MEETING NOTES City Council Parks, Trails, & Recreation Committee Wednesday, March 19, 2025 - 3:30 PM City Council Chambers Members Present: Aaron Baker, Chair, Council Member Lauren Wise, Vice Chair, Council Member Reba Osborne, Citizen Member Absent: Howie Granat, Citizen Member JD Powers, Citizen Member Nancy DePippo, Citizen Member Wyn Birkenthal, Citizen Member Mayor Maureen Copelof, Ex-Officio Staff Present: Wilson Hooper, City Manager David Todd, Assistant City Manager Paul Ray, 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 3:34pm. B. Certification of Quorum A quorum could not be certified due to only three members present. C. Approval of Agenda No approval ofthe agenda due to lack ofa quorum. D. Approval of Minutes No approval of minutes due to lack of a quorum. E. Updates on Projects: 1. Sports Complex Restrooms and Parking Mr. Ray shared with the committee that he and Aaron Bland met with a McAdams representative, Nick Lowe, recently, and he has agreed to develop a scope ofwork for this project for staff to review. He noted that the scope will consist ofai robust site plan with recommendations and commentary regarding paved parking lots and new restrooms among other recommendations. Mr. Ray indicated that staff will work with Mr. Lowe to further refine the scope and bring it back to the committee for the April committee meeting. Mr. Ray suggested that this scope may provide the city the opportunity to choose McAdams or bid the project out to another firm depending on the final cost estimate. Mr. Bakera added that the committee and city should consider using this project as an opportunity to add a crosswalk between the park and EMS station to add pedestrian connectivity in the area. Ms. Osborne asked if staff has spoken to county representatives regarding their plans. Ms. Coffey shared that she had spoken with the county's recreation director and county manager, and they were hoping to be able to come to a future committee meeting, potentially in April, to share more on their recreation plans. 2. Estatoe Boardwalk Assessment Mr. Todd shared that the designer had been on site and completed their field evaluation, took sections of the boardwalk apart to visual its condition, while looking for the original drawings. Mr. Todd anticipated receiving a report in a few weeks. He also reported that there is great potential that the overall condition of the boardwalk may require full replaçement as opposed to repairs. There was extensive discussion regarding the potential benefits of re-routing the boardwalk if it needs to be replaced as opposed to repaired. 3. 30% Design for the Remaining Sections of the Estatoe Trail Mr. Ray stated that there are two sections of the Trail to complete, not including the Rosman Highway crossing. He shared that surveyors are wrapping up the topo work on the section from the high school to Rosman Highway and will move to the Main Street to Mary C. Jenkins Center section the following week. He noted that 30% design is anticipated to be completed by May 1, 2025. Staff hopes to receive the Great Trails State grant but doesn'tl know the results of this grant yet. Mr. Ray reminded the committee that city council has approved construction of the sidewalk along Rosman Highway to the gas station and once that is complete, NCDOT will build the crossing. Public Works anticipates that they will start building the related sidewalk in April. F. Rotary Club Proposal for Peace Poles Installation along Estatoe Trail Ms. Tamika Hunter, President of Pisgah Forest Rotary Club, was present to discuss a proposal to install two peace poles along the Estatoe Trail at the following locations: 1) At the pollinator garden near the dog park, and 2) At the T-intersection leading to Oscar Blues. These poles will be constructed from upcycled white vinyl PVC and are planned to serve as "symbols of hope, unity, and goodwill, encouraging residents and visitors to reflect on the importance of peace in our daily lives. These poles will read, "May peace Meeting Notes -Council Parks, Trails, & Recreation Committee Meeting - March 19, 2025 Page 2 of4 4 prevail on earth." * The poles would be installed and maintained by the Pisgah Forest Rotary Club. The pole sizes can vary from four feet to six, seven, or eight feet. The committee expressed general support for the installations and Mr. Hooper noted that staffwould need to present the proposal to city council and have them adopt the wording as government speech before they could be installed on government properties. Mr. Baker stated that the T-intersection may be problematic because of the pedestrian interactions in that area. Ms. Hunter stated that they are open to moving this pole to another location if necessary. Members oft the committee present asked that staff bring back a more detailed report and recommendation to the next committee meeting for a formal vote to recommend the peace poles for approval by city council. Mr. Hooper asked to update the committee regarding the survey with the Taylor's. He noted that this agreement has been reached. Mr. Baker asked that committee member, Mr. Granat, be asked to provide an update on the Bracken Trail project at next meeting. G. Public Comment Bob McDonough asked questions about the boardwalk replacement or repairs and about the Estatoe Trail going through the Allison Hawthorne neighborhood. He was concerned about bike traffic cutting through the neighborhood and asked the committee to consider ways to limit traffic through the neighborhood. Ms. McCann reminded the committee that there is an upcoming volunteer workday with Pisgah Area SORBA and Bracken, next Saturday, March 29, 2025. H. Set Date for Next Meeting Mr. Baker noted that the next regular meeting ofthe Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee was scheduled for Wednesday, April 19, 2025, but with this date falling in the middle of area students' spring break, the committee may consider rescheduling the meeting. Ms. Coffey stated that she would reach out to committee members to ensure that a quorum could be available on that date and the committee could pick a new date ifa lack of quorum was anticipated. I. Adjourn Mr. Baker adjourned the meeting was adjourned at 4:20pm. Meeting Notes -Council Parks, Trails, & Recreation Committee Meeting - March 19, 2025 Page 3 of 4 Approved: Areu 16,2085 Aaron Baker, Chair or Lauren Wise, Vice Chair dena CEA Selena D. Coffey Assistant to the City Manager Meeting Notes -Council Parks, Trails, & Recreation Committee Meeting - March 19, 2025 Page 4 of4 4