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Minutes 10-28-13 MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013, 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 Charles Kanter Robert Lapin Trevor Rosecrans Catherine Scantlan Renee Stern, Alternate 1. Call to Order Chair Pierce -Roe called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. II. Attendance Roll call was taken. A quorum was present. It was noted there is a vacancy on the Board as Mr. Mandler had just resigned. III. Approval of Minutes Motion Mr. Kanter moved to approve the minutes. Ms. Scantlan seconded the motion that unanimously passed. IV. Unfinished Business A. Oceanfront Park Renaming Wally Majors, Director, Recreation and Parks, announced there was a long discussion about the Park at the last meeting, and the City Commission named the Park "Boynton Beach Oceanfront Park." The only cost for the name change was the sign; however, the name change will allow the City to change the sign to a monument sign, similar to the one on Congress Avenue. The goal was to have all the City's Recreation and Park signs the same. The cost was about $7,000. All City publications will be updated and when the parking decals run out, they will be reprinted. Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL October 28, 2013 B. Dogs at Parks Mr. Majors explained the City was moving forward with the development of a dog park, most likely on property from the Renaissance Commons Project, just west of the canal. The project is in the early stages of discussion and $10,000 has been allocated for a plan. From a parks maintenance standpoint, there is great concern about a dog park. While Jupiter has had great results from self - governance at their parks, Mr. Majors has not heard back from Delray, who extended their boundaries to let dogs walk east of A1A, and Boca Raton was allowing a trial period for dogs on the beach. Dispensers have to be purchased, which is a fairly significant cost. They must be stocked and the waste removed on a regular basis. Chair Pierce -Roe noted Boynton Beach was only considering allowing dogs at parks, but if they spend $100,000 to create a dog park, there were individuals who would take their dogs and use it. Mr. Majors suggested the Board specify which parks should be considered and a formal recommendation made. It would be helpful if staff conducted further analysis or obtained further information as staff would need direction where and whether the Park would allow leashed dogs and /or licensed dogs. Chair Pierce -Roe suggested putting the item on the agenda next month to allow the members to contemplate what should be contained in the Ordinance or what parks should be considered. Ms. Scantlan suggested a test park; however, even a test park would require an Ordinance change. Mr. Majors agreed to check with the City Attorney if a test period was allowable and commented there would have to be some financial commitment to obtain doggy bags, and to properly dispose of the waste. A dog park, would need three fields, plus water, dispensers and maintenance. Chair Pierce -Roe thought there was a big investment involved and commented they had no research. It did not seem right to her that they were considering having a park for dogs but the City did not allow dogs in their own parks. Mr. Kanter suggested dog owners apply for a dog -use permit which would generate revenue. Additionally, doggie DNA testing from dog waste was available which would ensure owners would be liable for their pets. Mr. Majors explained monitoring the parks was the issue. Vice Chair McVey thought a park in the north and the south may be appropriate. Chair Pierce -Roe was unsure two parks were needed contingent on the size and location. Additionally, it was unknown how much the park would be used. Mr. Majors explained due diligence on the part of the community was needed. It may be embraced by the residents in the area or it may not. There are many dogs in the Renaissance Commons area. Mr. Majors was recently at a County dog park in West Boca Raton. They have signage and all the amenities for dogs, but they also have a park ranger that can monitor and ensure dog owners registered their pet with the County and the pet was spay /neutered. 2 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL October 28, 2013 He thought if the City moved forward with a park, Code Compliance would be involved as would Park Maintenance workers. Mr. Majors did not know if there was a fee at Lake Ida or SW Regional Park. West Palm Beach did not have a fee. He pointed out there if there is a fee system, there are administrative costs, and all of that has to be weighed. There is also a liability issue if there was an event at the park. He reminded all if they have an event on Ocean Avenue, which was a common area, dogs were allowed. If a dog bites someone at a City park or at a City event, the City would inherit some of that liability. He emphasized Parks and Recreation has much liability. Chair Pierce -Roe noted about 20 years ago, dogs were allowed on the north side of the inlet; however, that area was a County pocket. Over the next month, the Board members agreed to contemplate what parks may be appropriate, Mr. Majors will check with the City Attorney to see if a trial period was an option and he would contact the City of Boca to see how they plan to administer their program. The County Park Mr. Majors went to had signage and the facilities were divided into three sections. One section is to allow the grass to rest. The other two sections are for small and large dogs each. The dogs are required to be licensed and fixed. Ms. Scantlan explained there is a County park in the City and that could be used a dog park for the City. Mr. Majors thought a dog park should be a location people would drive too. Some parks have no restroom facilities, while other parks have parking and bathrooms and are intended to be a district park. He explained a dog park should be something along those lines due to the amount of resources it takes to maintain. West Palm Beach has both large and small dog parks, and he was surprised to see some in residential districts which could have been created based on resident requests. Mr. Lapin inquired if this was something the community continually asks for. Mr. Majors explained Commissioner Casello advised he heard the request often when he was campaigning. In his experience, the issue surfaces and then fades. He personally had not received any calls, but four or five years ago, there was a strong plea from some residents to institute a park. He emphasized the concept was not an overwhelming request, but based on Commissioner Casello, there is an interest. Mr. Majors explained this was the third time the City has considered a dog park. The first time was initiated by local residents who started a petition. Mr. Majors explained his veterinarian does not recommend taking dogs to dog parks because there are individuals that are not as diligent in keeping their dogs healthy, which other animals would be exposed too. Also, when his dog was younger, he did think it was important to socialize his dog to be friendly with other dogs and he had used dog parks to do so, but not when the dogs were older. Mr. Kanter explained his 3 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL October 28, 2013 community has 272 units and has 200 dogs that do socialize. He explained 99% of the owners pick up the waste. Mr. Majors expressed he was curious to hear back from Delray Beach how things were going along A1A. He walks there quite a bit and there are many dogs, and doggy bags. It seemed like it is working out fine. Mr. Majors did not recall if there were any questions about dog parks on the recent survey, but he agreed to review it and email the Board. V. New Business A. Park Improvements Article Mr. Kanter had a news article about a volunteer who cleaned up one of the parks. He would like to see the Board thank the volunteer and was not sure what the protocol was. Mr. Majors explained she received a plaque of appreciation at the last City Commission meeting and it was brought to the attention of the City Commission when the Board last met. The Board had indicated the volunteer was trying to earn her Girl Scout Gold Award. The volunteer contacted Recreation and Parks who directed her to the Forest Hills Park, which is a small park, west of 1- 95 to south of 23 Avenue. She was able to convince the Florida Department of Transportation to paint one of the sound barriers. Mr. Majors noted bureaucracy is slow and government is never able to do anything the next day, but the volunteer made it happen, giving a sense of her effectiveness. The City Commission was thrilled she was involved in the project. B. Grand Marshal Selection Handouts of the nominees for the Grand Marshal were distributed. The nominees were: • Tom Kaiser for his work on the Veterans Advisory Commission. It was thought his work with Veterans Memorial Park made Boynton Beach a destination. Often the Boy Scouts are involved. Mr. Kaiser has served on the Veterans Advisory Commission for four or five years; • Rick Beau -Lieu was nominated for his work with parks, placing sculptures in them and for his work with the Arts Commission and Arts District. He has been serving since 1989 and has had a studio in Boynton Beach since 1986; • Dr. Joseph Ferrer who volunteered to provide entertainment through his company at Boynton Beach events; ✓ Police Chief Jeffrey Katz who was trying to make a difference and change the perception of the Police Department; ✓ Laura Orlove for her work as a Literacy Coach at Forest Park Elementary and for initiating the Boynton Reads Program; and 4 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL October 28, 2013 ✓ Mark Karageorge for his work as a Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, a Pathway to Prosperity Board Member, a CRA Board Member, and member of the Choir at St. John Church. A brief discussion of the nominees and a review of the guidelines followed. Motion Mr. Kanter moved for Rick Beau -Lieu. Chair Pierce -Roe seconded the motion. The vote was 4 -3 (Messrs. Lapin, Rosecrans and Ms. Scantlan dissenting.) Mr. Majors explained the alternate member cannot vote, which tied the vote. Motion Ms. Scantlan moved for Tom Kaiser to be the Grand Marshal. Mr. Rosecrans seconded the motion. The vote was tied (Chair Pierce -Roe, Vice Chair McVey and Mr. Kanter dissenting.) Ms. Stern did not vote. Mr. Majors thought the alternate vote could be used as the tie breaker. Vice Chair McVey commented Roberts Rules required a re -vote. Mr. Majors reviewed the Ordinance and did not see anything that would prohibit counting her vote. Using Ms. Stern's vote, Mr. Beau -Lieu was the Grand Marshal. It was noted Rick Beau -Lieu had received the most nominations. Mr. Majors explained Mr. Beau -Lieu would be notified the next day. VI. Items for the City Manager's Attention Mr. Majors commented with regard to the dog park item, each member had homework and was to review the parks inventory for appropriate locations. If a member wanted additional information or wanted to visit a park, Mr. Majors invited them to contact him. The Lake Ida Park was the best example. There is a developer discussing the matter with the City and what they can contribute to make it happen. The City allocated $10K for preliminary designs, but it would be a while before a park would come to fruition. There is not much space for a park and parking, restrooms, an irrigation system and water fountains would be needed. He really had no sense where the park would be situated and it appeared they were considering a very minimal park. There are many variables. Chair Pierce -Roe inquired if there were many service dogs that go to the Congress Avenue Barrier Free Park and if there were any dispensers. Mr. Majors explained service dogs are allowed in any park, but he had not seen any dispensers at Barrier Free Park. Mr. Majors expressed this could be a future thought. 5 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL October 2, 2013 Chair Pierce -Roe knew of two individuals with autistic children and their physicians recommended dogs, because dogs would be a great help for them. Mr. Majors explained the Department just held Surfing Autism Day and over 100 people attended with their families, including an autism service dog. The dog is there to provide the child with the comfort they need and to provide a barrier. Some autistic children cannot be approached too closely or loudly and the dog provides a boundary to individuals approaching the child. Chair Pierce -Roe recalled there had been discussion when the Park was originally contemplated they would ensure they had what they needed. Generally individuals with services dogs know what the dogs need. When a service dog is working, they do not drink or go to the bathroom, but it does not imply they should not look at ways to make dogs a feature of the park. Mr. Majors agreed to conduct research for items that would help and the animals can enjoy. Chair Pierce -Roe inquired if other special need parks have anything like that. Lake Ida Park is huge compared to some parks in Boynton Beach. Vice Chair McVey commented he is on the Greater Boynton Beach Foundation. They are trying to hold a fund raiser with Hunters Run and the Realtors Association for another 5K event in January or February. He commented the Foundation was trying to develop new ways to raise funds to improve the Barrier Free Park. He was unaware Mr. Majors picked out some nice pieces for the park, but they had to have the funds. Chair Pierce -Roe noted with the upcoming parade, there may be a float publicizing what was occurring. She explained many individuals are not aware of the park. It was also great advertising. Vice Chair McVey agreed to bring the topic to the Foundation. Additionally, Recreation and Parks staff will be walking the parade to promote programs. He thought the Realtors Association and /or the Foundation should participate as a walking unit as well. Ms. Stern spoke to the one of the realtors in Hunters Run about expanding it to the point where breakfast would be served and more would be charged. She thought it would be an incentive for more people to join the walk and make the function more attractive. She has not heard anything back. Mr. Majors explained the key to the event is the Realtors Association of Palm Beach. The planning group includes Mr. Majors, a representative of Hunters Run and Mr. Freeland has been in touch with the Realtors Association. Mr. Majors noted the Realtors Association hires a race director. He also recently met with the Board at Hunters Run. The Board and others acknowledged the need to market the event and had drafted a flyer. As to the actual race, that is left to the race director. It was clear Hunters Run wanted to participate. Last year, 150 runners attended and the organizers were trying to ensure there was enough parking to accommodate all. He also hoped the Board would participate as the event is both a run and a walk. The event could not have occurred without Hunters Run and he thanked Mr. Lapin for brokering a meeting. 6 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL October 28, 2013 At the last meeting, Ms. Scantlan had requested permission to bring the event to the Veterans' Hospital because the Veterans' Administration encourages community participation. She reported it is on the Agenda for the Wellness Committee, but the sign - up process needed to be improved. Mr. Majors had a meeting scheduled early next month and agreed to bring it to the attention of the organizers. VII. Next Meeting: November 25, 2013 Motion Ms. Scantlan moved to cancel the November meeting and hold the December meeting on the 16 a week before they would normally meet. Mr. Kanter seconded the motion that unanimously passed. VIII. Adjournment Motion There being no further business to come before the Board, The meeting was properly adjourned at 7:39 p.m. At " Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 120913 7