Meeting Summary 04032024 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

budget staff will examine these projects and approve the 10-year plan and operationalize the first year of it. Stancil provided the council with a two-page segment of the transmittal memo as well as the relevant parks and recreation programs included in the CIP. The department has 24 plans in the CIP, but much of the County budget has been allocated towards large school bond infrastructure projects over the next several years. Stancil discussed some of the Year 1 provisions. The passing of the CAP generated an additional $75,000 for the department to spend on upgrading equipment that is compliant with CAP targets. He also discussed the attention that the Millhouse Road property has gained recently, with discussions being held with a soccer organization in funding the construction of soccer fields. This project has the potential to move up in the CIP, however, the conversations are ongoing. An update might be available to the board during the June meeting. Collins asked if the financial contribution from a third-party organization would be considered a donation. Stancil informed that the organization will not have exclusive rights to the fields, but a negotiation will establish a concrete use agreement. Stancil discussed more CIP projects. • The County still needs to purchase a park in the Bingham Township, construction of this is included in Year 10 of the CIP. • There are ongoing initiatives at Blackwood Farm Park to increase outdoor education, and the design for the disc golf is underway. Xilong Zhao asked about the line item for lighting at Blackwood Farm Park. There are planned improvements at Blackwood, which would include solar lighting leading from the parking lot, down the gravel paths. • There is a second phase of Cedar Grove to construct new fields and courts, however, very little funding is available. • The Central Recreation Center is due to be replaced with a new facility currently planned to be adjected to Fairview Park. The design for the new facility is scheduled for 2028, with construction potentially happening in 2029. Collins inquired as to what would be done with the current recreation building, following construction of the new recreation center.The current thought is deconstruction, and a line item has been included in the CIP for that, but other ideas have been suggested. • There is a plan to build additional facilities at Fairview, and in the meantime three new tennis/pickleball courts will be built soon, with construction beginning this fall. • There are planned improvements at Hollow Rock Nature Park, and likewise at Little River Regional Park. • There is funding for future Mountain to Sea Trail easements, as some sections of the trail have not been finalized and will take a few more years to secure. • A future park, Northeast District Park, has been included in the CIP. • The Soccer.com Center has additional funding for 2028 for a second phase expansion. • The County owns 65 acres for a future nature preserve along the Upper Eno, however, the Department of Transportation will need to change the intersection to allow for access. Recreation Programs and Events Update- Recreation Superintendent Chris Sousa provided a written update on recreation programs. Mattingly presented the document to the Council. Collins asked about the soccer leagues, and why some have an all-girls division.