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Minutes 04-27-15 MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD MEETING HELD AT THE BOYNTON BEACH TENNIS CENTER, 3111 S. CONGRESS AVENUE BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015, AT 6:30 P.M. PRESENT: Elizabeth Pierce -Roe, Chair Wally Majors, Recreation and Parks Director Catherine Scantlan, Vice Chair Michael Byrd Jeffrey Fromknecht Charles Kanter Robert Lapin ABSENT: Renee Stern Julie Mondello, Alternate I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Pierce -Roe called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m. II. ATTENDANCE Roll call established a quorum was present. Chair Pierce -Roe updated her email address and Mr. Majors removed Item C from Unfinished Business as it was a duplication of Item A. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion Vice Chair Scantlan moved to approve the minutes. Mr. Kanter seconded the motion that unanimously passed. IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Shirts for Board Members Mr. Majors advised the members the more shirts are purchased, the less the cost. If purchasing individual shirts with artwork, the cost would be $45 to $50 a shirt. The City warehouses stock shirts that are a 60/40 polyester and cotton blend. There are collared Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Boynton Beach, Florida April 27, 2015 shirts for men and V -necks for ladies. He supported the concept of the shirts for Board members and it was noted this would help when conducting surveys. He advised it would be better to wait until the next budget cycle. Brief discussion followed whether it would be helpful to use the shirts used by staff members and add the artwork. Mr. Majors responded not all Recreation and Parks staff receives a shirt and savings would depend on how many were bought. It was thought by just adding artwork to what staff used may save $10 a shirt. Mr. Kanter suggested quilting clubs may be able to assist them. They often have embroidering capabilities on their machines. B. Priority List of Undeveloped Park Sites The Board had previously identified four undeveloped parks as priorities for development, which were: Quantum, Girl Scout Park, Barrier Free and Meadows Nautica. Barrier Free Park is developed, but was recognized as a Park the Board wants to continue to develop. A request was made last month to host a community meeting for Girl Scout Park. Discussion followed if the Board hosted a community meeting for one park and not the others, it may create a sense the park was a priority for the Board. A question was posed if the parks all had the same priority level, and Mr. Majors responded the parks were equally prioritized. Chair Pierce Roe explained the reason she spoke about Girl Scout Park was because the Mayor mentioned at a City Commission meeting he would like to see Girl Scout Park developed. The last community meeting they held regarding Girl Scout Park was held at Bethesda Hospital and Mr. Majors did not see any problem with contacting Bethesda Hospital to do so again if the Board desired. Mr. Kanter explained the problem with Girl Scout Park was the neighbors. It was a beautiful park, having connectivity with bike trails and waterways, but more community education for the park was needed. Mr. Majors explained the Quantum Park Overlay District created a good master plan, but he was unsure how much community feedback was received regarding the design and proposed use, and how much it would cost to maintain. Vice Chair Scantlan spoke about the Resident Education to Action Program (REAP) grants up to $5,000 from the County. There is $85,000 available this year and Vice Chair Scantlan indicated if they get the community involved there could be 10 people in each community to take a class, put in a bid and receive an award. The possibility to receive funding was there, but the funds have to be matched and discussion followed community volunteers could provide sweat equity. She advised Lake Worth was receiving a lot of the money. Vice Chair Scantlan suggested the funds could be used for local parks and residents could apply for their community parks. The classes are held once or twice a year. 2 i I Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Boynton Beach, Florida April 27, 2015 Mr. Majors thought if they hosted a meeting regarding any of the undeveloped park sites, it would create a sense of expectation from those residents that the new park would potentially serve. Chair Pierce -Roe suggested hosting a meeting at each community. She noted Inlet Cove obtained funds for community signs and the residents provided the sweat equity. They maintained the street islands, signs and landscaped. The REAP program would provide the same opportunity. Mr. Majors had heard comments there has been a turnover in residents near Girl Scout Park and some residents are reconsidering and expressing interest in developing the Park. The Board just wanted to obtain the sense of the community if there was future potential. Mr. Kanter advised he did not get the City Commission report or results regarding development of Quantum Park, and this would be addressed at the next Recreation and Parks Board meeting. Vice Chair Scantlan commented the City would take over maintenance of Quantum Park and it was a concern. The dog park by Cortina was a done deal and the City would maintain only the dog park portion. Mr. Majors explained the park is only one -acre and it would cost less than $100,000 to maintain, which is what it costs the County to maintain the dog park at Lake Ida. Maintenance could also be contracted out. The other acreage would be maintained by the developer. It would be a minimal facility. He pointed out this dog park would not have bathrooms, would have limited parking and it was unlikely to attract a regional population. He thought it would be frequented by nearby community residents. He also clarified even a one -acre park would have to be shut down a few times a year to allow the grass to rest and to apply herbicides, pesticides and other needed maintenance. After further brief discussion, there was agreement to continue the discussion at the next meeting, and Mr. Kanter would discuss the Quantum Park Conceptual Plan. Mr. Majors would also like to put an estimate together regarding the potential cost to maintain the Quantum park site if the master plan were to be implemented. Mr. Majors spoke about the Barrier Free Park and was waiting for good news whether the State would award the City a $200,000 grant that will help fund the purchase and install the large playground element that will really make a big improvement to the Park. The total cost will be about $500,000. The Board inquired about what other improvements Mr. Majors would like to see occur at the park. Mr. Majors explained he would also love to eventually put a trail around the pond and place shade cover over some of the playgrounds. Ideally, he would like to add play pieces, more art, and add more landscaping. The members discussed donations and learned the Greater Boynton Beach Foundation, a non - profit agency, had been created to help fund Barrier Free Park, but its assistance in development of the Park has been disappointing. The Foundation got 3 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board B oynton Beach, Florida April 27, 2015 off to a slow start and to -date, had only raised about $20,000 to $25,000, primarily due to partnering with the Realtor's Association for the 5K Walk/Runs at Hunters Run. There are some groups that may be able to assist with park development, but those groups are not common in this area. Mr. Fromknecht suggested those sources are part of the decision making process dedicated to fundraising and the Board should support that too. Mr. Lapin asked about the next election of Foundation members and a suggestion was made to invite a representative to the next Board meeting. Motion Mr. Lapin moved that one or more of the members of the Greater Boynton Beach Foundation be invited to the next Recreation and Parks Board meeting. Vice Chair Scantlan seconded the motion that unanimously passed. V. New Business A. City Commission Meeting — July 7, 2015 Mr. Majors invited the members to attend the City Commission meeting on July 7, 2015, when the City Commission would pay tribute to the Board members for their service. Additionally, staff will be making a presentation to the City Commission about the Department. B. Leashed Dogs at Parks Report Mr. Majors explained a year ago, the Board recommended allowing leashed dogs at parks on a trial basis at Dewey, Jaycee, Intracoastal and Boynton Lakes Parks. They had to modify the Ordinance and install signs including information on where to direct comments and concerns. Mr. Majors had received complaints from one person from Boynton Lakes who complained several times that dogs were off the leash and in the playground. Parks maintenance staff also prepared reports about how much waste was found at the parks, and found waste daily at each Park. Mr. Majors, Ms. LeJeune and other City personnel inspected the parks on various occasions, but did not find any significant evidence of dog waste. Parks maintenance staff covers the waste with sand or removes it from high traffic areas. Mr. Majors noted they held an event at Intracoastal Park and he did not receive any complaints, but on a separate occasion, he saw two large dogs off leash. Mr. Majors advised he would give a report of what the Recreation and Parks Board recommends to the City Commission in June. Mr. Lapin suggested the Board recommend extension of the dog parks for another year. 4 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Boynton Beach, Florida April 27, 2015 Mr. Kanter suggested finding someone to pay for a sign and Mr. Majors thought that idea could be explored. Mr. Kanter also suggested instituting a permit fee for dogs at the parks; however, Mr. Majors explained staff administration of that program would be problematic. Chair Pierce -Roe suggested signs be posted the owner has to pick up after their dog and proactively promote self - governance. Mr. Majors referenced an area on the beach in Jupiter in which dogs are allowed off leash, and explained it was the only area he was aware of that dog owners actively self- governed. Vice Chair Scantlan pointed out that in addition to being a City park, Boynton Lakes is located within a community with HOA rules and there were two layers of regulations. If someone sees a violation occurring, they should call. Mr. Majors suggested they discuss it at the next meeting. Mr. Lapin also suggested if dogs off leash occur frequently, they monitor the situation during the next trial period to determine if the dogs cause damage or injure anyone. Chair Pierce Roe explained the consensus was to extend the trial period for another year and over the next six months, obtain feedback from other communities that may hold trials. (Mr. Byrd left the meeting at 7:30 p.m.) C. Recreational Trails Grant Application Mr. Majors explained the department is applying for a Recreational Trails Grant that would provide funding to purchase and install a non - motorized vessel launching dock. The grant application is due on April 30 and the grant will provide 50% of the cost to purchase and install the dock. Glenda Hall, Forestry and Grounds Manager, reviewed an aerial of the Park property. Staff was seeking to install a 24 by 24 square foot floating dock attached to a 24 -foot floating ramp with a double kayak launch. Members viewed the Preserve area. There was also a 30 -inch retaining wall exposed during low tide. The ramp would bridge that area to the floating dock. Mr. Majors explained the effort would involve some minor landscaping and he detailed the location behind Intracoastal Park where a current kayaking launch was too close to a Preserve. This launch is part of the Florida Circumnavigation Saltwater Paddling Trail in Section 18, having access to Intracoastal Park, Ocean Inlet Park, Boat Club Park, Mangrove Park, the Ocean Ridge Natural area, and many other areas. Mr. Majors was very hopeful they would receive the grant. Ms. Hall noted she was part of the Annual Florida Paddling Rendezvous Planning Committee for the 2013 Florida Paddling Rendezvous, and is a member of the Palm Beach Pack and Paddle Club. The Pack & Paddle Club thought it would be better to have two kayak launches, one of which is handicap. She commented handicap access in the area north of Bryant Park was very difficult to maneuver, even for her. If the department received the award, they would issue an invitation to bid, as there is sea grass there and there may be permit issues. 5 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Board Boynton Beach, Florida April 27, 2015 The Recreation and Parks Board members unanimously supported the grant application. Mr. Majors explained Intracoastal Park and Jaycee Park currently have launching areas for non - motorized vessels and this location was part of the Blueways Plan. Vice Chair Scantlan inquired if this would be part of the Shake -A -Leg program, an adaptive sailing program, and learned it was not. Mr. Majors agreed to keep the Board apprised. D. Great American Clean -Up — Oceanfront Park Mr. Majors distributed a flyer for the Great American Clean Up at Oceanfront Park which would be held on May 2 VI. Items for the City Manager's Attention None. VII. Next Meeting — May 25, 2015 The members cancelled the May meeting as several members were not available. The next regular meeting would be held in June. Mr. Lapin remarked he liked the roundtable meetings at the parks. VIII. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Chair Pierce -Roe adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m. 0 atk�' 0 1"", Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 052895 6