Parks, Recreation, and Greenways Board

Meeting Minutes

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Marvin Village Hall, 10006 Marvin School Road
Members Present:
  • Chair Castellucci, 
  • Vice-Chair Culp, 
  • Christina Traub, 
  • Michael Vittone, 
  • and Deb Sokol 
Staff Present:
  • Councilman Baresich (Council Liaison), 
  • Austin W. Yow, 
  • Hunter Nestor, 
  • Poulami Das, 
  • Davy Broom, 
  • and Matt McManus 

Chair Castellucci called the meeting to order at 9am and determined a quorum was present.

No board members participated remotely.

  • Moved byChair Castellucci
    Seconded byVice-Chair Culp

    To adopt the agenda as presented.

    Vote: Motion Passed Unanimously
  • Moved byChair Castellucci
    Seconded byChristina Traub

    To adopt the minutes from 11/5/24 as presented.

    Vote: Motion Passed Unanimously

No one signed up to speak.

TIME STAMP 1:55

Update on Event Planning

Chair Castellucci reminded everyone that the Tree Lighting is scheduled for Saturday, December 7 from 5-7pm. The Board briefly discussed preparations for the event. She then informed the Board that the final Friendship Tree tags have been taken and that the final gifts are set to be returned later that day. Lastly, she reminded everyone to donate to Toys for Tots, which normally has its final drop-off coincide with the Tree Lighting.

Update on Trails and Greenways

Chair Castellucci then briefed the Board on the updated plans for the Village Hall Park, including the grant funds being used for the project. Mr. Nestor noted that a future amphitheater was more affordable on the Village Hall site, rather than at Marvin Efird Park. The Board reviewed the tree removal recommendations, the site plan, the route of the Marvin Loop extension, and grading plan. The Board discussed the Village Hall Park plans in depth.

Village Council Recap

Councilman Baresich spoke on confusion between the 2020 Greenways Master Plan and the 2023 Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan. He then informed the Board that Council and staff are working with stakeholders on the implementation of the StRAP grant. He stated that there was no news on the Marvin Creek Connector Trail.

Rules of Procedure Update

Austin Yow, Village Clerk & Assistant to the Manager, informed the Board that staff is working on a new version of the Board's Rules of Procedure. He noted that the Board's rules were years out-of-date and needed to be replaced. He stated that the Board would approve the new Rules of Procedure in January or February.

TIME STAMP 1:07:55

(See attached, Item G1, which is included as a reference in these minutes.)

Chair Castellucci highlighted projects for which the PR&G Board were not kept abreast, including the Marvin Creek Connector, paving of Marvin Efird Park, and the Village Hall Park. She noted that Councilman Baresich's Village Council Recap is how the Board will be kept aware of ongoing projects and issues that affect the Board. She noted that she has asked the Council to get the Board's opinion on issues clearly in the Board's purview. Lastly, she reviewed the Board's ordinance provisions, noting areas that need revision.

TIME STAMP 1:23:25

(See attached, Item G2, which is included as a reference in these minutes.)

Chair Castellucci led a discussion over the Board's review of the 2020 Greenways Master Plan. She noted that discussions will be needed to determine the structure of the next master plan. She also noted that during the review that she and other board members should make note of topics that could be included in the Village's next community survey.

Chair Castellucci noted that the purpose of the master plan was to evaluate the needs and wants of community. She noted that the plan needs to discuss parks, greenways, and greenspace, including the acquisition of property for future parks, properties to preserve and rehab greenspace, programming and amenities for parks, greenways, and greenspaces, etc. She further noted that the plan should consider future steps and the necessary triggers for implementation, which would include the acquisition of property and easements.

She continued noting that the plan should have a goal of continuity and connectivity, to plan for long-term growth and development, to serve as a notice to homeowners (both current and future), and to provide guidance to current and future council and board members.

Hunter Nestor, Planning Director, added that the plan should note challenges for future projects and that the plan would assist staff if in the acquisition of grants to fund future projects.

Councilman Baresich encouraged board members to think about survey questions as they review the master plan.

Vice-Chair Culp noted the need for the plan to have an executive summary, mission statement, or a list of primary goals to better summarize the plan and make it more accessible to its readers.

TIME STAMP 1:48:05

(See attached, Item H1, which is included as a reference in these minutes.)

Mr. Nestor informed the Board that the draft Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the next fiscal year will include two parks and recreation projects, including new amenities at Marvin Efird Park and the development of the Heritage Pocket Park.

Mr. Nestor then briefed the Board on each of the greenway projects in the CIP (a non-binding planning tool created annually including:

  • Trail S1A: The expansion of the Marvin Loop Greenway from Flowering Peach Road to Saddle Avenue.
  • Trail S2A: The Waxhaw-Marvin Greenway, which would run from the New Town/Waxhaw-Marvin roundabout to the Broadmoor subdivision's existing sidewalk and would continue down Waxhaw-Marvin Road to link to Crane Road and possibly beyond.
  • Trail C4A - The Marvin Branch Greenway, a natural surface trail to be constructed within the Estates at Marvin Branch subdivision, which would connect the subdivision's rear cul-de-sac to the Marvin Loop, as well as provide a possible future connection to Marvin Creek.
  • Trail S1B: The final portion of the Marvin Loop Greenway, connecting Saddle Avenue to Wheat Field Drive.
  • Trail C4C: The Marvin Creek Connector Trail, which is slated for completion in 2025.
  • TAA Connector: A future connection from the Tullamore and Amber Meadows Trails to the Towns at Audrey Park subdivision, contingent upon the annexation of the subdivision. A trail easement has been acquired from the HOA to connect the Tullamore and Amber Meadows Trails through their common open space.

Mr. Nestor concluded noting that the presentation of the CIP to the Board was informational but noted that the Board could provide comments to staff on the project at the January 7 PR&G Board meeting.

  • Board Members will provide comments to staff regarding the Village's CIP by the Board's January Meeting.

The Board reviewed the Ongoing Action Item List and made revisions.

There were no comments.

  • Moved byChair Castellucci
    Seconded byVice-Chair Culp

    To adjourn the meeting at 11:05am.

    Vote: Motion Passed Unanimously