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Minutes 02-27-06 MINUTES OF THE RECREATION &. PARKS BOARD REGULAR MEETING HELD AT THE SENIOR CENTER, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27,2006 AT 6:30 P.M. Present: Betty Pierce-Roe, Chair William Orlove, Vice Chair Patti Hammer Pam Winters Janelle Sloan Betty Thomas Tom Williams Wally Majors, Recreation Director Jody Rivers, Park Superintendent Mr. John McVey, Alternate Absent: James McMahon I. Call to Order Chair Pierce-Roe called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. II. Attendance Chair Pierce-Roe called the roll. A quorum was present. She introduced Mr. Tom Kaiser of the Veterans Advisory Commission. Mr. John Thomas, Mr. Daniel Harder and Ms Barbara Ready were also present. III. Approval of Minutes - The following corrections were noted: · page 2, third paragraph, Boundless Park as opposed to Bells Park, · page 2, first paragraph, the facility is not slated to begin construction until 2007. · page 4 - third paragraph, exploratory areas. · page 5 -last paragraph, bring in exotics should be eradicate the exotics, · page 7 - second paragraph, Ocean 100 instead of the Arches. Motion A motion was made by Mr. Orlove to approve the minutes with the changes noted above. Ms. Hammer seconded the motion that unanimously carried. Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Boynton Beach, Florida February 27, 2006 Veteran's Memorial at Veteran's Park This was Item B. New Business and was taken out of order. Recreation and Parks Director, Mr. Wally Majors introduced Mr. Kaiser, a representative of the newly formed Veterans Advisory Commission who is interested in potentially developing Veterans Park. Mr. Kaiser spoke about the memorial and indicated the City Commission has allocated $35,000 to begin the process of acquiring a monument. He showed a schematic of the park design and indicated there could be a lot more room on the site if the tree could be removed. Mr. Kaiser explained in the future, a major renovation would be taking place downtown. It was hoped the monument would be visible in the redeveloped area and Mr. Kaiser elaborated they hoped to have benches, a meditation area, plaques on the site and whatever area they have to develop, they hope to improve, making it nicer for city residents. The monument the City erected at Intracoastal Park will stay at the site. The Submarine Memorial they placed at Intracoastal Park would probably not be moved to the new location Mr. Majors indicated there is no cost estimate at this point. The plans for the project were put together by the developer of the project across the street. The Recreation and Parks Board reviewed the master plan. The site is less than half an acre. The location is strategic with the Community Redevelopment Agency area. There is no time frame for the project and Mr. Kaiser expressed he felt there was a possibility public/private partnerships could be formed. Mr. Majors explained as with any project, the Commission is interested in hearing the opinion of the Recreation and Parks Board and recommended a formal endorsement be made, approving the project in concept. Motion A motion was made by Mr. Williams to stand behind the Veterans and do whatever could be done for them, and to endorse the project in concept. The motion was seconded by Ms. Hammer and unanimously carried. The Board discussed approaching the CRA, Oceans 100 or any other developers to seek potential public/private partnership funding. Skateboard Park This item was Item D, New Business and was taken out of order. Mr. Majors introduced Ms. Ready who had been working with the community to develop a Skateboard Park in Boynton Beach for over 10 years. She made a presentation and indicated the community is still interested in having a Skateboard Park. She announced there is a potential site on the grounds of Congress Middle School, when the school will be torn down that could be used. The Board discussed the County would probably be interested in this project. The school location would be an ideal location. It borders an industrial area and the impact would be insignificant. This activity poses an attractive option in the park system. Many years ago, there 2 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Boynton Beach, Florida February 27,2006 was a concern about risk of injury. Today, skateboarding is a fairly standard activity and has a positive track record. The School District has approached the City about turning the grounds into some type of public use for the area. Presently the ideas discussed have been primarily for multi-use and the property is essentially a green space, but could be utilized as a semi public use. Mr. Majors explained many years ago when he was a supervisor, he was asked to put together a 40 page document regarding skateboarding. The Board recognized the need to keep children busy with activities and to work with the Commissioners to do something for the children. Mr. Major's clarified the plans do not show what the costs would be. The plans only show the front northeastern portion of the site as being open space and park land. The School District mandates that schools include various recreational activities on site. Mr. Majors noted there are many more options available for skateboarding today. Costs can be obtained via comparison with the City of Delray Beach who just poured a concrete slab and added ramps to their skateboarding facility and anticipated the costs to be minimal. It was suggested the input of the kids should be sought. Chair Pierce-Roe requested Ms. Ready come back to the Recreation and Parks Board with some type of concept or diagram. It was also recommended Ms. Ready call the County Commissioners, more particularly Mary McCarty, Addie Greene, Warren Newell, Burt A~r~lnson Aaronson and Mayor Taylor. Mr. Majors explained the County has Recreation Assistance Program monies. The County Commission has much more money for these type programs and the Recreation and Parks Board noted it would be nice to do something for the older children. C~lus~ Caloosa Park was originally named as the appropriate park for the activity but the County8ty developed in-line hockey courts and wanted to perform a traffic study. Mr. Majors strongly recommended approaching the County for the Recreational Assistance Program (RAP) Funds because if the funds are obtained, and interest for the project is generated, they would try to obtain grant and foundation funds as well. Mr. Majors expressed even though Congress Middle School is still operating, they could try to time the commencement of the project with the closing of the school. The School District also approached the City inquiring whether the school could remain for a teen center or some other potential recreational activity. The location would be an area where individuals could skate safely, that is fenced in and is attractive. There is public transportation nearby. There was discussion the front part of the property at Congress Middle School floods during heavy rains. Mr. Majors indicated the site would need to be engineered for proper drainage. How other municipalities operate their skate parks was discussed. It was suggested this item be placed under City Manager Items to find out what the City needs to do to pursue an interlocal agreement with the County or School Board or both. This item will be kept under Unfinished Business. Motion Mr. Orlove moved the Board whole-heartedly approve of the concept and direct staff to look into an agreement with the School Board. Mr. McVey seconded the motion, which unanimously passed. It was suggested Ms. Ready come back to the Recreation and Parks Board with a layout of what they think would be appropriate and also make the City Commission aware of their efforts. An update on the Little League Park was given. Mr. Majors announced on Thursday there would be a ceremony where a developer is donating $50,000 to the City, who will invest it in a 3 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Boynton Beach, Florida February 27,2006 security system for the Little League Park. It was noted there are a lot of new amenities at the park since the renovation. IV. Unfinished Business A. Nominations for Naming Intracoastal Park The Board discussed the letters of nomination for the above. In the past, the Recreation and Parks Board made a motion that was forwarded to the City Commission who made the final decision on this matter. As the gatekeeper of the project, the Recreation and Parks Board thought it would be fair to invite interested parties to make a presentation. There was further discussion and concensus to invite the interested parties to make a presentation, which would be limited to three minutes. The Board will make a determination the following meeting. This item will be put on the agenda for the April meeting. v. New Business C. Naming Portion of Bikeway in Honor of Pete Firehock (former City Firefighter) The Board discussed naming a portion of the Bikeway in Honor of Pete Firehock (former City Firefighter). Mr. Majors explained Ms. Debbie Het:tIe~ was unable to attend to make a presentation about Mr. Firehock. Chair Pierce-Roe requested a short biography be drafted. The Board also discussed whether there was an option to have more than one person named or if dedications would be split along the Bikeway. A. Department Administrative Manual Mr. Majors explained as part of becoming an Accredited Recreation and Parks Department, a manual had to be created containing the policies and procedures for the department. He hoped to formally apply for accreditation and a site visit is coming up in March or May. The accreditation board will send three members to give an assessment of the department. The accreditation exhaustive and in a positive way, invasive, ensuring they will meet nationally recognized standards. Less than 3% of the Recreation and Parks Department in the nation are accredited. If approved, they can showcase themselves as one of the premiere organizations in the county. It also is a statement of accountability indicating the department is running as efficiently as possible. The Senior Center accreditation has been mailed off. Chair Pierce-Ro~w asked how one could make a donation to the Boundless Park. Mr. Majors explained once the master plan for the park is completed in April, they would get with the steering committee and determine how to move forward and address the fundraising committee. Establishing some type of account for Boundless Park would be necessary. It was noted there is a donation account with the city currently. The City commission is providing the seed money for the park, and noted they have a federal and state request for funding. The next Recreation and Parks Committee will be a joint meeting with the steering committee. There will be a conceptual master plan available then. 4 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Boynton Beach, Florida February 27,2006 E. Monthly Report There were no questions or comments received on the monthly report. F. Items for City Manager. Mr. Majors urged the members to attend the City Commission meeting tomorrow. Mr. McVey relayed how the Little League Park Extreme Makeover occurred. There is a ceremony on March 18th at 12 noon for everyone who helped and volunteered with the project. The Seniors Movie filmed in Boynton Beach will be viewed locally on March 17, 2006. There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m. Respectfully submitted, R-IUHiaJl;l 5