Minutes 02-17-2025-Joint Meeting w Hillsborough

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24 Stephanie Trueblood, Public Space and Sustainability Manager, said they are working towards providing a sidewalk along Rainey, but they would happily accept funding and joint participation by the county. She said that technically there should have been a sidewalk installed when the park went in, and she is unsure about why it was not done. She said they do not have engineering yet, but it will be a town funded and maintained road. She said as the county and town move forward with the master planning process, there is a lot of opportunity. Mayor Bell said he used to be a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission in Hillsborough and Robb English could help coordinate the interested parties. He asked if there is anything in phase 2 that might be able to move forward before the official phase 2 approval. David Stancil said a trail system would be part of phase 2. He said a walking trail for Homemont Avenue would be low-hanging fruit. He said some of the improvements around the community center would need to be looked at in the context of the capital investment plan. He said that HYAA has a license on the baseball fields. Kathleen Ferguson asked for information on the licensing agreements because it may be something that the Fairview community needs to investigate with the county. David Stancil said he would get that information to everyone. He said they try to use 25% of value of the rate for the usage time. He said that can add up but that is not to say that it could not work. Robb English asked how long the licensing agreements. David Stancil said usually three to five years. Robb English asked if it is specifically for the tennis courts and the baseball fields. David Stancil said there are two separate agreements. He said that the Orange Tennis Club for the two tennis courts and HYAA for the baseball and softball fields. Robb English asked if the tennis courts at Orange High are available to the public. Chair Bedford said no. David Stancil said that is a big part of the problem. Robb English how that could be addressed. Chair Bedford described some of the concerns expressed by the schools and said it is a schoolboard matter. She said that security is a main concern. Robb English said he is wondering how often the tennis courts and fields are being used during the day because in Chapel Hill they have been able to use the baseball outfields for other uses. He said they have been rented for soccer and lacrosse. He said that allows them to utilize it far more than the youth baseball organizations. He said he would love to see a regional pickleball facility that is available for all people in the county. He said maybe the Mill House Road property could be considered. He asked if the youth spaces have ever been filled on the Recreation and Parks Board. David Stancil said that yes and they have been successful. Chair Bedford said she priced out the cost of movable soccer goals. She said that they could have a conversation with HYAA about other uses for baseball fields. David Stancil said they could certainly have that conversation. Robb English said the town has soccer goals at Gold Park and Cates Creek Park that they have not had any issues with. He said they can be moved around. Kathleen Ferguson said that she has found other communities with more use of school athletic facilities and would like to connect the county to those communities. Chair Bedford said that they are not looking for that at this time but now with the bond, they will have additional conversations. David Stancil introduced members of Fairview Youth In Action, Kevin Giff and Judit Alvarado. Kevin Giff said that the youth in their organization asked for three main focus areas: walking trails, improved amenities, and a soccer field. Judit Alvarado said it was a community driven plan and process.