Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRC Agenda 05012024 AGENDA Orange County Parks and Recreation Council Natalie Ziemba, Chair; Andrea Zimmerman,Vice-Chair; Casey Collins; Chris Colvin; Louise Flinn; Gregory Husketh; Rod Jones, Gina Reyman; Trevor Robinson; Xilong Zhao; Lilly Kohout(YD). May 1, 2024 6:30 p.m. Note Location; Blackwood Farm Park - Picnic Shelter 4215 NC 86 Chapel Hill, NC Time Item Title 6:30 I. Call to Order / Cookout Dinner 6:32 II. Report of the Chair a. Chair Comments b. Additions or Changes to the Agenda 6:40 III. New Business a. Approval of April 3 Meeting Summary b. State of the Parks — Dan Derby, Parks Supt. c. Disc Golf Course — Blackwood Farm Park 7:45 IV. Old Business N/A 7:45 V. Report of the Director a. Updates 7:50 VI. Council and Committee Reports a. Intergovernmental Parks Work Group (mtg April 10) b. Items from the Council / Sharing of Volunteer Opportunities 8:00 VII. Adjournment Next Meeting: June 5 (Hillsborough) Draft Meeting Summary— Parks and Recreation Council April 3rd, 2024 Bonnie B. Davis Center, Hillsborough Members Present: Natalie Ziemba (Chair), Louise Flinn, Trevor Robinson, Gina Reyman, Xilong Zhao, Casey Collins, Gregory Husketh Members Absent: Rod Jones, Andrea Zimmerman (Vice-Chair), Chris Colvin, Lilly Kohout Staff: David Stancil, Abby Mattingly, Ardra Webster Chair Natalie Ziemba called the meeting to order at 6:30pm. Report of the Chair: a. Chair Comments—Two new members, Casey Collins, and Gregory Husketh, were present and the council gave brief introductions. b. Appointments—Abby Mattingly gave an update on appointments. There is still an open Little River Township and Youth delegate position. The recommendation for Allen Parker was presented to the BOCC but has not been voted on yet. Gina Reyman inquired if the council could reevaluate their youth delegate advertising and selection process. Ziemba updated the council on a report she gave to the BOCC and on a recent interaction she had with an individual regarding pollinators and community gardens.The concept is rapidly gaining popularity and she requested the board to consider any tangible activities or projects they could pursue. Stancil informed that pollinator gardens are an area of interest within the newly approved Climate Action Plan (CAP) and that there will be native landscaping and community garden projects in conjunction with Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners. There will be funding for this in the upcoming budget. Collins discussed habitat development and "No Mow March", an initiative to project local pollinators and habitat creation. She suggested that some of the County parks engage with these habitat creation projects. Once the initiatives in the CAP are approved, a team will be developed to work on local planting and pollinator gardens. Reyman suggested the Orange High Agricultural program as a potential partner. c. Changes to the agenda— No changes were made. New Business: • Approval of February 7 and March 6 Meeting Summary- Reyman moved to adopt the February 7 meeting summary, Trevor Robinson seconded, all in favor none opposed, motion carried. Collins moved to adopt the March 6 meeting summary, all in favor none opposed, motion carried. P&R Projects in the Manager's Recommended FY 2024-34 Capital Investment Plan: Stancil presented the Capital Investment Plan (CIP), the County's 10-year blueprint for expected financing of the larger types of projects. Capital spending tending to be projects greater than $100,000. Year 1 is the only year operationalized while Year 2— 10 are a measured expectation that can be reevaluated. Between now and June, the County Manager and budget staff will examine these projects and approve the 10-year plan and operationalize the first year of it. Stancil provided the council with a two-page segment of the transmittal memo as well as the relevant parks and recreation programs included in the CIP. The department has 24 plans in the CIP, but much of the County budget has been allocated towards large school bond infrastructure projects over the next several years. Stancil discussed some of the Year 1 provisions. The passing of the CAP generated an additional $75,000 for the department to spend on upgrading equipment that is compliant with CAP targets. He also discussed the attention that the Millhouse Road property has gained recently, with discussions being held with a soccer organization in funding the construction of soccer fields. This project has the potential to move up in the CIP, however, the conversations are ongoing. An update might be available to the board during the June meeting. Collins asked if the financial contribution from a third-party organization would be considered a donation. Stancil informed that the organization will not have exclusive rights to the fields, but a negotiation will establish a concrete use agreement. Stancil discussed more CIP projects. • The County still needs to purchase a park in the Bingham Township, construction of this is included in Year 10 of the CIP. • There are ongoing initiatives at Blackwood Farm Park to increase outdoor education, and the design for the disc golf is underway. Xilong Zhao asked about the line item for lighting at Blackwood Farm Park. There are planned improvements at Blackwood, which would include solar lighting leading from the parking lot, down the gravel paths. • There is a second phase of Cedar Grove to construct new fields and courts, however, very little funding is available. • The Central Recreation Center is due to be replaced with a new facility currently planned to be adjected to Fairview Park. The design for the new facility is scheduled for 2028, with construction potentially happening in 2029. Collins inquired as to what would be done with the current recreation building, following construction of the new recreation center. The current thought is deconstruction, and a line item has been included in the CIP for that, but other ideas have been suggested. • There is a plan to build additional facilities at Fairview, and in the meantime three new tennis/pickleball courts will be built soon, with construction beginning this fall. • There are planned improvements at Hollow Rock Nature Park, and likewise at Little River Regional Park. • There is funding for future Mountain to Sea Trail easements, as some sections of the trail have not been finalized and will take a few more years to secure. • A future park, Northeast District Park, has been included in the CIP. • The Soccer.com Center has additional funding for 2028 for a second phase expansion. • The County owns 65 acres for a future nature preserve along the Upper Eno, however, the Department of Transportation will need to change the intersection to allow for access. Recreation Programs and Events Update- Recreation Superintendent Chris Sousa provided a written update on recreation programs. Mattingly presented the document to the Council. Collins asked about the soccer leagues, and why some have an all-girls division. Staff could not provide a complete answer but will consult with the recreation division. Reyman requested further information regarding the demand for the program. Mattingly discussed how some divisions fill up, while others do not reach capacity, and that occasionally staff are able to accommodate more than the pre-established capacity. Old Business A. P&R Master Plan 2030 Mid-Plan Review- Update: Stancil reminded the Council of the purpose of the mid-plan review. The Parks and Recreation Master Plan was adopted in 2014, with targeted goals through 2030. The Council has been re-examining the recommendations outlined in the original document. Staff have completed their write- up and sought any additional feedback by email to the draft presented at the meeting. Stancil stated June as the internal deadline for finalizing the document before it is sent to the BOCC. Report of the Director A. Project/Program Updates Council and Committee Reports A. Intergovernmental Parks Work Group (next mtg 4/10) B. Items for the Council/Sharing of Volunteer Opportunities— Adjournment: Zimmerman adjourned the meeting at 7:55pm Next Meeting: May 111 (Blackwood Farm Park)