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Minutes 10-24-11 MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION CHAMBERS, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011 AT 6:30 P.M. PRESENT Elizabeth Pierce -Roe, Chair Wally Majors, Recreation & Parks Director John McVey, Vice Chair Charles Kanter Catherine Scantlan JaneIle Sloan ABSENT Robert Lapin I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Pierce -Roe called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. 11. ATTENDANCE Chair Pierce -Roe called the role. A quorum was present. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — August 22, 2011 Motion Ms. Scantlan moved to approve the minutes as presented. Vice Chair McVey seconded the motion which passed unanimously. IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Quantum "Eco" Park Discussion Mr. Majors advised at the last meeting, there was discussion regarding the request the City received to use Quantum Park for parking for a business in the Quantum Corporate Park area. The owner of the building hoped to accommodate a new business but would need an additional 170 parking spaces. They currently have 404 spaces, 200 of which are allocated to the present tenant. The potential new tenant does not plan to operate 24 hours a day, but will operate in two shifts up until 10:00 p.m. If the deal was completed, the real estate broker would be responsible for all costs related to constructing the parking lot and any other related items. The distance between the park Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL October 24, 2011 site and the building would be 600 feet. The real estate broker was aware of that and did not see it as an issue. Mr. Majors asked Mr. Kanter to summarize what the neighboring Homeowner Association felt about the potential relationship and the impact it would have on them. In terms of the City, the biggest factor would be that it would create up to 350 new jobs. It would be a significant and positive impact on the local job market. Mr. Majors reiterated that the surface of the parking lot would be paved using a pervious material, either asphalt or cement, which was a product that allowed water to percolate through it and stay within the concept of the vision of having an Eco Park. It also maintains the educational venue that would feature the local eco system and opportunities to provide an educational experience. Future plans would be to have a building on the site. Mr. Kanter mentioned that one of the concerns was that originally the lot would be used 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With that kind of operation, there was the possibility that someone would be there providing security. Now, there was discussion of shutting down the parking lot at 10:00 p.m. The concern was that it was in a wooded area and Mr. Kanter indicated the residents felt that safety would be compromised. He agreed that the job issue was important. He inquired how it would affect the long range plans of having a park at this location. One of the original enticements of the residents was the fact that there would be Eco Park there. He also inquired as to whether the employees of the business that would utilize the parking lot would be there indefinitely or would there be a time limit. Mr. Majors mentioned that due to the economy, all the parks have been pushed out into the future until such time that funding would be available to develop them. This park was always one that was attractive from the standpoint that it was very conducive to grants. It would score very high in terms of grant applications because of the vision of the park that would focus on ecology and education. Mr. Majors indicated he did not anticipate any park development for the next two or three years or longer, until the economy turns around. Mr. Kanter inquired what the process was for obtaining grants. Mr. Majors stated that the staff and the City initiate the grants. Part of the process was that this Board, on an annual basis, puts forth a recommendation of priorities in terms of which of the undeveloped sites would be prioritized higher. There are very few grants that do not come along with a match that would be required. Generally, all the grants received, required a 50/50 match. Unless the City had revenue to put forth, a grant may not be in the future. Mr. Kanter inquired if the City would get income from the parking lot. Mr. Majors advised the advantage would be that it would decrease the expense incurred if we were to develop the park. Parking would be at our expense and this partnership would save the cost of the parking lot. This discussion was simply for the purpose of 2 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL October 24, 2011 asking the Board to support the concept of entering into the partnership or not. If the plan moved forward, input would be sought from those affected, including residents of the nearby developments. Ms. Scantlan inquired if their plan could be modified to add additional parking spaces so there would be extra space for the park if it went forward. Mr. Majors indicated it would be a decision made by the potential tenant. There was further discussion regarding security issues and the advantages and disadvantages of having the park open 24 hours a day or closing it at 10:00 p.m. There was consensus to move forward as the big advantage was the possibility of creating many jobs which would benefit the City. The development would bring business, home rentals, home purchases and be a boost to the City of Boynton Beach. Motion Vice Chair McVey moved to support the basic concept of allowing the installation of parking spaces. The motion was seconded by Ms. Scantlan and unanimously approved. V. NEW BUSINESS A. Wedding on the Waterway (February 4 or 5) Mr. Majors advised that although the recipients of the Wedding on the Waterway have been chosen but not notified yet, he wanted to let the Board know that in working with Vice Mayor Orlove, the staff developed a program that was unique and exciting. It would give the City the opportunity to showcase the new boardwalk and the improvements that had been done at the beach, along with the building renovations that are in process. Depending on what the couple chooses, the wedding would take place either on February 4 of 5 They would receive a wedding with sponsors donating goods and services such as photography, flowers, catering and a wedding cake. This was just a "for your information" item. B. Holiday Parade Grand Marshall Mr. Majors distributed nominee summaries to the Board which had been tasked with choosing the Grand Marshall for the Holiday Parade. Vice Chair McVey recused himself as he was one of the nominees. The Board was told the criteria was that the nominee should be an individual who has made a lasting impact or significant contribution to the Boynton Beach community. The Grand Marshall selection is based on the criteria of being an outstanding individual, exhibiting community leadership, acting as a mentor or 3 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL October 24, 2011 contributing personal effort that reflects positively on the Boynton Beach community. A prior Grand Marshall would not be eligible. Ms. Sloan indicated she may be bias with one of the nominees and Mr. Majors asked the Board to do the best they could to be fair and objective. After discussing the nominees, there was consensus to nominate and appoint Jack McVey as Grand Marshall for the Holiday Parade. The Board also agreed to plan a special recognition event for Tom Kaiser, Chair of the Veterans Advisory Board and also a nominee. Mr. Majors and Chair Pierce -Roe would work on drafting a letter of support to the City Commission, asking for special recognition in some form, and possibly having the Mayor present him with a plaque at one of the upcoming events. Mr. Majors also suggested putting it on the City Commission agenda and a presentation could be made from the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board to Mr. Kaiser at a November Commission meeting. Don Scantlan, 13 Cedar Circle indicated that December 7 would be the last monument installation for Veterans Memorial Park and Tom Kaiser was going to be there. Mr. Scantlan felt Mr. Kaiser puts forth great effort coordinating the events two or three times a year when the monuments are brought in. If the Board wanted to do something, one option would be doing something for him at the December 7 installation of the Afghanistan monument. It is also the 60 anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Possibly the Mayor could do something for him there. Chair Pierce -Roe agreed that having a presentation in front of the people he has done a lot for would be more enlightening. Vote As there were three nominations for Jack McVey, the vote to make Jack McVey Grand Marshall for the Holiday Parade was unanimous. C. Renaming Parks Mr. Majors advised the recommendation the City received to rename Veterans Bicentennial Park, came from the Veterans Advisory Commission to rename Veterans Memorial Park. As part of the process, he advised that two members of the Board sit together with members of the Community Relations Board and the Veterans Advisory Commission to discuss the issue. This would allow the Board to go through the due process, which was established through Ordinance. The two members appointed were Ms. Scant and Vice Chair McVey to represent the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board. Ms. Sloan would act as an alternate member. 4 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL October 24, 2011 VI. ITEMS FOR CITY MANAGER'S ATTENTION None. VII. NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held on Monday, November 28 at 6:30 p.m. There would be no meeting in December. VIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 7:23 p.m. g at ea41- Ellie Caruso Recording Secretary 5