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7 <br />• We believe that. the proposed Parks and Resource Lands Council should be <br />created only after its chazge is more fully explored. We believe that the needs of <br />Chapel Hill must be fairly represented by any such body. <br />• We aze concerned by the report's recommendation that County-wide standards <br />be adopted. We believe that Chapel Hill residents aze likely to support a <br />different standazd for development of recreation facilities than other portions of <br />the County. <br />• We believe that prior to entering into any cooperative effort the Town should be <br />assured that, based on our tax contributions, a proportional share of land <br />purchases and facilities will be provided in or neaz Chapel Hill. We note that <br />currently Chapel Hill taxpayers provide a significant portion of all recreation <br />facilities and programs in the County, as well as a significant portion of the real <br />estate tax revenues that the County would likely use to pay off the bonds. <br />• Although we support the concept of an Open Facilities Policy, we believe that <br />the County's funding to the Town's Pazks and Recreation Department operating <br />budget should be higher. Currently, Chapel Hill taxpayers are subsidizing <br />County residents who are not Chapel Hill residents. <br />RECOMMENDATIONS <br />Parks and Recreation Commission: On February 2, 2000, the Parks and Recreation <br />Commission voted unanimously (8-0) to recommend that the Council adopt'the Report of <br />the Orange County Master Recreation and Parks Plan Work Group as a general planning <br />tool. The Commission expressed concern over several ideas in .the Report including the <br />reciprocal relationship between jurisdictions for participation in programs, the County's <br />contribution to the Department compared to County, non-Town use of programs and <br />facilities, the development of unified recreation standards, and lighting of existing and new <br />playing fields. <br />Greenwavs Commission: On December 8, 2000, the Greenways Commission voted <br />unanimously (6-0) to recommend;~the adoption of the Report. <br />Manager's Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolutions A and B: <br />Resolution A would adopt the Joint Master Recreation and Parks Plan Work Group <br />Report as a general planning document, indicate the Council's desire to immediately <br />pursue certain recommendations of the report, and recommend that a Working Committee <br />be established to draft recommendations related to the charge of the proposed Parks and <br />Lands Use Council and equity issues, including distribution of land purchases and facilities <br />commensurate to contributions, and County funding to the Town's Parks and Recreation <br />Department operating budget compazed to County's use of Town programs and facilities. <br />3 <br />Resolution B would adopt a statement supporting an Open Facilities Policy. <br />