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2021-10-06 Agenda NEW HANOVER COUNTY PARKS & GARDENS 896 Airlie Road · Wilmington, NC 28403 (910) 798-7620 · (910) 798-7621 FAX · www.nhcgov.com PARKS ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA th October 6, 2021 8:00 A.M. (Airlie Cottage 896 Airlie Road) 1. Call to Order John Hinnant, Chair 2. Approval of September Minutes John Hinnant 3. Top of Mind Topics All 4. Director/Staff Q&A 5. Adjournment NEW HANOVER COUNTY PARKS ADVISORY BOARD PAGE 1 REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 ASSEMBLY The Parks Advisory Board held its regular meeting on Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at 8:00am at the Airlie Cottage. Present: Joe Irrera, Pete Wildeboer. Malik Shabazz (via Microsoft Teams). Absent: John Hinnant, Kagney Kellum, and Nicholas Leger. Guest: Rex Buford and Steve Morrissey. Staff: Tara Duckworth, Tanya Gurganious, Andy Johnson, and Jodi Rich. WELCOME AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES The meeting was called to order by Tara Duckworth who asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the August meeting. The following motion was presented: th MOTION: MOVED; SECONDED by Pete Wildeboer, that the minutes of the August 4 meeting be approved. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 1. Voice of the Customer. Tara introduced Mike Kozlosky, Executive Director of the Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization. Mr. Kozlosky provided an overview of the WMPO. It is a federally designated organization and any urbanized area of 50,000 or greater has an MPO. Federal dollars for transportation planning are received and he is responsible for the expenditure of those funds. (Funding is 80% Federal and 20% match). Areas served are not just Wilmington, but a population of over 230,000 people, which includes New Hanover County, Brunswick County, and the Hampstead area.) The development of plans is a collaborative process between the WMPO, the County and the City. Mr. Kozlosky then talked about the importance of greenways and trails in our area. As far as planning efforts go, the Wilmington area is behind other major cities having started planning efforts in 2006, with the plan adopted in 2013. (Charlotte began planning in 1999, Raleigh in 1976, and Greensboro in 2006.) He shared maps of area plans including trails and greenways, both existing and planned/funded. With the funding from the 2014 transportation bond, the following projects were funded and are on the th horizon: Central College Trail (connects 17 Street to Holly Tree), Kerr Avenue Trail (Randall to Fountain to UNCW), Greenville Loop Trail (Holly Tree/College to River to Sea Trail) and Masonboro Loop Trail (Andrews Reach to Navaho Trail). The signature trail is the Gary Shell Cross City Trail which is a 14-mile Greenway and considered the spine of the city trail network. Stressed that it is important to maintain trails once they are complete. Also shared the economic and recreational impacts of trails which help people to get out to walk, bike, etc. as well as get to shops. The long-term goal is to build more. The County is in the process of designing and constructing trails to connect to the Cross City Trail. 2. Top of Mind Topics. Pat asked about the park resource officers. Tara explained that we have 4 deputies now with 2 currently being trained. They patrol the parks (walk, ATVs, and bikes) and it has been awesome. Steve Morrissey shared that he thought Arrowhead would be a good potential primary pickle ballpark to house tournaments, etc. due to its central location. 3. Director/Staff Q&A. Tara shared that the DEQ provided a date for our stormwater appointment to get the permit for Hanover Pines Park. Once permits have been received, the project will be put out to bid. NEW HANOVER COUNTY PARKS ADVISORY BOARD PAGE 2 REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 4. Next Meeting. Tara asked if those present would prefer a Teams meeting or in-person meeting next month. After some discussion, it was decided that future meetings will take place at 8:15am to allow members to arrive on time due to area traffic. The next meeting will take place in person on Wednesday, th October 6 at 8:15am. 5. Adjournment. There were no additional items to discuss. The meeting adjourned at 9:00am. Respectfully submitted, Tanya Gurganious Administrative Coordinator -Please note that the above minutes are not a verbatim record of the New Hanover County Airlie Gardens Foundation Board meeting.