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15 Adoption of a revised master plan will enable staff to issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 1 for an engineering and design firm to prepare detailed construction documents for the park 2 infrastructure using existing funding. It is recommended that the scope of work for this 3 consultant also include the planned future park construction (Phase 2-B), if current timetables 4 remain in place. Staff anticipates bringing a design/engineering consultant recommendation to 5 the Board for approval by the summer break. 6 7 Marabeth Carr, Landscape Architect, said staff has had the opportunity to see the park 8 in action, and have seen some deficits. She said a major deficit is bringing large groups to the 9 site, and it is a challenge for school buses to drop off kids safely. She said the new design will 10 solve this issue. She said it is very similar to the initial design, with the exception of the disc golf 11 course. She said staff has chosen the area for an amphitheater in an area that has been used 12 in the past. 13 Chair Dorosin asked where people would sit. 14 Marabeth Carr said the stage would be in the hollow, which is just off the map, and the 15 County had a Jazz Festival there in the past. 16 Commissioner Rich asked if there is a definition for a regional park. 17 David Stancil said this is fairly standard terminology, and that it is a larger park that has 18 agricultural and natural components, but no sports fields. He said Little River is a regional park. 19 Commissioner Price asked if Emergency Services vehicles would enter through the 20 lower end only. 21 David Stancil said yes. 22 Commissioner Price asked if the proposed layout gives enough access, if there was an 23 emergency at the back end of the property, and the main entrance was unavailable. 24 Marabeth Carr said there will be mowed paths that could provide access. 25 Dinah Jeffries, Emergency Services (EMS) Director, said it can be accessed, but it is 26 important to consider the larger vehicles that accompany EMS, like fire trucks. She said she 27 cannot give an absolute yes, but EMS has accessed smaller areas before. 28 Marabeth Carr said this has already gone to the Planning Department for courtesy 29 review, and will be reviewed formally by a new engineer. She said the plan will then go out to 30 EMS, the Sheriff, etc. for comment. 31 Sheriff Blackwood said he has already begun conversations with Commissioner Jacobs 32 about the need to be able to access all of County parks. He said the Sheriff’s Office works 33 closely with Emergency Services, and there will need to be a way to get his people in as well. 34 He said it is important to keep these conversations at the front of the agenda. 35 Commissioner Price said she is concerned about being able to get the necessary 36 equipment to where it is needed. 37 Marabeth Carr said the Sheriff’s department is always so helpful, especially with 38 controlling traffic for field trips. 39 David Stancil said this entire process will involve a great deal of discussion of all of these 40 concerns. 41 Commissioner Marcoplos referred to the vault toilets mentioned on the map, and asked 42 if these could also be useful at Millhouse Road Soccer Park. 43 David Stancil said there is an active vault toilet at Occoneechee Mountain, and they 44 have pros and cons. He said they are self-contained, but expensive to build and require 45 maintenance. 46 Commissioner Marcoplos said the need may exceed such an option at Blackwood, with 47 events like Localfest. 48 David Stancil said portable restrooms would be needed for festivals, and other large 49 events. 50