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Minutes 03-24-14 MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, MARCH 24, 2014, 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 Catherine Scantlan, Vice Chair Glenda Hall, Forestry and Grounds Manager Michael Byrd Charles Kanter Trevor Rosecrans Renee Stern John McVey, Alternate ABSENT: Robert Lapin I. Cali to Order Chair Pierce -Roe called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m and announced Mr. Lapin would not be at the meeting II. Attendance Chair Pierce -Roe called the roll. A quorum was present III. Approval of Minutes Motion Mr. Kanter moved to approve the minutes. Ms. Stern seconded the motion that unanimously passed IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Dogs at Parks Mr. Majors advised an agenda item from the Board recommending the Commission allow leashed dogs at Jaycee, Boynton Lakes, Intracoastal and Dewey Parks will be heard at the first City Commission meeting in April and he suggested the Board be present. He commented the item would be heard under New Business, towards the end of the agenda. Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boy Be Fl March 24, 2014 Mr. Majors explained their research indicates many cities accommodate dog parks with no special equipment and the Board was recommending the City try it for a year. If the City Commission was interested in special equipment, the Board could try to find a sponsor. Mr. Majors did not know how the item would be received, but thought Commissioner Casello would be receptive. Chair Pierce -Roe inquired if there would be one sign at the entrance of the designated parks with the rules and regulations. Mr. Majors responded affirmatively. The agenda item recommended one sign at each park and two for Boynton Lakes. The City can make its own metal signs. Mr. Majors commented that one resident called, independent of the Board's consideration of the issue, requesting the Board contemplate having a dog park at Boynton Lakes. Ms. Stern asked if an announcement would be in the paper including the rules. Mr. Majors explained if the City Commission voted in favor of the item, staff would issue press releases and determine the wording of the signs. He commented there will be no dogs permitted in playgrounds. Some of the four parks have playgrounds; however, they are fenced. Mr. Majors thought a dog park would be a good experience. He advised staff would monitor the dog parks. B. Skate Parks At the request of Mr. Rosecrans, this item was tabled. C. Greenway /Bike Way Master Plan Mr. Majors explained in 2004, a study was commissioned to create linear corridors that linked points of interest by providing safe areas where people could run, walk, jog, bike, and in some cases, include Blueways to accommodate kayaking and paddling. The plan was completed in 2004, but needed to be updated. Boynton Beach has a State recognized Greenway along the C -16 Canal and Mr. Majors hoped to be able to expand it further. It originally stretched from the Canal to Seacrest Boulevard to Federal Highway, and then it was expanded from Seacrest Boulevard almost to 1 -95 and south towards Galaxy Elementary. Mr. Majors provided pictures of Greenways and commented the El Rio Greenway in Boca Raton was nice. Another very good Greenway was in Orange County, Florida, but he felt the utopia of Greenways was in north Augusta, South Carolina. Slides of the South Carolina Greenway were viewed which included the trailhead where people parked and entered one of two entryways. The trail had an asphalt path, which is the most popular and easiest to maintain, with ballasts in the middle. He pointed out the Greenway was one of the best examples in the United States. Greenways have rules and they are shared by pedestrians and bicyclists. Some are multi - purpose and some are not. Amenities found in Greenways are water fountains, and doggie water fountains for those allowing dogs. 2 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 2, 2014 The Greenway path joined the City's major recreation center to other amenities and included a bike route. It not only meandered through wooded areas and along some rails, but along a beautiful golf course and over a bridge of a road. The Greenway was over 10 -miles long. There was one large community center in north Augusta and the Greenway passed in front of it. A potential extension of it was viewed which provided an overview of the facilities and beauty of the area. Mr. Majors was unsure about funding sources for the Greenway in north Augusta, but thought it likely included tax dollars. In Boynton Beach, funding was tight and staff determined when they created their Master Plan that some of the best opportunities for them in this part of Florida were along canals. The challenge was the governing bodies that maintain those facilities had concerns about their ability to maintain them if there is a storm. Florida has some beautiful Greenways and it would be great to have one in Boynton Beach. Mr. Majors reviewed a map and explained they will determine areas where people can walk, run, bike or kayak. In addition to the County being the City's usual funding source, the County requires that whatever the City does, it be complementary to the County's plan and to the State and National system. At the second City Commission meeting in March, staff was asking the City Commission for permission to negotiate a contract with the consulting firm that was deemed the lowest and most responsive bidder of all the proposals received. When the consultant is retained, they will hold stakeholder meetings. Mr. Majors explained the City needs to reduce the number of cars on the roadways and have ways for kids to get to school without being exposed to danger. There is much data online about existing Greenway /bikeways and their locations because many people select their vacation destination based on the accessibility of these facilities. There is an economic impact. Vice Chair Scantlan discussed walkability ratings and explained a subdivision can have a higher value by having amenities within walking or biking distance. Communities that do not have them do not rate as high. She suggested piecing together areas and building on it over time. Mr. Majors commented they should at least have an area to park cars and amenities to make it a recreational activity. Data shows those who live within a mile of a park are more likely to use it. Mr. Majors will ensure the Board is apprised how the Plan is progressing. II. NEW BUSINESS A. Department Annual Report Mr. Majors distributed the Annual Report and explained it is provided to the City Commission and distributed at events. It contained the Department's activities throughout the year. He thought it was important to review since many things occur each year. 3 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 24, 2014 B. Wind Mill — Barrier Free Park Glenda Hall, Forestry and Grounds Manager, explained there were two windmills at the Mangrove Walk; however, one was removed and replaced with the same windmill as the other to match. Utilities relocated the removed windmill to Barrier Free Park. Ms. Hall explained the windmill was 25 -feet tall and it is now located at the Park on South Congress Avenue, close to the WXEL station near the overgrown pond. That site was selected because the windmill creates power to run a small air compressor which feeds a bubbler in the pond. The pond is overgrown and it will, at a later date, be cleaned up. The windmill now sits on a concrete slab with a smaller slab nearby. When a storm approaches, the windmill will be taken down and attached to the ground. The setback is 25 feet from all trees to protect nesting and feeding sites for the birds. C. Upcoming Events— Spring EGG- Stravaganza, April 19, 10am, Barrier Free Park Mr. Majors announced the event and invited all to attend, especially those with children as Peter Cottontail will be present. There will be face painting and fun family games. Mr. Majors explained staff was asking other Boards that are under the purview of the Department, to attend and help with surveys. Over time, the surveys provide valuable information about the programs. He anticipated parking would be tight and the event would be bigger and better than last year. Chair Pierce -Roe inquired if a flyer could be created that she could distribute. Mr. Majors responded affirmatively. Arbor Day is April 24 at Barrier Free Park. Staff and the 8th grade students at St. Mark School would help plant flowering trees near WXEL. The Garden Club will also participate and all were invited to attend at 8:30 a.m. It is anticipated the event will last two hours. VI. Items for the City Manager's Attention None. VII. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting is April 28, 2014. VII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, Chair Pierce -Roe adjourned the meeting at 6:56 p.m. 6AAQ'WX Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 940327 4