HomeMy WebLinkAboutMeeting Summary 12102024 Meeting Summary— Parks and Recreation Council
December 4, 2024
Solid Waste Operations Center Meeting Room, Chapel Hill
Members Present: Natalie Ziemba (Chair), Louise Flinn, Trevor Robinson, Gregory Husketh, Ben
King
Members Absent: Andrea Zimmerman (Vice-Chair), Allen Parker, Gina Reyman, Xilong Zhao
Staff: David Stancil, Abby Mattingly, Nish Trivedi
Natalie Ziemba called the meeting to order at 6:35pm.
Report of the Chair:
a. Chair Comments—Chair Natalie Ziemba had no comments.
b. Council Vacancies Update—The Board of Commissioners filled two seats. New member
Benjamin King was present at the meeting, as well as GiGi Rashdi, whose term begins
January 1. Abby Mattingly presented the relevant applicants. There were three youth
applications and two available seats. The board discussed the applicants and King
moved to recommend two youth delegates for those seats, Gregory Husketh seconded.
All in favor, none opposed, motion carried. There was one applicant from Hillsborough
Town Limits Council seat. King moved to recommend Alissa Martucci for the available
seat, Trevor Robinson seconded. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried.
c. Changes to the agenda— Mattingly added the Nature of Orange Photo Contest
continued discussion to Old Business.
New Business:
a. Orange County Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan- Nish Trivedi, the Orange County
Transportation Director, presented the upcoming Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan. The Plan will
focus on the unincorporated part of the County but will work with the towns to ensure a
cohesive countywide plan. There will be two rounds of public engagement. Currently,
they are in the "listening" phase of the plan, where developers are seeking to
understand public opinion. Trivedi discussed the engagement strategy. The Plan will be
developed following a year long process, and updates will be provided.
b. Approval of November 6 Summary: Louise Flinn moved to approve the draft summary,
Ziemba seconded. The summary was approved unanimously.
Old Business
a. 2024 Annual Report/2025 Work Plan: Stancil presented the updated 2024 Report and
workplan. The document is required by the County Commissioners for all County
advisory boards. It reflects what the board has achieved that year, and what it aims to
address in the upcoming year. Stancil addressed some of the changes staff made from
the previous meeting. The major new project for next year will be the upcoming County
trails plan. The PRC will be the steering committee for the plan and will be involved with
multiple meetings. The Council discussed issues such as the upcoming new recreation
center listed on the CIP, and issues of soccer fields and other capacity concerns. Staff
noted changes to amend before submitting the document and will send the document
for final review via email. Husketh moved to approve the work plan, Robinson
seconded, all in favor, none opposed, motion carried.
b. Nature of Orange Photography Contest: Mattingly presented the upcoming theme for
the 2025 Nature of Orange Photography Contest, "My Place in Nature". She requested
that the board move to co-sponsor the contest. Robinson moved to approve
sponsorship of the contest, Flinn seconded. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried.
Report of the Director
a. Project/Program Updates—Stancil addressed the trails plan and the selection of the
consultant. Gensler will be the consultant for developing the plan, and the PRC will
serve as the steering committee for the plan. There are multiple trails plans and reports,
however, this will be the major effort of the county to synchronize the existing
networks, and the planning for future trail connectivity. The new courts will be built at
Fairview Park and will be dual tennis and pickleball courts. Perry Hills mini park will be
finished early 2025, and the mountain bike skills court is nearing finalization at Little
River Regional Park.
Council and Committee Reports
a. Intergovernmental Parks Work Group—next meeting scheduled for April 9, 2025
b. Items for the Council/Sharing of Volunteer Opportunities—none
Adjournment: Ziemba adjourned the meeting at 7:53pm
Next Meeting: February 5th (Bonnie B Davis EAC, Hillsborough)