Parks and Recreation Commission

Parks & Recreation Commission (PRC) Wednesday, April 9, 2025 Cornelius Town Hall 5:30 – 7 p.m. www.cornelius.org/pr MINUTES 1) Call to Order Chair Fouche called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. 2) Determination of Quorum A quorum was reached with eight commissioners in attendance. Commissioners present: Carla Eustache, Chair Trey Fouche, Jeff Jones, Jon Show, Steve True, Andrew Heywood (via phone), Jana Ritter, and Travis Dancy Commissioners absent: Robert Reed and Town Commissioners Todd Sansbury and Michael Osborne Staff present: Director Troy Fitzsimmons, Assistant Director Adam Abernathy, Recreation Superintendent Josh Handelsman, Executive Assistant Karen Ulmer 3) Public Appearances – Citizen Concerns/Comments None 4) Approval of Minutes a) March 2025 Draft Minutes Commissioner Dancy made a motion to approve the minutes from the March 6, 2025, meeting as written. Commissioner True seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. 5) Director’s Report a) March 2025 Director’s Report • Director Fitzsimmons distributed cards featuring a QR code to the Town’s Downtown Master Plan webpage, asking the Commissioners to share the cards with neighbors and Cornelius friends. • He shared a presentation highlighting items from his March 2025 Director’s Report. • At the Town’s budget retreat last week, the Town Manager presented the Board of Commissioners with scenarios including a zero-percent tax increase and a half-cent increase. We should have clearer direction once the Town Manager’s proposed budget is presented to the Town Board in May. 6) Parks & Recreation Commissioner Recommendations & Reports a) Items to be placed on record b) Commissioner Reports 1) Vice-Chair Carla Eustache • She attended the Downtown Master Plan meeting and ribbon cuttings for the Cain Park Musical Playground and Caldwell Station Tributary Greenway. 2) Chair Trey Fouche • He attended the Humpty Dumpty rededication. That project was a completely citizen-driven campaign, raising over $2600, which was a great thing for our small town. • He attended a “Hands Off” protest march on Saturday, with a stunning amount of people participating, walking from Town Hall to Smithville Park. He heard several people comment about the Humpty Dumpty and Mark Twain public art installations along the way. • He encouraged the Commissioners to look at the Downtown Master Plan, make comments, and ask questions. There are several elements in the current iteration that give him cause for concern. He also wants to make sure that Legion Park and the Legion building property are part of the plan.  3) Commissioner Jeff Jones • He attended the Downtown Master Plan meeting. It was well attended and there seemed to be good feedback. • He was at the Caldwell Station Tributary Greenway ribbon cutting. That greenway has a lot of appealing quiet areas. 4) Commissioner Jon Show • He attended the Caldwell Station Tributary Greenway ribbon cutting. • He has seen kids either get bitten or nearly bitten by dogs in the parks. He asked who was responsible for enforcing dog ordinances or even just encouraging people to leave their dogs at home. He suggested that we contact our partners to email their people to keep their dogs off the playing fields. Assistant Director Abernathy said staff have recently added new, larger signage to keep dogs off the fields. Director Fitzsimmons said our staff speak to owners of off-leash dogs in the parks about keeping their dogs on leash and off the fields but cannot enforce either. For problems, staff and the public can and should call the police department. 5) Commissioner Steve True • He attended the Cain Park Musical Playground opening and the Cain Center’s ceramics studio project groundbreaking. • He attended the Cornelius Coffee Chat. • He attended the Humpty Dumpty rededication. 6) Commissioner Robert Reed – Absent 7) Commissioner Andrew Heywood – No report 8) Commissioner Jana Ritter • She wrote the monthly article for Lakeside Living. • She has registered for the Cornelius Cardboard Boat Regatta and is working on the cardboard and duct tape boat with her daughter and friends. • She asked if there will be a practice wall on the new courts at Bailey Road Park. Assistant Director Abernathy said we are planning to add one to two of the courts. Commissioner Ritter suggested that they be added to the outside of the fences. Director Fitzsimmons said we will look into it and discuss with Jeremy Martin of Modern Strike. 9) Commissioner Travis Dancy • His daughter is playing with Lake Norman Little League this spring. c) Town Commissioner Report – Commissioner Todd Sansbury – Absent 7) Old Business a) Parks & Recreation Commission Goals & Committees • Director Fitzsimmons said this committee will be meeting to consider a pickleball setback policy, as well as what to do with the hybrid courts at Torrence Chapel Park and Robbins Park once the Bailey Road Park courts come online. b) 2024 Park Bonds – No new information 8) New Business a) Bailey Road Park Tennis Program Operator Agreement Recreation Superintendent Handelsman shared a presentation regarding our proposed agreement with Modern Strike for tennis programming at Bailey Road Park, once the new courts are in operation. He introduced Jeremy Martin, Modern Strike’s owner and head pro. Modern Strike is affiliated with a nationwide company, Toss & Spin. Staff estimate around $17,000 in revenue to the Town in the first year. Mr. Martin said he is excited to get going and grow tennis in our area. Commissioner Ritter made a motion to authorize the Parks & Recreation Director to finalize and execute the agreement. Commissioner Show seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. b) Bailey Road Park Pickleball Program Operator Agreement Ongoing conversations with Lake Norman Pickleball Association are underway, but this agreement was not ready in time for tonight’s meeting. 9) Adjournment Chair Fouche adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m. Next PRC Meeting – Thursday, May 1, 2025 Future PRC Meetings – Thursdays, June 5, July 10, and August 7, 2025 Next Town Board Meetings – Mondays, April 21, and May 5 and 19, 2025