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Minutes 07-23-12 MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, JULY 23, 2012, AT 6:30 P.M., IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BOULEVARD, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Elizabeth Pierce -Roe, Chair Wally Majors, Director Recreation & Parks John McVey, Vice Chair Kevin Hallahan, Urban Forester Charles Kanter Forestry and Grounds Catherine Scantlan ABSENT: Robert Lapin Thomas Mandler I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Pierce - Roe called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. II. ATTENDANCE Chair Pierce - Roe called the roll. A quorum was present. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Consensus Ms. Scantlan moved to accept the minutes. Mr. Kanter seconded the motion that passed unanimously. IV. NEW BUSINESS (moved up in agenda) A. Grants Review Mr. Majors was not at last month's meeting and had noticed in the minutes that there were several questions about grants. He asked Debbie Majors, the grant writer, to provide feedback on the grant activities, grants received and grants currently in progress, such as Galaxy Elementary School. Debbie Majors, Recreation Supervisor provided a review of the past year. She began by stating the Congress Avenue Barrier -Free Park was the biggest push with grants. There was a land and conservation fund grant for $200,000. It was closed out successfully and had been reimbursed the full amount towards the Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Boynton Beach, Florida July 23, 2012 project. The grant paid for landscaping, trails, and picnic shelter restroom areas. There was also the water park feature area there which was funded through Palm Beach County. The grant was for $150,000, but chances are the full amount would not be realized. The costs were not that much. The County was currently reviewing the invoices and payments and would be reimbursing the City. The original vision was much larger, but everything that was planned could not fit. The large grass area at the park still needed to be completed and funding for it was being sought. There was a possibility of applying for a matching grant in September through the State, but reassurances must be in place to make sure the matching funds on the City side are there. The maximum that could be applied for would be $200,000. The Greater Boynton Beach Foundation was raising funds, as well. They are reaching out to citizens and businesses for donations and are putting plaques out to recognize donations. Other things that are coming up were changes at Galaxy School which included moving the park area. The City received the ownership of the scrub property that was on the north end of the school district property. There was a $20,000 grant from the Batchelor Foundation which was for removal of some of the invasives and the planting of trees to enhance the area. The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) was also working with the school and would have funding for trails and pathways. They had reviewed the site, talked about how they could partner to enhance what funding the school district had. There was also a possibility of a grant from the U.S. Department of Forestry. The application would be available in February. She advised from now until January, the scope of the project should be decided, what improvements would be made on the site and what would the school district fund with their grant, what the City would pursue funding for, and how it could get opened up to the public. Mr. Kanter advised the questions brought up at the last meeting were whether things could be done without assistance. For example, creating a website for his neighborhood park and devising a way people could donate to the park. Mr. Livergood advised the City would help create a non - profit organization. He discussed an idea for a possible dog park location mentioned by a Commission member at one time. He asked for direction on where to start to begin the process of looking for funding. Ms. Majors advised that John McGovern was the current Chair for the Greater Beach Foundation and they were focused on raising funds for the Congress Avenue Barrier Free Park. It was currently their main focus area and would finish the current project before they would take on another one. She advised as far as any other parks on the list, she offered to look for funding for different types of projects, such as the Eco Park. She reminded the Board, that before looking for funding, they would need to fully define the project. It may take more than one funding source and a decision on whether matching funds were 2 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Boynton Beach, Florida July 23, 2012 required. It could come from City funds, donations, or fundraising. It was possible funding would not be obtained for two years until the Board showed that money had been raised. Chair Pierce -Roe mentioned the greenways and blueways and inquired whether fishing docks or boat ramps in a specific area like Quantum Park were allowed to be installed and whether camping would be allowed. She understood there was a ruling in the City that did not allow camping within City limits. Who made the ruling and could it be changed? Ms. Majors advised it was a City ordinance as far as the camping rule, but she felt that as a Board, an ordinance change could be presented to the Commission. As far as the water possibilities, Ms. Majors advised she was investigating applying for a technical assistance grant from the State to complete the plan. It was a technical assistance award, not financial and would help finalize the greenway, bikeway and blueway plans that was started and adopted by the Commission in concept. Mr. Majors advised before it could be put on an agenda for the Commission, the Board would have to get feedback from those residents that would be affected. In Palm Beach County, it is the County that provides those venues for camping because they could provide facilities that were large enough to insulate them from the impact it would have on residential areas. Camping was considered an active style of recreation and the residents within a predetermined radius would have to be considered. Ms. Majors reviewed the procedure and requirements for several state grants. Mr. Majors suggested focusing in on one project and define what was desired to be done. Ms. Major continued explaining the grant process and there was a brief question and answer period. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Park Development Mr. Kanter brought up the dog park for discussion, suggesting it would be the easiest thing to accomplish. Mr. Majors explained that approximately a year ago at the request of Commissioner Holzman, there was discussion of converting Pence Park to a dog park. It did not move forward because research and discussion with other cities that had a dog park, found that it was not easy. It was not only the cost to develop, which for a five -acre site was approximately $200,000 - $250,000, but also the maintenance which could possibly total $100,000 per year. A dog park would create a lot of wear and tear on sod. There had to be separate areas for large and small dogs. The Lake Ida dog park was for use by all residents. It was viewed as a regional attraction. In addition to the cost, it would require bathrooms, parking, benches, water fountains, shade, and 3 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Boynton Beach, Florida July 23, 2012 constant maintenance of the sod. Mr. Majors opined the budget would not support any further park development with funds until there were resources to maintain it. There was continued discussion on various parks around the City and the importance of securing partnerships, sponsorships and other opportunities. He shared with the Board the different costs involved with other past park development projects. B. Adopt -a -Park Program Mr. Majors brought applications for the Adopt -a -Park Program. He reviewed the parks that had already been adopted and that to varying degrees had groups of people help maintain them. Sandsifters had 100 -200 people a month that remove bagfuls of trash from the beaches. There currently are efforts in place to strengthen relationships with sponsors of some of the other parks. There was also work in progress to match locations with schools so that if close in proximity, transportation would not be a requirement. For example, Galaxy Elementary could use the scrub area adjacent to the property as an education setting where the students could learn about scrub property. Mr. Majors advised money was put in the CIP budget for next fiscal year to develop a conceptual plan and the Commission decided to remove it. There was continued discussion on different parks and concepts. C. Letter to City Manager regarding the enlistment of schools to assist with park maintenance. Mr. Majors advised he saw this on the minutes and because he was not present at last month's meeting wanted clarification on this item. Ms. Scantlan suggested the language of the City's vision be put in a generic form letter and the Board may be able to take it to the schools. Mr. Majors opined that there are times the Board may be more influential than he would in getting the word out to the school as far as volunteering, getting involved, and so on. He would do whatever the Board directed him to do. Chair Pierce -Roe inquired if there was a list used for other groups that volunteer for the parade and other things. Mr. Majors advised he would provide it and agreed it would be a good source of information. VI. ITEMS FOR THE CITY MANAGER'S ATTENTION None. VII. NEXT MEETING: August 27, 2012 4 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Boynton Beach, Florida July 23, 2012 VIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:41 p.m. ea , Ellie Caruso Recording Secretary 5