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Orange County <br />Parks and Recreation Council <br /> <br />Meeting Summary <br /> <br />Date: August 9, 2017 <br />Place: Environment and Agricultural Center Conference Room <br />________________________________________________________________________________________________________ <br />PRESENT: Rachel Cotter; Evelyn Daniel; John Greeson; Betty McDade Khan; Katie Loovis; <br />Rachel Massai; Tori Williams Reid; Gina Reyman; Haywood Rhodes; Robert Robinson; Robert <br />Smith; Annie Jarabek (Town of Hillsborough liaison) <br /> <br />ABSENT: <br /> <br />STAFF: Hecht; Stancil <br />______________________________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />I. Call to Order: Introductions were made all around, for existing and new members. <br /> <br />II. Additions or Changes to Agenda, Meeting Summary: <br /> No changes to the June meeting summary. <br /> <br />III. Report of the Chair: <br />a. Membership update: The Chair noted that the Council still has an opening for <br />Bingham Township. <br /> <br />IV. New Business <br />a. Welcome to New Members <br />b. Approved Parks Capital Projects (CIP): Stancil provided a printout with a listing of <br />Parks Capital Improvements Projects. There was discussion about this <br />listing/timeline and how it works within the County’s Budget. Stancil explained the <br />CIP process and noted that it tracks with the budget approval each year, and it is a <br />five year plan that is a “blueprint” of intentions but only the first year is <br />operationalized. Discussion arose around volunteer help with the County’s parks. <br />c. Blackwood Farm Park/September Report to BOCC: A handout was distributed to the <br />group which highlights the type of information that will be given to the BOCC at their <br />September 19 meeting as an update on activities and design work for the next phase <br />of Blackwood Farm Park. The Council asked that Cultural Resources Coordinator <br />Peter Sandbeck be invited to a future meeting to discuss the restoration of the farm <br />buildings on this site to sustain its historical perspective. Planning and creation of a <br />disc golf course in the Northern most area of the park is part of the planned park <br />construction in FY 2018-19. A question was asked about whether there will be a <br />nature center on this site. Stancil responded yes, and that discussions are ongoing <br />about partners and the components of that center. There are also bee hives at the <br />park presently. Staff has been approached by the Orange County Beekeepers <br />Association about the construction of a “Honey House,” perhaps as part of the <br />Nature Center. <br /> <br />V. Old Business <br />a. Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) Update/9/19 BOCC report: The staff has completed <br />the community meeting phase of looking at possible routes within the southwest <br />section of the County (Segment 11). The first subsection being looked at as a