HomeMy Public PortalAbout12-15-2015 Minutes PRB Regular MeetingPage 1 of 3
Minutes
Parks & Recreation Board
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
7:00 PM, Town Barn
101 E. Orange St.
Present: Todd Stabley (Chair), Kate Albrecht, Robb English, Annie Jarabek, Noah Mace, Rebecca
Swartz, Chris Wehrman, Kim Woodell, Nancy Taylor, Jenn Weaver
Absent: Ashley DeSena
Staff: Stephanie Trueblood
Item 1: Call meeting to order, roll call, and confirm presence of a quorum
Chair Stabley called the meeting to order. Ms. Trueblood called the roll and confirmed the presence of a
quorum.
Item 2: Consideration of changes or adjustments to the agenda
None.
Item 3: Approval of minutes from November 17, 2015
No Changes.
Motion: Mr. English moved to approve the minutes as presented.
Second: Ms. Albrecht seconded.
Vote: Unanimous
Item 4: Kings Highway Park Master Plan work session:
Review DRAFT Master Plan
Ms. Trueblood reviewed that she will add narrative about the addition of the
gates closed by the police department, increased security and trash collection
and cleanup. She will include a paragraph explaining why the biodock is located
where it is. The location is where the dredging equipment access the lake so
there is already an impact to the buffer. The Department of Environment and
Natural Resources issues permits for buffer encroachments.
Also, Ms. Trueblood included in the agenda packets the original site plan. She
will create a narrative that explains which elements from the original non-
adopted plan are being kept and which are not. She is also suggesting the Forest
Management Plan be included when it’s complete.
There was a suggestion for the plan to include a brief explanation of why things
can’t be placed or built in certain areas (buffer areas, utilities easement).
There was discussion about the name change being a recommendation. There
was interest in putting the name to vote by the citizens, raising awareness about
the park through Facebook and an online survey regarding the name.
Ms. Trueblood noted changes she will make to “compatible activities will
include.” There was interest in creating an outdoor classroom with logs for
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sitting on the north side. Also, there was interest in making the pollinator
garden more specific in the recommendations. There was interest in creating a
labyrinth of fun with the small loop around it, but Ms. Trueblood advised
keeping the elements separate on a list in the plan in case they aren’t located
near one another.
There was interest in indicating on the map the landmarks, the compelling
views.
There was acknowledgement that it would take a long time to get permitting to
improving walking conditions under the train trestle.
Under “Recommendations to improve external connections,” there was interest
in investigating connecting to Duke Forest on the north side, communicating
with Duke Forest management about interest in pedestrians walking there.
There was interest in holding a public event there once the first round of
improvements are made to raise awareness about the park.
There was a recommendation to not have benches in the buffer if they can’t be
maintained (prickly bushes grow through them). Ms. Trueblood advised the
town could seek permission for benches at the views. She may invite someone
from the office that issues such a permit to walk the site with her.
The Master Plan will likely go on the January public hearing. Changes would be
made at the February meeting.
Develop implementation schedule
There was discussion about the parking being the top priority. There was
interest in making it usable and desirable. The board reviewed the list of
priorities and ranked 1-3 year priorities, 3-5 year priorities, and immediate
priorities.
Item 5: Appoint representative to serve as Ex Officio on Orange County Parks and Recreation
Council
Motion: Mr. English moved to appoint Annie Jarabek to represent Hillsborough PRB on Orange
County Parks and Recreation Council as ex officio liaison.
Second: Nancy Taylor seconded.
Vote: Unanimous
Item 6: Reports and Updates
Town Board: Jenn Weaver—Reported that Commissioner Brian Lowen will be sitting
on this board starting in January. Reported that Town Board endorsed Indigenous
Peoples Day for second Monday in October annually. Budget retreat is coming up.
The state is not matching funding for Hydrilla control projects in the Eno. The Town
Board is working on implementing Stormwater Management Fees.
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Planning Board: Chris Wehrman—Collins Ridge public hearing will resume in
January. Waterstone developers are asking to make a few changes to the Master
Plan.
Park Steward reports:
1. Gold Park: Annie Jarabek, Dog Park: Nancy Taylor
Gold Park looks good. Ms. Trueblood reported the annual maintenance was just
done.
2. Turnip Patch Park: Annie Jarabek
The gate was closed.
3. Murray Street Park: Ashley DeSena
Ms. Trueblood said Ms. DeSena emailed that it was fine. The new trees were
planted.
4. Kings Highway Park: Todd Stabley
Mr. Stabley reported it was fine.
5. Hillsborough Heights Park: Kim Woodell
The park looks great. There’s a utility pole with wiring tied to the fence. Ms.
Trueblood asked her to go back and check in 2-3 days.
6. Riverwalk: Robb English
Said it’s doing well.
7. Downtown Sidewalks/Mayo Park: staff
Good condition.
Staff Updates: Riverwalk plantings, Cates Creek Park
Ms. Trueblood reviewed that it is budget time for her. She anticipated costs for KHP
-- things that she thought would end up in the 1-3 year range. She also put in costs
for Cates Creek for things like baby changing stations and picnic tables. Some of that
can be covered this year and some next year. In January, this board will discuss
prioritizing budget requests. The Federal Highways Administration hasn’t issued the
Construction Authorization for Downtown Hillsborough sidewalks and West
Hillsborough sidewalks. She is hoping to put those projects out to bid in January.
Cates Creek Park is close to opening.
Consultants are working on a South Churton Street/train station pedestrian study
(connecting to downtown) and also an analysis of the Orange Grove Road extension
which would connect to Highway 70 Business. Also, a firm is working on a site plan
layout for the train station. These three studies need to work together. Also, there’s
a North Churton Street pedestrian study being done by a consultant, particularly
studying sidewalks on parts of Highway 70 and North Churton Street.
Item 7: Adjourn
Motion: Ms. Woodell moved to adjourn.
Second: Annie Jarabek
Vote: Unanimous