Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Sept. 8, 2005
7 p.m. Town Council Chambers
Board Members Present: Mary Beth Healy-Henrick , Mark Phelps, Alan Patterson , Randy Adamson, Jeff Buser, Susan Britt, Libby Wilhelmson Ex-Officio Hank Dickson
Board Members Absent: Beth Arthur, Kathy Hamilton-Brown
Staff Present: Sarah Kennedy
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Mary Beth Healy-Henrick called the meeting to order.
WELCOME
The committee welcomed new members Jeff Buser and Susan Britt to the board.
MINUTES
Randy Adamson made a motion to approve the minutes from 08/18/05 meeting. Libby Wilhelmson seconded. All in were in favor, minutes approved.
PRESENTATION BY WAKE COUNTY 4H ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Phyllis Sharpe and Andrew Meyer with Wake County 4H presented material from a power point on the need for the Youth Development assessment for Holly Springs . (See attachment A.) Wake County 4H was contacted by Mayor Sears and requested to develop a youth assessment for Holly Springs. The power point was presented to the Town Board in July and received approval from the Board to proceed with the Recreation Advisory Board serving as the steering committee. The youth assessment will be a joint partnership between the Town, Wake County 4H Cooperative Extension and Wake County Human Services.
The youth assessment involves looking at the needs of youth overall, not just recreationally or athletics. The study would do a mapping of existing assets and determine what's missing and what other interests or activities are needed and resources available. The process will take from 6 to 8 months and will consist of interviews of people within the community and focus groups. The information gained from these interviews and focus groups will provide a “snapshot” of what's available right now and will provide Holly Springs with a strategic plan for the future and setting priorities.
An intern from one of the local schools will need to be hired to do the legwork for the committee. Funding for the intern has been allocated by the Town Council .
The Recreation Advisory Committee will help garner broad support from the community by serving as the steering committee in this endeavor. The committee will aid in the selection of people and groups to interview in the process and in determining the focus questions.
Ms. Sharpe and Mr. Meyer recommended a subcommittee of the Recreation Advisory Committee with members from the Recreation Advisory Board and others from the community. The advisory
board would suggest other individuals from the community to serve on the subcommittee and help with identifying an intern for the assessment. In addition, the town will have staff representation on the subcommittee. The subcommittee would need to meet every other week at the beginning of the process. The advisory committee agreed with the recommendation and Jeff Buser, Randy Adamson, Mary Beth Healy-Henrick , and Libby Wilhelmson will serve on the subcommittee. Libby will be the point of contact for the group and Mary Beth will serve as an alternate.
At the end of the presentation, there was a question and answer period followed by a group discussion. The advisory committee needed further clarification on the youth assessment. Members wanted to know if other municipalities have completed a youth assessment study and what were the results. Mr. Meyer said a collaboration of this type with a town has never been done before, so there is nothing to compare. Wake County 4H has partnered with other agencies to bring a specific program to an area such as a middle school program in eastern Wake County but not a youth needs assessment. The intention is not to bring in 4H clubs or programs, but it is hoped as a result of this initiative that they could be developed in this area.
The members agreed the youth assessment would complement the Parks & Recreation survey conducted a couple of years ago by the Advisory Committee as it would give a broader view and include commerce, schools, etc. The timing of the assessment will coincide with the Library/Cultural Center being built and tie into planning for a new community center.
Ms. Sharpe and Mr. Meyer will be in touch with the members of the subcommittee to set up the first meeting.
ORGANIZATIONAL ITEMS
Contact information for members was distributed and members verified it is correct. The committee at last month's meeting requested guidance from the Town Attorney on whether they could vote on issues by email. The answer is no. (See attachment B.)
OTHER DISCUSSION
Libby wanted to discuss the lighting issues for the football program. Len Bradley was not at the meeting to answer questions. Teams are practicing at Avent Ferry which does not have lighting. Womble Park is not available due to adult softball being played on two of the fields and the other two fields are under construction. Libby suggested using Jones Park . Sarah stated Len and Johnny Dickinson have been working on a solution for the lighting issues, but will relay the Jones Park suggestion to both.
Hank Dickson stated the master plan for Veterans' Park was approved at the last Town Council meeting. Hank also informed the group about Holly Springs Storm Aid, a storm relief effort to raise funds to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The event is planned for September 10th at Womble Park from noon to 5:00 pm .
Adjourn
There being no further items for discussion, the meeting was adjourned.