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Appointments to the Parks, Greenways and Recreation Commission.
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Staff: |
Department: |
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Sabrina Oliver, Director/Town Clerk |
Communications and Public Affairs |
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Amy Harvey, Deputy Town Clerk |
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Alisha Cordell, Administrative Assistant |
Technology Solutions and CaPA |
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Recommendation(s): |
That the Council make appointments to the Parks, Greenways and Recreation Commission for three seats.
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Attachments: |
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• Recommendation |
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• Ballot |
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• Applications |
Note: Applications submitted prior to February 20, 2018 were completed before changes were made to the application and may appear incomplete.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Renuka Soll, Chair, Parks, Greenways, and Recreation Commission
SUBJECT: Recommendation for the vacancies
DATE: June 16, 2021
RECOMMENDATION: The Parks, Greenways, and Recreation Commission meeting on June 15 and by a 4 to 1 vote made the following recommendations to the Town Council for consideration:
• Hallie Cherry, Town Resident
On April 20, 2021, the Parks, Greenways, and Recreation Commission, by unanimous vote, made the following recommendations to the Town Council for consideration:
• Renuka Soll, Reappointment, Town Resident
• Lydia Kivihya Ndugga, Reappointment, Town Resident
BACKGROUND:
Hallie Cherry is a lifelong resident of Chapel Hill and is an early Childhood Educator for Chapel Hill schools with a strong interest in shared communal spaces, in particular playgrounds. She was the recipient of a grant that allowed her to travel to London and Stockholm to research public playgrounds. Her appointment will be Hallie’s first time on an advisory board.
Lydia Kivihya Ndugga is a public health scientist with a Ph.D. in Public Health and an M. Science degree in Medical Immunology. Lydia has been an active committee member serves on the Cultural Arts Commission. She also volunteers to work with the Augustine Literacy Program, tutoring children with Autism. Lydia's research in infectious diseases has enabled her to understand and appreciate the importance of maintaining and sustaining a balanced ecosystem. Youth literacy and welfare are also critical to her. For the past five years, Lydia has volunteered to work with the Augustine Literacy Program, tutoring children with Autism. She recognizes that parks and open spaces are important places for the community to play and socialize.
Renuka Soll has an M.B.A Marketing and B.A. in Chemistry. Renuka is an active member of the Chapel Hill community for close to 16 years and has been on the Parks, Greenways, and Recreation Commission for three years. In 2020 she was appointed Chair of the Commission. Renuka has volunteered with the Girl Scouts, as a GED tutor, Treasurer, and Secretary of the Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA) at Seawell Elementary School, President and Secretary of the PTSA at Smith Middle School, and Treasurer of the PTSA at Chapel Hill High School. She has been a leader of two of Duke's Campus Clubs. Renuka has also been a part of the People's Academy and has learned how all the town's resources fit together. She cares about Chapel Hill, understands the community's needs, and is always working to find creative solutions supporting the community.
The Commission was also pleased to meet three of the seven new applicants to serve on the Commission and was impressed by each of the applicant's interests and perspectives they offer. The Commission appreciates the opportunity to review and make a recommendation regarding applications to serve on the Commission.
Note: Communications and Public Affairs notes that the Parks, Greenways and Recreation Commission reviewed the following applications: Jane Harris, Lydia Ndugga, Paul Neebe, Marshall Rohde, Macie Rouse, Alexandra Sheaves, Renuka Soll, and Wendy Whitener. Gayathri Balasubramanian withdrew application on April 27 One additional applications was received between April 21, 2021 and June 16, 2021 from Hallie Cherry for the Parks, Greenways and Recreation Commission.
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