county such as the school system, the Sportsplex, and Friends of the Mountain to Sea Trail representatives. Chair Greeson provided feedback on deciding a priority. He suggested that the council provide topics that speakers could discuss and bring to the council. Report of the Director- a. Project/Program Updates- PRC Survey Results-Stancil reviewed results from the survey members completed from the prior meeting. From the survey results,the council agreed that a youth delegate/ex officio member position be proposed to the BOCC as the first priority of 2022.The council discussed potential speakers from various organizations in the county to present to the council at a later time and form more collaboration. Chair Greeson brought up the idea of resources relating to diversity. Stancil explained that the department has reached out to the contact person who facilities the Racial Equity plan presentation. Recreation Programs-Stancil provided an overview of the winter youth basketball program. He stated a 60% participation rate pre-COVID. He explained that COVID 19 protocols would be in effect for the length of the program. He talked about the girls youth soccer showcase held last weekend and the revenue results of$12,000 from that weekend event. Blackwood Farm Park-Stancil explained the progress of construction at Blackwood Farms and that plans are still on schedule for that project. b. February 2 Meeting Agenda Items—Racial Equity Plan, prepare for elections for chair,vice chair positions; appointment recommendation for position that will become open after March 31, 2022; youth delegate memo, and possible list of speakers and proposed dates for their presentations. Council and Committee Reports: a. Intergovernmental Parks Work Group (next mtg April 13) b. Items from the Council- None c. Friends of Orange County Parks and Recreation (FOPR)—Chair Greeson said no meeting was held. He did say that a draft website has been created. He reviewed that the organization is a 501c3 non-profit and gave take donations for the Giving Tuesday Next Meeting: February 2, 6:30 pm. Adjournment:Chair Greeson adjourned meeting at 8:05.