Minutes - 20071009 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Metadata

Thumbnails

Annotations

to develop three community gardens in the Town of Carrboro. The Healthy Kids Campaign has been launched to address the crisis of childhood obesity, and the organization is raising funds to start new projects throughout the County. A grant was received from the Health and Wellness Trust Fund to launch the Growing Healthy Kids project. The funding required partnership with a municipality, which will be Carrboro. The three gardens will be at a public park, Carrboro Elementary School, and a community church. The Partnership would like to partner with Cooperative Extension for the project. Commissioner Nelson commended the work the Partnership has done on this. Commissioner Foushee asked what would happen to the gardens at the end of the project period. Fletcher Barber said that Cooperative Extension already has an initiative called Bountiful Harvest with community gardens, and these gardens would be included in that. Commissioner Jacobs said that he and Commissioner Gordan have worked on the master plan for New Hope Park, which encourages community gardens. He hopes that there will be more opportunities for partnership to do more extensive community gardens. Fletcher Barber recognized Mark Daniels, who is responsible far the garden at Northside. Geof Gledhill said that there are some technical issues associated with this contract, and the final motion should include "subject to County Attorney's review." A motion was made by Commissioner Gordan, seconded by Commissioner Nelson to approve a grant from the Orange County Partnership for Young Children for the N. C. Cooperative Extension to assist in developing community gardens for children and families in Orange County and authorize the Chair to sign, subject to County Attorney's review. VOTE: UNANIMOUS d. West Ten Soccer Center PubliclPrivate Partnership The Board discussed a proposal for sponsorship of the West Ten Soccer Center by Sports Endeavors, Inc. and authorizing the staff to negotiate a proposed agreement. Recreation and Parks Director Lori Taft said that staff has been working for over a year on a partnership with a great member of the community and some assistance with this facility. This has been discussed with Sports Endeavors, and there has been a firm offer of $150,000 gift, along with an additional $150,000 to be matched by other community sponsors, not the County. The first $150,000 is with no strings attached, other than the name Eurosport Soccer Center on a sign in the field far a period of five years. If the sign is renewed, it will be with right of first refusal. The closest soccer complex that is similar is the SAS Soccer Park in Cary. SAS has had naming rights and just renewed the contract for $150,000 a year. Most recently, the soccer park has been working with WakeMed to also contribute $150,000 a year. She asked far guidance on this contract. Commissioner Nelson said that he has a philosophical and personal dislike for naming publicly-owned facilities after corporations, and he will vote against this. Commissioner Jacobs said that maybe the period should be shorter than five years. He wants to make sure that the Board directs the Manager to have this be a responsibility of the Economic Development Director or department to seek additional sponsorships. He appreciates Commissioner Nelson's point, but he thinks that this was undertaken originally as an act of generosity on the part of Sports Endeavors. He would like to honor this. Commissioner Gordon said that she also feels same discomfort about granting naming rights. In addition, $150,000 for five years is not enough for naming rights should the Commissioners choose to grant them. Lori Taft said that she had some concerns about this too and maybe they could move more money forward in the first five years. Chair Carey said that this is a new venture for Orange County government, but it does not mean that it should not be done. He wants to consider it and negotiate a final agreement.