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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-01 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 APRIL 1, 2025 8:30 A.M. Airlie Cottage 896 Airlie Road 1. Call to Order Ryan Bisplinghoff, Chair 2. Approval of Minutes Ryan Bisplinghoff 3. Top of Mind Topics All 4. Director/Staff Q&A Tara/Andy 5. Adjournment NEXT MEETING: MAY 6, 2025 NEW HANOVER COUNTY PARKS ADVISORY BOARD PAGE 2 REGULAR MEETING MARCH 4, 2025 ASSEMBLY The Parks Advisory Board held its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at the Airlie Cottage. Present: Mary Ellen Lavoie, Ryan Bisplinghoff, Gayle Tabor, Judy Justice Excused: Jordan Nason, Carol Hunter, Caleb Rash Staff: Andy Johnson, Latashia Smith, Tara Duckworth, and Tanya Gurganious WELCOME AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES The meeting was called to order by Ryan Bisplinghoff. Ryan asked if everyone had a chance to review the minutes and if there were any changes. The only change that was mentioned was changing Judy Justice from absent to excused. Hearing no other changes, the following motion was presented: MOTION: Ryan Bisplinghoff MOVED; SECONDED Gayle Tabor, that the minutes of the February meeting be approved. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 1. Top of Mind Topics. Tara and Andy discussed the responsibilities of the county and the Wildlife Commission at Trail End Park. Andy presented the Memorandum of Agreement to the board that is below. NEW HANOVER COUNTY PARKS ADVISORY BOARD PAGE 3 REGULAR MEETING MARCH 4, 2025 2. Voice of the customer. Andy provided an update on Athletics as the Voice of the Customer for this month, presenting an overview of field usage and the facility use policy, which includes priority classifications. The facility overview detailed the NEW HANOVER COUNTY PARKS ADVISORY BOARD PAGE 4 REGULAR MEETING MARCH 4, 2025 allocation of field hours across various organizations over the past five years, highlighting that over 40,000 hours of play were recorded in 2024. Additionally, Duke Energy offers a Sports Field Lighting rate to support utility savings. As part of cost-saving measures, field lights are turned off for two billing cycles at the conclusion of the fall season and are typically reactivated by mid- February. The objectives of the facility use policy are to ensure an adequate number of athletic fields for organized youth and adult sports, minimize wear and prevent overuse, reduce maintenance costs, and provide high-quality facilities and services to our recreation partners. Field use in New Hanover County is prioritized as follows: 1. Non-profit youth organizations 2. Non-profit adult organizations 3. New Hanover County-based businesses and commercial (for-profit) organizations 4. New Hanover County residents 5. Non-New Hanover County organizations, groups, businesses, and individuals 3. Staff Updates: Tara discussed the plan to build two new fields at Northern Regional Park, pending the approval of construction funds at the commissioners meeting. It will take a while for the grass sprigs to mature. The goal is to be finished by September 2026. Sprigging was the cheapest option next to seeding. Tara suggested that we discuss the budget in the next meeting to hopefully have more board members in attendance. Next Meeting. The next board meeting will take place at the Airlie Cottage on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. There was discussion about having the May meeting at Smith Creek Park and possibly have the June meeting at Trails End Park. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Gayle Tabor MOVED; Mary Ellen SECONDED that the meeting be adjourned. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:53 a.m. NEW HANOVER COUNTY PARKS ADVISORY BOARD PAGE 5 REGULAR MEETING MARCH 4, 2025 Respectfully submitted, Latashia N. Smith Ώ Please note that the above minutes are not a verbatim record of the New Hanover County Parks Advisory Board meeting.