Parks and Recreation Commission

Parks & Recreation Commission (PRC) Monday, January 12, 2026 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 5:31 p.m. 2) Determination of Quorum A quorum was reached with six (6) commissioners in attendance. • Commissioners Present: Vice-Chair Carla Eustache, Chair Trey Fouche, Jon Show, Steve True, Robert Reed, and Jana Ritter • Commissioners Absent: Andrew Heywood and Travis Dancy • Staff Present: Director Troy Fitzsimmons, Assistant Director Adam Abernathy, Recreation Superintendent Michael Wolf, and Executive Assistant Mary Curcione • Partners Present: Pat Bowles – Director of Events, Charlotte Disc Golf Club 3) Public Appearances – Citizen Concerns/Comments 4) Approval of Minutes a) December 2025 Draft Minutes • Commissioner Show made a motion to approve the minutes from the December 4, 2025, meeting as presented. Commissioner True seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. 5) Presentations a) Charlotte Disc Golf Club – Pat Bowles • Mr. Bowles provided an overview of the club’s history, volunteer structure, and partnership with the Town, highlighting the popularity and use of the Bailey Road Park and Robbins Park disc golf courses. The presentation included participation data, course changes due to infrastructure projects, and ongoing fundraising efforts that support course maintenance, safety improvements, and facility upgrades. 6) Director’s Report a) December 2025 Director’s Report • Director Fitzsimmons highlighted recent and upcoming special events, recreation program participation, progress on the Bailey Road Park turf replacement, and the successful launch of online facility reservations. The report also included upcoming county engagement opportunities and recognition of outgoing Commissioners for their service. 7) Parks & Recreation Commissioner Recommendations & Reports a) Items to be placed on record b) Commissioner Reports 1) Vice-Chair Carla Eustache • Participated as a committee member for PRC applicant interviews and enjoyed being included in the process. • Attended the January 5 Town Board pre-meeting supporting Director Fitzsimmons’ request for approval of a budget amendment for the 2024 Park Bonds. 2) Chair Trey Fouche • Also sat on the interview committee for the PRC applicants.  • Currently has kids participating in winter basketball with Parks & Rec and stated it’s a great program. • Reflected on time with the PRC, noting the continued popularity of the All American Dog Show, highlighting the Cain Center, Master Plan, and the updated Legion Park playground, and emphasizing that the day-to-day experiences are what truly make Parks & Rec special. 3) Commissioner Jon Show • Would like to see more information on the Bailey Road Park Disc Golf Course available online. • Thanked Chair Fouche for his service on the Park Board over the years; he truly “knocked it out of the park.” 4) Commissioner Steve True • Also gave kudos to Chair Fouche and his service on the Board. 5) Commissioner Robert Reed • Enjoyed Deck the House; feels it puts the community “in the mood” for the holiday season. Same with the Halloween House Decorating Contest as well. • Flashlight Candy Cane Dash was a blast, even though it was moved inside due to weather. The Santa at the event was wonderful. • Tried to sign up kids for Polar Bear Flag Football and only got on the waitlist; took it as a sign that it’s a great, popular program! • Looking forward to Little League starting up soon in the Spring. 6) Commissioner Andrew Heywood – Absent 7) Commissioner Jana Ritter • With regards to the tennis courts at Bailey Road Park, wind screens and additional benches would be incredibly useful. • Gave kudos to Shelby Cruse, Special Events Manager, for coordinating a bench donation with LNTA at Bailey Road Park; she made the process very easy and enjoyable. • LNTA would like the Town’s support for a memorial tournament in honor of a local pilot’s son who passed away in the Statesville crash. 8) Commissioner Travis Dancy – Absent c) Town Commissioner Report – Commissioners Todd Sansbury & Colin Furcht • Commissioner Sansbury advised that the 2050 Downtown Master Plan approval has been postponed until March due to residents requiring more time to process the changes. • Commissioner Furcht emphasized that the PRC is the most active advisory board in this space and the work accomplished matters to residents, other commissioners, etc. 8) Old Business a) Chair Recommendation • Commissioner Show made a motion to appoint Vice-Chair Eustache as the new PRC Chair. Commissioners Reed and True seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. b) Vice-Chair Appointment • Commissioner True made a motion to appoint Commissioner Ritter as the new PRC Vice-Chair. Commissioners Reed and Eustache seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. c) Parks & Recreation Commission Goals & Committees • Commissioner Eustache stated she will be contacting and working with the commissioners to put together the various committees and their goals. d) 2024 Park Bonds • Director Fitzsimmons attended the Town Board pre-meeting on January 5, 2026, where he requested that the Board approve a $430,000 FY26 budget amendment to fund early planning activities for the 2024 Park Bonds. • The request received valuable feedback and the Board seemed very receptive. • Formal request will be made at the January 20, 2026, Town Board Meeting. 9) New Business a) Commissioner Appointment Recommendations • Director Fitzsimmons announced that three new Park Board commissioners will be recommended for appointment at the February 2, 2026, Town Board meeting: Massiel Tavarez, Chris Kolkhorst, and Lory Morrow. 10) Adjournment • Chair Fouche adjourned the meeting at 6:39pm. Upcoming PRC Meetings – Thursdays, February 5 and March 5, 2026 Next Town Board Meetings – Tuesday, January 20 and Monday, February 2, 2026