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Minutes 02-23-04MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD REGULAR MEETING HELD AT THE SENIOR CENTER, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2004 AT 7:00 P.M. Present: Elizabeth Pierce, Chairperson William Orlove, Vice Chair Margaret Murphy Lisa Peterfreund Bali Ramnarace Betty Thomas Tom Williams Pamela Winters, Alternate Absent: Jack McVey, Alternate Wally Majors, Recreation & Parks Director John Wildner, Deputy Recreation & Parks Director Also Present: John Bebensee, Aquatics Manager Paul Gordon, Aquatics Supervisor I. Call to Order Chairperson Pierce called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. It was agreed to move up Item VI.B., "Ocean Rescue Section - Activity Summary" to be heard in place of Item IV. (City Attorney Presentation should not have been included in the agenda and will be omitted from the next agenda.) II. Attendance Chairperson Pierce called the roll and declared that a quorum was present. II1. Approval of Minutes of January 26, 2004 Vice Chair Orlove requested that the last sentence on page 3 of the minutes that reads, "Also, his wife will be teaching a class he wants to have taught at the Old High School" be deleted. He pointed out that this was merely a hypothetical question and should not have been included in the minutes. Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 23, 2004 Motion Vice Chair Orlove moved to approve the minutes, as amended. Motion seconded by Ms. Thomas and unanimously carried. IV. Ocean Rescue Section- Activity Summary Mr. Bebensee distributed 2003 statistics that pertained to (1) Beach, (2) Boat Launching, (3) Beach Safety Week Open House, (4) Boardwalk/Lifeguard Towers Refurbishment, (5) Park Ranger Program, (6) Beach Renourishment and (7) Junior Lifeguards. A copy was furnished to the Recording Secretary to be placed with the records of the meeting. Mr. Bebensee reviewed the statistics contained in his report and first discussed the Beach. He pointed out that attendance at the Beach for 2003 totaled 235,636. In spite of the very large attendance at the Beach, only six rescues were made. This is a credit to the lifeguards and the great job that they do. They performed 566 medical aids, of which there were four majors and 562 minors. Ms. Peterfreund inquired what a "major" was and Mr. Bebensee stated that this is when the person rescued had to be transported to the hospital. Total revenue from the gate and decals was $269,777. Mr. Bebensee pointed out that May 28, 2004 is Beach Safety Week. There will be free admission to the park with equipment on display. Blood pressure checks will be given. The lifeguards will be giving a demonstration of their skills. Activities should begin around 3:00 p.m. A new boardwalk will be put in and the lifeguard towers will be refurbished at a cost of $502,00, all of which has been budgeted for. The Beach Renourishment program is scheduled to begin in the Fall of 2004 and should take approximately four to five months to complete. This had been done approximately five or six years ago and greatly disrupts the Beach operation. When the renourishment is completed, there will be approximately 300' of beach. However, over time, the sand will recede and will go back to 75', which is the desired width of the Beach. Ms. Thomas inquired if this was Federally funded and Mr. Bebensee stated that the City does not incur any costs. Mr. Bebensee noted that recently the Beach became a United States Life Saving Association Certified Agency. This means that the Beach meets national guidelines for training and record keeping. Mr. Bebensee introduced Mr. Paul Gordon who spoke on the Junior Lifeguard program. Mr. Gordon distributed a paper on the program to the Board. The Junior Lifeguard Program is based upon the United States Lifesaving Association standards and currently serves 24 students that range in age 9 though 17. The program is offered in Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 23, 2004 two separate two-week sessions. Last year there was a session during spring break and a summer session. The youth actually train the same way as the regular lifeguards and are taught the technical skills required for lifesavers. Topics covered are drowning, victim recognition, use of the rescue tube and rescue board, rip currents and environmental considerations, along with first aid techniques and CPR. The program has been very rewarding for the participants. The program ends with participation in the Regional Junior Lifeguard competition. Last year, even though the size of the Boynton Beach team was small compared to the larger cities, the students fared very well and received awards in several categories. This year the competition is scheduled for Daytona Beach and will require some fundraising so that the children can attend. Members suggested various ways to raise money and Mr. Gordon was advised to speak with Wayne Segal of the City's Public Affairs Department for assistance. Ms. Winters also offered her services. There were suggestions of selling tee shirts to hot dogs at the Friday night concerts. Also, there was mention of trying to find a sponsor linked to water businesses. Members thanked Messrs. Bebensee and Gordon for attending and for their presentations. Mr. Bebensee circulated a copy of the Beach certification. V. Unfinished Business A. Senior Center Mr. Majors reported that phase 2 is underway that includes the addition of the new offices at the western end of the building and the fitness room and computer lab. They hope to go before the Commission in March for approval of a consultant to take them through the planning and design of phase 3 of the building. The City is also moving forward to charging non-residents a fee to attend the Senior Center. Currently $40.00 annually is being recommended. This will be discussed at the March meeting. Mr. Majors pointed out that the City cannot charge for the meals program since this is Federally funded and must be offered to everyone. Mr. Majors next discussed the changes to the Senior Center that are anticipated during phase 3 of the construction. He noted that the parkin.q issue would have to be dealt with in a creative way. +~'"m ...... I'~ ~" a '~co'-'~' ,',f ,',~--~,,,-, o,-~ they ~-,-, ,-,,',~,,,-, *,-, ~'a"c to ~' ......... *;'"" A covered drive thru has been discussed Ms. Murphy inquired how a person would be determined a "non-resident" of Boynton Beach. Mr. Majors explained that it would be anyone who resides outside the City limits of Boynton Beach. The Senior Center attracts a tremendous amount of people and the 3 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 23, 2004 taxpayers are paying for it, which is why there is now consideration of a fee for non- residents who do not pay taxes. Ms. Murphy stated that she was unaware that senior centers charge fees and Mr. Majors stated that fees are quite common, which they determined by doing a survey. Ms. Peterfreund supported ~9,semm~d charging a participation fee for non-residents. Mr. Majors stated that they would be issuing identification cards for everyone and they will be monitoring motor!ng who is using the various programs. He pointed out that the Senior Center offers many free programs such as health screenings, mammograms, and eye testing to name a few. Ms. Murphy inquired if the fee would be set without consulting this Board. Mr. Orlove explained that the Commission discussed this during the CIP hearing and they felt strongly that a fee structure should be in place at the Senior Center. Chairperson Pierce pointed out that the Senior Center is used not only by seniors, but various groups and associations rent the rooms to hold meetings. B. Bond Projects Wilson Center Mr. Majors reported that they are in negotiations with a firm to provide consulting services to do a focus plan and design work and they will then come up with the costs for these projects. This will also have to go before the Commission for approval. Southeast Neighborhood Park Mr. Wildner reported that he would be giving a PowerPoint presentation to the City Commission in the future on what will be done with this property. Boat Club Park Mr. Majors reported that the bathrooms are being redone and they are also redoing the boardwalk and pier. These improvements were made possible through a grant from the Florida Inland Navigation District. Ms. Thomas inquired what the material of the boardwalk would be. Mr. Wildner stated that it would be ironwood that is a hard South American Lumber. Ezell Hester Center They are beginning plans for constructing a pedestrian pathway that would go around the perimeter of the Hester Field. Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 23, 2004 Nautica Park Mr. Wildner reported that the Engineering Division is still working on this and a permit must be obtained from the South Florida Water Management District for the pond, landscaping and path. It is intended that this park would be a nature preserve. C. Jaycee Park Mr. Wildner reported that the City is still negotiating the purchase of this property. The City would like to purchase the property for use as a passive park. He pointed out, however, that the County has offered $1 million to assist in purchasing the property and if the City accepted the $1 million, they would have to build some kind of day docks to provide a destination for boaters. Mr. Wildner will keep the board informed on the progress of the negotiations for this property. The Community Redevelopment Agency has offered to provide some mangrove mitigation D. Old High School Vice Chair Orlove stated that he had nothing new to report and requested that the item be removed from the agenda since the City is now handling this. Ms. Peterfreund thought that the Old High School should remain on the agenda as a means to track the progress of the project. It was agreed that it would be moved to "Items for the City Manager's Attention." Vice Chair Orlove said that they had asked that the Task Force be reinstated r-,, ,+ ,~,.., C;*:,, ~,-'+ *h~* i, .......... ,. .... ry Chairperson Pierce recommended inviting City Manager Bressner to the next meeting so that they could discuss this and other issues with him. VI. New Business A. Agency Accreditation Mr. Majors announced that the Parks and Recreation Department is proceeding with accreditation with CAPRA, which is a nationally recognized organization that establishes standards for Parks and Recreation Departments. Mr. Majors explained how this would apply to their Department, and if they did receive accreditation, it would be very prestigious for the City. Mr. Majors stated that their policies and procedures manual is in the process of being rewritten to coincide with the application for accreditation. Ms. Thomas inquired if this was related to the accreditation that the Senior Center is applying for and Mr. Majors stated that the Senior Center accreditation was not related. Ms. Murphy asked about the status of the Senior Center accreditation and Mr. Majors stated that he would invite Mr. Lulkin to the next meeting to bring the Board up to date. B. Ocean Rescue Section - Activity Summary (moved up on the agenda) Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 23, 2004 C. Cemetery Mr. Wildner explained that the Recreation and Parks Board made a recommendation to the Cemetery Board and the City Commission against expanding the Cemetery into the Little League Park. The Cemetery Board has discussed various ways to intensify the current cemetery, as well as improving the Sara Sims Cemetery, to encourage more use of that cemetery. There is additional property north of Sara Sims that might also be available for this purpose that the City could acquire. The Cemetery Board was in favor of all the recommendations presented at the meeting, but did not withdraw their recommendation that the Boynton Beach Memorial Cemetery be expanded into the Little League Park. The City Commission considered the recommendation of the Cemetery Board to expand into the Little League Park and there was a consensus among the Commission that they did not want to do this. Staff will proceed with studying intensification of the current Cemetery as previously discussed. Chairperson Pierce pointed out that many people spoke at the Commission meeting against expansion into the Little League Park. Mr. Wildner also mentioned that fees for non-residents were being considered, as well as keeping the cemetery open for residents only. Ms. Murphy noted that City Manager Bressner was in favor of the City getting out of the cemetery business and Mr. Wildner was in agreement. He pointed out that even when the Cemetery is totally sold out, it will probably take 30 to 40 years to fill it up completely. Ms. Murphy inquired if consideration was being given to turn the Cemetery over to a private company. Mr. Wildner pointed out that at this time that would not be financially feasible since there are so few plots left to sell Discussion ensued whether the Cemetery should consider expanding out west. Mr. Wildner noted that was an option, but the Cemetery Board would have to make this recommendation to the City Commission. Mr. Wildner pointed out that a Veterans' Cemetery is being built at Lantana Road and 441 and should be ready in 2005. This would provide another option for burials. D. Monthly Report Mr. Wildner reviewed the monthly report contained in the agenda packet. E. Items for the City Manager's Attention Mr. Williams felt that another bus was needed for the children since the City continues to grow. He pointed out that most cities have two or three buses. Ms. Peterfreund asked for the status of the remaining Winchester property along Congress Avenue. Mr. Wildner stated that there is an option pending to purchase the property. However, there could be a problem with traffic and it may be possible that this 6 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 23, 2004 land could not be developed at all. He thought that there also was a possibility that a portion of the property could be allocated for greenspace. All this would be determined after the various studies are completed. F. Time Limit on Meeting Members felt that it would be beneficial to change the meeting start time to 6:30 p.m. instead of 7:00 p.m. After discussion there was a consensus that the Board meetings would begin at 6:30 p.m. o"'~ ...... .,~ ~,,,,~ ~,,, ~.,~n ............... · .... p.m. Mr. Majors announced the remaining HeritageFest events. VII. Next Meeting: March 22, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. at the Senior Center VIII. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (February 25, 2004) 7