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Minutes 02-28-05MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD REGULAR MEETING HELD AT THE SENIOR CENTER, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2005 AT 6:30 P.M. Present: Betty Pierce, Chairperson William Orlove, Vice Chair Margaret Murphy Ralph Diaz Betty Thomas Tom Williams Para Winters John Spannuth, Alternate Wally Majors, Recreation & Parks Director Jody Rivers, Parks Superintendent Absent: John McVey, Alternate I. Call to Order Chairperson Pierce called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. II. Attendance Chairperson Pierce announced she received a letter of resignation from Ms. Murphy. Ms. Murphy's presence and input will be missed and everyone thanked her for the valuable contributions she has made over the years to the Board and the City. Chairperson Pierce called the roll and noted all members were present except for Mr. McVey. New Board member, Ralph Diaz, was welcomed. Mr. Diaz gave a brief background of his involvement with the City and his service on other City boards. Mr. Majors presented Mr. Diaz with the Board's orientation manual and reminded members he was available for any member that wished to tour the City's parks and facilities. Mr. Diaz will be contacting Mr. Majors to arrange for a tour. Chairperson Pierce recommended the entire Board tour the City facilities in the spring when daylight hours are extended. III. Approval of Minutes Ms. Murphy asked for clarification of the minutes regarding the discussion of the land use at the Winchester property and Congress Middle School. Mr. Majors explained the intent of the discussion was to show the Winchester Park site would be a passive Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 28, 2005 recreational area; whereas, Congress Middle School, through a partnership with the School District, will be developed into a very active park. Mr. Rivers recommended the following changes be made to the minutes: On Page 8 in Paragraph C entitled "Parking - Oceanfront Park" in the third paragraph down, "Boca Park" should be changed to "Boat Club Park." On Page 9, "Monthly Report", the word "none" should be deleted. The monthly report was furnished, but there was no discussion. On Page 6, in Paragraph V.A., in the second paragraph, last sentence, the words "boat ramp" should be changed to "day dock." Mr. Majors requested to clarify his remarks on Page 5, Paragraph D, "Land at Winchester Project." The Commission had not approved the Master Plan and he was incorrect in stating this. The Master Plan was approved, along with the request for rezoning, to change the zoning to Suburban Mixed Use (SMU). The Master Plan did include the area Mr. Majors had shown the Board at the last meeting. He felt there still might be an opportunity to change the calculation for the land dedication based upon the appraised value of the land; however, it would not be significant. Motion Vice Chair Orlove moved to approve the minutes, as corrected. Motion seconded by Ms. Winters and unanimously carried. IV. Announcements 2004 Holiday Parade Grand Marshal Award Presentation (tabled last month) Mr. Majors noted the item, which was tabled last month, was an acknowledgement of Board member Betty Thomas' selection as Honorary Grand Marshal of the 2004 Holiday Parade. Mr. Majors presented Ms. Thomas with a trophy in recognition of her service on behalf of the Board and acknowledged how much the Board appreciated all the work she has done. Ms. Thomas responded she had a wonderful time serving as Grand Marshal. Mr. Orlove requested to add under "Unfinished Business" Item C. "Old High School." V. Unfinished Business A. Boundless Playground and Park Mr. Majors reported he would be asking the City Commission at the March 15, 2004 Meeting for their endorsement of the Boundless Playground and Park in concept. If approved, staff could begin using City resources to move the project forward. He will be Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 28, 2005 presenting a brief PowerPoint presentation. Photographs of the Boundless Playground in Boca Raton will also be displayed. Chairperson Pierce noted the Board previously endorsed this concept. Mr. Majors reported the Governor's Office announced Boundless Playgrounds as a State initiative approximately two years. Ms. Thomas inquired if other cities had Boundless Playgrounds. Mr. Majors stated Boca Raton and Jupiter have them. Ms. Rivers clarified the one in Jupiter is handicap accessible and is not an official "Boundless Playground." Vice Chair Orlove inquired if the Board could assist Mr. Majors. Chairperson Pierce noted members previously spoke to the Commission in support of having a Boundless Playground in the City. After the Commission gives its approval, staff would have to go out for an RFQ to find a qualified vendor for the project. The Boundless Playground people require only their certified playground vendors be used. Also, staff has to begin focusing on fundraising and the selected vendor would assist with community meetings. B. Comprehensive Plan Ms. Rivers reported staff received from the consultant and is now reviewing the first draft of the Comprehensive Plan. She felt the Plan was much improved. Mr. Majors commented on the recent workshop where the consultant presented an overview of their report. The consultant determined the City's current inventory of parks and recreation facilities was sufficient to allow the City to maintain a certain level of service that would be adequate to meet the needs of the community of 2.5 acres per 1,000 people. As a result of these findings, it is not necessary for the City to go out and purchase more property for recreational purposes. The property is there, but needed to be developed. The consultant also presented the strategic plan, which revealed the City is in good condition with regard to staffing levels and no major problems surfaced. Mr. Majors acknowledged many parks need upgrades and improvements and Ms. Rivers and her staff will be developing a management plan. Chairperson Pierce received a telephone call from Debby Coles-Dobay, the Chairperson of the Arts Commission, and that Board is interested in getting together with this Board to work together to bring art into the City parks. Ms. Coles-Dobay indicated they would be interested in attending a Recreation and Parks Board meeting to present their ideas. Ms. Rivers spoke with Ms. Dennison, the Board liaison for the Arts Commission, about how they could work together in getting art into public places. Chairperson Pierce will follow through on inviting Ms. Coles-Dobay to the next meeting. Ms. Winters also recommended inviting Rick Beaulieu who also serves on the Art Commission. Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 28, 2005 C. High School Vice Chair Orlove noted at the same workshop, a discussion of the Old High School took place. There was a consultant at the meeting that presented two alternatives for the Old High School. it could be saved and rehabilitated or razed and replaced with a new civic center. The cost difference between the two plans was $1 million. He noted there was an article in The Palm Beach Post that indicated the CRA was interested in saving the Old High School and discussed it at their retreat. Vice Chair Orlove was in favor of saving the School that could be expanded to accommodate more art uses for the Children's Schoolhouse Museum. If the School were saved, a new civic center could be built across the street to accommodate the types of programs that normally take place in a civic center. Vice Chair Orlove inquired if the item was on the Commission agenda for Mamh 1st, as mentioned at the workshop. Mr. Majors will check on this and advise the members if the item was on the March lS'agenda. Ms. Spannuth noted because the Old High School could be designated a historical building, it would be able to receive various types of funding. Vice Chair Orlove noted Joe Gillie, the Executive Director of Old School Square in Delray Beach, was also present at the workshop and spoke how Old School Square was redeveloped and has since become a focal point for that community. If the item were on the Commission agenda, Vice Chair Orlove would like other Board members to attend to offer their support in saving the School. Ms. Janelle Sloan, 14 Brentwood Drive, Boynton Beach, was attending the meeting as a member of the public, and offered her support to save the School. Vice Chair Orlove stated there were other people at the workshop offering their support to save the School and to assist with fundraising. VI. New Business A. Wilson Project Mr. Majors announced the Commission approved awarding the construction and design contract for the Wilson Center to Kimley-Horn at the last meeting. Chairperson Pieme inquired if the City purchased all the properties necessary for the project. Mr. Majors said one vacant lot still needed to be purchased, and they should be moving forward with the acquisition of this property. Mr. Majors presented artists' renderings of the facility that would become the focal point for the Heart of Boynton, and which he anticipated would become a landmark for the City. The building is two-story, consisting of approximately 14,000 square feet. It would function as it does now, but would have more space with updated amenities. The completion date is anticipated for summer 2006. 4 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 28, 2005 B. Intracoastal Park Clubhouse Project Ms. Rivers reported the City is moving forward with the design and construction of the Intracoastal Clubhouse, The Commission determined at their last Meeting to locate the clubhouse along the Intracoastal and the parking would remain along Federal Highway. Mr. Majors noted this Board also recommended locating the clubhouse along the Intracoastal in order to capture the views the Intracoastal offered. Ms. Rivers presented artists' renderings of the clubhouse and members were very impressed with the design of the building. The building is two stories high consisting of approximately 7,200 square feet. The first floor will be used primarily for programming with a multi-purpose room that could be screened in the middle. There would be restrooms, a banquet kitchen, and a small office with limited storage. The second floor will be used for meetings, trainings, weddings and other social functions. The amenities on the second floor will be more upscale due to its use. The building will also have an elevator. There will be two full time staff at the building. Ms. Thomas inquired if grant funding would be used and Mr. Majors noted this was being funded by the revenue bond. Chairperson Pierce inquired if there would be some kind of food available at the park, and Mr. Majors said there would not. Vice Chair Orlove inquired if a mobile vendor would be allowed, and Mr. Majors said they could look into this. Chairperson Pierce thought it would be nice to have a non-profit stand selling sodas, hot dogs, ice cream, etc. Vice Chair Orlove inquired if the renderings presented by Mr. Majors are the actual drawings or are changes anticipated. Mr. Majors stated the building would look as presented. Vice Chair Orlove asked about the size of the second floor meeting room, and Ms. Rivers stated it was 1,400 square feet, which is quite large. Mr. Majors felt if the building were made larger it would detract from the view of the water and would also require more parking. Mr. Williams inquired if there was any staff on duty at the park, and Mr. Majors stated there was none. Mr. Williams felt the park should be staffed on a part time basis. Chairperson Pieme recommended if meters were ever installed at Intracoastal Park, staff from Boat Club Park could use the golf cart and go over to Intracoastal Park to check on the facility. Mr. Majors felt if meters were installed, they could move forward with the Park Ranger Program and personnel could police the area. C. Monthly Report Mr. Majors will furnish the report with next month's agenda. Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 28, 2005 Ms. Murphy inquired if the City received any bids for the snack bar at the Beach. Mr. Majors reported the current lease would expire in November and he anticipated speaking with the Procurement Department to put together a bid package. This process alone could take up to six to eight weeks. Consideration is being given to go out for an RFQ (Request for Qualifications) instead of a Request for Proposals (RFP). Mr. Majors explained when requesting an RFQ a person must present why they would be best qualified to do the job, after which the negotiation process would take place. Staff feels this is the better way to proceed. Vice Chair Orlove inquired if the City Manager or staff had an opportunity to speak with the people in Ocean Ridge regarding the snack bar situation. Mr. Majors and Ms. Rivers will be meeting with the Ocean Ridge Town Manager. Mr. Majors informed the Board Mr. Bressner has been ill and out of the office for several weeks. He is recovering well and hopefully will be back in the office in a short time. Mr. Majors also reported Assistant City Manager Wilfred Hawkins is very sick and he is not certain when he would be returning. Currently, Fire Chief Bingham is in charge of the City. Ms. Winters noted there is a dearth of parking at the Beach and asked if the City was looking at this. Vice Chair Orlove stated residents with stickers are allowed to park, but Ms. Winters stated even people with stickers are turned away. Mr. Majors noted they performed a survey a few years ago and there were only a few days a year when the parking lot was completely filled up. There have been discussions about providing public transportation to the beach. Chairperson Pieme noted the CRA recently acquired some trolleys and she recommended using them to transport people to the beach. Mr. Majors thought this would be possible. These are issues that need further discussion. Mr. Majors pointed to the rapid growth in the City and parking issues at the beach need to be looked at. Vice Chair Orlove requested an item regarding the meeting with the Ocean Ridge Town Manager be added to next month's agenda. Mr. Majors was aware the Board would like to have the food parameters at the beach expanded in order to introduce more food alternatives. Mr. Majors felt the food being offered at the beach needed to be improved greatly and it would not necessarily involve remodeling or expanding the current building. Expansion of the snack bar had been discussed many times in the past, but the City of Ocean Ridge was adamant about any changes. Mr. Spannuth distributed a pamphlet on SprayGrounds to the members since it had been discussed at the last meeting. Ms. Murphy showed members the new I.D. for the Senior Center that must be presented when entering the Senior Center. Ms. Murphy noted they were free for City Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 28, 2005 residents. Mr. Majors reported there are 605 City residents and 119 non-residents utilizing the Senior Center. Non- residents are required to pay a fee to use the facility. None VII. VIII. C. Items for City Manager's Attention Next Meeting: March 28, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. @ the Senior Center Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (March 3, 2005) 7