HomeMy WebLinkAboutMeeting Summary 10012025 Worksession Notes— Parks and Recreation Council
October 1, 2025
Bonnie B Davis EAC Boardroom, Hillsborough
Members Present: Natalie Ziemba (Chair), Louise Flinn (Co-Chair), Trevor Robinson, Alissa
Martucci, GiGi Rashdi, Navya Sharma (youth delegate)
Members Absent: Logan Cason, Gregory Husketh, Robert Zurek, Maggie Moriarty, Allen
Parker, Xilong Zhao, Chloe Reid (youth delegate)
Staff: David Stancil, Abby Mattingly. Lee Barnes, Chris Sousa
Natalie Ziemba called the meeting to order at 6:30pm. Quorum not present so the meeting
proceeded as a worksession.
Report of the Chair:
a. Chair Comments — Chair Natalie Ziemba held brief introductions.
New Business:
a. Changes to the agenda — No changes were made.
b. Approval of Meeting Summary, September 3 — Louise Flinn motioned to approve,
Trevor Robinson seconded. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried.
c. Recreation Annual Update— Chris Sousa, recreation superintendent, and Lee Barnes,
recreation manager, presented the annual recreation update report to the PRC. The
update included information regarding staffing, programs offered, as well as data on
enrollments. Sousa spent time examining the costs and cost recovery of the programs,
as there is a current fee study. The study is being conducted by consultants, and they
are reviewing Emergency Services, DEAPR Recreation, and Planning and Inspections.
Sousa is unsure what the implications of the study will be, but the study is examining
indirect expenditures, a model not typical of recreation fee studies. The finalized study
will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners. Alissa Martucci asked if there
will be an opportunity to speak prior to any fees being raised. Stancil informed that if
the BOCC decides to act on the study and change program charges, a new fee schedule
will be proposed and there would be budget public hearings. Martucci followed up by
asking how much public opinion is weighted when making these decisions. Robinson
asked how often these types of audits occur. Recreation conducts internal reviews every
2 — 3 years to ensure fees are comparable to surrounding jurisdictions, but that this is
the first time outside consultants have been used.
Old Business
a. Fairview Park Improvements and Updates —The Council previously identified
Fairview Park Updates as an item for continued discussion for the remainder of 2025.
Stancil informed on the completion of the tennis courts, and work to be done on the trail
network. The goals for informal soccer play on the baseball outfield have been ordered
and will be available shortly. The Fairview Community Watch will supervise the usage of
the goals, and their availability will not interfere with HYAA baseball play.
b. Board Vacancies—There is one vacancy for the board. The vacancy is for the Town of
Carrboro residency requirement. There are no current applicants, but the board will
address the vacancy when an application is received.
Report of the Director
a. Project/Program Updates— Stancil provided an update on the Trails Plan
Workshops. Two more workshops were held to introduce the draft trails network to the
public. The Bicycle Pedestrian Plan consultants also attended the workshop held
Wednesday September 24th. There was a lower turnout than expected, and staff will be
hosting additional pop-up events.
Council and Committee Reports
a. Intergovernmental Parks Work Group — next meeting scheduled for October
8, 2025
b. Items for the Council/Sharing of Volunteer Opportunities — no updates
c. Friends of Orange County Parks and Recreation — no updates
Adjournment: Ziemba adjourned the meeting at 8:15pm
Next Meeting: November 5 (Chapel Hill)