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Minutes 08-24-09 MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD ON AUGUST 24, 2009, AT 6:30 P.M., AT THE SENIOR CENTER CENTER, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Betty Pierce-Roe, Chair Wally Majors, Recreation and Parks Director William Orlove, Vice Chair John Allard Robert Lapin Janelle Sloan Corey Cook, Alternate Thomas Gresh, Alternate ABSENT: John McVey Betsy Wallshein-Radin I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Pierce-Roe called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. II. ATTENDANCE Chair Pierce-Roe called the roll. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM: July 27, 2009 It was requested "Harmony" Park be corrected to "Harmening" Park in the last paragraph on page 1. Motion Mr. Orlove moved to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Allard seconded the motion that passed unanimously. Chair Pierce-Roe provided her new email address to the members. IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Capital Projects Update (Jaycee Park, Boat Club, Oceanfront Greenways) Jaycee Park. Phase 2 would include the addition of an observation deck and boardwalk, allowing access to the Intracoastal Waterway. 1 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 24, 2009 Boat Club Park. The public restrooms, pavilions and fishing pier would be replaced, and improvements would be functional as well as cosmetic. Bids had just been received and would be discussed at the next meeting. Chair Pierce-Roe commented she had been asked whether the lighting had been turned off on the north side of the parking lot. Mr. Majors noted he would look into the matter. The park remained open continuously in order to accommodate visitors participating in boating and fishing activities. The existing ordinance would be modified to require staff be notified of vehicles remaining at the park for three or more days. The installation of automated fee collection units had been included in the CIP (Capital Improvement Plan), but had been deferred. An analysis had been made five years ago, and it was estimated at that time the units could have been installed at both Boat Club Park and the beach for approximately $300,000. It was hoped this project would be revisited in the future. Oceanfront Park. The boardwalk would be replaced, and the project would be presented to the Town of Ocean Ridge Commission in September to secure the endorsement necessary to move forward. It was anticipated the project would be completed in a year or sooner. Staging would be required to ensure public accessibility to the restrooms. The City had entered into an agreement with the Town of Ocean Ridge to provide overflow parking for people who had purchased parking permits. Chair Pierce-Roe inquired whether the showers were turned off at Oceanfront Park during evening hours. Mr. Majors advised the showers were timed so they did not run indefinitely. The park remained open until 11:00 p.m. and fees were collected until 4:30 p.m. Greenways. The project was moving forward. Issues pertaining to easements would be resolved with the Lake Worth Drainage District. V. NEW BUSINESS A. Cost/Values Analysis Mr. Majors reported staff would be meeting with a professor from FAU next month to determine the community's views relating to recovery of program costs and the philosophy to be developed with respect thereto. The study would focus primarily on the subsidies the community believed should be provided with respect to the various programs offered. Fees were not currently charged for the use of the parks, as they were completely subsidized by taxes. Only costs directly associated with the programs were covered. Certain programs for seniors and youth benefited the community by providing opportunities for social stimulation and other health benefits. Non-City residents were charged a $40 participation fee for the Senior Center. Mr. Majors pointed out many of the fees currently charged were at the low end of the market in comparison to fees charged by other agencies offering the same type of services. It was suggested fees be more standardized. Mr. Majors noted the Delray Beach budget 2 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida August 24, 2009 was nearly three times that of Boynton Beach. While Delray's service area was equal to Boynton Beach's, Delray's beachfront property and industrial center provided a huge tax base. A tax district had been established for the City of Boca Raton and the City of Tampa's summer camp program was even less expensive than Boynton's. B. Quarterly Report The Sims Center and Denson Pool provided services for a diverse population. The swim team was comprised of more than 40 participants, with a waiting list for those interested in joining. Fees collected for swimming lessons had exceeded all expectations, with $17,000 having been collected during the second quarter. Mr. Majors advised that boat decals for Intracoastal Park could be purchased after Labor Day in September. Saturday hours for Intracoastal Park commenced at 10:00 a.m. and concluded at 2:00 p.m. Fees for Boat Club Park were $50 annually or $10 daily for both City and County residents. Oceanfront Park fees would increase from $30 to $40, effective October 1, 2009. Staff was in the process of upgrading its software to accommodate credit card payments for the various programs. Registration would be available online following publication of the fall issue of FunFare Magazine. As the Links had been voted the number one golf course in the State, it was agreed a letter would be sent by the Board to the Links in recognition of its achievement. It was noted programs offered by Recreation and Parks had generated publicity in the Sun- Sentinel and Boynton Forum. VI. NEXT MEETING: September 28, 2009 It was agreed the meeting would be held at the Intracoastal Clubhouse unless the facility was unavailable. VII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, the meeting properly adjourned at 7:28 p.m. c:Yc-~u.-L S) I Stephanie D. Kahn Recording Secretary 090109 3