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Minutes 10-22-07 MINUTES OF THE RECREATION & PARKS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD AT THE INTRACOASTAL PARK CLUBHOUSE, 6:30 PM, MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2007, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Betty Pierce-Roe, Chair Bill Orlove, Vice Chair Kurt Godrey Patti Hammer Janelle Sloan Wally Majors, Recreation & Parks Director Jody Rivers, Parks Superintendent ABSENT: John Allard John McVey, Alt. I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Pierce-Roe called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. II. ATTENDANCE Chair Pierce-Roe called the roll. The above members were noted as present. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM: September 24,2007 The following corrections were noted: On page 5 the last paragraph - "Jennifer Hall was a 'Recreation Specialist' ", not a "rrcpJrJtion SpcciJlist" On page 4 - the Community Relations Plan. "An accreditation application process had BeeR identified Jnd WJS ncccssJry for additional plans and documents to be added to the Strategic Plan. Motion Vice Chair Orlove moved to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Godfrey seconded the motion that unanimously passed. IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 22,2007 A. CIP Update Mr. Majors advised the department was moving forward with the development of options for the replacement of the boardwalk at the beach and were working with Miller Legg, a consulting engineering firm. It was noted part of their scope of services would provide products that could be used as replacements for the recycled plastic that was being used at the beach. The product did not wear as well as they had hoped. As a result of the hurricane, the trellises were now leaning and needed to be replaced. They will landscape and relocate the seagrapes to another part of the dunes. This was the same consulting firm used with Jaycee Park. The plan for the second phase of the development was the day docks. At Boat Club Park, they were working on providing options for the replacement of public restrooms, the pavilion and hopefully improvements with landscaping at that park. Jaycee Park Phase I construction had commenced, which encompassed the parking lot, the playground, rest area, bocce ball courts, interpretive trail and development of the upland portion of the park. Ms. Rivers reported they drafted construction drawings for Phase I of Congress Avenue Community Park and one more final design element meeting was scheduled with the consultants to show what materials they would use. The design element meeting would be the department's final opportunity for comment before they submitted construction drawings. Mr. Majors announced the board members may need to participate in the Meadows Park planning. The site was being considered in this years Capital Improvement Program budget for design and then in the following fiscal year, it would be developed. The outcome of the park would be determined by the input. There would be a series of public group meetings focusing on working with elementary school children. The department also pOinted out they should also be cognizant of budget cuts that may occur in January. Ms. Hammer commented the candidates indicated they wanted more parks, but she was unsure where the money was coming from if there were budget cuts. The candidates had not approached the Recreation and Parks Department. Ms. Rivers also cautioned the department had to be careful to balance parks with population. If the population was leaving, or staff personnel was cut, the park would not be maintained or used, and it did not make sense to develop them. The Tennis Center was discussed. The two employees from there were now located at the Clubhouse at Intracoastal Park. At the first meeting in November, staff will ask City Commission to ratify a contract with two people to take over the 2 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 22, 2007 instructional services at the Tennis Center. On another matter, two other individuals who lost their positions due to eliminations had been relocated elsewhere. Ms. Sloan asked for an update on the work being done by Charlotte Pelton Waters. Ms. Rivers reported the effort had significantly slowed with the passing of Assistant City Manager Wilfred Hawkins. Ms. Pelton was trying to finish up and have the feasibility study completed within the next couple of weeks. She is conducting an analysis of local stakeholders to the project's feasibility. Ms. Pelton was engaged not for time, but for services; when she was done with the feasibility study she would be re-engaged. From July, things have been difficult. The Chamber of Commerce issued a letter indicating they did not support the concept of a Foundation and wanted a more defined scope. The department had heard that comment elsewhere. Accordingly they had to pursue the original concept further. If they modified the original scope of service and put forward a recommendation, they needed to provide justification. Ms. Rivers explained they researched the issue and there were hundreds of Parks Departments with support organizations. She explained one of New York's parks has 25 foundations they use. Central Park has a huge foundation. This was a good step in the right direction. The City would receive much more with the first phase of the actual development of the park, i.e. landscaping, infrastructure and site work with Phase I. This makes it more appealing to potential partners in the project. Additionally Glattting Jackson was highlighted as one of the top 25 firms in the field. V. NEW BUSINESS A. December Meeting (regular date: December 24th) The board noted that traditionally, they do not meet in December. Motion Ms. Hammer moved not to meet in December. Vice Chair Orlove seconded the motion that unanimously passed. After additional discussion, regarding meeting locations, the board will meet at Intracoastal Clubhouse Park in November. There was a brief discussion on the rental rates for the facility. Chair Pierce-Roe commented INCA asked if there was a rate sheet available. Mr. Majors responded there was. 3 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 22, 2007 B. Approval of Community Relations Plan Mr. Majors commented they needed the board approval of the plan. Motion Ms. Sloan moved to highly support the Community Relations Plan. Vice Chair Orlove seconded the motion that unanimously passed. C. Monthly Report Chair Pierce-Roe asked about dredging for Boat Club Park. Ms. Rivers commented the County was delayed with the paperwork. They had planned to dredge before turtle season; however, the dredging would now occur in February. Chair Pierce-Roe also inquired about whether the dredging would include having markers or buoys when the dredging was completed. She announced there was only half a marker left. Ms. Rivers would have them replaced. Vice Chair Orlove attended the Knollwood Park dedication and was saddened that there was no marker or sign indicating the history of the park. This marker was stolen twice and the City seal there was stolen as well. Otherwise, he reported it was a beautiful passive park, nicely done with pavilions and walkways. Mr. Godfrey inquired about the Star Program. Mr. Majors responded it was a program recognizing employees who go above and beyond the call of duty. It was their experience that recognition is important to the employees and the program is well received. The employees receive a $50 gift certificate to a local establishment, are featured in Funfare Magazine and a flyer goes out recognizing them. Wilson Park was nearly complete, but the project was slightly delayed due to copper tubing being stolen. The contractor, consequently, requested an extension. They were tentatively planning on the completion date being January 12, 2008. Chair Pierce-Roe asked whether there were cameras at Boat Club Park. Mr. Majors responded there were, but by a lightening strike damaged the cameras that were being repaired. Additionally, Chair Pierce-Roe asked about the parks having WIFI. Ms. Rivers noted the parks in the CRA district have WIFI. Chair Pierce-Roe advised they were having 4 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 22, 2007 problems here and at Boat Club Park because of height issues with surrounding properties. The issue was still being worked on. D. Items for the City Manager's Attention Ms. Hammer explained she did not understand why a committee had not been convened to name the Intracoastal Park area. It was her understanding a committee was established. Mr. Majors explained the process has changed somewhat. It usually takes a letter to start the process which then goes before the City Commission who appoints a board. The process was a board would convene every time a request was received. Chair Pierce-Roe identified a resident by the name of Joe Lee, who was a golf course architect, who could be a potential candidate to have a facility named after. He was a quiet individual who designed and redesigned golf courses for 50 years. He lived two streets down from Intracoastal Park and was a resident since 1949. He had a business near the Women's Club in 1960, and in 1965 moved into a studio office at the Gene More Plaza and remained there until 2005 when he died. He designed or redesigned over 500 golf courses. Some of the courses locally were Pine Tree, and Quail Ridge (2 different pariks in Boynton). He graduated in 1949 from college with a degree in education and taught math, science and physical education at Boynton Beach Junior High School. Chair Pierce-Roe advised she had spoken with him over the years and was advised he was involved in Recreation and Parks and was on an advisory board. He was a coach for the Boynton Beach basketball team. Some other golf courses were Gulfstream in Delray, PGA National, the Breakers, Palm Beach Par 3, several Disney golf courses in Lake Buena Vista and many others. He also designed on Paradise Island in the Bahamans, the Lucayan, and did several courses in Portugal, and domestically, in Virginia, Louisiana, New York, California, Alabama and many other states. She had a book about him and some of the courses he designed called, "Gentleman Joe Lee" but she thought something should be named after him because he did a lot for Boynton Beach. Chair Roe explained there were originally many rocks and boulders on the Intracoastal Club House property. She reported a huge rock from this property now sits on the 18th hole of PGA National commemorating him. She thought it would be appropriate to dedicate this building or another facility to him. Vice Chair Orlove served on the subcommittee responsible for the naming of public facilities and spoke with Carisse LeJeune regarding S.E. Neighborhood Park being named in honor of Betty Thomas. He 5 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 22, 2007 had suggested at a Commission meeting it be for someone who was alive as well and he thought some of the Commissioners agreed. Chair Pierce-Roe explained it could go either way. She thought maybe the Links would be an appropriate place to memorialize him. Every year there is a big fundraiser for his scholarship fund, which raised $30K. Palm Beach National will host it this year, but historically, it had been held at different locations. Mr. Majors explained there was no stipulation on whether the individual needed to be alive or deceased in order to have a facility named after them and offered to email the process to the members. Additionally, Mr. Majors will provide an update on the recommendation to honor Betty Thomas by naming a facility after her. A brief discussion on whether the City prosecutes individuals vandalizing or stealing City property was held. As far as Knollwood Park was concerned, Ms. Rivers advised the City would most likely attach a plaque to a plinth. Mr. Majors responded the City will prosecute violators. The members agreed to take a tour of the facility. VI. NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held on November 26, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. at the Intracoastal Park Clubhouse. VII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, there was unanimous consensus to adjourn at 7:25 p.m. O~uj ~i~ Catherine ChaiJry-Guberman Recording Secretary 102307 6