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Minutes 03-23-15 MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BLVD., BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015, AT 6:30 P.M. PRESENT: Elizabeth Pierce-Roe, Chair Wally Majors, Recreation and Parks Director Catherine Scantlan, Vice Chair Glenda Hall, Forestry and Grounds Manager Charles Kanter Robert Lapin Renee Stern Jeffrey Fromknecht ABSENT : Michael Byrd Trevor Rosecrans Julie Mondello, Alternate I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Pierce-Roe called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. II. ATTENDANCE Roll was called by Chair Pierce-Roe; a quorum was present. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION made by Vice Chair Scantlan, seconded by Mr. Kanter, to approve the minutes of the 02/23/15 meeting as written. The board agreed by consensus to approve. Mr. Majors requested they add “Intracoastal Park” to the agenda under New Business, Item E, at the request of Robert Lapin. IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Meetings at Other Facilities Mr. Majors reported that he wanted to make sure Mr. Fromknecht knew the location of the facilities before changing the meeting place. Mr. Fromknecht introduced himself and said he is open to meetings at any location. Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 23, 2015 Mr. Majors mentioned the centers that were busy, but said the Tennis Center would be a nice place to visit and he could arrange a space there for the Board’s April meeting. The Board agreed they could meet at the Pavilion at the Barrier-Free Park at 6:30 p.m. for the April 27, 2015, meeting. He said he would check with the clerk regarding recording the minutes outdoors. In response to a question, Mr. Majors stated the Intracoastal Park averages about five or six rentals per month. B. Priority List of Undeveloped Park Sites Mr. Majors recalled that they discussed Quantum Park at the last meeting, and its potential for an eco-park, and greenway and blueway connections. Another popular site with possibilities for interconnectedness is the Girl Scout Park site on the E4 canal. He said that those two parks appeared to be the Board’s choice for the top two sites for development. Chair Pierce-Roe offered that the Mayor had also stated interest in developing Girl Scout Park. Mr. Kanter reported that two weeks ago, the Quantum Overlay Development District held a special meeting concerning Quantum Park. He distributed copies of the meeting proceeds. Mr. Kanter said that the Quantum Overlay Development District asked an engineering firm to put out a draft proposal. Later, the District mentioned they are into the second year of a five-year plan. Mr. Kanter also mentioned that the dog park will finally be installed behind the shopping center at Cortina and brought a newspaper article on the subject. Mr. Kanter continued that he wondered if the Board could ask the City Commission to reconsider the purchase of the Lake Ida property, as the Cortina project will increase property values there. Mr. Majors stated that the City has moved forward, and purchase of that property is off the table. He said the plans for that property are now up to the County. Discussion ensued about property values near the park, with the varying effects of greenspace, more housing, and traffic. Mr. Majors reiterated that the issue of the Lake Ida property cannot be reopened with the City. Chair Pierce-Roe mentioned that the people who appeared at the Commission meeting were people who were against the park because they did not want it “in their back yard.” 2 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 23, 2015 Mr. Fromknecht expressed surprise that there were so many negative opinions about parks in general. Discussion ensued about the positive benefits of living near a park, including the advantage of more greenery. Mr. Majors wondered if the Board wished to visit Quantum and Girl Scout Parks. Chair Pierce-Roe mentioned that over the last five to seven years, there have not been any reported violations at Girl Scout Park. Vice Chair Scantlan remarked that the Mayor had also brought up Meadows Park, and suggested adding that to the other two picks. Mr. Lapin thought that the amenities at Barrier Free Park (if it is finished) would be greater than those at Girl Scout Park or Quantum Park. Chair Pierce-Roe then reviewed there are four parks that the Board feels are worthy of consideration at this time. Mr. Majors pointed out that development can hinge on the availability of grant money. By unanimous consensus, the Board agreed that the following parks: Quantum, Girl Scout, Barrier Free, and Meadows Nautica are parks that the Board supports for any type of development. C. Shirts for Board Members Mr. Majors stated that if the Board still wants to get shirts, he will get details on what is desired and get an estimate on the cost. After a Board member’s term expires, the shirt would have to be returned, since it would have the City seal on it. The shirts would be worn when supporting an event, speaking on behalf of the Department, etc. Mr. Majors said that who pays for the shirts is open for discussion, noting that it is worth the exposure for the Department to pay for the shirts. Mr. Majors said the shirts they are getting now are a blended fabric rather than 100% cotton. The women did not mind getting a buttoned shirt with a color. Everybody liked the color green for the shirts, and Mr. Majors said he would get samples of some type. V. NEW BUSINESS A. Election of Chair and Vice Chair Motion made by Ms. Stern, seconded by Mr. Lapin, to retain the same Chair and Vice- Chair. In a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously. B. Cigarette Butt Litter Prevention Program 3 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 23, 2015 Mr. Majors announced that Boynton Beach is the only department in Palm Beach County that has received the Cigarette Butt Litter Prevention grant. Staff will receive cigarette butt dispensers and pocket ash trays for distribution. Cigarette butts are still the most commonly discarded item on the beaches. The program is primarily intended for public education; specific high-use locations will be selected for the signage and dispensers. Vice Chair Scantlan asked if they could obtain help from a Florida agency that sponsors a stop smoking campaign; Mr. Majors was not aware what agency that would be. He will seek out partners to help. C. Cortina Development Project – Dog Park Mr. Majors gave an overview of the project, noting that the residential portion is “huge.” A three-acre area will be maintained as park, with one of the acres being a dog park. The developer has specified the park will be for “everybody.” Mr. Majors pointed out there would not be a restroom there, however. Mr. Majors noted that next month will be the one-year mark for the recommendation the Board submitted to the City Commission to allow leashed dogs at four of the City’s parks. Chair Pierce-Roe established there are no tortoises or owls in the Cortina development area, and asked if there were any in other parks. Mr. Majors replied there weren’t any in the developed parks, but there may be some in Nickels Park. Glenda Hall said there are gopher tortoises at Galaxy Scrub (not yet open), at Quantum, Nickels, and East Water Treatment Plant. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission is conducting a survey to obtain reports of tortoises and their locations. Mr. Majors said the Cortina project may take three to five years for completion. D. Great American Cleanup – Saturday, May 2 Mr. Majors announced that Oceanfront Park will be part of the project. Chair Pierce- Roe added that the Boat Club is also a good area for cleanup. E. Intracoastal Park Mr. Majors provided a quick summary of the site, noting it is a large site including areas for children with autism and physical disabilities. Mr. Majors showed photos of the park, pointing out the features. He thought it would be nice to extend the trail around the pond. The master plan for the park includes a therapeutic recreation center for children with special needs. Mr. Majors said they scored well on their $200,000 grant 4 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 23, 2015 application, and hope to obtain that. The City would contribute $300,000 towards the project. Mr. Majors said there is a proposed site for recreational boats on a pond on the eastern end of the park. There would be a little dock for children with physical disabilities to use remote control boats. The topography of the park was designed to provide access and benefits for children with limited ability. A special surface material will be necessary for wheelchairs, etc. Mr. Lapin wondered if there had ever been a budget put together to complete the park, and Mr. Majors replied there a $9 million budget. He pointed out $3.5 million is already into the project. The building itself would probably be $1.5 million and the playground piece would be approximately $500,000. He anticipated it would take 18 months to two years to complete the playground. Mr. Lapin confirmed that the park would be one of a kind in the United States to a degree. Mr. Majors said the only similar park he had seen was on the West Coast. Mr. Lapin felt that Boynton Beach could rightly boast about the park. Mr. Majors pointed out that out of all the parks, this one has the greatest potential for a significant improvement. Vice Chair Scantlan spoke about a class she is attending called “Resident Education to Action Program,” sponsored by Palm Beach County. Mr. Majors suggested putting it on the April agenda. Ms. Hall announced the City will be celebrating Arbor Day, although no date is yet selected. It will be at Boynton Lakes Park, and at least four trees will be planted. She said Mr. Majors will notify the Board of the date and time. Vice Chair Scantlan reported she has not seen a dog off leash in Boynton Lakes since she printed up the rules for the parks. She wondered if the person who had sent the emails regarding dogs off leash had provided any further feedback; Mr. Majors said he had not heard from him in several months and has been “pleasantly surprised” at the reduced amount of waste at the park. VI. ITEMS FOR THE CITY MANAGER’S ATTENTION VII. NEXT MEETING: April 27, 2015 VIII. ADJOURNMENT Hearing no further business, Chair Pierce-Roe adjourned the meeting at 7:32 p.m. [Minutes transcribed by J. Rubin, Prototype, Inc.] 5