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Minutes 07-22-02MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD MEETING HELD AT THE SENIOR CENTER, 1021 SOUTH FEDERAL HIGHWAY, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, JULY 22, 2002 AT 7:00 P.M. Present Elizabeth Pierce, Chairperson Wally Majors, Recreation Director Jim McMahon, vice Chair John Wildner, Parks Director Margaret Murphy Tom Williams William Orlove, Alternate Betty Thomas, Alternate Absent Ed Harris Bali Ramnarace Dan Winters I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Pierce called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. I1. ATTENDANCE The roll was called and a quorum was present. II1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JUNE 24, 2002 MEETING Mr. Majors mentioned that the reference to bathrooms in the Southeast Neighborhood Park discussion should be deleted. He thought he might have stated this in error at the last meeting. Motion Mr. Odove moved to approve the minutes as corrected. Ms. Murphy seconded the motion that carried unanimously. IV. WELCOME A. Kurt Bressner, City Manager Kurt Bressner appeared and discussed the City's Five Year Capital Improvement Plan/ Budget with the Board members, who asked questions and received answers pertaining to the Parks and Recreation elements of the Plan, as well as other budget items. The balance of the planned agenda was suspended to allow a thorough discussion of this topic. Meeting Minutes Recreation & Park Board Boynton Beach, Florida July 22, 2002 Mr. Bressner explained that of the $26.7M budgeted for capital projects in the next year, many were related to utilities such as storm water, water, and sewer. The projects in the future column of the CIP chart will be kept on the "radar screen," and moved into existence as funds are available, internally or externally. Mr. Bressner advised that Palm Beach County would have a bond issue on the ballot for November with $50:M for parks. He recommended that the Parks & Recreation Board generate a request to the Mayor, copying himself, suggesting one or two projects in each of the County Commission Districts. The City Commission will then consider the requests and draft the City's request to the County. The City Commission '~s in consensus about going after as many projects as possible. The City has to make its recommendations to the County no later than August 15, 2002. The County must make a decision by August 30 because the bond issue has to be on the ballot no later than mid to late September. Senior Center Phase II Unless the City receives an appropriation from the State Legislature, Mr. Bressner stated that there would not be enough money to complete the Senior Center this year. He realized how important this was to the Board and explained that this was the third year that the City had tried to get money from the State for the project. They had been partially successful with the Lattner grant, which will fund the exercise room at the Senior Center. The Senior Center Phase II has a price tag of $645K. Mr. Bressner thought it was important to add to this project the acquisition of the vacant lot to the south of the Senior Center for shared parking between the Senior Center and the Boynton Woman's Club. The lot would be single surface parking and would add 40 to 50 spaces to the capacity of the two organizations that would share it. The expanded Senior Center would require the parking lot in any case, but during off-peak hours, both organizations could share the space. The parking area would add approximately $250K to the project. Since the Senior Center serves residents of Boynton Beach and the unincorporated areas, the appeal of the project should be enhanced. With a shared parking lot between the two organizations, Commissioners McCarty and Greene would both benefit from an enlarged Senior Center project. Mr. Orlove asked Mr. Bressner about setting up a Special Taxing District to fund projects for the Senior Center, as they do in Boca Raton for their Parks & Recreation efforts. Mr. Bressner referred to his recent experience in exploring a Special Taxing District for the Greenways project and stated that it was an uphill battle, procedurally and operationally. Also, the voters are not often in favor of them since they are perceived as adding yet another layer of government. He favored going directly to the voters with a bond referendum. Ms. Murphy inquired about the video surveillance system in the Boat Club Park item. Mr. Majors stated that they were analyzing the feasibility of installing this at all City facilities, especially those having youth-oriented programs, to upgrade the safety of those facilities. 2 Meeting Minutes Recreation & Park Board Boynton Beach, Florida July 22, 2002 Boat Club Park Mr. Wildner remarked that Boat Club Park is under construction and should be completed by the end of September 2002. They are working on the landscaping and starting to do the irrigation and dredging for the holding docks. Chair Pierce suggested that the City provide someone to help maintain order in the boat ramp area, especially during times of congestion. She brought up incidents she had witnessed of rudeness and unfairness, in the absence of any kind of authority in the area. Mr. Majors said the City was thinking of installing some kind of automated ticket dispensing system because he was concerned about the isolation of staff when they were collecting money. City Club at Intracoastal Park Mr. Bressner stated that the overall need for this had to be determined. He wondered whether the City Club would be necessary since the City would be refurbishing the Wilson Center. Mr. Wildner stated that the City Club was projected in the second phase of the Intracoastal Park site. Chair Pierce thought it would be a great asset for the City to have a building on the Intracoastal for educational and other purposes. She knew that INCA was interested in this also. Mr. Bressner said if enough dollars were available from an educational institution or some kind of private sector source for dual use, something like that would be achievable. Chair Pierce said that there had been a camp at Boat Club Park but they were no longer there. Mr. Majors stated that the youth attending that camp previously had been absorbed in the City's other camps. Vice Chair McMahon inquired about the acquisition of the property to the north of the Intracoastal Park and Mr. Bressner stated that there was an offer but the City Commission opted not to pursue it. Intracoastal Park Mr. Bressner stated that the bids were back and were being analyzed. Mr. Wildner stated that Phase II would embody playground apparatus with water elements, not a pool. Jaycee Park Mr. Bressner explained that this property is a 5.2-acre parcel on the Intracoastal owned by the Florida Inland Navigation District (F.I.N.D.), who has been given authorization to dispose of the property. The State has the right of first refusal, followed by the County and the municipality, The bad news is that the property will be sold at fair market value. It is possible that the City could work with the County and possibly come up with some kind of limited boat ramp and other public uses that would allow the City to preserve it as open space. Southeast Neighborhood Park Mr. Wildner and Mr. Bressner commented on this budget item. The Parks Department had made an assumption that the $200K that was in the previous year's budget would be moved forward to this year. That did not happen and Mr. Wildner discussed that with 3 Meeting Minutes Recreation & Park Board Boynton Beach, Florida July 22, 2002 Ms. Diane Reese of Finance and hoped that that the $200K in question could come back into the budget to allow them to begin construction on one half of this property. One half of this 4.98-acre property was sold for $300K to Villa Del Sol, who dedicated it to the City. Girl Scout Park Ms. Murphy inquired about Girl Scout Park and whether it could be sold to generate revenue for other parks. Mr. Wildner stated that this property was deeded to the City from Palm Beach County. The deed restriction says that the City must offer it back to Palm Beach County if it is not going to be used for park purposes. Quantum Park Ms. Thomas asked about the $3M in the budget for Quantum Park. Mr. Wildner stated that this was for the development of ball fields - three baseball fields with one full-sized baseball field for high-school level and above and two softball or Little League size fields. The twelve-acre site could also support a soccer field, an outdoor basketball court, and a small activity center/clubhouse. The Optimist Club raised $10,000 for the development of this site, which they donated to the City. Meadows/Nautica Sound Park Mr. Bressner stated that the residents advised in a meeting that they did not want an active recreation park but would accept a passive one. They were especially wary about the possibility of a road going from Lawrence Road to Congress Avenue being used as a cut-through. High School Softball Field, Lighting, Bleachers Ms. Murphy did not understand why this was a Park Department budget item. Mr. Wildner explained that this item should be altered to show a track. The high school requested funding for lighting their softball field originally. Their track is a minimal one and needs to be ul~graded to a competitive track. The high school thought they could raise $40K of the $80K this item would require. Mr. Bressner asked when this money would be spent and Mr. Wildner stated that it had been dependent upon receiving an interlocal agreement that had just come in and was about to be placed on the City Commission agenda. Mr. Bressner responded to Ms. Murphy's query about this item by saying that the City was investing in the high school property in exchange for the use of their facilities - the track, softball, and baseball fields. Palmetto Greens Park Expansion (Design) Vice Chair McMahon inquired about this item. Mr. Wildner stated that it was not for design - it was for expansion, including design. They applied for a FRDAP grant this year and did some design work last year. An issue surfaced with the State Department of Environmental Protection about ownership because it is on the C-16 Canal right-of- way, which belongs to the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). SFWMD was very cooperative; however, they were unwilling to sign a twenty-five year lease to the City for its sole use, a Department of Environmental Protection requirement. The grant application was lost due to this, in spite of intensive efforts to acquire it. 4 Meeting Minutes - Recreation & Park Board Boynton Beach, Florida July 22, 2002 Wilson Center Chair Pierce questioned why the City would grant $1.4M for replacement of the Wilson Center and then say there was no money left for a project on the Intracoastal. Mr. Bressner stated that he pushed the Wilson Center project forward based on dire need. When he went to the facility for a meeting, he had to fix the toilets himself and while there, noted many other serious deficiencies in the building. The Commission pushed it back a year last year and this year, the $1.4M is contingent upon evaluating the practicality of replacement versus refurbishment. Chair Pierce stated that the Intracoastal site already had a building and if the Wilson Center were to be refurbished for say, $500K, then the balance of the money could be put towards having something at the Intra¢oastal site. Mr. Bressner said that the options were still open. Mr. Wildner explained that the $150K on the Wilson Center line item was for the acquisition of land near the Wilson Center that could be used for expansion or a parking lot. This was a result of a FRDAP grant the City received. Oceanfront Park Ms. Murphy inquired about $3K for an air conditioner for the office and was told that the air conditioner had been obtained for $800, not the $3K originally projected. Boardwalk Replacement The Board discussed the slippery surface on the boardwalk. Mr. Wildner noted that the original material was lumber, which rotted. It was replaced with what was state-of-the- art material at the time, recycled plastic. Recycled plastic has a very long life and the Parks & Public Works Departments continue to search for an anti-skid solution. Tennis Center Mr. Bressner reported that the City was thinking of turning this into an Enterprise Fund much like the Golf Course, to create an additional revenue stream. Mr. Majors stated that this year, they were considering bringing the fees more into the market range, especially since 75% of the users are not residents of Boynton Beach. A Pay-As-You- Play Plan is under consideration at this time and would provide a more equitable distribution of the wear and tear costs of the activity. Parks & Recreation Needs Assessment Mr. Bressner stated the Commission was looking forward to getting the Parks and Recreation Board's recommendations as a result of the Needs Assessment. Commissioner Ferguson asked for a data breakdown between the needs of the residents and the non-residents. Cricket Field Ms. Thomas asked about the cricket field. Mr. Wildner stated that previously encumbered money was being used to do the project this year. The area has been seeded and sodded and the weeds are being removed. Mr. Wildner spoke of a recent trip he made to England to Lord's Cricket Stadium, the Yankee Stadium of cdcket, and observed a match between Oxford and Cambridge. He also met with the head groundskeeper for the stadium and inspected the field when they were not playing. He was able to determine exactly how they constructed the pitch. They have about a dozen pitches side by side and rotate between them, moving on to a fresh pitch and repairing the one they used previously. 5 Meeting Minutes Recreation & Park Board Boynton Beach, Florida July 22, 2002 Vice Chair McMahon asked if projects could be moved forwards or backwards without going back to the Commission and Mr. Bressner stated that they could not. However, if it became apparent that a particular project could not be done for some reason, the Commission could decide to move its date out and use the money for another project. Vice Chair McMahon thanked Mr. Bressner for what had been a very refreshing opportunity to candidly discuss matters that affected the Board's area of endeavor. Mr. Bressner's advice to the Board was to suggest five or six projects and if there were several in one District, to prioritize them within that District. Mr. Bressner gave the Board members his business card and asked that they call him if they had any questions. After considerable discussion, the Board came to a consensus about the following priorities to be included on a "wish list" to be forwarded to the Mayor for incorporation into a "wish list" that the City Commission will send to the County. Mr. Wildner will write the letter to the Mayor and contact the Board members to review it before sending it. Motion Ms. Murphy moved that staff draft a letter to the Mayor, copying the City Manager, with a list of the prioritized projects as follows, for consideration by the City Commission for forwarding to Palm Beach County. Mr. Orlove seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Ms. Thomas agreed with the list but objected to adding the acquisition of the land for the parking lot at the same time as the completion of the Senior Center, believing that asking for both might jeopardize the Senior Center's chances of completion. She preferred to have the inside of the Senior Center finished and then pursue a parking lot. Ms. Thomas asked that the letter be sent to each Board member and Mr. Wildner agreed to do so and to discuss the letter with the Board members by phone and e-mail before actually forwarding it to the Mayor. Commissioner Addle Greene's District 1) 2) 3) Completion of Senior Center including acquisition of vacant lot to the south for parking Southeast Neighborhood Park Wilson Center Commissioner Mary McCarty's District 4) 5) City Club at Intracoastal Park Jaycee Park 6 Meeting Minutes Recreation & Park Board Boynton Beach, Florida July 22, 2002 Commissioner Warren Newell's District 6) Nautica Sound Park The above numbering reflects the Board's priorities in the projects and districts. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS J. Monthly Report Florida Recreational Park Association (FRPA) State Conference Mr. Majors took the names of the Board members interested in attending the conference. The City will provide transportation on August 29, FRPA Citizen's Day, leaving from the Civic Center at 8:30 a.m. and returning at approximately 8:30 p.m. Citizen's Day is geared towards generating effective citizen involvement on advisory boards. Some of the titles of the classes that will be given on this day include: 1 ) Being a Citizen Board Member; 2) When a Citizen Partnership Works; 3) Developing Lay Leadership for the 218t Century; and 4) Citizen's Advocacy and the Benefits Movement. Mr. Majors reported that the Art Center's Art Camp was awarded the Dorothy Mullen Arts and Humanities Award for the State of Florida, recognizing this as one of the best camp programs in the State of Florida. This award will be presented at the FRPA Conference. The City was also recognized by the Florida Festivals and Events Association for several awards including first place for the best souvenir (the City's holiday parade beads); first place for the best miscellaneous printed giveaway material, the 2002 poster with the beach photo on it; first place for the media luncheon invitation; and several second and third place awards. The truck rally was an outstanding success with over 700 in attendance. People came from as far north as Vero Beach and as far south as Fort Lauderdale. Staff did an outstanding job. Camp Wrinkle Ranch is filled to capacity with a waiting list. On August 10 the Senior Center will begin its Saturday hours from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but no lunch will be served. The Self Assessment Team, including Betty Thomas, will visit a senior center in St. Petersburg, the only center in the State of Florida that is currently certified. This should be a good opportunity to gather some ideas. Mr. Wildner reported that the City had won the "Tree City" award for the seventeenth year in a row. This year, the City got Tree City of the Year among the municipalities who were awarded Tree City. Some staff members were sent up to the Tree City USA Conference and accepted the award on behalf of the Mayor. This is a prestigious award and reflects the City's commitment to keeping the City looking good. 7 Meeting Minutes Recreation & Park Board Boynton Beach, Florida July 22, 2002 Mr. Orlove and others commented that the fireworks had been great. Ms. Murphy asked about a gentleman she had seen coming out of the_ Intracoastal Park who knew the combination of the lock. Mr. Wildner stated that this and one other individual had been given permission from the City to go windsurfing on the property. They had this permission long before any work was started and the City allowed them to continue. VII. NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be on August 26, 2002, at 7:00 p.m., at the Senior Center. Since there was no further business before the Board, the meeting was duly adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Susan Collins Recording Secretary (two tapes) (O723O2)