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Minutes 03-22-10 MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD ON MARCH 22, 2010, 6:30 P.M., AT THE SENIOR CENTER, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Corey Cook Wally Majors, Recreation and Parks Director Thomas Gresh Jody Rivers, parks Superintendent Robert Lapin Janelle Sloan ABSENT: John McVey Betty Pierce-Roe, Chair I. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Majors facilitated the meeting as Chair Pierce-Roe was away on vacation and the Board no longer had a Vice Chair. Former Vice Chair Orlove had been elected to serve on the City Commission. II. ATTENDANCE Mr. Majors called the roll, noting Chair Pierce-Roe had telephoned, advising she would be absent. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM: February 22, 2010 Motion Mr. Lapin moved to approve the minutes. Mr. Gresh seconded the motion that passed unanimously. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: A.Pence Park follow-up discussion Mr. Majors noted the residents who had attended the Pence Park public meeting of January 25, 2010 had been invited to this meeting to ascertain what was planned by staff and to bring closure to the discussion. As the residents were not in attendance, Mr. Majors would ensure they were advised of the information to be provided to the 1 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 22, 2010 Board. Staff had visited the Park and met with Jeff Livergood, Public Works Director for the City, whose background included a degree in Civil Engineering. In response to concerns raised at the public meeting, Mr. Livergood was asked to determine whether additional parking areas could be provided at the Park site. He had concluded it would be possible to add a parking area parallel to the curb on the west side of the Park at rd S.E 3 Street. This would be explored by staff over time. It was noted staff had established a rapport with the residents and had not heard of any concerns in some time. Another issue raised at the meeting pertained to lights at the courts. With the commencement of Daylight Savings Time, there has been no need to turn the lights on at the Park. As such, this item would be revisited in the fall. With regard to crime control, feedback from the Police Department indicated police officers would be deployed to patrol the Park whenever possible. As requested by the residents, staff would be initiating a schedule of events at the Park, and the Recreation Department would host the following events: ?April 17, 2010 – Mini camps for basketball and baseball. ?May 15, 2010 – A rummage sale. ?June 19, 2010 – A Slip and Slide water balloon event. Thereafter, a regular schedule of activities would be implemented if participation in the events was favorable and the feedback positive. Improvements to the Park included replacing the playground and park equipment, revitalizing the basketball court and converting the softball field into a multi-purpose use. As staff had predicted, the creation of a multi-purpose facility resulted in overuse. As such, portions of the fields were closed. The Board and staff agreed that overuse of the Park was a "good problem." While the recent cold spell had stressed the sod, reclaimed water would soon be piped into the Park, allowing staff to water on a more frequent basis. The South Florida Management District's new three-days-per-week watering rules would also help in the warmer weather. 2 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 22, 2010 B. C.I.P. Update Ms. Rivers noted the replacement of the boardwalk had commenced. While staff encountered a few obstacles, these were being resolved as the work progressed. It was anticipated the work would be completed by January. Out of 257 parking spaces, 27 spots were lost. With regard to the restroom replacement project at Boat Club Park, the walls and roof subfloor had been installed and electrical work completed. The plumbing and interior would be completed shortly. All of the shelters were demolished and would be replaced with a sail-type structure. After seven years, a Notice to Proceed with the subsequent two sections of the greenways was received from the Florida Department of Transportation. The next step would be to develop and solicit bids for an asphalt path. Thereafter, staff would proceed with the greenway, which was financed by federal funds. The sections of the greenway would be developed along the south side of the C-16 Canal (the largest canal running east and west). The existing portion going from U.S. 1 west to Seacrest Boulevard is to be extended west to I-95 and south through Barton Park to the Barton Scrubs. The expansion would connect four parks and two schools. Staff had also been notified a strong possibility existed that the Scrubs would be given to the City by the School Board. The land was not able to be developed because gopher tortoises made their home on the Scrubs. The City had received $750,000 in stimulus monies which would be used in different areas. The sum of $250,000 was used by the City to hire a consulting firm to file a grant with the Department of Energy to determine the greenhouse gas emissions produced by the City, and to develop a Climate Action Plan to determine the manner in which the City could reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. A series of strategies would be used to conserve energy. Strategies that have already begun include the following: ?Conversion to a 4-day, 10-hour workweek, reducing the use of electricity and air- conditioning and resulting in a quarterly savings of $60,000. ?Use of a 10-year fleet replacement program. As vehicles needed replacing, staff would explore the use of energy-efficient vehicles. The life expectancy of the fleet would also be considered. ?Use of reclaimed water. Reclaimed water was currently used at the Hester Center, Pence Park, Boynton Beach Memorial Park and Little League Park and would be used at Galaxy Elementary School, Wilson, Heritage and Sara Sims Parks and Sara Sims Cemetery. 3 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 22, 2010 Other strategies being considered would include working from home, carpooling incentives and developer incentives to build green buildings. Legislation pending in Tallahassee would determine whether the State would impose certain restrictions on municipalities. Staff was also exploring the use of flex-fuel and natural-gas vehicles and mowers as well as the use of smaller-cylinder mowers. The City would be hosting "Earth Week" the week of April 20, 2010, and the Climate Action Plan would be unveiled at that time. The balance of the stimulus funds, $450,000, would be used for the Hester Center to replace all of the exterior athletic lights with new green Musco lighting, which is computer driven and under warranty for 10 years. The old four-light interior fixtures would be replaced with new two-light fixtures and sensors would be placed on all doors. These strategies would result in tremendous savings for the City. V. NEW BUSINESS A. Greater Boynton Beach Foundation The non-for-profit foundation is being developed to help the City and Greater Boynton Beach area fund projects that were not affordable. The foundation would focus on recreation, culture and the arts. Ms. Sloan has served on the steering committee, along with Ms. Rivers, the City's Assistant City Manager and Grants Coordinator. The by-laws were currently being developed. Incorporation papers were being prepared and would likely be filed with the State in early April. Once incorporated, a board would be established. The first project to be tackled would be the Congress Avenue Community Park. B. Bi-monthly or quarterly Meetings. While Mr. Lapin and Ms. Sloan indicated their preference for quarterly meetings, the Board agreed to table this item for the next meeting when Chair Pierce-Roe would be present. C. Items for the City Manager's attention None. VI. NEXT MEETING: April 26, 2010 – 6:30 p.m. – Senior Center 4 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 22, 2010 VII. ADJOURNMENT Motion Mr. Sloan moved to adjourn. Mr. Gresh seconded the motion that passed unanimously. The meeting properly adjourned at 7:16 p.m. ~<-~~ Q i Stephanie D. Kahn Recording Secretary 040110 5