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Minutes 05-22-17 MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERSBOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017, AT 6:30 P.M. PRESENT: Betty Pierce-Roe, Chair Wally Majors, Recreation and Parks Director Eric Ammon Glenda Hall, Forestry and Grounds Manager Renee Stern Mona Laventure, Prototype, Inc. Julie Mondello Christina Johnson (arr. 6:37 p.m.) Daniel Shapiro Charles Kanter ABSENT: Michael Byrd I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m. by Wally Majors. II. ATTENDANCE Roll was called, and a quorum was present. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Majors said that nobody had received the April minutes, so they would not vote on them. Mr. Kanter said there were two corrections needed to the March 27, 2017 minutes:  Page 2, paragraph 2, last sentence: should be “four schools” not “four parks”  Page 2, paragraph 5, the paragraph should say that the BSO will let the public (civilians) use their facilities if the park includes a strip where they (BSO) can run their dogs IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Quantum Park site B. Girl Scout Park site Mr. Majors advised he had wanted to delay a previously mentioned letter of support for the Quantum Park Site until the full Board could be present. Since that time, there is also a new Board member, Eric Ammon. Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 22, 2017 Eric Ammon introduced himself, noting he lives in the Chapel Hill community. He runs a worldwide jet company and wants to contribute to the betterment of his community. Upon request by Ms. Mondello, he gave a brief recap of his conversation last month on the Quantum Park site. Mr. Majors stated he has allocated $50,000 in his budget next year for planning purposes. If the Board can come to a decision on where to focus that attention, he wanted to use the money to create a conceptual plan for a park. Chair Pierce-Roe asked if they could bring out the old plans for Girl Scout Park for Mr. Ammon to review. She said the broad plan included a walking bridge, a passive park, small parking area, and kayak launch/fishing pier. Fifteen years ago they approached the community about the park, but there was no interest. She feared the park site would be forgotten and hoped that new residents in the community would be interested in its development. Mr. Kanter commented on the beautiful trees in Girl Scout Park, which would fit into the paddle board program as a stopping point. He said it is high ground and needs protection from development. Mr. Majors pointed out that the Overlay District created a conceptual plan for the City property. He said they could use the $50,000 for a Girl Scout Park plan. Ms. Stern asked about the expansion of Barrier-Free Park, and Mr. Majors advised that part of the $50,000 could be used to examine potential opportunities to expand it, especially to the south. He added that realtors had said they would like to continue partnering with the City to promote the park. Mr. Majors cautioned against spending money on a conceptual plan without the backing of the community for a particular site. Chair Pierce-Roe said that a community meeting would be vital to gauge the interest in a park, and Mr. Majors hoped that Mr. Ammon could help get residents to the meeting. Mr. Kanter reminded the Board that no money is needed in Quantum Park. All they need is an Interlocal Agreement with the City to turn the property over to the Quantum Park Overlay Dependent District (QPODD), which has the money to develop the park. Mr. Kanter added that the QPODD would eventually “go away,” and the City would be responsible for maintaining the park. He spoke about the new residential developments being built around the park. Mr. Majors wanted to see something in writing that the Quantum Overlay District would pay for the development. He also wished to know the timeline for the City taking over maintenance for the park. Mr. Kanter clarified that the land currently owned by the City is 17 acres, but the entire preserve area plus the City land is 60 acres. Mr. Majors pointed out that might be too large of an area for the City to maintain. 2 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 22, 2017 Discussion ensued on the history of the site, with Mr. Kanter mentioning that the 17 acres was given by the County to the City in 1980. Chair Pierce-Roe said the property was originally designated as commercial (storage/warehouses, etc.), but changed to residential. Mr. Kanter thought the City did not need another scrub park, but a park on the water would be important because of canoes, paddle-boards, etc. The Quantum site could also provide agricultural areas for schools, have a place for “rent-a-goats” to live, and other activities. In response to a question by Mr. Ammon, Mr. Majors said the town has a level of service plan. Mr. Ammon wondered if it applied to the new developments behind the Renaissance, and Mr. Majors said it applied to the degree they are adding population. In the City’s Comprehensive Plan, there is the Recreation and Open Space element, which includes a goal of 2.5 acres for every 1,000 residents in Boynton Beach. It is a recommendation, not a mandate, but they are pretty much on target. The City has about 180 acres of developed parkland and nine pieces that are undeveloped (allocated). Mr. Majors explained the park impact fee that was established in the 1980s, and said that part of that revenue helps build playgrounds and fund park planning. He suggested looking at a map to see the service areas of the various parks. Mr. Majors spoke about the System Master Plan for the parks. Although the Plan dictated that they would maintain what they have, that does not prevent discussion about future park development. Chair Pierce-Roe asked about the distribution of parks in different areas of the City. She noted that new developments also have some park-like amenities that they would not want to duplicate. Some of the newest parks are in the south area. Mr. Ammon wondered if a door-to-door survey had been done for residents to state what amenities they want in a park. If they did such a survey, there could be a community meeting afterward. Chair Pierce-Roe said they did not go into the community, but asked them to participate. She said that most Board members live near a park, and that is why they are on the Board; it can be challenging to get others interested. Mr. Kanter spoke about the new developments adjacent to the Quantum Park site. Mr. Majors advised he would review the letter from the QPODD, and he will keep the items on the agenda. V. NEW BUSINESS 3 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 22, 2017 A. Fit 2 Play Grant Mr. Majors reported that Boynton Beach and six other Florida communities will receive money from the State organization to assess fitness levels before and after in the after- school program. The program will emphasize activity along with special events featuring healthier foods. B. Voluntary No Smoking Area @ Oceanfront Park Mr. Majors commented that the State does not allow local communities to prohibit smoking outside. They do have portable ash trays and other items such as signs on the beach to educate people. The Department has designated the boardwalk and parking lot as the voluntary non-smoking area, and said it has been working for the past two weeks. Chair Pierce-Roe wondered if volunteers who have drones might be interested in flying their drones over the water to assist lifeguards. Mr. Majors thought it was a great concept and said he would ask Ocean Rescue staff to could look into it, although some people do not like the idea of a camera in the air. Chair Pierce-Roe thought it could help with shark sightings. She also suggested that the volunteers teach staff how to use the devices. Mr. Ammon thought there might be a liability issue with the drones, where people would expect more performance/response than they would from a lifeguard alone in the case of a drowning. C. Sara Sims Master Plan - Community Input Meeting Mr. Majors said there is a proposal to add residential on the western portion of the park, which would result in modification of the Master Plan for the Parks. This action requires community feedback, which will occur at an Open House community input meeting in June. D. Upcoming Events  Father’s Day Golf Tournament @ The Links - June 17, 8:00 a.m. Mr. Majors advised that The Links is now part of the Parks and Recreation Department, so they are trying to bring more attention to golfing. The Department has partnered with Future Six Helping Hand, a nonprofit group that organizes surfing, skateboarding, and related activities for people with special needs. On May 27, July 22, August 26, and September 23, 2017, parking will be free for families with children with special needs who want to try surfing. The event will also be open to adults. 4 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 22, 2017 VI. ITEMS FOR THE CITY MANAGER’S ATTENTION - None VII. NEXT MEETING: June 26, 2017 Mr. Ammon mentioned that he and his wife visited about 70% of the City’s parks and reported several safety concerns at Palmetto Park: a man smoking weed in the park, several girls shooting up heroin, and fist fights at an after-school program while supervisors egged them on. He suggested they create safety by perception, such as an empty police car parked there and signs saying the park is being monitored. Mr. Majors thought that Palmetto Park was going to have to “go away” due to the trouble there. Mr. Majors reminded the Board members that they can add agenda items via email to him. Chair Pierce-Roe asked Ms. Johnson if she had been out to see the parks and she replied affirmatively. Ms. Johnson wondered what was meant by a park “going away.” Mr. Majors said it was in the discussion stage, and thought it would be redesigned so that it be less of an attractive nuisance. He noted that positive activities (like a community center or dog park) are the best way to bring parks to a safe level. He will put the issue on the agenda. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Ms. Mondello, seconded by Mr. Kanter, to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m. \[Minutes transcribed by J. Rubin, Prototype, Inc.\] 5