MINUTES City Council Parks, Trails, & Recreation Committee Wednesday, February 19,2 2025 - 3:30 PM City Council Chambers Members Present: Aaron Baker, Chair, Council Member Lauren Wise, Vice Chair, Council Member Reba Osborne, Citizen Member Nancy DePippo, Citizen Member Wyn Birkenthal, Citizen Member Mayor Maureen Copelof, Ex-Officio Absent: Howie Granat, Citizen Member JD Powers, Citizen Member Staff Present: Wilson Hooper, City Manager David Todd, Assistant City Manager Wesley Shook, Public Works Director Paul Ray, Planning Director Aaron Bland, Assistant Planning Director Becky McCann, Communications Coordinator Selena Coffey, Assistant to the City Manager A. Welcome & Call to Order Committee Chair Aaron Baker welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order at 3:30pm. B. Certification of Quorum The quorum was certified by Assistant to the City Manager Selena Coffey. C. Approval of Agenda Chairman Baker added the Wilson Road Boat Ramp to the agenda as item F. Mr. Wise made the motion, seconded by Ms. DePippo, to approve the agenda as amended. The motion carried unanimously. D. Approval of Minutes Ms. Osborne made a motion to approve the minutes oft the January 15, 2025 meeting, which was seconded by Ms. DePippo. The motion carried unanimously. E. Review of County's Recreation Master Plan Mr. Hooper introduced this agenda item and directed his comments to the distributed Overview of the Transylvania and Brevard Master Plan Synopsis. It was noted that this master plan was completed in 2015-2016 and although it had been presented to the City of Brevard, the city had not approved or adopted the plan. The committee had significant discussion about the plan. Mr. Hooper asked the committee to provide clarification as to what it would like to see regarding a planning process for the city's recreation complex and amenities. Discussion continued among committee members with support focusing on the immediate needs at the city's Sports Complex, including parking and restrooms, and asked that staff begin working towards completing a comprehensive master planning process at the same time. Mr. Hooper noted that it would be important to include a public engagement process in preparation for the potential to apply for a PARTF or other grants in the future. The committee continued its discussion about some positive aspects of the county's master plan document but acknowledged disparities between the plan and its implementation. Ms. Copelof noted that the city did not adopt the county's master plan but went on record acknowledging its receipt. The committee requested that staff ask the county whether they have an active recreation plan SO the city can better understand what their plans are for their facilities, including their recreation center, restrooms, etc. Mr. Hooper agreed that he would have this conversation with the county manager and ask that a county representative attend a future meeting oft the committee to share the county's goals and determine ifthere are ways for the county and city to work together collaboratively on recreation programming and facilities. Ms. Osborne asked about the lease with Little League. Mr. Hooper noted that the Little League pays a nominal fee for the lease, and he anticipates renewing the lease in the upcoming year. Mr. Hooper agreed to reach out and ask the Little League about their plans and needs for the space(s) for their programs. F. Wilson Road Boat Ramp Mr. Todd introduced a proposal and request from Mountain True, a local nonprofit, to build an improved boat ramp at the existing Wilson Road site. He noted that the city had aj previous memorandum of understanding with the group for cost-sharing in the design and construction oft the ramp but stated that Mountain True has most recently returned to the city stating that they have the funding to complete the construction with their own funds and cost-sharing will not be necessary. He explained that the ramp will be a combination of cast-in-place concrete and pre-poured concrete. He noted that Mountain True wants to remove the existing ramp rubble, prep the site, and then pour small sections of ramp up away from the river, to then push those sections into the river when they are complete. The pre-poured section will be approximately 150 feet, and the remaining 50 feet will be poured in place. The proposal also adds a sidewalk, a Minutes--Council Parks, Trails, & Recreation Committee Meeting February 19, 2025 Page 2 of 4 handicapped parking space and signage noting Mountain True's responsibility for the project. The committee discussed the benefits ofthe new ramp, the environmental requirements, and the benefits to the community who may use the new ramp. Mr. Wise noted that he likes the proposal and feels that the new ramp will be a significant improvement over the old ramp. After considerable discussion, Ms. Osborne made a motion to endorse the proposal from Mountain True for the new boat ramp, which received a second by Mr. Wise. All voted in favor of sending the positive recommendation to the city council. G. Public Comment Gary Lowden, representative of Pisgah SORBA, noted that the organization had hired two new staff, one being a trail specialist and second, a development director. He shared that SORBA will be holding their first public workday on March 29 at Bracken Preserve. He then noted that SORBA will be hosting their regional summit and Western North Carolina Mountain Bike Festival in tandem with the summit from May 7 - 11, 2025. He noted that the summit will be held at the Brevard Music Center and the festival will be held at Ecusta Brewing on May 10, 2025. Nora Jane Montgomery, representative of Brevard Bike Alliance, was present to remind the committee that the Bicycle Pedestrian Plan designated a bike ped advisory group and reminded the committee that it had agreed to take on the role as the advisory group. The committee was amendable to revisiting the plan, asking that staff address this. Daniel Jesse, a member of SORBA and cyclist, spoke up and thanked Mr. Todd and Ms. Copeloff for their roles in ensuring that safety issues were addressed after he had raised issues involving safety concerns. He encouraged the city to continue to consider the connectivity of bike lanes and sidewalks, along with stop signs at crosswalks. Mr. Birkenthal asked that next month's agenda include a report on the playground equipment at Franklin Park. Ms. Copelof asked for the status on the recently approved sunshade for the skate park. Mr. Todd responded that the purchase order had been issued or would be issued in the near term. Mr. Baker noted that he was sorry to have missed the ribbon cutting on the new pedestrian bridge and there was brief conversation about the continuation ofa path extension beyond the bridge. H. Set Date for Next Meeting The next regular meeting oft the Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee was scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 3:30pm. Minutes--Council Parks, Trails, & Recreation Committee Meeting - February 19, 2025 Page 3 of 4 I. Adjourn There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:40pm with a motion by Mr. Wise, second by Ms. Osborne, and all in favor. Minutes Approved: AEEL 1,8025 E / - Aaron Baker, Chair or Lauren Wise, Vice Chair lina Selena D. Coffey Assistant to the City Manager Minutes--Council Parks, Trails, & Recreation Committee Meeting - February 19, 2025 Page 4 of 4