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Minutes 02-22-16MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2016, AT 6:30 P.M. PRESENT: Elizabeth Pierce -Roe, Chair Michael Byrd Jeffrey Fromknecht Charles Kanter Daniel Shapiro Julie Mondello Renee Stern ABSENT: Robert Lapin I. CALL TO ORDER Wally Majors, Recreation and Parks Director Glenda Hall, Forestry and Grounds Manager Chair Pierce -Roe called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. II. ATTENDANCE Roll was called, and a quorum was present. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES No minutes were available. IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Barrier Free 5K - Update Mr. Majors reported that attendance was down this year, and there were several competing events that weekend. They will meet next week and try to find a better weekend for next year's event. Although they like February, they could change it. They will continue working with the Faith and Miracles group to give honorary stars. Mr. Majors said they contacted the Master Wheelchair group in Portland, and they were pleased. Mr. Majors said it would be nice to find a local artisan or carpenter to participate. Mr. Majors said they found a 17 -year-old boy for next year who will be the recipient of the accessible vehicle. Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 22, 2016 Mr. Majors expressed appreciation for all the participants who were there. He said they were able to feature the new alligator that overlooks the swamp. Ms. Mondello suggested they have the children run through the balloons next year. Mr. Fromknecht asked how much money was raised and how it will be used. Mr. Majors said the Wheelchair group collected the funds and donated them to the Greater Boynton Beach Foundation. He said they raised over $3,000 last year, and he thought maybe this year brought in $2500. He hoped in the future to be able to buy more playground equipment and build a therapeutic recreation center. They are working on grants to help purchase materials and equipment. V. NEW BUSINESS A. Staff Re -Organization Mr. Majors reported that a senior manager will be retiring on April 14 and will be replaced by the Recreation Superintendent. This will allow a restructuring of the department that is more consistent with the norm, focusing on programming. Mr. Kanter announced he was appointed as a Supervisor for the Quantum Park Overlay District. B. Park/Facility Assessments Mr. Majors handed out a form, seeking the Board's feedback on suggestions for parks and on future recommendations on site development. He also wanted the Board to look at the buildings again, particularly the old high school. Perhaps the Board can put forth a lease and let the City Commission know how they feel about it. C. Upcoming Events Mr. Majors announced the following upcoming events: • Eggstravaganza on March 26 at 10:00 a.m. (Easter egg hunt) o At Barrier Free Park o May have to move the event in the future because it is outgrowing the park • Spring into Summer on April 9 at 10:00 a.m. o At Intracoastal Park Camps o Free registration during February o Early registration is needed to allow more time for assessments of special needs children 2 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 22, 2016 Mr. Majors mentioned they have one employee with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Services, which will help with assessments. Also the ADA Coordinator will be able to work with her. He said very few municipalities have the type of staff to accommodate people with special needs. Ms. Mondello wondered if people living outside of Boynton Beach could join for a higher fee. Mr. Majors said they do pay more. They could raise fees for Boynton Beach residents, but they have to be sensitive to the demographics, and they have to treat this summer camp the same as others. Users are finding the fees to be cost prohibitive in some cases. D. Arbor Day Activities Ms. Hall said they would celebrate Arbor Day in the early half of April, and are working with the autism class at Columbus School. They will plant seven trees at Jaycee Park on the east side of the existing playground to create shade. The large ficus tree that is there has an unknown lifespan. Ms. Hall gave a brief history of Arbor Day, and said they picked early April for Boynton Beach, since they had conflicts with testing in the schools. This will be the City's 33rd year celebrating Arbor Day. Ms. Hall said the Garden Club donated one flowering tree and she hopes they will do so again. Signs are available to dedicate the trees. Mr. Majors invited all to attend. Mr. Majors announced that next month he will bring a copy of the BlueWay plan that was approved by the City Commission. Chair Pierce -Roe announced an art walk on Thursday, February 25, 2016, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at 420 West Industrial Avenue. Chair Pierce -Roe asked how the public art workshop went that was held over the prior weekend. Mr. Majors did not know, but would ask Debbie to come and report on it. Mr. Majors reported on a program he attended where high school students told the Police Department how the Police could interact with people who may have trouble hearing. Chair Pierce -Roe mentioned she attended a meeting at the museum regarding the Hack Lab (the group that got the drone program going). She talked about the different programs they have. They are looking for people to be mentors for children who are interested in going into engineering. Myhacklab.org has a list of activities and classes, and she thought it would be good to be involved in it. Mr. Majors said a lot of the members are also members of the South Florida Flying Club, which is the club that uses the parks to fly radio -controlled helicopters and drones. 3 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 22, 2016 The City had to order signage for the field to alert people that they have to be members of the association and follow regulations to fly there. The Club does racing once a month in the gym with special lighting. They also want to host a conference at Hester Center/Park. Part of the agreement with the Flying Club is that they have to return a degree of service to the school program. Chair Pierce -Roe said that the group helped students in Del Ray Beach build a robot. Ms. Mondello noted a similar program at her daughter's school that is available for a few. Mr. Kanter asked for a status update on the shirts, and Mr. Majors said he has to order them. Ms. Mondello suggested they make the 5K run be a 5K/10K run next year, and Mr. Majors said they would have to get permission from Hunters Run. It would make a difference in how many people participate. Mr. Shapiro wondered if they could enlist the local breweries to participate by handing out free beers at the end of the race. Mr. Majors said they would have to shift the focus from family to adult if they did that. He will look into it. Chair Pierce -Roe asked about having food truck(s) at the parks for families, and Mr. Majors said they would have them at Barrier -Free Park for Eggstravaganza and July 4th Chair Pierce -Roe was hoping to have them other than at events just for families who are using the park, perhaps on a Wednesday. Mr. Majors was not sure if it would work if it is not part of an event, but he would consider it for next year. VI. ITEMS FOR THE CITY MANAGER'S ATTENTION — None VII. NEXT MEETING: March 28, 2016 VIII. ADJOURNMENT Hearing no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:18 p.m. [Minutes transcribed by J. Rubin, Prototype, Inc.]