Recreation Advisory Commission

Recreation Advisory Commission April 14, 2021 Call To Order: A meeting of the Durham Recreation Advisory Commission was held on this day via video conference. Commissioners present via video conference: April 14, 2021. Chair Fellerath called the meeting to order at 7:36am. Councilmember Pierce Freelon was present. Commissioner Tullis was an unexcused absence. Attendance was confirmed by roll call. I. Adjustments to the Agenda: None II. Public Comment: None III. Consent Agenda 1. Approval of Minutes: Marcella made a motion to approve the March 10, 2021 meeting minutes; seconded by Rebecca; no further changes, whereupon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted, the minutes were approved as presented. 2. RAC Action Items – Fee Waiver Requests (Rich Hahn) Rich recommended approval by consent unless there was discussion about the fee waiver organizations or questions about recommendations made by staff. Marcella made a motion to accept all fee waivers as recommended by staff; seconded by Rebecca. All in favor, motion passes unanimously. 1. Girl Scouts of North Carolina Event Girl Scouts of North Carolina Facility Request Forest Hills Dates June 19-25, 2021 Fee waiver application approved by consent at 50% IV. New Business: 1. RAC Retreat  Chairperson Fellerath explained the importance of having an annual retreat. There was discussion about the retreat being held in the summer or in the fall and whether it should be virtual. There was support for the retreat being held virtually and in the fall by the Commissioners.  Wade recommended site visits and tours to be held in the fall during the retreat. He stated it would be an opportunity to develop goals and objectives for the Commission for the following year. V. Old Business 1. Board Elections (Vice-Chair) Lesley Stracks-Mullem was selected to serve as Vice-Chairperson by a unanimous vote by the Recreation Advisory Commission April 2021 Meeting Minutes Meeting conducted via zoom Page 1  commissioners present. Roll call was taken, all in favor. 2. RAC Meeting Schedule (times/locations) The Commissioners present expressed a preference for option #1 on the RAC meeting schedule presented (start time of 7:30AM).  Rebecca made a motion to continue the meeting start time of 7:30AM; seconded by Marcella; no further changes, whereupon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously adopted. 3. Project Updates (Tom Dawson, Asst. Director)  The presentation provided an overview of pre-construction procedures, active DPR park construction projects, and existing safety and protection measures within the projects. Tom stated the importance of keeping the RAC informed of these projects.  Other highlights included: o The presentation explained the pre-construction process inclusive of public engagement, fencing and installations to protect trees and storm water run-offs. o The presentation displayed the examples of Herndon Field, Rock Quarry Park festival site, Drew Granbury Playground, and the Hoover Road athletic sites. o The presentation explained the processes involved with these construction projects inclusive of coordination with other departments, project management, and future programming to be utilized by local school groups. o The presentation concluded with updates on the WD Hill Recreation Center and Belmont Park improvements inclusive of strides made with public engagement efforts. Presentation Q & A:  There was discussion amongst the Commissioners about future plans for the dog park at the Rock Quarry. Tom explained there was support for the existing dog park at Northgate Park and its issues with it being in a floodway.  Tom stated there was an existing constituency for future plans for the dog park at the Rock Quarry with an expansive space. He also explained the space and future plans for engagement with the existing dog park at Northgate.  Commissioners were encouraged to place additional questions regarding the presentation in the chat. VI. Durham Sports Commission Presentation (Marcus Manning and Dan Hill)  The presentation provided history of the Durham Sports commission, how its funded and its mission to generate occupancy taxes through tourism.  Other highlights included: o The presentation included future goals of acquiring a joint usage facility with DPR. The presentation highlighted the three year strategic priorities of this potential sports complex and how it aligned with community, social and economic impacts beginning in 2021. o Marcus explained the three pillars of the facility inclusive of Recreation Advisory Commission April 2021 Meeting Minutes Meeting conducted via zoom Page 2  organizational, sales, and facility development. He highlighted fundraising, tourism, and brand awareness plans. o The presentation concluded with enhancing, improving, and recruiting opportunities to engage the Durham sports culture. He stated how the potential sports complex could be a community asset with its partnership with DPR. Presentation Q & A:  There was discussion between the Commissioners regarding the public engagement and community outreach done regarding the possible sports complex. Marcus stated he would share the list of stakeholders to be shared with the DSC.  There was discussion regarding other NC Sports Commissions and how the sports complex would be modeled in comparison. Marcus stated the DSC has utilized municipality models to assist with its development.  Wade spoke on the potential partnership with DPR and DSC on this sports complex. He stated that the economic impact should be monitored for comparison as to which DPR’s existing facilities are utilized.  Wade stated his support for an innovative venue that could attract national tournaments. He stated his participation with various committees and utilization of studies conducted to conceptualize a sports complex that would benefit the community both indoors and outdoors. He stressed the importance of community outreach to develop this complex.  The Commissioners requested regular updates from the DSC moving forward.  Commissioners were encouraged to email additional questions regarding the presentation to Lynda. VII. Director’s Report: Wade Walcutt  A copy of the director’s report was included in each RAC packet that members received. Upon your review, send Wade any questions you may have regarding its content.  Wade commended the work done by staff in its transition of Wheels Fun Park to a temporary vaccination distribution center. He stated how the environment created at Wheels was an uplifting one.  Wade stated the upcoming presentation to the City Manager’s office concerning the departmental budget. He would provide further information at the May RAC meeting inclusive of its potential impacts on employment, programming and services. VIII. Commissioner Comments & Committee Reports: Durham Open Space and Trails Commission Report (DOST) (Karthik Sundaramoorthy)  No report at this meeting Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Report (BPAC) (David Fellerath)  No report at this meeting Hillandale Advisory Committee (Rebecca Reyes/ Leslie Stracks-Mullem)  No report at this meeting Open Discussion:  None Recreation Advisory Commission April 2021 Meeting Minutes Meeting conducted via zoom Page 3 Lesley made a motion to adjourn at 9:21AM; seconded by Frank. Roll call was taken, all in favor. Next RAC Meeting: Wednesday, May 12, 2021 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Virtual Meeting Minutes respectfully submitted by Paola R. Roland: Recreation Advisory Commission April 2021 Meeting Minutes Meeting conducted via zoom Page 4