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Minutes 09-28-15 MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BLVD., BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 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 Robert Lapin Julie Mondello, Alternate Daniel Schapiro, Alternate Renee Stern ABSENT : Michael Byrd Jeffrey Fromknecht Charles Kanter I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Pierce-Roe called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. II. ATTENDANCE Roll was called, and a quorum was present. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion made by Ms. Stern, seconded by Ms. Mondello, to approve the minutes of the August 24, 2015, meeting, as presented. Motion not brought to vote. IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Shade Structures for Playgrounds Mr. Majors still thought installing the shade sails was a viable option. In the case of an imminent storm, there is the option to lower them, as opposed to a fixed structure. He reviewed that the playground at Intracoastal Park is a definite candidate in his mind, and asked the Board to consider installing a shade structure at the northwest side of Barrier Free Park. By consensus, the Board agreed those would be two good parks for the shade structures. Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 28, 2015 Mr. Majors advised the Board that the surface at Intracoastal Park is being redone, and he is going to recommend a poured-in-place surface. Vice Chair Scantlan asked if the surface would be wheelchair-friendly. Mr. Majors responded that wheelchairs, walkers, and canes can easily be used on that surface. B. System Master Plan Mr. Majors said he hoped to invite the public to provide their feedback on future parks in either October or November. He said that the Board’s indecision regarding the use of Quantum, Meadows, and Girl Scout Park will probably end up being part of the narrative that the Board presents to the public. Mr. Majors said he printed the largest map possible to facilitate discussion on the Plan, and invited Board members to join him around the table. He noted a smaller version of the map is available online. Mr. Majors explained that some parks belong to the County, even though they are within the City limits. He then pointed out the various parks on the map. Vice Chair Scantlan wondered why they would not develop some parks at the same time that are close to each other. Mr. Majors said there is no access to one of the parks; it requires a pedestrian bridge over the canal into Girl Scout Park. He said that would more likely be a passive park. Mr. Majors advised that some people are concerned about the FP&L substation near the park site (due to potential spillage at the electrical facility). Mr. Majors pointed out the following parks and features on the map:  Betty Thomas Park – used to be a mango farm, fairly new, seven-acre neighborhood park  Jaycee Park – popular, interpretative trail, potential blueways  Pence Park – popular, multi-purpose field for soccer, kickball league  Cemetery – almost full  Little League Park – becoming crowded  Hibiscus Park – tiny park, south of Boynton Beach Boulevard  Woolbright Place Site – undeveloped, no access, abuts Leisureville  Park within Renaissance Commons – dog park that is less than an acre  Ezell Hester – biggest Community Center in the City  Rosemary Scrub – at north end  Sara Sims Park – cemetery  Wilson Park – has Carolyn Sims Center and John Denson Pool, existing greenway (Palmetto Greens Linear Park) to Galaxy Park  Barton Memorial Park – cemetery  Galaxy Park – softball field and tennis courts 2 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 28, 2015  Quantum Site- Quantum Overlay District wants the City to take it over; a conceptual plan exists for it and it will be a passive park; 70 acres; could have trails; has access to blueway and bikeway system  Boynton Lakes Park – huge park, lots of grass that requires maintenance, allows leashed dogs  Meadows Park – very popular, has many amenities Nautica Site on the east side of Meadows Park – 5 acres each, possible o drone site  Pioneer Canal Park – has the only freshwater ramp  Knollwood Park – trail around the pond, Boynton Beach maintains it  Nickels Road Site – has gopher tortoise, would be difficult to develop Vice Chair Scantlan asked about the age demographics of park use. Mr. Majors stated that the southeast section of the City has the largest concentration of seniors – they use Jaycee Park. The northwest area is mostly younger middle class, and the southwest has a lot of golfers and boaters. Many seniors in that area go to the senior center, rather than to parks. Mr. Majors noted that many gated communities have their own recreational amenities. Mr. Majors stated that the biggest concentration of community centers is in the northeast area. He said Calusa Park has a ball field, tennis courts, racquetball, pickle ball, etc., and is very popular. Mr. Majors said they were going to ask the County for help at Mangrove (rust issues on the aluminum boardwalk). Vice Chair Scantlan reviewed that the top three sites were Quantum, Girl Scout, and FP&L. Mr. Majors advised that the City has a level of service guideline which states that for every 1,000 people there should be a defined number of recreational amenities. He said the City is a little low on one point, but overall it is very good. He will bring the information to the next meeting. Vice Chair Scantlan commented that the development/preparation of passive parks may be prohibitively expensive, and Ms. Stern thought the passive parks would be on the smaller side. Vice Chair Scantlan suggested developing just a small part of the FP&L site or the Girl Scout site. Chair Pierce-Roe thought that the FP&L site has a lot of potential and has been overlooked. Mr. Schapiro suggested having fitness trails, paddle boards, and fishing docks in the park. Mr. Majors said he would invite some neighbors in the area to come to the public meeting. Mr. Majors acknowledged that parks need maintenance and suggested that Forestry and Grounds Manager Glenda Hall provide a short report at each meeting. 3 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 28, 2015 Discussion ensued about a possible parking area at FP&L site. Mr. Majors said there is a bridge there that belongs to the City, but the vegetation is very thick near it. He thought a small boat would be able to go under the bridge, and Ms. Mondello suggested having a small boat ramp nearby and a picnic area. Mr. Majors said they would like to make it bicycle-friendly in “old” Boynton, although they would probably need to change the zoning to do so. Mr. Lapin commented it would be helpful to know what the possibilities are for the parks and what they have now. Mr. Majors will provide website links to the information, in addition to the information they already have in their manuals. Mr. Majors asked for feedback from the Board as to when they wanted to host the community meeting. After a brief discussion, the month of October was selected. Mr. Majors said that when the Board and staff decide what amenities they want in a particular park, staff would hire a consultant to draw up a conceptual plan, which would cost approximately $20,000 - $30,000. Mr. Lapin wanted information on what is needed for each park, and Mr. Majors replied that information is in the Capital Improvement Budget (CIP) budget. He added that almost every park will require adaptations for ADA. Mr. Lapin clarified that he wants to know which park needs what, and which parks are “complete.” Mr. Majors advised that staff is concerned with those matters; the Board should be more concerned with what the future park system will look like. Chair Pierce-Roe felt the blueways were important for the future, as many people in the community like to fish. Mr. Majors reviewed that part of the narrative would be having opportunities to develop places where people can have access to fishing, boating, paddle-boarding, etc. Ms. Mondello suggested greenways for bike riding to the blueways. Mr. Lapin suggested concession stands at the blueways, and Mr. Majors said there was a hot dog stand at one time, but it did not succeed. Mr. Majors pointed out that maintenance of the canals is a challenge to keep them navigable. He said they could have trailheads by the canals. There could be kayak, canoe, and/or bike rentals. Chair Pierce-Roe said the canal would seem safer than the Intracoastal Waterway – there would not be any motorized boats. In addition, there would be freshwater opportunities. Mr. Majors stated they would invite the public to the October meeting, then assemble the narrative, and take it to the City Commission. Discussion ensued on how to manage the meeting, with the suggestion being made to have maps available. Mr. Majors cautioned against having very high expectations for 4 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 28, 2015 the meeting. He suggested having the public decide on their highest priorities by putting dots on the map. Mr. Lapin suggested showing only the parks and walkways. Ms. Mondello added it would be helpful to label Leisureville. V. NEW BUSINESS A. November Meeting Date (deferred until the next meeting) Mr. Majors said Vice Chair Scantlan wrote a letter regarding the Reef Program, and he asked if the Board wants to send the letter to the City Commission on behalf of the Board. The letter asks the City Commission to consider promoting the program through the City’s resources. By consensus, the Board agreed to forward the letter to the City Commission. VI. Items for the City Manager’s Attention - none VII. NEXT MEETING: October 26, 2015 VIII. ADJOURNMENT Hearing no opposition, Mr. Majors adjourned the meeting at 7:43 pm. [Minutes transcribed by J. Rubin, Prototype, Inc.] 5