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Minutes 02-22-10 MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS ADVISORY BOARD HELD ON FEBRUARY 22, 2010 AT 6:30 P.M. AT THE SENIOR CENTER, BOYNTON BEACH, FL PRESENT: Elizabeth Pierce-Roe, Chair Jody Rivers, Parks Superintendent Bill Orlove, Vice Chair Corey Cook John McVey ABSENT: Bob Lapin Janelle Sloan Tom Gresh I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:34 p.m. II. ATTENDANCE Chair Pierce-Roe called the roll and announced Bob Lapin called to advise he was sick. Wally Majors, Recreation and Parks Director was also out sick. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM: January 25, 2010 Jody Rivers , Parks Superintendent went on record, noting the minutes were well done. Motion Vice Chair Orlove moved to approve the minutes. Mr. McVey seconded the motion that unanimously passed. IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Pence Park follow-up discussion Ms. Rivers distributed a list of comments that were received from the Pence Park neighborhood meeting, which were broken down into categories. Most comments dealt with street issues and additional elements proposed for the park. There was not much concern expressed about crime in the park; rather, the concern was directed to crime around the park perimeter. 1 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Boynton Beach, FL February 22, 2010 Jeff Livergood, Public Works Director, who was a traffic engineer by trade, toured the park with staff and staff proposed to make NE 3rd Street a one-way street heading northbound and having parallel parking on the park side of the road. Doing so offered additional parking, more control on the street, and it would allow the adjacent property owner with the boat room to take his boat on and off his property. Ms. Rivers noted the Police and Fire Departments had not been approached to review the proposal; however, she did not think they would have any issues with the change. There was discussion leagues were attempting to play in the park and if they played, the lights would have to be on until about 9 p.m. or 10 p.m, otherwise they would be turned off earlier. Currently the lights do not turn on at dusk. There was discussion the lights should remain on until 9 p.m. Further discussion followed whether the lights were what prevented the crowd that wanted to hang out or whether it attracted patrons who wanted to play sports in the evenings. Ms. Rivers explained the lights were attracting a good element. The bad element hung out in the perimeter of the park and parking lot. It was suggested FP&L be asked to install street lights. There had been some talk about having low-level street lights and it was unknown whether those lights were part of the current street improvements. It appeared the neighborhood sentiments were they preferred to have lights on and the more light, the less trouble. There was an inquiry whether parking could be accommodated by the railroad right-of- way; however, staff replied the City owned part of the easement adjacent to the street, but there was not enough room for parking. There was also a rumor the railroad was going to expand to two tracks. There was agreement the lights would remain on until 9 p.m. and staff would see how it went. Any feedback staff received would be brought to the Board. As far as the northbound traffic on NE 3rd Street was concerned, the road would only need to be striped. B. C.I.P Update Work on replacing the boardwalk at Oceanfront Park commenced. The project was a 336 day project. One quarter of the upper lot would be used as a staging area, so complaints regarding parking were expected. The City has an agreement with Ocean Ridge at Town Hall to use some of their parking, but Boynton Beach had to assign personnel to man the parking. If overflow parking was needed, a small county park up the street could be used. The staging area was not permitted at the Town Hall, or the lot across the street. Patrons would be inconvenienced regarding parking, but there was no other way to avoid it. The staging area was needed. Improvements at Boat Club Park were proceeding ahead of schedule. Ms. Rivers noted demolition of items would not occur until the new restrooms were completely functional, and then the old restrooms would be demolished. 2 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Boynton Beach, FL February 22, 2010 The City anticipated it would receive its Notice to Proceed from the Florida Department of Transportation. The City had to submit a request for an extension to them and also a letter that the City waived its requirements for the width of the path. Ms. Rivers anticipated the project would go through the bid process, which lasts about three months, and then proceed. The Recreation and Parks Department anticipated receiving an Energy Grant for the Hester Center and Park, and the lights there would be switched to the muscoe light system used at the Little League field. The Department would be replacing the internal lights at the Center to more energy efficient lighting, which would reduce the energy bill by about 65% or between $40,000 and $65,000. The savings would then be put in a revolving loan fund to be used for another building when enough monies were accumulated. Staff anticipated hearing if the grant would be awarded by April. Staff was also investigating other grants for Congress Avenue as well. Vice Chair Orlove commented he spoke to the beach vendor offering cabana rentals at Oceanfront Park, and the vendor was concerned the public would be opposed to the cabanas. He hoped the venture fared well for the City and Vice Chair Orlove commented the cabana setup looked nice, and much better than the operation in Delray. It was noted seasonal and annual rates were available. V. NEW BUSINESS A. Department Mission Statement Ms. Rivers explained the Board recently provided feedback on the Mission Statement, which staff incorporated into the statement and distributed to the Board for their review. At the Recreation and Parks annual employee meeting held last November, staff identified what their values were for the Recreation and Parks Department. Staff then worked with the Board, the consultant, elected officials and other staff and identified three elements which would become an integral part of their strategic plan. Those elements were economic development, environmental sustainability and social well being, and safety of the community. The elements were the anchors of the community and they fit into other departments. Staff would fashion their strategic plan around those elements this year. From those values, they would develop the Vision Statement which was lengthy but comprehensive, and a new Mission Statement to capture that portion. Staff took a methodical approach and worked diligently on the document. Ms. Rivers requested the Board provide their feedback on it at the next meeting. B. Commissioner Elect Bill Orlove Vice Chair Orlove submitted his letter of resignation and advised he just mailed it to City Manager Kurt Bressner and would provide a copy to City Clerk Janet Prainito. He 3 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Boynton Beach, FL February 22, 2010 advised he enjoyed his time on the Board and learned a great deal. It was noted Vice Chair Grlove sat on the Board since 2001 and he appreciated the Board's and staffs efforts to keep the members apprised of issues. He advised he would try to find a good replacement for the Board. C. Jaycee Park Boardwalk "Ribbon Cutting" Ms. Rivers announced they were attempting to have a March 3, 2010 ceremony at 10:00 a.m. When the date was confirmed with the Mayor, an invitation would be sent to the members. D. Items for the City Managers Attention None. VI. NEXT MEETING March 22, 2010 - 6:30 P.M. - Intracoastal Park VII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further to discuss, the meeting properly adjourned at 6:59 p.m. (~{LijUJwRL (~ltv\Jj_ Catherine Cherry G Recording Secretary 030110 4