Minutes 08-22-11
MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD MEETING
HELD AT THE SENIOR CENTER, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
ON MONDAY, JULY 25, 2011 AT 6:00 P.M.
PRESENT
John McVey, Vice Chair Wally Majors, Recreation & Parks Director
Charles Kanter
Robert Lapin
Catherine Scantlan
Janelle Sloan
ABSENT
Elizabeth Pierce-Roe, Chair
Corey Cook (Resigned)
Janelle Sloan
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Majors called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
II. ATTENDANCE
The Recording Secretary called the role. A quorum was present.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion
Mr. Kanter moved to approve the minutes as presented. Vice Chair McVey seconded
the motion which passed unanimously.
IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Pence Park (Utilities Project)
Mr. Majors announced that the City was installing a lift station at Pence Park. Chris
Roschek and Paul Fleming from the Utilities Department were present to give a brief
overview of the project.
Mr. Roschek explained that a lift station would be constructed at Pence Park. It would
be a wastewater lift station and would take a large portion of sewage from the eastern
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Boynton Beach, FL August 22, 2011
part of the City. It would be an underground facility, but would have odor control and a
backup emergency pump. Some of the existing trees, like the Ficus trees, would be
impacted and would have to be removed.
Mr. Lapin inquired why this new lift station was needed. Mr. Fleming advised several
years ago an engineering study was conducted as business was in an upswing pattern.
As the downtown and marina business districts began to develop, the lift station by the
marina, the oldest and largest sanitary wastewater lift station in the City, is overtaxed. It
had a small forced main pressurized pipe leading where the wastewater was pumped to
the regional facility in Delray. The main objective of this project was to intercept
approximately ½ of the flow of all the wastewater coming from Boynton Beach into this
new lift station and pump it into a new forced main that would be created. This would
allow further expansion, as necessary, of the marina and downtown areas, as well as,
assure as the older lift station required maintenance issues, there was a regional
backup lift station that would keep the wastewater flowing. The study concluded that this
would be the best option. A 22,000 foot long, 24” diameter pipeline had been
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constructed, all the way from Ocean and SW 3 street to the water treatment facility in
Delray. It began five or six years ago as a growth enhancing device to allow the marina
and downtown districts to continue to grow.
Mr. Roschek continued to explain that the pipeline also acts as a secondary forced main
for the eastern part of the City. Currently, there was only one large 36” pipe that runs
down Congress to the regional facility in Delray. Mr. Fleming advised that with that
single 36” pipe running down Congress, in the event of a problem, the City would be in
trouble. The 24” additional pipe allows for a backup unit and if the 36” forced main had
to be shut down, 90% of the wastewater could be diverted to the wastewater facility in
Delray.
Mr. Majors introduced Glenda Hall of Forestry and Grounds and explained she was
involved in the design and approval of the landscaping around the lift station. It would
be blended in with the park and would be a cosmetic improvement, as well as a
functional one. Trees would be removed that are in the power lines and are a high
maintenance problem and hazard as well. This would be a good opportunity to move
towards the native trees and create a pleasant environment.
Mr. Fleming added that things are being done on this lift station that had not been done
before in the City, because it is in a park and a neighborhood. A handout was passed
around that showed the location of the landscaping and the equipment that would be
used. The plants selected are a Florida native species, are very drought tolerant, and
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use little water consumption. The location would be in the southeast corner, near 6
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Avenue and SE 4 Street.
Mr. Lapin inquired if the project was self maintaining or would staff have to maintain it.
Mr. Fleming replied that this would be a state of the art, million dollar lift station. For
many years, it would be virtually maintenance free other than routine maintenance like
checking pumps and oil. There would be no personnel assigned there.
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The lift station would be powered by Florida Power and Light and, in the event of a
hurricane or other natural disaster, it would have a dry primed pump, similar to a
generator. This would be the most appropriate and logical location to intercept the 21”
line. There were very few areas in the City that were large enough to accommodate this
project. Mr. Fleming continued to explain the engineering drawing and the different size
pipes and the purpose they would provide. Mr. Fleming indicated that the current 36”
pipe was installed between 1983 and 1986. He commented the project was already bid
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and was on the September 6 Commission agenda to award the contract. The
construction period is approximately nine months in duration and at the conclusion,
would be when closer work would be done with Ms. Hall to enhance the landscape,
sidewalk and pathways.
B. The Greater Beach Foundation Capital Campaign
John McGovern advised the group of the Foundation, which existed independent of the
City, started approximately two years ago as a group of interested citizens, all with
different agendas, to put together a not-for-profit that would serve the educational,
recreational and cultural aspects of the lives of residents in Greater Boynton Beach.
The Foundation was recognized as a Florida corporation in June 2010, and in October
2010, registration of the solicitation license was completed. On January 4, 2011, the
Foundation received the letter of determination from the IRS recognizing the Foundation
as a bonafide 501 (C)(3).
Mr. McGovern encouraged everyone to go to the City website and view the footage of
the video regarding the groundbreaking ceremony for the park. Whoever edited the
video did a remarkable job, putting a lot of information into ten minutes worth of video.
Mr. McGovern advised he wanted to review three particular pieces of information on the
project. The first was the Mission brochure, which he handed out to the group. It
provided the mission and purpose of the foundation. Two donors, with an aggregate of
$5,000 made it possible to print the brochure and the package. The Mission brochure
was launched at a fundraiser at Hunters Run Golf Club in February. Favorable
comments had been received from many people excited to have a Foundation for the
purpose for which the group exists. The first project of the Foundation was the
supplemental funding for the boundless park. This Foundation is a public/private
partnership, independent of the City, but exists in order to service the three outlined
purposes. The other piece handed out was referred to as the Foundation folio. It
contained an abundance of information on the Foundation in general. These would be
the materials to interest people in the park which was the first project.
Debbie Majors, City Grant Coordinator, explained the different levels of donations.
Donations could be made for each piece of equipment needed at the Park or for the
naming of the Park itself.
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Mr. McGovern added there are two different giving opportunities. One was called the
Founder Society, which was someone who would be willing to give $2,010, either in
support of the Foundation or the Park. Another was the capital campaign for the park,
which focused around the materials and equipment needed. There were a number of
people who have joined the Founder’s Society, but now the Foundation was looking for
gifts that would fund the various component Park pieces. The website was being
updated to include donation information, newsletters, case statement for support, as
well as a vehicle for information to keep people apprised of progress on the Park. He
added new members were also being recruited to serve on the Board and committees.
There were comments regarding the playground equipment and the fact that “barrier
free” could be interpreted for wheelchair disabilities. It was pointed out that there were
many different disabilities and there are many disabilities that this equipment would not
accommodate. Mr. Majors interjected that when the Park was being designed, a half
dozen different agencies in Palm Beach County were invited to represent different
populations. This park was being designed for all disabilities, which would include
hearing impairments, visual impairments, tactile impairments, autism, Down Syndrome,
sensory issues, among others. There would be ramps all around that would
accommodate wheelchair disabilities, all surfaces are accessible, and the transfers from
the wheelchair onto a piece of equipment had been considered. There, of course,
would be some things that individuals with wheelchair disabilities would not be able to
participate in, but the Park was also being built for other disabilities. Some of the
equipment would be purchased with grants from the County, like the water feature, and
other equipment would be purchased with money that would be raised. Ms. Majors
reminded the group that this Park was not only for the disabled, but for everyone to
enjoy.
Mr. Lapin, a resident of Hunters Run, suggested numerous ways for the Foundation to
use the development for fundraising opportunities and different ways to make the
residents aware of the Park and donations needed. Mr. McGovern would follow up on
his suggestions.
C. Quantum “Eco” Park Discussion
Mr. Majors advised the City was approached by a local real estate broker representing a
business that was considering moving into the Quantum Park area and to do so, they
required more parking. It happened that the Park was close enough to where they were
interesting in moving into and the most ideal location to provide the parking for them
was within the park site. Mr. Majors shared the conceptual plan that was created in
2006 when this was a project that was potentially moving forward and, in essence,
allowed parking to be included on that site. The amount of parking space required for
their business was well beyond what the park would normally have. The Board had
visited several park sites and when it comes to public space, there was no standard.
Pence Park, the oldest park, had no parking spaces. Boynton Lakes Park, a ten-acre
park, had approximately eight parking spaces. Little League or Hester Park had quite a
bit more parking spaces. For a park of this nature where it was to provide educational
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opportunities, under normal circumstances, no more than 15 or 20 parking spaces
would be needed. However, to accommodate this particular business, approximately
150 spaces would be needed. The staff position was it would be pervious asphalt or
pervious concrete, which was a substance that provided the firmness that would be
required to park cars on, but was a product that allowed the rain to filter through it. It
would also provide an opportunity for an educational component within the park. If it
were to move forward, that could be an avenue pursued in terms of being able to
accommodate that need, but do it in a way that lends itself to the educational
component of the park. At this point, the Commission wanted feedback from the
residents and from the Board. Mr. Majors added that it would add many jobs to the
area, as well as boost the local economy.
There was discussion on the concerns of the traffic issues and the influx of people in a
small area. Ms. Hall indicated the parking area did not have to be created in a big
square. It could be created with grassy areas, treed areas and make it part of the
creation of the parking lot. A stipulation could also be that the tenant would have to put
in more trees or areas for future use so it could be made more versatile down the road
after the tenant completes a lease and the parking was no longer needed. Mr. Kanter
expressed his opinion that he felt it would affect the normal everyday living of those
residents in Quantum Park. There were many other vacant buildings that were not being
occupied that had sufficient parking spaces already. It was within walking distance but
there are no buildings directly adjacent to the proposed parking area. The Commission
had the same concerns as to the distance employees would have to walk. Mr. Lapin
added that whoever would rent the building space would require additional parking. The
advantage to allowing a parking lot would be that it would bring business into the area
and homes would possibly be purchased or rented.
Don Scantlan, a member of the public audience, commented his understanding was not
that the potential tenant wanted 150 spaces. His understanding was that they need 150
and they had a gap of 100 or 120 and they were looking for a parking area the size of
what would normally be put in the Park to use it as an overflow. There was continued
discussion on the pros and cons of constructing a parking lot in the Park. Mr. Majors
suggested the Board make a recommendation of what they felt was reasonable. They
could limit the amount of spaces, make them available or not available, but he needed
some recommendation from the Board for consideration. Mr. Scantlan commented that
according to the original plans of the Park, a parking lot had already been included for
Park patrons so the potential tenant was not asking for something that was never going
to be included in the future building of the Park. Another suggestion was that the tenant
could pay for the construction of the parking lot which would alleviate the City’s cost to
construct one.
Mr. Majors asked for a recommendation from the Board. The concerns were the
amount of parking spaces that were required, the time of use, the exit and entry points,
and the length of the commitment. There was consensus more information would be
needed to make further recommendations. This item would be put on next month’s
agenda.
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August 22, 2011
D. Tennis Center Discussion
Mr. Majors advised there was a gentleman interested in creating a tennis advisory
board. Staff felt there were enough advisory boards currently and felt that the
Recreation and Parks Advisory Board could handle items related to the Tennis Center,
Arts Center, or anything related to Recreation and Parks. Ultimately, it would be a Board
decision. Consensus was that it would be a duplication of efforts and that another
advisory board would not be needed.
Motion
Vice Chair McVey moved to keep the Tennis Center as part of the Recreation and
Parks Advisory Board and was seconded by Mr. Kanter. The motion was unanimously
passed.
E. Future meetings will be held in Commission Chambers
All future meetings will be held in the Commission Chambers. It would save money and
most of the Boards hold their meetings there.
VI. ITEMS FOR CITY MANAGER'S ATTENTION
None.
VII. NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Monday, September 26th at 6:30.
Mr. Major advised the Board that they would be required to attend Ethics Training. It
could be taken online or through other digital format. More information would be given at
next meeting.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 8:06 p.m.
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Ellie Caruso
Recording Secretary
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