Minutes 04-23-07 MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS ADVISORY BOARD
REGULAR MEETING ON MONDAY, APRIL 23, 2007, AT 5:30 P.M.
Present:
John Allard Wally Majors, Recreation & Parks Director
David Barie
Patti Hammer
Janelle Sloan
John McVey, Alternate
Absent:
Betty Pierce -Roe, Chair
William Orlove, Vice Chair
I. CALL TO ORDER
In the absence of Chair Pierce -Roe and Vice Chair Orlove, Recreation and Parks Director Wally
Majors called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
II. ATTENDANCE
Mr. Majors called the roll and declared a quorum was present.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM: March 26, 2007
This item will be addressed at the June 25, 2007 meeting.
IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. CIP Update
Mr. Majors advised that it was anticipated the Intracoastal Clubhouse would be completed by
September 2007. Thereafter, it would take approximately two to four weeks for staff to move
into the facility, and the dedication would take place in October or November 2007. Mr. Majors
advised that with regard to nominations, a -mails could be sent to him at any time.
Wilson Center Park project is ahead of schedule and, pursuant to the contract, should be
completed in late November or December 2007. It is anticipated that staff would move into the
facility in January or February 2008. This is a large project and would include a pool and park
improvements.
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Meeting Minutes
Recreation & Parks Board
Boynton Beach, FL April 23, 2007
Bids would be solicited with regard to the construction of Jaycee Park, located on South Federal
Highway. This waterfront property was purchased by the City of Boynton Beach from the
Florida Inland Navigational District and would provide public access to the water. Other
improvements would include restroom facilities, a playground, informational kiosks, a walking
trail and pavilions. Thereafter, in approximately two years, the lowland improvements along
the water are anticipated and would include a small dock and provisions for water - related
activities.
The Southeast Neighborhood Park was completed.
Staff is reviewing proposals in order to hire a consulting engineering firm to examine the
boardwalk at the beach and possibly the boardwalk at Jaycee Park, if permits can be obtained.
Improvements would also be considered for the boardwalk at Boat Club Park, as the top rail of
the fishing pier is in poor condition.
With regard to the Congress Avenue Boundless Playground project, staff expects to appear
before the City Commission in May 2007 to request authorization to negotiate a contract with
Gadding Jackson. Gladding Jackson scored the highest rating of those firms that submitted
proposals for the construction drawings. At this point, staff is working on a funding analysis of
the project and telephoning people who may have influence in the County in order to obtain
their opinions.
B. Public Art — Bicentennial Park
Some time ago, Tom Kaiser, Chairman of the Veterans Advisory Commission, requested and
received the endorsement of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board to develop Veterans
Park. Subsequently, the Veterans Advisory Commission became familiar with Bicentennial Park,
which is located on South Federal Highway, directly east of the City's animal shelter, and is
twice as large as Veterans Park. While the Veterans Advisory Commission believes that the
development of either park would be beneficial to the community as the parks are in close
proximity to each other, they indicated their preference for Bicentennial Park. T, ;erefm=e, the
. Veterans Park could be developed at a
later date, and the monies earmarked for Veterans Park would be allocated to Bicentennial
Park, allowing for a more attractive park which would include a Veterans' Memorial and
improved landscaping. Mr. Majors requested the board's endorsement to allow for the
development of the Veterans' Memorial and related development activities at Bicentennial Park.
This would allow for a consensus of the Veterans Advisory Commission and the Arts
Commission. Mr. Majors and Ms. Rivers would then begin developing a plan for Bicentennial
Park. Thereafter, the memorials at Intracoastal Park would be transferred to Bicentennial Park,
with efforts to include the submariner in the transfer.
Motion
Mr. Barie moved to endorse the use of Bicentennial Park for the development of the Veterans'
Memorial and related development activities. Ms. Sloan seconded the motion that passed
unanimously.
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Meeting Minutes
Recreation & Parks Board
Boynton Beach, FL April 23, 2 00 7
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Park Tours Continued
The parks tour included:
Veterans Park.
Bicentennial Park. This park was developed in the 1970s.
Heritage Park.
Sara Sims Park. This park is slated for future improvements and has a cemetery, racquetball
court and tennis court. The park is named in honor Sara Sims, who was the first staff person to
work at the building, and who was in the employ of the City from 1961 until her death in the
year 2000.
Palmetto Greens Linear Park. Mr. Majors noted the Greenway would be extended to I -95, going
south to Galaxy. The project would be funded through a grant from the Florida Department of
Transportation.
Barton Historical Cemetery.
Carolyn Sims Community Center. This is a 14,000 square -foot building which would replace the
old Wilson Center. Improvements would be made to the pool, locker room, showers and
bathrooms in order to comply with ADA standards, and a multi - purpose room, activity room and
offices would be added.
Wilson Center. Mr. Majors advised that costs to the City for this park would be close to $7
million, including construction costs of approximately $6.5 million and design costs of nearly $1
million.
B. Monthly Report
No discussion.
C. Items for the City Manager's Attention
No discussion.
VI. NEXT MEETING
The next meeting would be on June 25, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. The board agreed to cancel the May
22, 2007 meeting as it would fall on the Memorial Day holiday.
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Meeting Minutes
Recreation & Parks Board
Boynton Beach, FL April 23, 2 00 7
VII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the board, the meeting was duly adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
Stephanie D. Kahn
Recording Secretary
4 -23 -07
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