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Minutes 05-22-00MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD MEETING HELD IN WEST WING, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON MONDAY, MAY 22, 2000 AT 7:00 P.M. PRESENT Betty Thomas, Chairperson Mike Fitzpatrick (arrived at 7:20 p.m.) Bali Ramnarace Tom Williams Dan Winters John Wildner, Parks Director Wally Majors, Acting Recreation Director ABSENT Ed Harris James R. McMahon, Vice Chair Charles Jackson, Alternate I. CALLTO ORDER Chairperson Thomas called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. II. ATTENDANCE Chairperson Thomas called the roll and a quorum was declared present. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF APRIL 24, 2000 MEETING Chairperson Thomas asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of the April 24, 2000 meeting? Hearing none, Chairperson Thomas stated that the minutes stand approved as submitted. IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Senior Center Update Mr. Majors reported that on May 16th staff organized a Senior Health Fair, which was very successful. Over 420 people attended, 350 of which were seniors. Seventy health care providers participated in the Fair and everything was free. One lucky senior citizen won a 27" television that was raffled off. MEETING MINUTES -' RECREATION & PARKS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 22, 2000 Mr. Majors also reported that staff is doing a magnificent job and a great deal of programs are .being offered. Also door-to-door bus transportation is available for a $1.00 fee. Another fashion show is being planned, since the first one was well received. Mr. Winters inquired about the Senior Advisory Board and asked how often this Board met. Mr. Majors stated that they meet on a monthly basis. Mr. Winters also wanted to know how involved the Senior Advisory Board was in the project. Chairperson Thomas said that the Senior Board was very involved in the planning. Mr. Winters feels there are too many recreation boards in the City and questioned whether the City might consider consolidating some of these Boards into one major Board to be appointed by the Commissioners. This one Board could have a general overview of the entire operation. Mr. Winters questioned if there was too much involvement by the Senior Board in the day-to-day operation of the Senior Center and felt that City Boards are advisory boards. Mr. Majors said that they have been in contact through the Internet with various professionals throughout the country and have heard from over 50 recreation departments. It has been determined that there must be a balance between recreation and health services, and staff is always trying to improve by learning what other senior centers are doing. Mr. Winters suggested that staff do some type of survey in Palm Beach County to determine how involved other recreation boards are in other cities. Mr. Winters also pointed out that there is a Children & Youth Board and an Education Advisory Board that are also active in recreation. Mr. Majors said he has already asked staff to determine what other cities are doing. Mr. Williams said he was under the impression that the Recreation and Parks Boards had the last say-so with the Recreation Department. Mr. Winters feels there are too many chiefs and not enough indians. Mr. Majors said that he also works with the Children & Youth Advisory Board. Chairperson Thomas did not think that the Education Advisory Board was involved in recreation and parks. Mr. Wildner stated that this Board deals with youth issues. It was also noted that there is a Community Relations Board in the City that is also involved with children and projects in the City. Mr. Winters questioned whether this Board should meet on an every other month basis instead of monthly. Chairperson Thomas stated that the Ordinance required the Board to meet monthly. The Recording Secretary read the pertinent section of the Ordinance, which stated "...the board shall hold at least one regular meeting each month in the city hall. Special meetings may be called by the board chairman or the recreation department upon prior notification". 2 MEETING MINUTES RECREATION & PARKS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 22, 2000 Chairperson Thomas requested that the record reflect that Mr. Fitzpatrick was present. B. Hester Center Breezeway Enclosure Mr. Majors reported that he has supplied the various exhibits that the County had requested. County staff will now review the exhibits and once they are approved, the building of the breezeway can proceed. Mr. Williams asked what the anticipated starting date was and Mr. Majors stated that August is the projected starting date. Completion should be by February. Mr. Williams inquired if it were possible for the City to provide a school bus for the Boynton Beach Bulldogs, as well as the little league teams. Mr. Winters stated that the School Board has buses for sale and these buses are in good mechanical condition, but have outlived their usefulness, Mr. Winters suggested contacting the School Board to determine what is available. Mr. Williams would like the City to purchase two buses, if possible. Mr. Ramnarace stated he knows someone who purchases school buses and he would be willing to contact this person to see what is available. Mr. Williams stated Boynton Beach is growing and the buses are necessary for recreation purposes. Mr. Majors stated that staff has been in contact with Mr. Joe Reed, the Assistant Director of Transportation for the School Board. The School Board has auctions in May and November and there is one bus that is available that staff is trying to determine if it could be purchased. The average starting cost for these buses is approximately $9,500. Also yearly maintenance of the buses runs between $4,000 to $6,000 and approximately $2,000 to $4,000 for insurance. Mr. Majors stated that buses are also necessary for the summer camp program and the after school programs. Mr. Wildner pointed out that the little league provides its own transportation. Mr. Majors stated that the Police Department has offered to assist with the purchase of a bus. Chairperson Thomas requested that the purchase of a bus/buses be added to next month's agenda for further follow-up. C. Boat Club/Intracoastal Parks Mr. Wildner reported that at the last CRA meeting it was voted to add two civilian members to the CRA. Also, a request'is being made to the County for the remaining grant funds, including a proposal to purchase the property immediately north of the ten-acre site, currently called Paradise Bay. Mr. Wildner said that Commissioner McCarty would be making her decision after June 15th. 3 MEETING MINUTES RECREATION & PARKS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 22, 2000 Mr. Winters inquired what the property owner was asking for this parcel and Mr. Wildner thought it was in the vicinity of $3 million, which is unrealistic. Also, all the 75 parking spaces will now be concentrated in Boat Club Park. Therefore, th,e Intracoastal Park site won't have any boat trailer parking. If the property to the nOrth were purchased, it is anticipated that the dock and the swimming pool would remain available for public use and this would be an enhancement to the park site. Mr. Williams complimented Mr. Wildner and his staff for doing a beautiful job at Sara Sims Park. Mr. Wildner stated they are still working on the park and that Facilities Management renovated the picnic shelters. It is anticipated that the Bahia grass will be planted shortly now that the irrigation system has been upgraded. Mr. Williams would like to see two long pavilions added to the park. Mr. Wildner stated that this has been discussed. Mr. Majors announced that the Wilson Pool should open this weekend. Mr. Wildner announced that the annual program put on by Veteran's Council will take place at Boynton Memorial Park and that over 1,000 flags and crosses are placed on deceased veterans' graves. The ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 28th at 2:00 p.m. The ROTC from Atlantic High School places the crosses on the graves and the Veterans place the flags. D. Teen Center Mr. Majors reported that the Children and Youth Advisory Board has asked staff to research areas within the City that could be considered for a teen center. Staff is working on this, as well as performing a needs assessment. Mr. Williams asked about the bonus for returning counselors and Mr. Majors stated that counselors that return the next year are offered a $100 bonus, which is a means to retain good staff. Chairperson Thomas inquired about the age of the counselors and was informed a person must be 18 years of age. Mr. Majors said that there is a counselor-in- training program for younger youth that want to be future counselors. E. Greenways Network (Mike Fitzpatrick) Mr. Wildner reported that he and Mr. Fitzpatrick met to discuss the City's Capital Improvement Program. Mr. Wildner said he included in his requests a Greenways Network and a request was made for $500,000 to purchase certain parcels of land that would be used as links to connect potential greenways. Mr. Wildner said he made the presentation and felt it was well received. Mr. Wildner 4 MEETING MINUTES -" RECREATION & PARKS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 22, 2000 explained the CIP meeting process, which has been taking place throughout the City and pointed out that each project receives points based upon certain criteria. One criterion is the ability for funding through grants and Greenways meets this criterion. F. Monthly Report Members reviewed the monthly report included in the agenda packet. Mr. Winters inquired as to the success of the Concert on the Green and Mr. Majors replied that the concert was a success and about $1,700 was raised that will be donated to the Museum. There were over 500 people in attendance. Mr. Majors stated that this event would be held on a yearly basis. Chairperson Thomas distributed to the members the promotional flyer that had been used for the event. V. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Ramnarace asked for an update on the cricket field at Rolling Green School. Mr. Wildner replied that there is a problem with the irrigation system, which is in very poor shape. Before the grass can be planted, staff has to work with the School Board to get this fixed. Mr. Wildner stated the area around the cricket pitch is fine, but the rest of the field is in poor shape because of transporting the portables through the field that damaged a great many of the irrigation lines. Mr. Ramnarace suggested that the gate to the field should be moved to the east end of the fence to prevent this problem from recurring. Mr. Winters reported that the opening for the principal at the new Boynton Beach High School closes this Friday. Mr. Winters said that he has contacted some persons on the School Board in support of Ed Harris for this position, who is a Boynton Beach resident and a member of this Board. Secondly, Mr. Winters was in favor of supporting a Taxing District for recreation and noted this is a legislative function and does not require a referendum. Chairperson Thomas noted that someone on the Board was to look into instituting a Taxing District and Mr. Fitzpatrick stated he received some information from Boca Raton. Mr. Fitzpatrick pointed out that the City is looking to add a Fire Taxing District. He noted there are several hundred condominium units within the City that that pay no taxes and a couple thousand that pay less than $200 in taxes, yet these are the areas that receive a great deal of City services. This would only apply to the Fire Department services. Chairperson Thomas suggested that this Board send a letter to the City Commission and City Manager suggesting they investigate a Taxing District for recreation. 5 MEETING MINUTES RECREATION & PARKS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 22, 2000 Mr. Williams said that he has received complaints from the seniors that play ball about the holes around home plate at Pence Park. Mr. Wildner reported that he has met with the seniors and he has requested in his budget funds to laser grade and resod both Pence Park and Galaxy Park and resurface the infields. Mr. Majors made the following announcements: Boynton Beach has been chosen as the host site for the National Corporate Challenge Tennis Competition to take place during the third weekend in October. Boynton Beach would be hosting the national qualifier for AAU Girls' Basketball Tournament at Hester Center, which will take place June 19th through the 21st of this year. With regard to the Hershey track team, the local qualifiers have been held and the athletes are getting ready for the district meet to take place at Martin County High School in June. · The Fire Rescue Explorers and Boy Scouts assisted the City beach staff in removing scaevola and planting sea grapes. · Staff assisted PAL in hosting a wrestling match and did an outstanding job. $600 was raised and over 200 people attended the event. · Kids' Fishing Tournament will take place on June 10th. · The TNT Concert is scheduled for June 16th. Chairperson Thomas called for a motion that this Board forward a letter to the City requesting that the City look into establishing a recreation taxing district. Motion Mr. Winters moved that this Board contact the City and request that the City look into establishing a recreation taxing district. Mr. Williams seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. Mr. Wildner said that he would follow through on this with Mr. Majors. VI. NEXT MEETING The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 26, 2000. 6 MEETING MINUTES RECREATION & PARKS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 22, 2000 VII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (two tapes) 7