Recreation Advisory Commission

Recreation Advisory Commission February 14, 2024 Call To Order: A meeting of the Durham Recreation Advisory Commission was held on this day in person, February 14, 2024. In attendance Lesley Stracks-Mullem, Cedric Burke, Karthik Sundaramoorthy, Teah Rawlings, Girija Mahajan, Jill Thomas, and Mike Johnston I. Adjustments to the Agenda/Special Announcements 1. None II. Public Comment 1. Carleena Deonanan – LyonPark Community member to speak on lead in parks. 2. Danielle Doughman – Walltown Community member to speak on lead in parks appreciates the replacement of the fencing at Walltown. Would like to add language to the signs in the parks warning of the dangers of lead. 3. James Chavis – Would like to have additional community outreach on the Pre-regulatory Landfill Program sites. 4. Lauren Eaves – Walltown Community member would like samples in the parks to be tested for additional contaminants. Would like additional community involvement as to the testing process. 5. Ann Bauer – Yields time to Carleena Deonanan 6. Dale McKeel – City Budget advocacy for trail maintenance and repairs, with special attention to bridge repairs, tree root repair, and Third Fork Creek Trail with standing water. III. RAC Community Engagement Events & Committee Reports 1. Community Engagement  Karthik attended a history program at Leigh Farm Park.  Girija shouted out Amanda Johnson for ensuring that the Tai Kwon Do class was able to run.  Teah volunteered on Saturday.  The centennial kick off was lovely and it was great to see such great community.  Karthik attended the Piney Wood Pickleball grand opening. 2. DOST  No report. 3. Hillandale Golf Course  56,000 golf rounds last year.  $2.2 million in revenue.  Just spent $500,000 in new golf carts  A CIP request has been submitted to redo the driving range to increase non-profit and children’s programs.  Pursuing a long-term solution to bike and walking access. 4. Durham Parks Foundation  Inaugural Piney Wood Pickleball tournament on March 1-3.  Mayor’s Corporate Challenge April 11, 2024. Recreation Advisory Commission February 2024 Meeting Minutes Page 1  IV. Approval of Minutes 1. Motion to approve Girija Mahajan, Jill Thomas seconded, motion passed unanimously. V. Approval of Fee Waiver 1. Fee waivers approved per staff recommendations Cedric Burke motioned, Jill Thomas seconded, motion passed unanimously. VI. Old Business/New Business 1. Annual Report – Mary Unterreiner  Report attached.  Highlights • The report aligns with the work plan. • We still have the opening for someone with a disability on the RAC. • Question: What has been the community’s response to the opening of Rock Quarry Park and the closure of Northgate Dog Park? a. There were some initial concerns, but the community is enjoying the new dog park. • Questions: Were additional staff needed with the increase in the number of Teen program participants? a. No additional staff were required for the Teen program with the increase of participants. • We have had increased success in filling our open part-time positions. • The Creepy clown trail is a new 18+ free event. • T.A. Grady is still under lease to the Durham Housing Authority for the next several years. • Karthik requested information on the Adopt a Park/Trail Program a. Information on the Adopt a Park/Trail Program will be provided. • Girija asked about information on trails as it was not included in the annual report. a. At this time R. Kelly Bryant Bridge Trail is in planning. b. The Downtown Rail Trail in planning. c. Funding is being requested for trail repairs. • Girija commented that the project management of the lead remediation in parks seems outside of the scope of work for the Department. a. The department has a responsibility for oversite of the parks and as part of the city is involved in partnership with other departments, the state and private consultants. NIS and G.S. are part of the work group. The City Manager working with NIS on coordinating outreach. 2. Centennial Presentation - Kyesha Jennings & Mary Unterreiner • Presentation attached. • Has there been a resolution presented to City Council. a. The department is planning on submitting one in April. • Will signage be placed in parks notifying the community to the Centennial? a. • Will there be logos placed on youth jerseys? a. Night flight will have the Centennial branding on their jerseys. Recreation Advisory Commission February 2024 Meeting Minutes Page 2  • An idea to organize a Durham day of play that can encourage residents to get out and play was suggested. • Have you been in conversation with the History Hub? a. Yes VII. Directors Report 1. Budget meetings Friday the 16th and March 1st at Water Management’s Mist Lake Facility.  Public hearings March 18th and June 3, 2024 2. Pre-Regulatory Landfill Program Park Sites  Public park land is often land that no one else wanted. During research into the Centennial news articles were found detailing the communities urging to turn the former incinerator sites into parks.  The state has a scoring matrix to analyze the sites compared to the other sites in the PRLP.  The parks have been listed out as to what their scores are.  Their assessment of each park includes the entire footprint and grids them off in a ¼ acre grid.  They completed soil samples, and they are analyzing the composition of the first 12 inches of soil.  The state will be coming back to each park to identify additional hazardous materials. The state will provide a report to the city of the composition of the soil.  The city will not be waiting for the state’s assessment to provide funding, the department has requested $5million in the FY25 CIP to implement solutions based on the report from the state.  Question: Do you know how long it would be from when you file an inquiry to when the state would provide funding? • No, we do not know how long it would be. The state will be on hand at community conversations.  The EPA has revised the threshold from 400PPM to 200PPM and the city responded by expanding the fenced off areas in parks, have provided information on the website as to the  Question: With the soil samples that are in the lab do we know when the results will be ready. • We believe that the results will be available in April. DCM Chadwell is working with NIS to continue community conversations. How the issues will be addressed will be based on the scientific data, the recommendations by the state and community input. 3. A donation of a save station AED outdoor tower at Bethesda Park by a group holding a conference in Durham regarding pediatric cardiac care. 4. A list of CIP requests can be provided if it is not publicly available as of yet on the City website. The only part of the budget request that has been submitted is the CIP. Meeting Adjourned at 9:04 am Next RAC Meeting – Wednesday, March, 13, 2024. Minutes respectfully submitted by Emilie McIntosh Recreation Advisory Commission February 2024 Meeting Minutes Page 3