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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRC Meeting Summary 09072022 Draft Meeting Summary—Parks and Recreation Council September 7,2022 Bonnie B. Davis Environment and Agricultural Center-Hillsborough, Members Present: Gina Reyman(Chair),Mikki Fleming(Vice-Chair),Jessie Birckhead,Greg Hughes, Rod Jones,Tim Tippin,Becca Truluck,Xilong Zhao (via Zoom),Natalie Ziemba; Bob Smith Members Absent: Chris Colvin Staff: David Stancil,Kalani Allen Chair Gina Reyman called the meeting to order at 6:35pm. She asked that members do an introduction of themselves and the interests they have in Parks and Recreation. David Stancil asked that an additional item be discussed on the agenda about the youth delegate position. Reyman approved the additional item. Review of Meeting Summary/Additions to Agenda: a. No changes or additions to meeting summary. The Council accepted the meeting summary from August 10'meeting. Report of the Chair: a. Update on Recruitment/Vacancies-Reyman introduced this item and noted that there is one vacancy for the Chapel Hill Township position on the Council. The Council discussed the one applicant available for this position. Members decided to continue recruitment efforts for additional applicants and wait another month before bringing the applicant forward to the BOCC. b. Youth Delegate-Kalani Allen discussed that there are three applications for the youth delegate position. The board decided to have these applications be sent to members to review and the Council will make a vote at the October meeting. New Business: a. P&R Master Plan 2030-Brainstorming Session#1 (Changed Conditions/Surveys)- Stancil facilitated a discussion as a brainstorming session on the changed conditions and surveys from the 2014 Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Stancil said that the overall outcome of this mid plan review would be to identify what kind of surveys might be needed in 2023 for residents.A total of 4200 surveys were distributed to Orange County residents prior to the completion of the Master Plan. There were also follow up surveys online and targeted surveys and focus groups. Discussion starter questions included"what did the 2012-13 surveys tell us?","have needs and issues been addressed from the surveys", and"what focus areas do we see for a 2022-2023 follow up survey." Stancil talked about the demographics of participants of the survey. One issue shown in the survey results was that it was a countywide survey,including the 67%of county residents who lived in Chapel Hill and Carrboro and who completed surveys not familiar with Orange County parks or recreation activities. Reyman provided feedback on the takeaway from the 2013- 2014 surveys. She emphasized that there has been population growth and that any new survey efforts should be presented to areas that were underrepresented in the past. Greg Hughes added that questions related to post-pandemic needs such as facility usage at Orange County public schools should be included.Becca Truluck said that there should be a re-evaluation of recreation activities that residents would want and Jessie Birckhead agreed. She emphasized that in a post- pandemic era there is a greater awareness for outside recreation resources,and that the PRC should see what those people wish to see in the future. Stancil said there was a 12%response from the statistical random-sample surveys,which is normal. Mikki Fleming asked would there be plans to optimize the mid-plan survey for mobile devices as underrepresented residents may not have access to home internet but could participate via mobile device phone carrier internet. The discussion also included answers to the question of"Have we addressed the needs and issues for further study."Members provided apparent new needs such as more pickle ball courts, swim facilities,Rod Jones shared that as a youth growing up in Orange County he and his family utilized Camp New Hope swimming pool as others were not accessible. Birckhead brought forth the question about staff numbers as it related to the level of service, for issues for further study. As a former government employee she asked what is the forecasting for DEAPR staff to sustain the level of services, and expansion for activities and park maintenance.Natalie Ziemba said that the answer to Birckhead question maybe be quality over quantity as it relates to staff. Truluck questioned about what can be done about staff retention.Fleming ended the conversation on issues of further study with emphasis of safety and the need for cameras and similar security at parks and recreation facilities. b. Plan for Tour of Orange County Parks—Stancil spoke on the previous plan to tour Orange County Parks. Members showed interest in the idea of a tour. DEAPR staff will send out dates in October for members to decide what works for most members. Birckhead suggested that the tour start in Northern Orange and focus on north of I-85 and all members agreed. Old Business: a. Nature of Orange 2022 Photo Contest—Allen gave a review of the Nature of Orange Photo Contest,including number of participants in each category. She provided information of the upcoming contest with plans to start the new contest in November. b. PRC-Volunteer/Steward Opportunities -Reyman asked Truluck of the ideas she had as a project for the Council to do collectively. Truluck said she was interested in opportunities for parks cleanup for example. She explained she did sign up for the Parks Conservation Volunteer Stewardship. Stancil said that he would send an email to the park managers to see if there are any stewardship opportunities for the Council. Stancil also said there are may be an opportunity upcoming at Soccencom Center for members to participate in, such as being parking attendants. Report of the Director- a. Project and Budget/CIP Updates- Stancil gave an update that delays at Blackwood included supply change issues yet he is hopeful that the opening date could be in late October. Birckhead asked him if there was any update on the Perry Hills community park. Stancil said that BOCC Chair Renee Price and Commissioner McKee are meeting with community leaders to discuss an organized community meeting. b. October Meeting Plans—DEAPR staff member Peter Sandbeck presentation,Youth Delegate applicants,and Mid Plan review brainstorming session. Council and Committee Reports: a. Intergovernmental Parks Work Group(next mtg October 12) b. Items from the Council- c. Friends of Orange County Parks and Recreation(FOPR)—No update. Reyman asked that this be removed as an agenda item on future meeting agendas. She said when the group does have information to share she will ask that it be on the agenda at that time. The Council agreed. Adjournment: Reyman adjourned meeting at 7:52 pm. Next Meeting: October 5,2022 at the Bonnie B. Davis Building.