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Minutes 02-25-08 MINUTES OF THE RECREATION & PARKS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD AT THE CAROLYN SIMS COMMUNITY CENTER, 6:30 PM, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2008, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Betty Pierce-Roe, Chair Bill Orlove, Vice Chair John Allard Patti Hammer John McVey Janelle Sloan Frank Lindsay, Alt. Wally Majors, Recreation & Parks Director Jody Rivers, Parks Superintendent ABSENT: David Barie Kurt Godfrey, Alt. I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Pierce-Roe called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. II. ATTENDANCE Chair Pierce-Roe called the roll. A quorum was present. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM: January 28, 2008 Motion Ms. Hammer moved approval. Mr. Orlove seconded the motion that unanimously passed. IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Wally Majors, Parks Director, introduced Vicki Lloyd, a Recreation and Parks employee, who was participating in a program the Recreation and Parks Department has to foster a better understanding of the City activities and operations. This was a professional development program that made the employee more aware and knowledgeable about the departments and the City organization. Mr. Majors and Ms. Rivers, Parks Superintendent, were complimented on the dedication of the Carolyn Sims Center. One member thought the event was stupendous and loved the sky divers. The entire dedication went beautifully and smoothly. Ms. Rivers explained it was a team effort. Mr. Majors also credited Mary DeGraffenreidt, Recreation and Parks Department employee, who also played a big part in putting the event together with its success. 1 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 25, 2008 A. CIP Update Mr. Majors gave an update and explained the Carolyn Sims Community Center was completed. They moved into the 42K square foot facility on February 9, 2008, and they hoped, through the years, it would be developed into an attraction, not only for the community, but also for Boynton Beach as a whole. The facility could serve many purposes. A complete tour would be given after the meeting. Ms. Rivers explained Jaycee Park was three weeks from completion and a ribbon cutting ceremony would be scheduled. She would keep the board apprised and recommended the members drive by the park. The landscaping was being installed and was very lush. The construction drawings for the boardwalk replacement at the beach were about 60% completed and City staff would meet with the Department of Environmental Protection in Tallahassee to pave the way for the permits. She hoped they would break ground in December. The Boat Club Park restroom replacement and picnic shelter received higher cost estimates than originally anticipated. Staff may have to scale back on the size of the restrooms and the amenities, due to the costs. The construction drawings were about 30% completed. Congress Avenue Park was moving forward; about 50% of the construction drawings were completed. Staff anticipated 60% completion in March and 100% in May. If all went well, they would break ground in the fall. They applied for two grants and want a third to help kick Phase I off the ground. They applied for the two grants each for $200K and then an Urban Forestry Grant which could provide up to $200K. They were also contemplating two more grants. There was a brief discussion about election sites and whether Boat Club Park was going to permanently be a polling site because it was temporary at one point. Mr. Majors had not heard from the Supervisor of Elections about the matter. It was noted the County tried to locate the polling sites throughout the county. v. NEW BUSINESS A. Senior Center Grant Award Mr. Majors advised the Senior Center was awarded $72K from the Department of Elder Affairs to make improvements to the Senior Center. The City had already been making improvements to the roof and they found they could use that expense as a match for the grant. The grant will allow them to do the following: 2 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 25, 2008 . finish the roof · finish the installation of hurricane shutters . install a public address system . complete the installation of the video system with one camera outside and two inside. · install power assisted doors . install automated flushers for the restroom Mr. Majors could not think of anything else they could add to the center. The building was now completely suited to be a Senior Center. B. Monthly Report There was a discussion about the progress of the various parks and what the name Jaycee Park represented. At one time, there was the Junior Chamber of Commerce, which no longer existed. Residents, however, were under the impression it had to do with birds. There was an inquiry whether this might be a good time to consider changing the park name. Mr. Majors provided the member with a copy of the procedures for the park naming process and suggested reading the ordinance. The topic had been discussed in the past and a brief discussion followed about the names of other parks. The net revenues generated at Intracoastal Park Clubhouse were reviewed. Mr. Majors explained those monies were from program registration fees for the month of January. The monies did not include rentals, rather they were just registration fees for recreation programs. During the year, recreation program revenue amounted to between $500K and $700K. Mr. Majors announced they were offering the position of new recreation supervisor to a candidate and hoped he could start at Intracoastal Park in about 10 days. The candidate would be dedicated to supervising the facility and had experience in recreation programming and facilities management. The facility was a brand new building and it was the premier building in the City. It was appropriate to expect resources would be put into the center. The need was there and they were now able to place someone there. The cameras at Boat Club Park were discussed. There were cameras located at the park, and it was reported they would be operational soon. Mr. Majors explained the City has cameras at other City facilities and anticipated having the cameras for the Carolyn Sims Community Center installed in about four to six weeks. C. Items for the City Managers Attention None. 3 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 25, 2008 John McVey thanked Mr. Majors and Ms. Rivers for their assistance with the Jack McVey Memorial Ribbon Cutting event at Little League Park, on Saturday, February 23, 2008. The project, which was a marble memorial wall with plaques on it, was outstanding and 90% of it was donated. Mr. McVey reported it was a great honor for him and his father. The Florida Marlins were present, as was the East Boynton Little League team and the Marlins signed every autograph for every child there. Their names were also inscribed on the bats; about 350 people attended the event. Mr. Majors announced this was probably the best ball park in the State of Florida and this year they were hosting the state championships. The trolley route provided by the CRA was discussed and whether it would now be stopping at Leisureville. Ms. Rivers noted she was aware it traveled through Leisureville and stopped at the hospital. Some members indicated they did not see a great deal of passengers using the service, however, other members did see increased passengers at different times of the day and at certain locations. The City has the Shopper Hopper and two school buses. A short discussion ensued about the Shopper Hopper and the Senior Center. The members were asked to put together a short testimonial about serving on the board. Ms. Rivers advised she received two responses. The testimonials would be included in Fun Fare Magazine, along with other Advisory Board member comments to show the community supports what they do and why they think it is important. Mr. Majors advised the Sims Center usage was increasing, however, residents, cannot just drop off their two and three year olds and that was a challenge they faced. The City wanted the facility to be used, and they were surveying users to see what programs should be offered. Mr. Majors also indicated the City was one of three cities taking part in a program to control gang activity. The effort was through the Department of Justice, and was the Youth Violence Prevention Program. The center was identified as an Enrichment Center, and would include Youth Violence Prevention Project staff, who would meet upstairs. There were programs in the facility designed to provide alternatives to the gang lifestyle. Ms. Stacey Robinson was hired through the grant, about a year ago. She presently works under the auspices of the Police Department and had been included in with Recreation and Parks staff for the last six to nine months. D. Tour of Carolyn Sims Center A formal tour took place immediately after the meeting adjourned. VI. NEXT MEETING: 6:30 p.m., March 24, 2008; Location TBD 4 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 25, 2008 VII. ADJOURNMENT Motion A motion was made by Ms. Hammer to adjourn. Mr. Orlove seconded the motion that unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 7:01 p.m. ClcuJwU/YdL" GiVJLlL Catherine Cherry 6 Recording Secretary 022608 5