Recreation Advisory Commission

The City of Durham Parks & Recreation Department Recreation Advisory Commission Wednesday, February 12, 2020 DPR Training Room (1st Floor) 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Members Present: Rebecca Reyes, David Green, David Fellerath, Frank White, Marcella Scurlock-Jones, Kokou Nayo, Eric Tullis Members Excused/Unexcused: Jessica Slice – unexcused Lesley Stracks-Mullem - unexcused City Council Liaison: Council Member Alston –not present City Staff Present: Rhonda Parker, Joy Guy, Jason Jones, Tom Dawson, Rich Hahn, Lynda Merritt Introduction/Call to Order: David G. called the meeting to order at 7:37 am and provided a welcome and congratulations to Rhonda on her recent retirement announcement. He recognized Rhonda for her excellent work and leadership. Her official last day of work is Friday, February 28, 2020. Several members expressed their appreciation and wished her well. Approval of Minutes: Rebecca made a motion to approve the January, 8, 2020 meeting minutes; seconded by David F; No further changes, whereupon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, the minutes were approved as presented. Adjustments to the agenda: David suggested moving Old/New Business up in the agenda in order to save more time for the DPR Director Recruitment Process. Director’s Report: Rhonda is retiring on March 1st, her last day of work is February 28th, and Rhonda has been in the parks and recreation field for 44 years. Durham is so diverse, embracing, and the community really connects with everything DPR is doing. We have a great team in place, AD’s and your liaison Lynda. This is one of the most active boards in the city and you formed a subcommittee for the first time in the history of the RAC. I challenge each of you to continue your work as advisory ambassadors and to keep up the good work! Recreation Advisory Commission January Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 12, 2020 Page 1 RAC Action Items – Fee Waiver Requests Fee Waiver Requests - Rich Hahn ▪ It was suggested that Rich make a note of new organizations requesting a waiver of fees. ▪ Rich emailed the fee waivers in advance which was very helpful. ▪ David reminded members to review fee waivers prior to each meeting. David G. feels we should continue our approval of fee waiver requests by consent unless there were any questions about the fee waiver organizations or inquiries about recommendations made by staff. David F. made a motion to accept all fee waivers as recommended by staff; seconded by Marcella. All in favor, motion passed unanimously. 1. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Event: Health Symposium Facility Request: Durham Armory Date(s) of Event: April 18, 2020 Fee waiver application approved by consent at 50% (staff recommendation) 2. Magic Express Tennis Club Event: Tennis Tournament Facility Request: Elmira, East End, and Garrett Rd. Tennis Courts Date(s) of Event: May 23-25, 2020 Fee waiver application approved by consent at 50% (staff recommendation) Frank arrived at the meeting at 7:57 am Old Business: RAC Goals and Priorities 2020 (review and approve Leslie’s proposed amendment) ▪ Review of RAC Priorities for (FY20) Item #3. Focusing on the safety of our parks, trails and recreation facilities by: ▪ Currently states: The RAC Park Safety Subcommittee to embrace and develop strategies and models that foster connections, community building, and violence prevention. ▪ Proposed changes by Leslie: Embracing and developing strategies and models that foster connections, community building, and violence prevention. ▪ Action item: David G. made a motion to approve the proposed changes; seconded by David F. No further changes the amendment was approved unanimously. RAC Bylaws (review, revise and approve) ▪ Lynda recommended no changes to the bylaws at this time. We may need to revisit and add a statement allowing attendance by teleconference calls in emergency situations. The City Clerk’s office is looking into this process. This item was put on hold for now until a decision has been made. RAC Tour (planning for 2020) An RSVP is required, so go ahead and confirm your attendance with Lynda. Tour Schedule: 7:30 am – meet at Ops, tour of facility & light snacks 8:00 am – leave on tour – schedule below 11:00 am – return to Ops Ctr. Recreation Advisory Commission January Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 12, 2020 Page 2  Parks to be visited in Stop/no stop 2020 Herndon Stop Old Chapel Hill Road No stop Piney Wood Stop Campus Hills Stop Weaver Stop Cook Road No stop Solite No stop ▪ Lynda reported on the concept of regional park tours each year. ▪ Lynda reviewed the parks on the tour. ▪ DPR’s transportation coordinator will map out the scheduled stops. New Business: RAC Report to City Council (August 2020) ▪ Eric volunteered to work with Lynda on this year’s report. ▪ Eric and Lynda will start collecting data and looking for pictures. ▪ David G. encouraged everyone to send pictures and notes of our accomplishments in order to capture our work. RAC Reporting Items: ▪ 2050 Comprehensive Plan: David F. attended the Durham City-County Planning department meeting on January 30, 2020. Work on the plan has been underway with most of the work on community engagement meetings. The idea is to involve our boards and commissions as they already have a vested interest in Durham’s future. The next phase of the plan includes determining a body of representatives who meet quarterly to discuss and work on the plan. Action Item: scheduling the next meeting. Do we have a RAC member who is interested in serving as liaison to the Comprehensive Plan? David F. is asking members to respond if you’re interested by February 21 st. o David F encouraged members to consider agreeing to engage and participate with the new comprehensive plan. o There was some discussion on the amount of volunteer time involved. o David F. will share the email and google poll with Lynda to forward the information along to members. ▪ Marcella reported on the park clean up at Orchard Park that was coordinated by ICNA Relief NC, 3D Basketball, Marcella and residents from JJ Henderson. There was an opening in the ground that could be dangerous and needs some attention. Tom will check it out. Tom explained how the permitting process works. It was a successful outcome in a park that was coordinated within the community, so everyone feels a sense of ownership. ▪ Frank attended the January PAC Facilitators meeting that was sponsored by NIS. He learned that NIS is in the process of determining the future of PAC5. At this time there is very little leadership, and no one is stepping up to take the lead. They haven’t had a meeting since May or June. Recreation Advisory Commission January Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 12, 2020 Page 3  ▪ RAC Members by PAC representation: o PAC2 – Frank o PAC3 – Marcella o PAC4 – David G. o PAC2 – David F. o PAC2 – Eric T. o PAC2 – Nayo o PAC2 – Rebecca Updates: Tom: Community Engagement Events: ▪ Drew Granby Park: staff from Park Planning, Maintenance, Outdoor Recreation, Special Inclusion and Mature Adults, Playgrounds and DPR translators united to host a fun filled public input session for a Participatory Budgeting project. This session was conducted largely in Spanish where all input activities were bilingual. The event focused on replacing playground pieces at Drew Granby park to make them more inclusive to children with disabilities. DPR Staff worked with PB delegates to plan the meeting and with NIS staff to bring out the community. DPR gained enough information to get a sense of what the community wanted out of the playground. Staff also helped describe the limitations of what could fit at the small park and would be most appropriate for children with special needs. DPR will meet again with the PB delegates to select the final options of playgrounds and expects to begin construction in the spring. ▪ Bay Hargrove Park: a community meeting was held to discuss options on ½ Penny replacement play pieces for Bay Hargrove Park and developer visions for the parks future. DPF representatives were on hand to discuss funding community visions. The Outdoor Recreation Team provided a campfire and S’mores and DPR Outreach provided Spanish interpretation and engagement services. ▪ Parklab: Maintenance staff has begun planning for a new programming space and streetscape of a gravel lot above Old North Durham Park. The working name for this space is “Parklab.” Once completed the space will be flexible to accommodate a variety of programming in a commercial area. Committee Reports: DOST Report - Frank White ▪ No report at this meeting. Park Safety Committee – Frank White ▪ No report at this meeting. Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC) – David Fellerath ▪ David attended the BPAC Retreat in January. Work on the guiding principles is underway such as: equitable, safe and complete mobility networks, people centered language (reorienting the language toward people). Their main goal is: moving people around safely and equitably. ▪ At the regular meeting, there was discussion on the impact of scooters. Tom reported that DPR has more issues with bikes than scooters. Motorized vehicles are not allowed on the trails. Transportation has made regular presentations on bikes and scooters. ▪ David G. – in respect to equitable engagement and how to approach that, are there any comments you want to share with the group? How did you go about defining and discussing Recreation Advisory Commission January Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 12, 2020 Page 4  equitable engagement? David F. –during a retreat exercise they looked at the old guidelines and split up in groups, all the notes were collected and added to google docs for review and continued work. o Vision Zero – safety imperative o Complete Streets – infrastructure o Mobility - ethical and policy ▪ David F. is there a way the (RAC) can participate without being a member of BPAC? Such as during the planning review, where we look at development plans and make notes to ensure transportation and mobility objectives are being met? The process involves a lengthy detailed checklist that must be met. If anyone is interested in planning review, let David F. know and he will connect you with the right person. ▪ Tom reported on the development review from a parks perspective. From a master plan standpoint we can ask for two things. 1. A large easement or 2. A small easement but you have to build the trail for us. Lindsay Smart works on a great deal of trail development. In terms of the RAC needing to be involved in that process, Tom doesn’t’ see the need for it. Tom pointed out that this process is very time consuming for his staff. We try to narrow our focus and work on park/trail planning. Joy reported that due to the high demands placed on our staff, a part-time position was added to next year’s budget. Hillandale Advisory Committee - Rebecca Reyes ▪ No meeting – no report. DPR Director Recruitment Process – presentation and feedback ▪ Rhonda made an announcement that the presentation led by consulting group Development Associates was cancelled. ▪ The purpose of the survey will be to hear from internal stakeholders regarding competencies needed in the next Parks and Recreation Director as well as critical issues facing the department and community ▪ The online surveys will be anonymous. ▪ Lynda added that after attending one of the focus groups the presentation and the survey included the same information and feedback that was requested. ▪ Please use the link below in order to complete the online survey with your feedback: : http://www.empliant.com/survey/FD96AA4C2-D2FD-807E-05FC/ Open Discussion: ▪ Lynda reminded everyone how important Census 2020 is, and encouraged members to help spread the word. ▪ Tom provided a pickleball update. ▪ Tom provided a timetable for Rock Quarry – after Bimbe 2020 and the goal is to open before Bimbe of 2021. Next RAC Meeting: Wednesday, March 11, 2019 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. DPR Training Room – 2nd Floor Minutes respectfully submitted by Lynda Merritt: Recreation Advisory Commission January Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 12, 2020 Page 5