Parks and Recreation Commission

Parks & Recreation Commission (PRC) Thursday, November 6, 2025 Cornelius Town Hall 5:30 – 7 p.m. www.cornelius.org/pr MINUTES 1) Call to Order Chair Fouche called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. 2) Determination of Quorum A quorum was reached with all nine (9) commissioners in attendance. • Commissioners Present: Vice-Chair Carla Eustache, Chair Trey Fouche, Jeff Jones, Jon Show, Steve True, Robert Reed, Andrew Heywood, Jana Ritter, and Travis Dancy • Commissioners Absent: Chair Trey Fouche, Jon Show, Andrew Heywood, Travis Dancy • Staff Present: Director Troy Fitzsimmons, Assistant Director Adam Abernathy, Recreation Superintendent Michael Wolf, and Executive Assistant Mary Curcione • Partners Present: Jerri Shephard – Lake Norman Little League 3) Public Appearances – Citizen Concerns/Comments Carlyn Flake and Lindsey Seidman, residents of Glen Ridge, addressed the Commission regarding possible illicit activity at Glen Oak Green Park. They requested additional support from the Parks and Police Departments to help curb these behaviors, noting that residents have become increasingly frustrated and concerned for their safety. 4) Approval of Minutes a) October 2025 Draft Minutes Chair Fouche made a motion to approve the minutes from the October 2, 2025, meeting as presented. Commissioner Dancy seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. 5) Presentations a) Lake Norman Little League – Jerri Shephard Lake Norman Little League provided an overview of their mission, safety initiatives, financial contributions to Town facilities, and participation trends, noting significant growth among Cornelius residents despite increased competition. 6) Director’s Report a) October 2025 Director’s Report Director Fitzsimmons provided an overview of October events, facility updates, and recent achievements, including strong attendance at fall programs, dedication ceremonies for the new tennis and pickleball complexes, and the Department’s Centralina award for the Emerald Necklace initiative. Upcoming events and volunteer efforts were also highlighted. 7) Parks & Recreation Commissioner Recommendations & Reports a) Items to be placed on record b) Commissioner Reports 1) Vice-Chair Carla Eustache • Attended Laketoberfest with family. • Mom brought kids to Halloween Treat Trail event. 2) Chair Trey Fouche • Attended both court openings; thinks what we’re accomplishing is remarkable. • Offered congratulations on the Centralina Award achievement. • Brought up nominations for PRC leadership and the process for interviewing the new commissioners.  3) Commissioner Jeff Jones • Attended the Public Safety Town Chat and thought it was very well done but would like to see a bigger turnout in the future. • Went to National Night Out and despite it being rescheduled, thought there was a good turnout and that it was a great event. • Announced that the Police Department is looking for more volunteers for the holiday parade on December 6. 4) Commissioner Jon Show • Attended Laketoberfest and thought it was a great event. The highlights were the music (thought there was a good mix) and the Kids Zone. 5) Commissioner Steve True – No Report 6) Commissioner Robert Reed • Gave kudos to Suzanne Meyer for all her amazing work on sponsorships throughout the year. • Attended Halloween Treat Trail and the kids had a really fun time; offered a job well done to Special Events Manager, Shelby Cruse, who organized the event. • Soccer with Charlotte Independence is wrapping up; kids and neighbors had a blast this season. 7) Commissioner Andrew Heywood • Attended Laketoberfest briefly; always a great event and thought it was very enjoyable. 8) Commissioner Jana Ritter • Attended Laketoberfest and through it was a great event. Loved the Kids Zone and thinks it’s imperative to have at these types of events. • Was at both court openings at Bailey Road Park. • The Bailey Middle School Tennis program had 80 kids registered for the first session and the second session is already planned to take place after winter sports conclude. Hopeful this started a trend for other schools in the county. 9) Commissioner Travis Dancy – No Report c) Town Commissioner Report – Commissioner Michael Osborne • Shared that PRC is a fantastic model committee. • Advised that PRC continues to be bold as they set the tone; urged the commission to continue to be ‘for the Town.’ 8) Old Business a) FY27 CIP Recommendation b) Assistant Director Abernathy presented the FY27 Draft Capital Improvement Plan, highlighting proposed investments in equipment replacements, greenway development, park improvements, land acquisition, and major facility upgrades. Commissioner True moved to authorize the Parks & Recreation Director to finalize and submit the CIP to the Town Board, Commissioner Jones seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. c) FY27 Budget Goals Recommendations Director Fitzsimmons presented the proposed FY27 Operating Budget Goals, outlining planned investments in special events, customer service enhancements, and the Department’s 30th anniversary carnival, with most supported by increased sponsorship and fee revenue. Commissioner Jones motioned to authorize the Director to finalize and submit the operating budget goals to the Town Manager, Commissioner Reed seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. d) Parks & Recreation Commission Goals & Committees e) 2024 Park Bonds Director Fitzsimmons advised that the goal is to have a presentation on project prioritization will be given to the Town Board on January 5. Items are getting “teed up” with consultants to get construction drawings completed to go out and bid, so work can begin right away come FY27; looking to implement instant change. 9) New Business a) Lake Norman Little League Partner Agreement Recreation Superintendent Michael Wolf presented the 2026 Lake Norman Little League Partnership Terms, outlining the program scope, field-use commitments, and LKNLL’s projected annual investment. Commissioner Ritter motioned to authorize the Parks & Recreation Director to finalize the agreement, Commissioner Show seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. 10) Adjournment Upcoming PRC Meetings – Thursdays, December 4, 2025 and January 1, 2026 Next Town Board Meetings – Mondays, November 17 and December 1, 2025