Morrisville Town Council
Work Session
September 6, 2016, 6:30 P.M.
1. Call to order
Mayor Stohlman called the work session of the Town Council to order at 6:30 p.m. Also present at
the meeting were Mayor Pro Tem Rao (in at 7:27 p.m.), Council Members Cawley, Garimella, Johnson,
Schlink, Scroggins-Johnson (out at 9:38 p.m.), and Attorney Frank Gray. Present staff included Martha
Paige/Town Manager, Todd Wright/Assistant Town Manager, Nancy Emslie/Finance Director, Jeanne
Hooks/Assistant to the Town Manager, Jerry Allen/Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Director,
Rich Cappola/Town Engineer, Courtney Tanner/Planning Director, Matt Leaver, Recreation
Superintendent, Benjamin Howell/Senior Planner – Transportation, Brad West/Planner II, Stephanie
Smith/PIO, and Erin L. Hudson/Town Clerk.
2. DFI Update (Demonstration Project Concept)
Town Council was reminded that the DFI Project Concept and the Library Conceptual Plan were closely
inter-related. Peter Cvelich and Jonathan Peterson, DFI, reviewed the current version of a master
plan of a Town Center concept which includes a demonstration project, reviewed a ten-year project
timeline for the full build out of Phases I and II, and outlined next steps for follow up. In response to
Mayor Stohlman’s question regarding the use of the L-shaped building in the town green area, Mr.
Cvelich clarified that the building represented a shelter-type facility on the site. Private investments
are represented in white boxes, for a total of 350 units of residential and commercial units. The 425
spaces for parking will be represented in a structured parking deck, with additional on-street and
surface parking. Mayor Stohlman asked for clarification of acquisition and site control related to the
larger site. Mr. Cvelich noted that is still in the early stages of planning, but there will need to be a
memorandum of understanding related to the fit of the Town Center plan and establishment of a
project timeframe. As much of that work as possible will need to be concluded prior to undertaking
the Town Center Phase I work for maximum site control.
Council Member Johnson asked for clarification on the placement of the parking deck and the library.
Mr. Cvelich noted the library would anchor the entrance to the Town Center as a civic facility.
Council Member Schlink supported the demonstration project concept and wrapped parking,
especially if there were a partner interested in assisting with the project.
Council Member Scroggins-Johnson asked to know how the investment would be split between the
town and private partnerships. Mr. Cvelich noted that the long-term nature of parking decks generally
causes them to be owned by local government and leased to the private sector.
Council Member Garimella asked if the parking deck capacity would sufficiently serve the uses
surrounding it. Mr. Cvelich noted that a ratio of two to one development to parking is recommended
to serve this area and mix of uses.
Council Member Cawley questioned if the same private developer would be expected for Phases I and
II. Mr. Cvelich believed that multiple developers would be interested in the project and it would
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depend on the type of development being completed, i.e. residential or commercial. Once the vision
of the Town Center Plan is seen in motion, momentum will develop and a master developer could
take interest and move the project forward. The mixed-use development space in the demonstration
project has not been dedicated as public or private at this time.
Mayor Stohlman asked if the ground parking proposed would be sufficient for the library. Mr. Cvelich
noted that he would follow up. Mayor Stohlman noted that if the mixed use development does not
come to fruition, he wanted to ensure that adequate parking would be provided. Mr. Cvelich
confirmed that if there were no mixed use development, there would be no need for the structured
parking deck.
Mr. Cvelich posed three questions for Council discussion:
a) What public uses do you envision as part of the Demonstration Project?
b) What are the preferred locations with the Demonstration Project Site for these uses?
c) Would the town prefer to locate the public uses with the County library or within a space in the
private development?
Council Members Johnson and Cawley see a need for more meeting space for citizens outside of the
current community center, as well as classroom space. Council Member Schlink sees a need for a
large community center, potentially 40,000 square feet in size. Council Member Johnson questioned
if a public use could be converted to a private use.
Discussion ensued related to other co-located or incorporated uses within the library space, potential
lease arrangements and willingness to co-locate with other users, and the standard program of service
uses for an 8,500 square foot library facility.
(Mayor Pro Tem Rao in at 7:27 p.m.)
Town Manager Paige encouraged Council to provide some parameters to DFI related to building
structure size and how to move forward.
3. Library (Potential Wake County Collaboration for Joint Use/Facility Add On)
Mayor Stohlman questioned any size limitations on a library structure. Jason Horton, Community
Services Deputy Director, and Michael Wasilick, Library Director, responded on behalf of the Wake
County Library System that the limitation is not simply the size but also the use of the space and
requested a proposed use by December 2016. Mr. Horton reviewed some previous shared use
options that had been explored but were determined not to be viable.
Mayor Stohlman requested that staff provide uses for additional programming space for future
discussion.
Mayor Pro Tem Rao mentioned the potential use of the space as a cultural center, and noted there is
a library in close proximity to Morrisville.
There was some discussion of separately owned/used meeting space within the building and how that
would be managed.
Town Manager Paige reminded Council there will be associated operating and up-fit costs with a large
meeting space.
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Council Member Scroggins-Johnson expressed support for a visioning process to determine a need for
the space.
Council Member Cawley mentioned that the L-shaped component could be converted to an
amphitheater. Council Member Johnson expressed support for an outdoor music/theater space,
possibly even incorporating it with the library.
Town Manager Paige reiterated that the town green is not included as part of the demonstration
project and asked Council to clarify their level of support for continuing discussion related to the
demonstration project. Council Member Schlink expressed support for the timeline as proposed.
Council Member Cawley would like to maintain the proposed greenspace under civic ownership. By
consensus, Council supported moving forward with the demonstration project
Recess- 8:10 p.m.
Reconvene- 8: 21 p.m.
4. Sidewalks Update
Benjamin Howell, Senior Planner – Transportation, provided an update on current sidewalk projects
and next steps on the current sidewalk construction program. Any cost overruns on projects currently
in progress (Town Center Walking Loop, Cary Parkway and NC54), would be the town’s responsibility.
If the Town Center Walking Loop project bid comes in over the available budget, an appeal could be
made to CAMPO for additional funding. There is also a potential to scale back projects in an effort to
save costs, but would be difficult and result in a change of scope that needs to be reviewed with
project partners.
Mr. Howell reviewed the bids received for the Church Street CDBG sidewalk projects, all of which
were significantly over available funds, and discussed options Town Council might consider for this
project, including providing additional funding or discontinue the project.
Council Member Scroggins-Johnson questioned the future of sidewalks in the Church Street area if
that project was not funded. Staff noted that was uncertain at this time as most of the properties are
heir properties and odd shapes, so it is not likely they would be redeveloped to obtain sidewalks.
Staff asked for direction on the Church Street CDBG project as well as the Sidewalk Construction
program. Staff noted that Town Council could support waiting for the state to construct some of the
sidewalks, noting that the sidewalk gaps are primarily in the commercialized areas of town, and along
state roads if they wished to modify the sidewalk construction priority.
Mayor Stohlman asked to know the total amount of funds needed for engineering/design of individual
sidewalk projects. Staff noted that amount is unknown at this time, but could potentially be $30,00040,000 per project.
Council Member Johnson asked if a Transportation Engineer were on staff, would they be able to
complete this work which staff indicated was a possibility.
Town Manager Paige noted that remaining costs for three of four projects indicated are unknown at
this time.
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Council Member Scroggins-Johnson expressed support for prioritizing completion of the Church Street
CDBG project.
Mayor Stohlman asked how soon staff would have an update about the Church Street historic walking
loop, which staff responded approximately three months.
Council consensus was to fund current the current Church Street CDBG projects and postpone other
project design decisions until bids on the remaining three sidewalk projects in progress were received
and evaluated.
5. Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center (MAFC): Discussion of Next Steps
Town Manager Paige provide an overview of previous MAFC renovation discussions by Town Council.
Town Council had previously authorized application for a PARTF grant to fund the proposed
renovation costs. The Town did not receive that grant in this award cycle. Ms. Paige provided an
overview of the bond authorization for parks and recreation projects.
Council Member Schlink asked if next year’s PARTF grant application would be adjusted for the
upcoming year. Staff responded that they will seek information on the Town’s relative score and
refine the request as they are able. If the project has an active construction bid, the Town cannot
apply for grant funding, and RTP Park is still an active project.
Mayor Stohlman asked when the $0.01 appropriation to the Parks and Recreation Bonds began and
what that amount was. Jeanne Hooks, Assistant to the Town Manager, indicated the Town began
collecting the second $.02 increment in 2016. Each $.01 is valued at approximately $400,000.
Mayor Pro Tem Rao questioned if there were potential partners for resurfacing or constructing tennis
courts. Town Manager Paige responded that the previous lead was pursued and that group has not
followed up, as it was determined that the partner would not assume ownership of the court. Mayor
Pro Tem Rao expressed support of tennis courts at Morrisville Community Park (MCP).
Jerry Allen, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Director, noted the existing courts could remain
at the current location, as the renovated design provides additional parking in front of the facility, but
if additional courts are added, parking will be lost.
Council Member Johnson asked where the funds will come from for bid alternates if they are selected.
Staff responded that Parkland PIL funds cannot be used for this project. Council Member Johnson
asked if MCP Phase III was eligible for Parkland PIL funds which staff confirmed could be used. Council
Member Johnson expressed support for moving forward with pool and fitness upgrades at MAFC,
eliminating tennis courts and constructing new courts at MCP. She asked staff to provide guidance
on moving forward with the outline as presented.
Council Member Scroggins-Johnson expressed support for Council Member Johnson’s approach for
renovation and construction.
Town Manager Paige noted that alternatives could include a smaller capacity pool, a different
retractable cover for the pool, or other scaled back options Council may choose to include.
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Mayor Stohlman requested an additional work session with a schematic listing of alternative options,
along with a scaled drawing and building footprint, to provide Council with the details needed to make
a decision to move forward.
Council Member Johnson asked how quickly staff could proceed with MCP Phase III. Town Manager
Paige noted that staff would bring an update on the fund balance after the audit presentation in late
October with the known variables, including design costs.
Council Member Scroggins- Johnson out at 9:38 p.m.
6. CIP Check-In – Jeanne Hooks, Assistant to the Town Manager
The discussion item was postponed to a future meeting.
7. Adjournment
Thank you for attending this Work Session of the Morrisville Town Council. We hope you plan to join
us again!
MOTION: Council Member Garimella made a motion to adjourn. Mayor Pro Tem Rao seconded the
motion that carried unanimously.
Mayor Stohlman adjourned the meeting at 9:37 p.m.
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