Parks and Recreation Board Regular Meeting

Minutes PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Regular meeting 7 p.m. Aug. 20, 2024 Board Meeting Room of Town Hall Annex, 105 E. Corbin St. Present: Chair Cole Kenworthy, Vice Chair Richard von Furstenberg, Commissioner Robb English and Paul Weinberg Absent: Wendy Kuhn, David Weinberg and Hooper Schultz Staff: Public Space and Sustainability Manager Stephanie Trueblood and Public Works and Public Space Administrative Support Specialist Lindsay Rhew 1. Call to order and confirmation of quorum Chair Cole Kenworthy called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Public Space and Sustainability Manager Stephanie Trueblood called the roll and confirmed the presence of a quorum. 2. Agenda changes and approval There were no changes to the agenda. Motion: Vice Chair Richard von Furstenberg moved to approve the agenda with no changes. Commissioner Robb English seconded. Vote: 4-0 3. Minutes review and approval Minutes from regular meeting on May 21, 2024 Motion: Von Furstenberg moved approval of the May 21, 2024, minutes as submitted. Member Paul Weinberg seconded. Vote: 4-0 4. Discussion items A. Review request from The Expedition School (TES) to increase the number of people allowed at parks for school events up to 150 individuals, up to four times per year. First, Trueblood described the town’s current ordinance for Gold Park. Next, Tammy Finch, the Director of Education and Curriculum at TES, addressed the board. Finch described the school’s uses at the park such as exercising, civic engagement and events. Regarding the town’s concerns for park’s occupancy, Finch countered with the school’s mitigation of bathrooms, parking, utilities and public interactions with the proposed increase in occupancy. When von Furstenberg inquired about the relationship between the school and the park, Trueblood noted the school’s involvement with the town and the positive relationship between them. The school pays fees for use of the fields and pavilion area. Then, Public Works and Public Space Administrative Support Specialist Lindsay Rhew contributed the reasoning behind the ordinance change in May, 2024. She suggested conditions on the 101 E. Orange St., PO Box 429, Hillsborough, NC 27278 919-732-1270 | www.hillsboroughnc.gov | @HillsboroughGov PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MINUTES | 1 of 3  PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MINUTES | 2 of 3 proposal, such as, specifying the extra allowance during school hours and school days. Also, the town no longer has a planning department liaison. Weinberg then asked, if limiting to school events will bring objections from other organizations. Trueblood summarized options, notably a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the school and the town to address these concerns. Regarding English’s inquiry about TES drop off and pick up protocol, Finch described the original traffic study which advised a walking school bus through Gold Park. Also, English acknowledged the positive relationship between the town and HES and favors an MOU. Finally, the board directed staff to draft an MOU allowing The Expedition School to reserve Gold Park up to four times per school year for events up to 150 people with conditions. B. Review draft of Cates Creek Park Master Plan Trueblood described the updates and recommendations from the board. She then showed an example of an art park in Salisbury, NC. Next, the board discussed components of the master plan draft. English suggested revising the intended reach to community and regional draw. The board acknowledged the success of the Skate Spot. Also, the master plan‘s map should note future connection to Ridgewalk. The board also considered the number of basketball courts, parking, trails and educational opportunities at Cates Creek Park. Also, the master plan should include sustainability language as in Gold Park’s Master Plan. Motion: Von Furstenberg motioned to add the art park in the master plan. Kenworthy seconded. Vote: 4-0 Motion: English motioned to approve the Cates Creek Master Plan update with the discussed changes. Von Furstenberg seconded. Vote: 4-0 5. Parks and recreation-related reports A. Board of Commissioners English reported on the Joint Public Hearing in August, which discussed the proposed Waterstone South development and annexation. The town board also will the relevancy of the water/sewer advisory council at an upcoming joint meeting. English also noted the town’s lack of control over the fiber installation in town since the state supervises it. The town board will have a workshop B. Planning Board Since Member Hooper Schultz was absent, there was no report. C. Intergovernmental Parks Work Group Trueblood reported the group had not met. 6. Park steward reports A. Gold Park: Kenworthy reported the park is in good condition. B. Cates Creek Park: Von Furstenberg reported the park is in good condition.  PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MINUTES | 3 of 3 C. Kings Highway Park: English applauded the new interpretive sign. Since board members were absent, some parks were not had no report. 7. Staff updates Trueblood stated: • The Skate Spot’s grand opening is Sept. 28, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. • Rules for the skate park are posted, but not enforced by town staff. • Tropical Storm Debby caused significant flooding along Riverwalk. Trueblood acknowledged the effort by the utilities department to clear the trail. • Calvin Street Greenway boards were repaired. • The September Parks and Recreation Board meeting will include a Ridgewalk Phase II presentation. • The Parks and Recreation Board member applicant Nevin Daryani introduced himself and provided his background in public service. 8. Adjournment Motion: Von Furstenberg moved to adjourn at 8:45 p.m. Weinberg seconded. Vote: 4-0 Respectfully submitted, Stephanie Trueblood Public Space and Sustainability Manager Staff support to the Parks and Recreation Board Approved: September 17, 2024