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Minutes 11-23-98 MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1998 AT 7:00 P.M. PRESENT Betty Thomas, Chairperson Melody Green, Recreation Director Mike Fitzpatrick John Wildner, Parks Director (arrived at 7:14) Ed Harris Bali Ramnarace Tom Williams ABSENT James R. McMahon Victor Norfus, Alternate Dan Winters I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Thomas called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. II. ATTENDANCE Chairperson Thomas called the roll. A quorum was declared present. Also present were Ms. Melody Green, Recreation Director and John Wildner, Parks Director. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER 26, 1998 MEETING Chairperson Thomas inquired if there were any changes or additions to the minutes of the October 26, 1998 meeting. Mr. Williams stated that on page 9 in the first full paragraph he did not state there was a hole in the “Sara Sims fence”. Mr. Williams stated there was “a hole in the surface of the tennis courts”. Chairperson Thomas asked if there were any other changes. There being none, she asked for a motion to approve the minutes, as amended. MEETING MINUTES RECREATION NAD PARK BOARD MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 23, 1998 Motion Mr. Harris moved that the minutes of the October 26, 1998 meeting, as amended be approved. Mr. Williams seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (a) Greenways Network (Mike Fitzpatrick) Postponed until Mr. Fitzpatrick arrives. (b) Senior Center Project Team Update (Melody Green) Ms. Green stated that last week a meeting was held with the architect for the project to complete the conceptual design and to refine some of the interior design in order to ensure that all questions were answered. Representatives from the Senior Advisory Board, Chairperson Thomas, Bulent Kastarlak, Development Director, Wilfred Hawkins, Assistant to the City Manager, Bill DeBeck of Facilities and Don Johnson, Deputy Building Official were present. The architect is working to complete the specifications and documents to prepare the project for bid. Ms. Green stated there would be two stages, a demolition stage and a construction stage. The building is scheduled to be tented this week to exterminate the pests and rodents. It is still anticipated that the Center will be completed in the spring of 1999 and the project is proceeding full steam ahead. Ms. Green informed members that the sign has been ordered and will be visible from both directions. The sign will identify the building as the “future home of the Boynton Beach Senior Center”. For clarification purposes, Chairperson Thomas stated that Phase 1 would be completed by spring of 1999. Ms. Green said that a presentation is being put together for financial assistance which will be sent to local, state and federal legislators to secure funding for completion of Phase 2. The total estimate is a little under $900,000. Ms. Green stated that the property was purchased through Community Development Block Grant Funding and Ms. Octavia Sherrod coordinated the funding with the planning team. Ms. Green said the revised drawings should be ready within ten days. (c) Millennium Special Event (Melody Green) Ms. Green said that the special event team is working on this project and volunteers are being sought. Ms. Green stated that if any Board member wished to volunteer or knew 2 MEETING MINUTES RECREATION NAD PARK BOARD MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 23, 1998 anyone who would like to volunteer, please contact Debbie Majors at 742-6241 or Kathy McDeavitt. The event should be completed by March 2000. (Mr. Fitzpatrick arrived at 7:17 p.m.) (d) Black Awareness Day (Melody Green) Ms. Green stated that there have been three strategic planning meetings for Black Awareness Day and one more is scheduled. A mission statement and several goals have been reached. There are a great many ideas for expansion of the events, including participation by the Assistant Library Director who will assist in providing an exhibit. Various displays are anticipated and interest has been expressed in presenting information and exhibits on African/American scientists and inventors. Also there will be cultural offerings in the areas of art, music, dance, theater, food and costumes. Chairperson Thomas asked what the dates of the events would be. Ms. Green stated they are still being finalized and a schedule should be available within three weeks. Ms. Green indicated events would be held throughout the month of February and an event will be scheduled in January, but has not been finalized. (a) Greenways Network (Mike Fitzpatrick- postponed earlier) Mr. Fitzpatrick said that there have not been many meetings this past month. Mr. Fitzpatrick stated they are still moving forward on the Overlook Road site and are in receipt of information from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Overlook Road Site Habitat Conservation Plan suggests that the scrub jays are going to be terminated in Palm Beach County due to the fact that land set aside for major preserves is not being managed properly i.e., there are no control burns. Mr. Fitzpatrick said he is trying to get more information on control burns in urban areas and is trying to get a control burn program set up in Boynton Beach for City owned land. Mr. Fitzpatrick also informed members that the County Planning Department would be providing a cut out of the Boynton area from the countywide map. Mr. Fitzpatrick has been furnished with a list of grant sources, which will be discussed at the next nd Greenways meeting on December 2. There has not been much action with regard to the Town of Gulfstream well field. Mr. Fitzpatrick said he spoke with Commissioner Titcomb to see if he was agreeable to speaking with the Town of Gulfstream. In either event, Mr. Fitzpatrick said he would be following up on the issue himself. 3 MEETING MINUTES RECREATION NAD PARK BOARD MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 23, 1998 Mr. Williams asked Mr. Fitzpatrick if the control burning would include the Hester Park area and Mr. Fitzpatrick stated it would since that is a designated scrub jay preserve and is part of the management plan. Mr. Fitzpatrick stated the burning would be done in small sections to keep the animals moving. Mr. Williams asked if there were still foxes in the area. Mr. Fitzpatrick was not sure, but stated if there is a burning, the animals would return. Mr. Williams stated he had spotted a fox on Seacrest Avenue. Mr. Fitzpatrick stated that the fox probably came from the Rosemary Scrub Area. Mr. Wildner informed members that there was a controlled burn at the Seacrest Scrub, which was coordinated by Palm Beach County, and it was a successful burn. Mr. Williams inquired if the parking area at the Hester Center would be expanded. Mr. Wildner stated that the parking lot had been extended. Mr. Williams acknowledged that the parking had been extended somewhat, but inquired if it could be expanded behind the handball court. Mr. Wildner stated there were no additional plans to further extend the parking area and felt the parking area was sufficient. (e) Monthly Report Members reviewed the monthly report. Mr. Fitzpatrick inquired if a new format was being used. Ms. Green stated that Sherri Claude, Administrative Assistant combined the two reports, which is more efficient. (f) Recreation Division Organizational Chart Ms. Green informed members that it was originally intended to present the chart this evening, but changes are still being formulated at this time. V. NEW BUSINESS (a) All America City Planning Team (Melody Green) Ms. Green stated the first meeting took place and it is anticipated that between 60 to 100 residents will be invited to attend a session in January. At that session representatives from Delray Beach will be invited by Messrs. Wilfred Hawkins and Arthur Lee to assist the City in applying. Ms. Green stated that cities that have won the award in the past agree to assist other cities in applying. The application has been received and three specific projects must be identified. Therefore, it is important that as many people in the community become involved to maintain a diversity of representation on the planning team. The three projects selected must be unique in demonstrating how Boynton Beach has moved forward. A minimum of 40 people will be 4 MEETING MINUTES RECREATION NAD PARK BOARD MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 23, 1998 needed to participate and as the projects get refined, more people will be needed. Also, Ms. Green stated that representatives would be sent to Philadelphia for the 1999 All America City awards for the purpose of videotaping the proceedings and gaining information from the winners. (b) Other Chairperson Thomas asked if there was any other new business. Mr. John Wildner informed members that staff has been looking for a park site in the southeast area of the City. It was determined that approximately 5 acres would be needed and the only property of that size was the Zill Nursery. Mr. Zill stated he did not wish to sell his property at this time as he needs the nursery for income until such time as he can retire, which is a few years away. However, further discussions with Mr. Zill have taken place and Mr. Zill indicated he would be agreeable to selling approximately one-half acre of the five acres. The park could begin on the one-half acre now and there would be an option to purchase the remainder of the property. Preliminary designs indicate that a basketball court and children’s playground could be built on the site. Mr. Wildner stated that Mr. Hank Ackermann and himself met with the neighborhood association that requested the park and they were enthusiastic about the planned park. Negotiations are proceeding with Mr. Zill. Ms. Green commended Mr. Wildner for his diligence in following through with the park plans and due to Mr. Wildner’s efforts, it now appears there will be a park in the southeast area of the City. Mr. Wildner also stated that Mr. Zill is very community minded and wanted to do something for the children in the neighborhood. Chairperson Thomas inquired if there was anything new to report regarding the skateboard park. Mr. Wildner stated there has been no further discussion with the County, but there has been discussion about the possibility of an ice skating rink on City property at Optimist Park. The rink would be a commercial venture with the City. The possibility exists that the skateboard park could be located next to the ice skating rink and the parking lot and restrooms could be shared. Initially it was presented that the ice rink would be used primarily for hockey, but after further discussions, the City Commission indicated they would be interested in a larger facility. Mr. Wildner stated this is still in the conceptual stage. Mr. Williams informed members that some residents approached him this afternoon regarding Sara Sims Park. These residents complained that both restrooms have iron 5 MEETING MINUTES RECREATION NAD PARK BOARD MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 23, 1998 gates and there is no privacy when they are in use. Mr. Williams said that some type of partition needs to be installed for privacy. Secondly, Mr. Williams stated it has been over two months and questioned why it takes so long to get lights installed. Three lights have been out and need to be replaced. Also, the hole on the tennis court still exists and someone will get hurt and questioned why it takes so long to get a hole filled. Mr. Wildner stated that Facilities’ truck broke down and they don’t have a means to get up to the lights. The Park’s Department has been loaning Facilities its tree trimming truck to hang banners. Mr. Williams felt that there is always a problem in this area in getting things done. Children are playing tennis in the dark and two months is too long to wait. Mr. Williams stated if necessary he would bring this situation to the attention of the City Commission. Ms. Green stated that she and Mr. Wildner would forward his concerns to Facilities. Mr. Fitzpatrick suggested Mr. Williams contact Sue Berman at the City’s Citizen Action Center in the City Manager’s Office to assist in these requests. (c) Board Dinner – January 14, 1999 Chairperson Thomas stated that the Annual Board Dinner is scheduled for January 14, 1999 and inquired where it would be held. The Recording Secretary informed the members that the dinner is being held at Benvenutos. Chairperson Thomas announced that Board member, Bali Ramnarace is a member of the United States Cricket Team and will be traveling to Mexico City next week for competition. VI. NEXT MEETING – December 28, 1998 (to be determined?) Chairperson Thomas inquired if the December meeting should still be held. Ms. Green stated that typically each year the December meeting is cancelled due to the holidays and the Board Dinner. However, the Board Dinner will now be held in January and said the Board should decide if they want to meet in December. Motion December 28, 1998 meeting be cancelled Mr. Harris moved that the and that the next meeting will be the regularly scheduled meeting in January 1999. Mr. Williams seconded the motion. Motion unanimously carried. 6 MEETING MINUTES RECREATION NAD PARK BOARD MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NOVEMBER 23, 1998 VII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting properly adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (one tape) 7