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Minutes 04-27-09 MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2009 AT 6:30 P.M. AT THE SENIOR CENTER, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: William Orlove, Vice Chair Robert Lapin Janelle Sloan Corey Cook, Alternate Betsy Wallshein-Radin, Alternate Wally Majors, Recreation and Parks Director Jody Rivers, Parks Superintendent ABSENT: Betty Pierce-Roe, Chair John Allard David Barie John McVey 1. CALL TO ORDER Acting Chair Orlove called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m. 11. ATTENDANCE Acting Chair Orlove called the roll. 111. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM: March 23, 2009 The following changes were requested: . Page 2, fifth paragraph, delete reference to "Boundless." (The park is no longer referred to as a Boundless park, but rather a barrier-free park.) . Page 4, bottom paragraph, strike the following sentence: "Jaycee Park was not in existence until Mr. McVey advised they could obtain State funding for the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND)." Motion Mr. Lapin moved to approve the minutes as amended. Ms. Sloane seconded the motion that passed unanimously. 1 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida April 27, 2009 IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A.CIP Update (review of plans of upcoming projects) Ms. Rivers reported the following: Jaycee Park. Permitting for the boardwalk had been completed at the South Florida Water Management District, and it was anticipated the project would be contracted out within the next six weeks. Boat Club Park. Final permits had been received from all agencies. A request had been made for Procurement to advertise. County funds would be used for improvements including replacement of the restrooms and picnic shelters. It was anticipated this would be advertised within two weeks, with groundbreaking in six to eight weeks. Oceanfront Park. It was hoped the permitting process with the Department of Environmental Protection would be completed within two weeks. The matter would then be forwarded to the Ocean Ridge Town Commission for endorsement. The boardwalk at Oceanfront Park would be replaced with Ipe Wood, a hardwood which had also been used for the deck at the Intracoastal Park Clubhouse and the Boat Club Park boardwalk. The Park, restrooms and concession would remain open to the public during the various phases of construction. Greenways Project. Construction drawings had been forwarded to the Department of Transportation for review. Congress Avenue Barrier-Free Park. The project would be addressed at the May 5, 2009 City Commission meeting. Proposals had been reviewed by staff and the design consultant, Glatting Jackson. Staff was recommending that the City contract with the low bidder, Ocean Gate General Contractors, Inc., for the construction of the Park. Upon the Commission's approval of the contractor, a Notice to Proceed would be issued. It was noted all projects were currently being reviewed as a result of the economic crisis. If the project moved forward, it was anticipated the groundbreaking would commence in approximately one month. It was suggested a tented, groundbreaking ceremony be held. Twin boys, one with severe cerebral palsy, had been featured in a marketing piece used by staff. It was suggested the twins be invited to the groundbreaking. At the commencement of the design process, staff had met with the Muscular Dystrophy Association and other organizations. It was suggested representatives from these organizations be invited as well. 2 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida April 27, 2009 Meadows/Nautica Park Site. Staff had received permission to negotiate with Glatting Jackson the scope of services for the design. Mr. Majors advised a number of people had contacted the City offering their opinions as to the manner in which the land should be developed. Some felt the area should be maintained as "raw," while others believed it should be passive. It was still staff's intent for the Board to host a public meeting to be facilitated by the consultant, Glatting Jackson. It was anticipated the meeting would be hosted in July at Station #3 on Miner Road. Mr. Majors believed the site could be developed in a manner suitable to the stakeholders. Glatting Jackson had suggested using green elements of design in order to achieve a zero net energy loss. Mr. Majors expressed concern for staff's ability to maintain the 9.5 acre site, regardless of the manner in which it was developed. V. NEW BUSINESS A. Recommendation to name the PAL Football Field in honor of Police Officer Bill Tome. Mr. Majors noted the City Manager had suggested the Police Department appear before the Board regarding a recommendation to name the field at the Hester Center after Officer Tome. Mr. Majors had worked with Officer Tome for two years at the Hester Center and supported the recommendation. He added Recreation and Parks staff had always maintained a positive relationship with the Police Athletic League (PAL). The City's policy provided that the naming of a facility could be initiated by either the City Manager or the City Commission and did not require action by the Board. However, Mr. Majors felt the City Manager would appreciate the Board's endorsement of the recommendation. Officer Rick Lature, with the Community Action Team, advised Officer Tome would be retiring from the Police Department in 2010. In honor of Officer Tome's 25 years of service to the Boynton Beach Police Athletic League (PAL) and community, it was Officer Lature's recommendation to dedicate and name the football field and scoreboard located at the Hester Center the "Bill Tome Field." Officer Lature noted that after having served as a road patrol officer for five years, Officer Tome had created and operated Recreation, Athletics and Police (RAP) which later became the Police Athletic League (PAL). Officer Tome's commitment to the PAL program had influenced the community in a positive manner. In sports, Officer Tome had inspired many youngsters to believe anything was possible through dedication and hard work. His teams went on to win numerous state and national basketball championships. Officer Tome encouraged the youngsters to maintain a high grade point average and remain involved in the program. Through his mentoring, many had received athletic scholarships to colleges and top schools across the country. Several had moved on to play in the National Football and Basketball Leagues including Mike Rumph, (St. Louis Rams), 3 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida April 27, 2009 Sabby Piscitelli (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Vince Wilfork (New England Patriots) and C.J. Jones (Cleveland Browns). Others have become successful businessmen and family men who currently volunteered in the program, and whose children participated as well. Sgt. Gladys Cannon added Officer Tome worked closely with Recreation and Parks and the Small World Child Care Center. He was recognized for his dedication to the community, and during the holiday season arranged for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners to be provided for those in need. It was noted Officer Tome's position at the Police Athletic League (PAL) would be voluntary after his retirement. Mr. Majors reiterated the Board was not required to take any action other than to endorse the recommendation, if they so desired. Motion Ms. Wallshein-Radin moved to endorse the naming of the football field and scoreboard after Officer Bill Tome, together with the Board's thanks and sincere appreciation. Mr. Lapin seconded the motion that passed unanimously. Mr. Majors would draft a memorandum to Chief Immler indicating the Board's endorsement of the recommendation. B. Not-for-Profit Foundation The Board had previously requested an update on the status of the Foundation. Ms. Rivers reported the City had been attempting to develop a not-for-profit foundation that would primarily support parks, recreation and culture. Staff had received Commission approval several months ago, with the caveat that it would not be an arm of the City, but rather a stand-alone foundation. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) had been developed. A consultant was sought to assist in establishing the foundation and to recruit and train a Board of Directors. The evaluation committee consisted of Debbie Majors, Grants Coordinator, Lori LaVerriere, Assistant City Manager, and Ms. Rivers. The Waters Pelton Organization, located in Palm Beach County, had been selected. The Waters Pelton Organization had specific experience in the development of foundations and had worked on multi-million dollar campaigns, including Dreher Park Zoo and Glades Hospital. It was noted the contract with Waters Pelton had been recently approved by the City Commission, and a kick-off meeting would be conducted with the organization to set up a 501(C)(3), identify potential members, develop and train a Board of Directors, outline tasks and set deadlines. It was anticipated the process would take approximately a year. The first project to be addressed would be the development of the remainder of Congress Avenue Park, and this would be determined by the amount of funds raised. 4 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida April 27, 2009 C. Tour of Parks Mr. Majors distributed a facility guide to the members. Suggestions included the following: ?The newer parks ?Meadows/Nautica ?Quantum ?Jaycee Park ?Betty Thomas Park ?Boat Club Park ?Intracoastal Park ?Girl Scout park site D.Monthly Report No comments were made. E.Items for the City Manager's attention The Board formally endorsed the recommendation of the Police Department to name the football field and scoreboard at the Hester Center after Police Officer Bill Tome. F.Reschedule May 25 (Memorial Day) meeting The Board agreed to reschedule, and a bus tour meeting would be held May 18, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. Members should meet behind the Civic Center. VI. NEXT MEETING This item was discussed above. 5 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida April 27, 2009 VII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, the meeting properly adjourned at 7:28 p.m. j\ j. \, -, '{ c-J&r'~L C, Stephanie D. Kahn Recording Secretary 05/04/09 6