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Minutes 04-22-02MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD MEETING HELD AT THE SENIOR CENTER, 1021 SOUTH FEDERAL HIGHWAY, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2002 AT 7:00 P.M. Present Betty Thomas, Alternate (Chairperson pro-tem) Margaret Murphy Elizabeth Pierce Bali Ramnarace Tom Williams Dan winters William Orlove, Alternate Absent Ed Harris Jim McMahon Wally Majors, Recreation Director I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Thomas called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. I1. ATTENDANCE A quorum was present. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 25, 2002 Motion Mr. Winters moved to approve the minutes, motion seconded by Mr. Orlove and unanimously carried. Chairperson Thomas requested that the minutes be placed on file. IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Needs Assessment Mr. Majors reported that Dr. Mitra gave a presentation of the needs assessment th to the City Commission at the April 16 meeting. He also met with staff to explain the CompuRec computer program that he installed to assist staff in analyzing the information garnered from the survey. Consideration is also being given to ask Dr. Mitra to return in order to spend more time with staff to assist Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Boynton Beach, FL April 22, 2002 with the new computer progrem. He would only charge for his expenses and Mr. Majore would like the Board to consider having Dr. Mitra come back. Copies of Dr. Mitra's report were distributed. Mr. Majore suggested that members review the report and bring their ideas and suggestions with them to the May meeting. Mr. Majore reported that there were over 500 responses to the survey that contained 200 questions. This report would provide staff with a foundation for the modification to the recreation and open space element of the City's Comprehensive Plan. Also from the report, staff will be able to come up with some definitive plans on how to proceed in developing programs. Mr. Majors said that the City Commission received the report favorably and Mayor Broening made some positive comments at the meeting. B. Greenways/Bikeway Masterplan Mr. Majors reported that on April 26th there will be a public meeting to review the proposals received for this project in Conference Room C of the West Wing in City Hall. Participants will include Mike Fitzpatrick, Barbara Meacham, Jeff Livergood and Kevin Hallahan. It is intended that the top three proposals would be selected at this meeting to present to the City Commission. The meeting will be from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Nine proposals were received. Ms. Pierce reported that there have been some accidents on the bike path on Federel Highway at the end of her street and asked who was in charge of this. Mr. Majors stated that it was DOT and suggested Ms. Pierce contact his office for the telephone number for that agency. Mr. Ramnarace noted that the bus stop that he complained about at the corner of Seacrest and Boynton Beach Boulevards still has not been changed and continues to create a dangerous situation. C. Recreation Masterplan The needs assessment Plan. Atthe next meeti recreation and open sp; updated in the late 1980 Board. This is neces.~ and Open Space Element of Comprehensive is the first step to the modification of the Comprehensive lg, members will be furnished with copies of the current ice element of the Comprehensive Plan, which was last 's. The updating will be done with the cooperetion of this ary in order to determine how the City will meet the recreational needs of th(~ community. 2 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Boynton Beach, FL April 22, 2002 D. Boat Club Park Improvements The project is scheduled to be completed by late July. The seawall has been completed and re-grading of the parking lot is being done. Mr. Winters inquired where the fireworks would take place. Mr. Majors stated that the fireworks will be held at the Boynton Beach High School. The City will also provide a shuttle from the City's parking lot to the High School at no charge. Chairperson Thomas asked if any safety problems could adse from this location. Mr. Majors stated that staff met with the Fire Department and the fireworks' vendor to determine if it was safe. It appears that the site will not pose any safety problems. Cost-wise, the rental of the barge alone was $8,000 when the fireworks were held on the Intracostal. The cost of the fireworks ranges between $20,000 to $25,000. Mr. Williams suggested that the High School set up concession stands to raise funds for their various sports' programs. Ms. Pierce commented about the slow-method of dredging that was taking place. Mr. Majors reported that the sand being dredged had material in it that was considered unsafe and therefore could not be placed on the beach. It is now being hauled away on trucks. Mr. Wildner is dealing with this issue. E. Intracoastal Park Development The bid opening is scheduled for May 16th and construction should begin in about six weeks after that. The estimated cost of the project is $2.3 million. Ms. Murphy inquired when the dirt was going to be removed. This should be done when the project begins, Mr. Wildner is also working on this. The entire project should take between nine to twelve months. Mr, Winters inquired if Cafb LaNotte would be closing. Mr. Majors answered that the owners of Cafb LaNotte appeared before the City Commission seeking a variance and the matter was tabled. Mr. Winters would like the City to acquire this property. The property would be a wonderful addition to the Park. Ms. Pierce pointed out that the property needs a lot of work. Ms. Pierce requested that the plans for the Park be brought to the next Board meeting. Mr. Majors will request that Mr. Wildner bring them. Ms. Pierce would like to have an amphitheater at the Park that could be used for festivals, graduations, as well as musical and theatrical events. Ms. Murphy inquired if there would be more concerts at the gazebo on the Pond located behind Boynton Plaza. Mr. Majors said there are plans to have more concerts at the Pond. Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Boynton Beach, FL April 22, 2002 F. Hester Center Breezeway Enclosure The breezeway is now complete and the City anticipates being reimbursed by the County. To date, the City has received $30,000 and expects another $170,000. Mr. Majors pointed out that these funds were part of the County's Recreation Bond Referendum that was passed a few years back. Ms. Pierce asked how the funds received from the tower would be used. Mr. Majors stated that the Commission earmarked the first $110,000 to build a press box/storage facility for PAL. The City will receive this amount every five years. The Commission had stated that they would like those funds to be used to benefit the Hester Center. Mr. Majors would like to improve the current playground. Mr. Williams said that more parking spaces are needed at the Hester Center. Ms. Pierce asked if there were plans to raze the Civic Center. Mr. Majors thought that the plan was to improve the Civic Center, not raze it. There is also discussion to make it into a convention center. Ms. Pierce noted that there are several lots near the Civic Center that could be purchased and used for expansion. Mr. Williams asked if there has been a decision made about the old high school. Mr. Majors was not sure and said that it may be put out to a referendum. I. Items for City Manager (addressed out of order) Mr. Orlove inquired if the Board could become involved in the plans for the Civic Center and the Ocean Avenue area.. Mr. Winters would like to have the City Manager attend one of the Board's meetings once a year so that the Board could present their ideas to him. Mr. Winters also suggested that this Board could have a special meeting with the City Commission to discuss the Board's concerns. Mr. Majors stated that when the Board reviews the updating of the recreation portion of the Comprehensive Plan, this would be a good opportunity to express what the Board would like to see done in the Ocean Avenue area. He pointed out that the Civic Center improvement includes the Library, the old High School and the entire Heart of Boynton Plan. Mr. Orlove suggested inviting the City Manager to a meeting to specifically discuss this issue. Mr. Murphy requested that the plans for Ocean Avenue be brought to a meeting. Mr. Majors stated this would have to come from the Development Department. Mr. Winters suggested inviting Quintus Greene to the next Board meeting to give an update on the Ocean Avenue project. Mr. Majors thought it would be a good 4 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Boynton Beach, FL April 22, 2002 idea to have the Chairperson send a letter to Mr. Greene. This will be further discussed under New Business. G. Senior Center The STARS program has raised almost $3,000. Various sources of funding for Phase 2 are still being explored. A grant proposal has been submitted to the Lattner Foundation. If the County issues another general obligation bond, this may be another funding source. Mr. Winters inquired if Phase 2 has been included on the City's CIP budget and Mr. Majors said it has. The City has identified approximately 60 CIP projects, and the Senior Center is in the top ten. Mr. Williams commended Steve Lulkin for doing a good job at the Senior Center. Ms. Pierce inquired about the status of the Woman's Club, and Chairperson Thomas stated this would be on the COmmission agenda for the MaY 7th~meeting. H. Special Events Mr. Majors announced that on May 17th the third Annual Concert-on-the-Green will be held at the City's Golf Course. The concert will feature the Fabulons and will begin at 7:00 p.m. Chairperson Thomas reported that she attended the Easter Party at the Hester Center and it was a wonderful event that was very well attended. I. Items for City Managers Attention Previously discussed J. Monthly Report The report is included in the agenda packet. Members complimented Ms. Claude on the good job she does in preparing the report. Ms. Murphy inquired why the volunteer hours at the Hester Center that accommodated over 25,000 people only had 124 hours, whereas the Senior Center serviced 8,000 people, but had 1,384 volunteer hours. Mr. Majors said it is difficult to compare the volunteer hours for these two locations because the Senior Center gets overwhelmed with volunteers. There is a deterrent to working at the Hester Center because it involves working with young children. Also, Mr. Williams pointed out that the figures were high at the Hester Center because the Center hosted a statewide basketball tournament. 5 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Boynton Beach, FL April 22, 2002 V. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Ramnarace asked that the cricket field at Rolling Green Park be added to the agenda. Mr. Majors agreed to this. Chairperson Thomas noted that this is the beginning of the new year for the Board and it would be appropriate to elect new officers. Chairperson Thomas announced that Ms. Murphy was moved up to a regular member and that she is now an alternate member. She pointed out that alternates could not serve as officers. Also, Mr. Williams and Mr. Orlove were reappointed. Motion Mr. Winters nominated Elizabeth Pierce to serve as Chairperson. Ms. Murphy seconded the nomination. There were no other nominations. Ms. Thomas closed the nominations. Ms. Pierce was unanimously voted Chairperson. Motion Mr. Winters nominated Jim McMahon to serve as Vice Chair. Motion seconded by Mr. Ramnarace. There were no other nominations. Chairperson Pierce closed the nominations. Mr. McMahon was unanimously voted Vice Chair. VI. NEXT MEETING: May 20, 2002, Senior Center Chairperson Pierce announced that the May meeting would take place one week earlier than the regular meeting date due to the Memorial Day Holiday. Mr. Winters suggested that the May meeting be suspended. After discussion, members felt there was too much on the agenda and that the meeting should take place as scheduled. Mr. Winters requested that someone from the Recreation Department telephone members on the Friday before the Monday meeting to remind them of the meeting date. Mr. Majors will follow through with this request. 6 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Boynton Beach, FL April 22, 2002 With regard to an update on the Ocean Avenue project, Mr. Odove suggested inviting Mr. Greene in June or July after the members have an opportunity to review the information that Mr. Majors will be bringing to the May meeting. Members agreed to this. VI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara M. Madden Recording SeCretary (two tapes) (April 25, 2002)