HomeMy Public PortalAbout01-15-2019 Minutes PRB Regular Meeting
Public Space Manager Stephanie Trueblood
101 E. Orange St., PO Box 429, Hillsborough, NC 27278
919-296-9481 | stephanie.trueblood@hillsboroughnc.gov
www.hillsboroughnc.gov | @HillsboroughGov
Parks and Recreation Board Minutes | 1 of 3
Minutes
Parks and Recreation Board
7 p.m. Jan. 15, 2019
Board Meeting Room, Town Hall Annex, 105 E. Corbin St.
Present: Chair Robb English, Kate Albrecht, Jesse Mowles-Aring, Board of Commissioners representative Mark
Bell (ex officio), Chris Wehrman (Planning Board representative), and Kim Woodell
Absent: Vice Chair Todd Stabley, Ashley Campbell, Annie Jarabek, Noah Mace and Rebecca Swartz
Staff: Public Space Manager Stephanie Trueblood
1. Call to order and confirmation of quorum
Chair Robb English called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. Public Space Manager Stephanie Trueblood called
the roll and confirmed the presence of a quorum.
2. Agenda changes and approval
Trueblood noted she would be talking about a comment period offered by the North Carolina Department of
Transportation during the updates. The board decided to address Item 4 before Item 3 while waiting to have a
quorum.
Board Member Chris Wehrman arrived around 7:40 p.m., during the discussion of Item 4.
3. Minutes review and approval
Minutes from regular meeting on Oct. 16, 2018.
Motion: Board Member Kim Woodell moved approval of the minutes without changes. Wehrman
seconded.
Vote: Unanimous
Changes: None
4. Discussion of Hillsborough Heights Park Master Plan
Board members said they liked the suggestions on the list from previous discussion.
It was noted that swings would be a great addition once the existing equipment needs to be replaced. There
was a suggestion to include accessible features because the terrain is relatively flat at this park. There was
discussion that in general those who advocate for accessible play equipment generally want it to be included
in community parks. It was noted to add a recycling container to the plan.
There was a suggestion of adding a bench and maybe birdhouses near the stream in the back as a
contemplative area and gathering space that may appeal to older kids and adults.
Parks and Recreation Board Minutes | 2 of 3
Trueblood said she was thinking the priorities would be:
• Updating the trash receptacle and adding a recycling container.
• Replacing the picnic tables with wooden tables and relocating them.
• Relocating the grills.
• Replacing the benches.
• Adding park amenities.
• Adding native landscaping
• As funding is available, adding more natural play features and art or other amenities suitable for a
contemplative area in the wooded section of the park.
5. Discussion of joint meeting with parks advisory boards
Trueblood explained that Orange County’s David Stancil — who is the director of the county Environment,
Agriculture and Parks and Recreation Department — could not attend on April 16 because it conflicts with a
meeting of the Orange County Board of Commissioners. Trueblood will check other dates and let the board
know what will work as soon as possible.
6. Parks and Recreation-related reports
A. Board of Commissioners
Commissioner Mark Bell reported that the board had discussed possibly passing on electronic payment fees
generated by water bill payments to the customers who use those forms of payments. He said the board
would be discussing train station design at the January work session.
B. Planning Board — No report.
C. Orange County Parks and Recreation Council — No report.
D. Mountains-to-Sea Trail — No report.
E. Intergovernmental Parks Work Group — No report.
7. Park steward reports
A. Gold Park — No report.
B. Gold Park dog park
Trueblood reported the fence was repaired after flood damage and the park was mulched recently.
C. Cates Creek Park
Board member Kate Albrecht reported that the park is being used a lot, particularly by teachers and children
from The Little School. She said the daycare appreciates the pollinator plants.
D. Murray Street Park — No report.
E. Kings Highway Park
Trueblood said the parking lot improvements were scheduled for March.
F. Hillsborough Heights Park — No report.
G. Turnip Patch Park — No report.
H. Riverwalk — No report.
8. Staff updates
Trueblood reported that:
• The West Hillsborough Sidewalk Connections Project is substantially complete.
• NCDOT is currently accepting public comment on a proposed widening of South Churton Street.
9. Adjournment
Motion: Albrecht moved to adjourn at 9 p.m. Member Jesse Mowles-Aring seconded.
Vote: Unanimous
Parks and Recreation Board Minutes | 3 of 3