Minutes 10-17-09
MINUTES OF THE RECREATION & PARKS, EDUCATION & YOUTH AND
SENIOR ADVISORY BOARDS JOINT PUBLIC MEETING WITH THE
RECREATION & PARKS DEPARTMENT
HELD ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2009 AT 9:00 A.M.
INTRACOASTAL PARK CLUBHOUSE, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
'Note - This meeting is the regular monthly meeting for October for the Recreation &
Parks and Education & Youth Advisory Boards.
Present:
Thomas Gresh, Recreation & Parks Advisory Board
Robert Lapin, Recreation & Parks Advisory Board
William Orlove, Recreation & Parks Advisory Board
Betty Pierce-Roe, Recreation & Parks Advisory Board
Jose De la Torre, Education & Youth Advisory Board
Paulette Ford, Education & Youth Advisory Board
Myra Jones, Education & Youth Advisory Board
Carol Lundquist, Education & Youth Advisory Board
Mary Morera, Education & Youth Advisory Board
Lori Wilkinson, Education & Youth Advisory Board
Katharine Cregan, Alternate, Senior Advisory Board
Jean Young, Alternate, Senior Advisory Board
Jim Bell
Joy Cousin
Lisa Hanley
Linda Kersting
Sarah Lynch
Nancy McNamee
Carolina Luque, Network Administrator, ITS Department
Juaquin Torres, ITS Department
City of Boynton Beach Recreation & Parks Department Staff:
Tom Balfe, Parks Manager
Sherri Claude, Assistant to the Director
Franklin Ireland, Recreation Supervisor
Todd Johnson, Recreation Supervisor
Jerry Krawchuk, Recreation Supervisor
Vicki Lloyd, Administrative Associate
Steve Lulkin, Recreation Supervisor
Tom Mahady, Ocean Rescue Chief
Wally Majors, Director
Suzy Peccerelli, Aquatics Supervisor
Jody Rivers, Parks Superintendent
Ginny Shea, Sr Recreation Manager
Meeting Minutes
Recreation & Parks Department Public Workshop
Boynton Beach, Florida
October 17,2009
Absent:
John Allard, Recreation & Parks Advisory Board
Corey Cook, Recreation & Parks Advisory Board
Janelle Sloan, Recreation & Parks Advisory Board
Hattie Miller, Education & Youth Advisory Board
Steve Waldman, Education & Youth Advisory Board
Robert Chiste, Student Member, Education & Youth Advisory Board
The meeting began at 9:05 a.m. with a welcome by Recreation & Parks Director Wally
Majors who then introduced the facilitator, Marie York. Ms. York gave an overview of
her background and experience. She is Associate Director of FAU's Center for Urban &
Environmental Solutions and is a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners
with extensive background in public leadership and meeting facilitation. She explained
the purpose of the workshop and that the end result will be a new strategic plan and
cost recovery philosophy for the Recreation & Parks Department.
Self introductions of the participants followed. Participants also cited what they like
about recreation and parks in Boynton Beach and/or a particular issue or concern they
have. Ms. York recorded these comments.
Participants were divided into four groups to discuss and list their top three values as
they relate to recreation and parks in Boynton Beach, as well as suggestions or
complaints. Each group reported back to the entire group.
Suggestions included:
. Showcasing things (both literally and figuratively) such as using display cases at
parks for recognition and education
. Buildings being opened later in certain parks
. Accessibility/affordability at the beach (use of parking meters vs flat daily fee)
. Maintain youth soccer program
. Adopt-A-Park program
. Customer service training for volunteers
. Eliminate negative signage (signs at parks which list prohibited actions; i.e. "NO...")
. Use volunteer time to offset the cost of programs
. Use advertising on the bus for the Senior Center
. Utilize water bills and electronic sign boards to advertise events and programs
Values Included:
. Expand/continue programs, activities and events for youth and families and make
inclusive
. Preserve existing historical, cultural, natural spaces and wildlife
. Focus on education, recreation, culture and diversity
Meeting Minutes
Recreation & Parks Department Public Workshop
Boynton Beach, Florida
October 17, 2009
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Youth and seniors
Communication
Maintain and preserve natural areas but make user-friendly (use of undeveloped
property)
Use full potential of parks for youth services and programs.
Volunteerism and training to represent city/department
Relationships that the department has with other organizations and instructors
Communication/education
Affordability/accessibility
Green spaces/bikeways/blueways/preservation
Youth programs - especially to fill gaps in schools (those programs in schools which
have gotten cut or eliminated)
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Participants then used "dot voting" to identify their individual top value/priority from the
original list (compiled during initial introductions).
Participants were asked to provide their email address in order to be kept abreast of
progress on this project. It was also mentioned that updates could be placed on the
city's website for individuals to get this information.
The meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.
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/ Sherri Claude
Assistant to the Recreation & Parks Director
10/20/09