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Minutes 01-28-13 MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 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 Thomas Mandler Catherine Scantlan ABSENT: Marianne Lentini - Bernaducci I. Call to Order Chair Pierce -Roe called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. II. Attendance Chair Pierce -Roe called the roll. A quorum was present. III. Approval of Minutes The Board met in November, but did not have a quorum and did not meet in December. Chair Pierce Roe requested the October minutes be resent and there was agreement to table approval of the October minutes to the next meeting. IV. Unfinished Business A. Barrier Free 5K Run Wally Majors, Recreation and Parks Director, announced the event was being held in conjunction with the Realtors Association of Palm Beach County, the organizers of the event, on February 9th. Each Board member received flyers and postcards to distribute to interested individuals and local establishments. The funds will benefit the Barrier -Free Park and staff was grateful Hunters Run agreed to host the event. The 3.1 mile run would start at 7:30 a.m. at the Tennis Center parking lot, to Hunters Run and back. Mr. Majors invited the members to attend and commented the fee to participate was $30. He also noted the theme for the Park was still a swamp theme and there was a shark illustration on the Barrier -Free 5K Race advertisements. The illustration was used without the City's involvement. If held again, an alligator illustration would be used. 1 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL January 28, 2013 Vice Chair McVey requested posters for the Little League Park concession stand since many parents of the league players are runners. They would also be posted on the Bulletin Board. V. New Business A. Needs Assessment Mr. Majors discussed the Comprehensive Needs Assessment. The first assessment was conducted in 2002. Seven thousand questionnaires were distributed to City and the greater Boynton Beach area residents. Dr. Mitra from Wake Forest University, who compiled the assessment in 2002, will do so again and had interviewed various stakeholders to develop the questionnaire that is mailed and /or emailed or both. He anticipated between 5,000 and 7,000 people should receive the questionnaire in order to provide a return ratio that would yield the scientific validity they need. He explained these assessments are conducted every five years. The prior needs assessments were conducted via phone; however Mr. Majors was unhappy with it. This year the department has a slightly bigger budget and he anticipated the City Commission would award a contract in February allowing Dr. Mitra to begin the project. The Board would be kept apprised of the roles they will take, primarily to help develop the questionnaire, and host the meetings that are part of that process. It was important to have a carefully developed questionnaire from professionals based on feedback from the Board, the City Commission, staff and Mr. Majors. It was hoped the project would commence in a few weeks if approved by City Commission. B. NRPA 2013 Community Garden Grant (vegetables to be used to feed low income families) Mr. Majors commented this item pertained to discussions held with the Board over the past few months regarding partnerships with local schools. He announced the Department was applying to the National Recreation and Parks Association for a Community Garden Grant. The grant funds activities, including community gardens, assistance with maintenance of existing gardens and the development of new gardens. St. Joseph's Episcopal School has a great garden and staff was partnering with that school as part of Jaycee Park. They already have a prosperous garden and staff would work with them to showcase it. Staff would also mentor the students, teacher or club advisor at Forest Park Elementary School on how to do something similar. Forrest Park Elementary School has some gardening equipment and hydroponic equipment, but does not have the knowledge or skill set to move forward with it. The Department obtained that knowledge and thought it was a great opportunity to apply for the grant and use it in a manner that would lend itself to the expansion of something good. It was educational for students to grow items such as fruits and vegetables and anything grown to be eaten must be given to those needing help. 2 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL January 28, 2013 The deadline for the $7,500 grant was still a few months away and the award would be announced a few months after that. Ms. Scantlan commented the project was not only a sustainable effort, but students that grow their own food tend to eat it and make healthier food choices. She offered to help organize that effort and Mr. Majors agreed to check if it was an eligible activity as usually the food was donated to places for the homeless, or the Lords Place. He hoped there was a way to showcase what St. Joseph did with their garden. The Department is a strong supporter of the school and partners with several other schools to promote green space and the value of maintaining the City's eco system. Each chance they get, they try to help and they were hoping to expand on their relationship with Galaxy Elementary School with the expansion of the Greenway. The grant they have applied for would remove exotics from that area and replace them with native landscapes. It would teach those students the importance of those activities. Chair Pierce Roe inquired if it would include anything with fruit trees and contemplated some of the large spaces the City has, such as Girl Scout Park, would be appropriate as there is a lot of acreage and water. Glenda Hall explained watering with canal water would require a permit. In non - fenced in, gated parks such as Girl Scouts, one problem encountered involved mangos. The mangos were ripe but could not be removed from the property and people wanted to climb the trees. There were also issues with diseases associated with growing fruits. Some places were called a garden and not a park to satisfy Risk Management and using undeveloped parks was questionable. Mr. Majors explained there is alot of opportunities with the 27 developed parks. If grown, the plantings would have to be maintained and harvested. St. Joseph's School was successful due to one motivated and committed volunteer. Forrest Park Elementary School was at the point they needed help because did not have that level of dedication. The project could be made or broken due to the passion or lack of passion of one individual. He likened the situation to those of the Sand Sifters and their beach - cleaning efforts. The organizer, Gary Solomon, was leaving and found a replacement, but it was hoped the positive contribution would be maintained. C. Quantum Park Mr. Majors explained an opportunity was presented to the City. The Quantum Park Overlay District offered the City 25 acres of property in the Preserve. Mr. Kanter distributed a copy of the letter that was sent to the City and commented the property was in an area that could provide opportunities for development of the Quantum Park site. In the past, the Board had indicated that this Park was a priority. It was thought acquisition of the property could be a positive enhancement. Mr. Kanter had distributed information at the last meeting. The Park is located to the east of what is already owned by the City. They had discussed obtaining funds for launching ramps and a bike path. Mr. Kanter was advised at the last Quantum meeting 3 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL January 28, 2013 that they had not heard back from the City Manager, and Mr. Kanter then requested Mr. Majors pursue the manner. There is $40K in drainage fees that is associated with that property and they could pursue grants. He explained he was trying to recruit someone from his community to take over as a project manager. Quantum Park representatives said they could use their 501(c)(3) account to raise money for the Park and Mr. Kanter explained a commercial outfit volunteered some money in return for publicity. Mr. Kanter explained there is a new Commissioner from District 4 that represents the area of the Park and he would meet with him. Mr. Majors recommended the Board review the documents and at the next meeting, discuss the matter and provide a formal endorsement regarding the future development of that park site and how the additional property would play into it. Another Commissioner would be elected in March and this proposal would ultimately be heard by them and most likely discussed at the budget workshops in July. The Board had previously made it clear the Quantum Park was a priority. Mr. Kanter commented this would be a 45 -acre park with 1,000 feet of waterfront with a canal on one side and a lake on the other. The City does not have an eco park and this park was unique. Ninety percent of the park had exotic vegetation and the bikeway /greenway added to its value. Mr. Majors clarified there were limitations to what could be done with a Preserve and even a pathway would require a permit. Development was still a few years away and most grants required a match. It may be possible to use the value of the land as a match. The emphasis was on the ability to maintain it, and presently, the City does not have the funds to do so. Once it belonged to the City, there are things that must be done. It was noted on the Quantum Park side, staff cleared and cut the exotics down to a minimum. Hester Park was not well maintained. Ms. Hall explained it cost about $200,000 to remove exotics from 10 acres in the Galaxy Scrub and part of Barton Park that had not been cleared. Mr. Majors noted the economy was starting to turn around and hopefully in a year or two, the Department would have the funds. Vice Chair McVey emphasized the need to have partnerships and corporate sponsorships to subsidize maintenance of parks. The City was continuing to plan for the future, and it was already discussed that when they have the ability to add a therapeutic recreation center to Barrier Free Park, another group would come in and staff it as therapeutic recreation needs special skills. The City would have to leverage resources to provide the services they need. Mr. Kanter inquired if the City could use some of the land at Quantum Park for a community garden since it was already owned. Mr. Majors explained there were restrictions. Ms. Hall explained there are areas in the City they could use for a community garden. The commitment to maintain and monitor was vital. Usually there is 4 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL January 28, 2013 a commitment for a year or two and then the volunteer moves on. It is important to know when to compost, plant and harvest. Mr. Kanter commented the City was willing to put in a three -acre parking lot for 110 cars for free, and he questioned why they could not have a one -acre plot. Mr. Majors thought a business plan would have to be developed indicating who would take the lead. The reason for partnerships is for the City to provide the resources and technical support. Park workers would not be cultivating the land, but from time to time, there may be questions about how to plant and develop. Ms. Hall noted there is talk about some type of community garden at the south end of Galaxy Park and maybe involving the schools. As to Quantum, it was more challenging. The HOA or other group could put together some type of a proposal, and approach the City. It would be great if a local school was involved and it made it more attractive when there is an educational component. Ms. Scantlan inquired if the County would want to work with the City. Mr. Majors explained the County has been supportive of many of the City's parks and the parks serve City and County individuals. It was possible the County may be a willing partner, which they have been with Oyer Park and the Barrier -Free Park. D. Quarterly Report Mr. Majors noted this report used to be submitted monthly. Chair Pierce -Roe inquired about the Adopt -a -Park program and if Christ Fellowship was working on a project at the Hester Center. Mr. Majors was unsure if they adopted the park, but they did one project there. He thought they might like to check different sites. The Chair thought they may be responsive to the gardening program. It was suggested someone reach out to them. They could be approached and may be responsive to the garden program of the City. They had made it clear they would become involved in the City. Ms. Scantlan noted the revenues produced from the beach fees and discussion followed about the expenses. It generates revenue, but may cause contemplation of whether to raise fees. VI. Items for the City Manager's Attention None. VII. Next Meeting: February 25, 2013 The next meeting will be held on February 25, 2013 5 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL January 28, 2013 VII. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Chair Pierce Roe adjourned the meeting at 7:14 p.m. &Ukull't-L C Catherine Cherry Recording Secretary 012913 6