Agenda - 05-03-2000-9a - Laserfiche WebLink

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34 The report also recommends that the local governments (through the Parks and Resource Lands Council) work to identify properties for potential partnership and meet to explore these possibilities. Manager's Comment: We agree that the pursuit of partnerships is important in the expansion of parks and recreation opportunities in the area. Coordination with groups such as OWASA and UNC in locating future parks and facilities appears feasible. We believe that identifying properties for potential partnership would be an appropriate charge for a newly created Parks and Resource Lands Council. 5. Coordinated Capital Funding and Land Acquisition The report findings indicate that if local governments in Orange County are to be successful in providing for the long-term needs of County/Town residents, joint capital funding and land-banking efforts need to be addressed. The report recommends that the County take the lead role in coordinating future land acquisitions, most .of which will likely be located outside of the various Towns corporate limits. Manager's Comment: We agree that potential parks areas are disappearing rapidly and that whatever efforts local governments take to preserve open space or purchase space for park development should be activated immediately. While pooling funding. resources appears to offer the best opportunity for funding future land acquisition, we are mindful that historically Chapel Hill has devoted significantly more resources than the County or other towns within the County to meeting the community's leisure needs. We believe that before the coordinated efforts are actualized, we must ensure that the program's benefits are distributed equitably, and with regard to contributions. 6. Open Facilities Policy The Joint Master Recreation and Parks Work Group's report contains a resolution that vwauId provide for all recreation facilities owned and operated by Orange Couy, Caaboro, Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, and OWASA to be open and accessible to all County residents. Manager's Comment: This idea is consistent with the current policy. We recommend adoption of the Open Facilities resolution. The Town of Chapel Hill currently receives approximately $70,000 annually from the County in recognition of County, non-Town resident use of Town facilities and programs. The County's financial contribution is about 4% of the operating costs for the Town's parks and recreation programs.