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Minutes 07-23-01 MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD MEETING HELD IN CONFERENCE ROOM "C", WEST WING, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON MONDAY JULY 23, 2001 AT 7:00 P.M.' Present Jim McMahon, Vice Chair Wally Majors, Recreation Director Ed Harris John Wildner, Parks Director Bali Ramnarace Tom Williams Dan Winters William Orlove, Alternate Absent Betty Thomas, Chairperson Elizabeth Pierce Margaret Murphy, Alternate I. CALL TO ORDER In the absence of Chairperson Thomas, Vice Chair McMahon called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. I1. ATTENDANCE Mr. Orlove, the newest Board member, introduced himself and was welcomed to the Board. A quorum was present. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JUNE 25, 2001 Motion Mr. Harris moved to accept the minutes. Mr. Williams seconded the motion that was unanimously carried. IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A, Hester Center Breezeway Enclosure, Pavilion, PAL Press box Mr. Majors reported that the breezeway project was 70% complete and the pavilion was completed. A ceremony has been scheduled for August 22 at 10:00 a.m. Notices will be mailed to the Board members. It is anticipated that some of the children will be participating in the ceremonies. The Optimist Club will be acknowledged for their contribution towards the pavilion. A preliminary meeting with the architect for the press box was held earlier this month. The money received by the City from the lease of the tower by Sprint will be used for the Meeting Minutes '- Parks & Recreation Board Boynton Beach, Florida July 23, 2001 _ improvements, which include storage facilities for PAL, an office for Bill Tome, and a press box. Mr. Winters asked the Board to consider endorsing a recommendation that the press box be named after Board member Tom Williams, in recognition of his years of hard work and dedication to Hester Park and the City. Mr. Majors suggested presenting the recommendation to the City Manager's Office. Mr. Winters suggested that the matter be further discussed under Item F on the agenda, "ItemS for City Manager's Attention". There was unanimous consensus on the Board to forward the recommendation to the City Manager. After further discussion, members felt that the playing field itSelf should be named after Mr. Tom Williams, which would include the press box. B. Senior Center Mr. Majors reported that the activities continue to be well attended and additional computers with Internet access have been added. C. Boat Club/Intracoastal Parks Mr. Wildner announced that the bid opening for Boat Club Park is scheduled for the end of August with construction to begin sometime in September. Mr. Winters asked what the City's plans were for Morey's property. Mr. Wildner said the property would probably be used for additional parking. Mr. Winters asked if the building itself could be used as a replacement for the Royal Palm Clubhouse and Mr. Wildner was not sure if that was under consideration or not. Mr. Wildner commented that since the City had received funding from the County, any fee charged would have to apply to everyone; the City was not allowed to discriminate between residents and non-residents. Beginning in October, it will cost $50.00 to purchase a yearly decal. Signs to this effect will be posted shortly. The Park will be staffed only on weekends and holidays. Mr. Wilder reported that staff is continuing with the master plan for the Intracoastal Park. Mr. Majors reported that the City's capital improvement plan included renovation and expansion of the current Civic Center but that it was not a high priority item. There was some feeling on the Board that an expanded Civic Center would allow the staging of more events and activities. D. Special Events Mr. Majors announced that a plan for holiday lights had been submitted to the Commission and it had been well received. The plan calls for lighting to be placed on Ocean Avenue from Seacrest to 6th COUrt and then south on 6th Court to Mangrove Walk and the Marina. Consideration is being given to staging the Holiday Parade in the evening this year and the Board endorsed this idea enthusiastically. Meeting Minutes " Parks & Recreation Board BOynton Beach, Florida July 23, 2001 Mr. Williams asked if the Beach had adequate supplies and equipment. Mr. Majors reported that the Beach had a Jet Ski and an additional lifeguard had been included in the budget. Mr. Williams would like the Board to discuss the Beach more often since it is an integral part of the City's recreation. Members discussed the Beach snack shack, which they felt was lacking in a variety of food for sale, as well as a lack of friendly customer service. Mr. Majors pointed out that this is run on a contract basis and when the contract comes up for renewal, these things should be taken into consideration. E. Greenways The Parks Department has recommended that a consultant be hired to do a study on the possibility of establishing Greenways in the City. The plan would also have to include the communities of Hypoluxo and Lantana to the north and Delray Beach to the south in order to create an integrated pathway system. The creation of a Greenways system has received an enthusiastic response from the City Manager and many departments in the City. G. Items for the City Manager's Attention Mr. Winters asked how the Board wanted to address the issue of naming the football field and press box at the Ezell Hester Park in honor of Thomas Williams. Mr. Wildner stated that he would prepare a list of Mr. Williams' accomplishments to be attached to these minutes (attached). H. Monthly Report Mr. Majors reported that one of the City's parking attendants found a wallet containing over $1,300 and turned it in. The employee received a $50.00 gift certificate. Members felt the employee should receive some further recognition for this good deed and requested that the Commissioners be made aware of it. Mr. Majors will follow through. V. NEW BUSINESS A. Recreation and Parks Plan (Southeast Quadrant of the City) Mr. Wildner reported that after the public meeting held by the Recreation & Parks Board in May regarding Girl Scout Park, the City Commission decided to postpone development of the Park. Because of the success of the first public meeting, the Commission would like this Board to hold another public meeting that would include the entire southeast quadrant of the City and to come up with another report. The City Commission would like the Board to focus on the development of a southeast neighborhood park and determine the needs of that section of the City. The target date for the report is December. It is anticipated that an announcement of the public meeting would go out with the City water bills. By utilizing this method, every household would be notified. 3 Meeting Minutes Parks & Recreation Board Boynton Beach, Florida July 23, 2001 Mr. Majors said that they had already initiated the bid process for a needs assessment through Procurement Services. The objective was to have the entire City offer input, not just the people who attend the City Commission meetings. Members' Comments The Board members discussed the benefit of having Board identification badges for use when a member attended public functions on behalf of the Board. Mr. Majors will pursue this request. Mr. Ramnarace complimented the City on the success of the Fourth of July entertainment. He felt this was the best one that the City has put on. Mr. Harris would like this Board to look into the issue of the children going to the new High School by crossing over 1-95. He felt that the curves along certain sections of Seacrest Avenue and 17th and 19th Avenues could create safety problems when crossing the street to attend games at the Hester Center. Mr. Majors responded that Mr. Livergood, the Public Works Director, has looked into this. Mr. Harris would like to see a caution light installed at 17th and Seacrest so that the children could cross the street safely. Mr. Majors pointed out that reflector lights have been added to the entrance of the Hester Center. Mr. Wildner said that discussions have taken place about putting a median in Seacrest Avenue as a traffic-calming device. VI. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be August 27, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. VII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was duly adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Susan Collins Recording Secretary (one tape) (07/25/01 ) 4 Addendum to the Recreation and Parks Board Minutes of July 23, 2001 Tommy Williams has been a Recreation and Park advocate in Boynton Beach for about forty years. Starting in the early 1960s, Tommy was a Recreation Supervisor for the City. Among his assignments were Athletics, Wilson Park Pool and Center, as well as Ezell Hester Park. He was very instrumental in the planning of both Ezell Hester Park and Center, After retiring from :the City, Tom was appointed to the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board where he continues to provide enthusiastic support for new and expanded recreation facilitieS and programs. His particular interests remain with the Northeast Section of the City and with Ezell Hester Park. It is altogether fitting that the Ezell Hester Park football field and press box is named for Tom Williams,