Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Aug. 18, 2005
8 p.m. Hunt Community Center
Board Members Present: Mary Beth Healy-Henrick , Libby Wilhelmson, Beth Arthur, Mark Phelps, Alan Patterson, Randy Adamson, Ex-Officio Hank Dickson
Board Members Absent: Patty Glembocki, Kathy Hamilton-Brown
Staff Present: Len Bradley , Johnny Dickinson
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Mary Beth Healy-Henrick called the meeting to order.
MINUTES
Alan Patterson made a motion to approve the minutes from 7/14/05 . Beth Arthur seconded the motion. All were in favor, minutes approved.
LONG RANGE PLANNING FOR ATHLETICS
The committee was interested in the department's plans for long range planning for athletics. Len stated long range planning is being done in conjunction with the planning of the new community center for new athletic opportunities. Planning is being done to include volleyball, golf, tennis, and to try lacrosse again. Tennis courts at the new high school should be ready next fall.
PRIOTIZING/FUNDING PROJECT
The committee wanted to know how projects such as Veterans' Park and the new community center are prioritized for funding. Len stated the department's 5 Year Capital Improvement Projects Plan outlines the projects for each year and the funding needed. The CIP plan has been approved by the Town Council . The plan serves as a guide and does not mean the projects will be completed as outlined. Projects are completed as funding becomes available. Members have a copy of the CIP plan in their Recreation Advisory Manual. Veterans Park is in the CIP plan under Development of Windcrest Community Center.
RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD ORGANIZATIONAL ITEMS
Committee Vacancies
Matt Clifton and Patty Glembocki submitted their resignations to the board via email. The committee accepted the resignations and reviewed applications previously submitted to fill the open seats. Beth Arthur made a motion to nominate Jeff Buser to fill one of the open seats. Mary Beth Healy Henrick seconded the motion. All were in favor. Beth Arthur or Hank Dickson will contact Jeff Buser to let him know he has been selected contingent upon approval by Town Council . Beth Arthur made a motion to nominate Susan Britt for the remaining open seat. Alan Patterson seconded the motion. All were in favor. Beth Arthur will contact Susan Britt to let her know she has been selected contingent upon approval by the Town Council .
The recommendations will be placed on the September 6 th Town Council agenda for approval by the Council.
Voting by E-mail
Libby Wilhelmson wanted to know if members could vote by email on committee items. Alan Patterson stated he is frequently out of town during the summer months and has limited access to email. Beth Arthur stated using email would not allow the committee to hear input from outside interested parties. Mark Phelps thought it would encourage members not to attend meetings. There was a question as to whether the committee can legally vote by email since the members are appointed by Town Council . Len Bradley will check with the Town Attorney, John Schifano .
Advisory Emails
An email was received by the advisory board concerning the increase in after school fees. The fee increase came at the end of the budget process when the Town realized it would not be able to continue to operate the program at its current level. Even with the increase, the Town's fees are substantially lower than comparable programs offered by other organizations. Len will respond to the email.
DEPARTMENT PROJECT UPDATES
Veterans' Park master plan will go before the Town Council September 6 th for approval. Construction will be starting at Womble Park to complete the ball fields. Construction on the restrooms at Jones Park will begin shortly. The new High School is working on the athletic fields and they should be ready by fall 2006. Bids have been received on constructing the cultural center. The lowest bid was over the budget and the project is scheduled to be discussed at the next Town Council meeting. The department recently added a maintenance position and the position has been filled. The open athletic manager position should be filled within the next three weeks.
CHALLENGE SOCCER AGREEMENT UPDATE
Rick Clark from the Holly Springs Futbol Club was present to discuss the meeting held between Holly Springs Futbol Club and the Triangle Y Soccer Group. Mr. Clark stated he offered Triangle Y the opportunity to join the Holly Springs Futbol Club (HSFC), but they declined. The committee asked about a recent letter from North Carolina Youth Soccer Association (NCYSA) to the Town Manager. The letter was a result of the Town entering into an agreement with HSFC which is affiliated with Triangle Futbol Club (TFC) for the use of the Town's soccer fields for their challenge program. The NCYSA stated it would not allow HSFC players to play under the umbrella of the TFC which is a member of the NCYSA. Therefore, HSFC players would not be sanctioned to play under NCYSA or compete against other NCYSA teams. Mr. Clark stated that HSFC would stay the course with its program and the attorneys for NCYSA and TFC would settle the dispute.
Adjourn
There being no further items for discussion, the meeting was adjourned.