Minutes 03-28-11
MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD MEETING
HELD AT THE SENIOR CENTER, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
ON MONDAY, MARCH 28, 2011 AT 6:30 P.M.
PRESENT
Elizabeth Pierce-Roe, Chair
John McVey, Vice Chair
Corey Cook
Charles Kanter
Robert Lapin
Janelle Sloan
Wally Majors, Recreation & Parks Director
ABSENT
Catherine Scantlan
Brian Hopper, Alternate
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Pierce-Roe called the meeting to order at 6:28 p.m.
II. ATTENDANCE
Chair Pierce-Roe called the roll. A quorum was present. Mr. Majors announced Jody
Rivers, Parks Superintendent, was no longer with the City.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion
Vice Chair McVey moved to approve the minutes as presented. Mr. Kanter seconded
the motion which passed unanimously.
IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Renaming of Parks (Veterans, Veterans Bicentennial, Boat Club)
Mr. Majors explained there was a meeting regarding renaming the above referenced
park. The Board had previously discussed renaming Veterans Park in honor of Harvey
Oyer, and renaming Veterans Bicentennial Park to Bicentennial Park, which would
alleviate redundancy. Since then, Mr. Oyer's family stepped forward after someone else
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Meeting Minutes
Recreation and Parks Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, FL
March 28, 2011
put forth a recommendation to rename Boat Club Park in Mr. Oyer's honor. The City
Manager asked for feedback on renaming the park and the family indicated Mr. Oyer
had a strong association with Boat Club Park and spent a lot of time there with the
family. Harvey Oyer, III confirmed out of the two parks, his father favored Boat Club
Park. The City Commission asked for the Recreation and Parks Board to participate in
a review committee with members of other advisory boards to review the matter and put
forth a recommendation to the City Commission.
The three items the Review Committee would consider were:
~ Rename Boat Club Park in honor of Mr. Oyer
~ Rename Veterans Park in honor of Mr. Oyer
~ Rename Veterans Park and Veterans Bicentennial Park which the Recreation
and Parks Advisory Board had already made a recommendation.
Mr. Majors requested the Board nominate two volunteers to sit on the committee. He
anticipated the meeting would last one hour and would meet before the end of April.
Chair Pierce Roe and Vice Chair McVey volunteered.
It was noted the Park was named Bicentennial Park because it was created during the
Bicentennial. At one time, it was the preferred location for the Police Department and
then became the Animal Control Center. It has some significance in the City's history.
v. NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Majors explained the next three items were needed for accreditation. Five years
ago, the department was one of the few departments in the nation to meet accreditation
standards. The standards are applicable to the department's way of operation which
were deemed to be appropriate. The Department is now approaching re-accreditation
and it is necessary for the Board to endorse some of the things the Department does.
Although the Board does not function in an administrative way, it is important they be
aware of the way the department administration works. Accordingly, the Board was
given the Department Administrative Manual (DAM) and the Goals Report.
As to the Goals Report, staff is required to create goals as part of their budget process.
To help accomplish this, there are broad department goals, and then staff has to have
goals that are related and contribute to the accomplishment of those goals. The
department annually reports on them, good or bad.
Lastly, as part of the accreditation, staff wanted the Board to be aware that as they
operate, they operate with a high degree of structure. The same applied to the Goals
Report.
The mission statement details why the Department exists and Mr. Majors wanted the
Board to be aware of it. In keeping with the City's Green Policy, Mr. Majors did not
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Recreation and Parks Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, FL
March 28, 2011
make individual copies of the plan, rather he distributed one copy for the members for
review and requested the Board's endorsement.
The DAM was in electronic format and was not on line, but could be moved so the
members would have access to it. It was an Administrative Policy manual dealing with
administrative functions. The members already had some items. He noted some
positions have little opportunity to have a goal to perform any other functions other than
their job descriptions, such as a lifeguard. Quarterly reports are distributed. There are
travel policies, digital displays, FDLE background checks, employee orientation and
basic Standard Operating Procedures. Accreditation wants to ensure the Department
has a manual, similar to other departments. One advancement the Commission for
Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies recently made was, they added a new
tract for military recreation. The main focus was to have a manual for administrative
functions, and they also provide textbooks that provide greater detail.
Accreditation was a big undertaking. Two full-time employees were dedicated to it for
14 months. The second accreditation is usually updating and modifying the original
documents. The Department has to submit an annual report. With Ms. Rivers gone,
they will reorganize the department again, and the Parks Maintenance Division will
move employees under Public Works. This will need to be modified. The Department
tries to adhere to the accepted best practice methodology.
The Accreditation Commission trains the "Visitors". Visitors are retired recreation
directors, retired city managers or active supervisors who are part of the Accreditation
Commission. They fly in and review evidence of compliance for every standard. There
are 144 standards. They go through each file in nine chapters and review the policies
associated with them, The accreditation does help with grants, but mostly its a proactive
practice in case something happened. It reduces liability and taxpayers have a right to
know that every dollar they pay is being used to the highest and best use.
A. Department Administrative Manual
Chair Pierce-Roe requested the Board vote to endorse the Department Administrative
Manual.
Vote
The members unanimously voted to accept the Department Administrative Manual.
B. Goals & Objectives Report
Chair Pierce-Roe requested the Board vote to accept the Goals & Objective Report.
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Meeting Minutes
Recreation and Parks Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, FL
March 28, 2011
Vote
The members unanimously voted to accept the Goals & Objective Report.
C. Mission Statement (Endorse)
Chair Pierce-Roe requested the Board vote to endorse the Mission Statement.
Vote
The members unanimously voted to endorse the Mission Statement.
D. Future Meetings
Mr. Majors inquired when the Board wanted to meet again. Mr. Majors wanted to
update the Board on how the department was progressing with the budget. It was
decided if an issue arose, Mr. Majors would email the members. Accreditation will occur
in May. Mr. Majors wanted the Board to meet the visitors, similar to what they did the
last time they were attempting accreditation. They will schedule a reception to meet with
the visitors.
Mr. Majors spoke about the Opening Ceremony at Boat Club Park, on April 16th, but
noted the artist would not be present. The Department tried to have the artist, or Guy
Harvey attend. Additionally, the Florida Fishing Academy, who is a partner with the
City, is sponsored by former Presidential candidate Michael Dukakis. Mr. Dukakis
wanted to be a part of the event. However, he cannot attend. Subsequently, the event
is being rescheduled and Mr. Majors will email the members when the event will take
place.
Mr. Kanter commented the charette on Saturday for the Old High School was
phenomenal and all those in attendance agreed to save the Old High School. One way
to do so was to use the roof of the high school to make a fancy bar, similar to Roxy's on
Clematis Street.
Most importantly, he was attending the Quantum Development District meetings and
they asked him to represent them at the May 3rd City Commission meeting to present
the name of Mike Fergueson as an honorary name for Quantum Park. He indicated the
Board at Quantum endorsed the name. He was a popular commissioner until his recent
death. He was unsure of the protocol to follow to rename the park.
Mr. Majors explained he could write as an individual or as a representative of the
Homeowners Association submitting the name to either the City Manager or the
Commission. Most likely, the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board would be part of the
process. He should list the reasons why the park should be named in Commissioner
Fergueson's honor. The City Manager likes to have input from the Board, especially
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Recreation and Parks Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, FL
March 28, 2011
when it deals with a park. The City Manager or the City Commission initiates the
process.
Mr. Kanter also mentioned the City owns the Police building adjacent to the park
property on Miner Road and it would be the perfect venue if the park could obtain or use
that parking lot for the new park. They could swap some space. Mr. Majors noted the
building was a Fraternal Order of Police building and the Association would have to be
consulted. Mr. Majors will investigate who owns the building. The land there could be
an incredible entrance to the new park as all the facilities are already there.
The dog park on the corner was also discussed. Mr. Kanter wanted to know how to go
about researching if the District wanted to create a regional park and have the
developer of Renaissance finance it. Mr. Majors recommended putting something in
writing. He explained each year the Board puts together a list of priorities. Quantum
Park was high on the list and if funding was available, the project could possibly be
moved up. The Optimist Club in the past was ready to make a commitment to raise $1
million to build the park. They raised just a few hundred dollars and then disbanded. If
the people were really committed, and due diligence was done and the interest
determined, the Board could be approached and perhaps more strongly endorse it.
Then it goes to the City Commission. Mr. Kanter also commented his HOA was
establishing an Adopt-a-Park program.
Quantum Park is available for many opportunities, and grants. It was important to see
who would support the idea. At some point, he could sit with the Grants Coordinator.
There are options, but the key is to determine the interest. Viewing the project from the
perspective of the entire community was important. The City does not have an eco-
park. The park was behind Target. It was recommended the Sky Lake community be
consulted. In the past, the Department had interfaced with them on the Bikeway and
Blueway.
Chair Pierce-Roe commented when the baseball field at Pence Park was redone, some
of the No Parking signs were removed and Prohibited Items signs were installed.
Individuals were parking all over the grass. The issue could be caused by a language
barrier. Chair Pierce-Roe had been contacted with the complaint and Mr. Majors
agreed to look into the matter.
VI. ITEMS FOR THE CITY MANAGER'S ATTENTION
None.
VII. NEXT MEETING TBD
Mr. Majors would be in touch with the members before the next meeting.
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Meeting Minutes
Recreation and Parks Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, FL
March 28, 2011
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was properly adjourned at 7: 13
p.m.
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Catherine Cherry
Recording Secretary
042011
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