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Minutes 04-23-18 CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH RECREATION&PARKS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING CITY HALL— COMMISSION CHAMBERS m April 23, 2018, 6:30 p.m. PRESENT: Betty Pierce-Roe, Chair Wally Majors, Recreation and Parks Director Michael Byrd Lisa Edmondson, Prototype, Inc. Charles Kanter Julie Mondello Renee Stern Christina Johnson Eric Ammon Lisa Browne-Banic, Alternate ABSENT: Daniel Shapiro I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.by Chair Pierce-Roe. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. II. ATTENDANCE Roll was called, and a quorum was present. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES • February and March Motion made by Ms. Stern, seconded by Ms. Mondello, to approve the February 26, 2018, and March 26, 2018,minutes with the following correction: ® Clarification on last item in March minutes: the conceptual design for Girl Scout Park will not be ready for a few months at least,perhaps into summer. In a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously. IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS • Dogs at Oceanfront Park Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton each, Florida April 23, 2018 Mr. Majors reported that the City Commission will not act on the matter until its May meeting. The Chair will make a presentation to the Commission on May 1, 2018, sharing the Board's recommendation to not allow dogs at the beach. By consensus,the board agreed to allow the Chair to make the presentation to the City Commission. • System Master Plan Discussion Mr. Majors reviewed that part of the scope of services for the engineering firm will be to include a public input meeting on what they would like to include if the City were to design the park. One viable option is to provide a footbridge on the City property adjacent to the park site. He commented that access via Sunset Drive is not suitable. Chair Pierce-Roe mentioned that nobody wants to have the entrance in their backyard. The footbridge would be off the main road and make the park accessible without going on private property. Mr. Majors reviewed the number and nature of parks in their system. The most common type of park is the neighborhood park, which has a surface area of about 1.5 miles to two miles. The neighborhood parks are the backbone of the community. Mr. Majors said they will be looking for opportunities to partner and obtain grants for covering costs related to the parks, like they did at Barrier-Free park for the playground and at Crowder Park. Using a map, Mr. Majors pointed out that the bulk of parks are on the east side of the City. He gave the history of the park impact fee and reviewed the City's level of service. He also reviewed the 1962 Comprehensive Plan, footprint of service areas, land acquisition, proposed locations for future parks, and the potential for amenities. Mr. Majors addressed the possibilities for Quantum Park but noted that the upkeep would cost about$200,000 annually. Mr. Kanter pointed out there are almost 1,000 acres of land on the canal at Quantum Park. They had talked about having paddle boards there, and "sister" paddle boards at Girl Scout Park, which would make a water-oriented park. He said they may get access to the PVO facility on Minor Road-it has existing infrastructure. Mr. Majors said they might be able to get grant funding for that park, but the challenge is maintenance. Mr. Majors said they arc looking into an automated fee collection at some parks like the beach, and that might allow using staff as "rangers." He commented they will not be able to move out the homeless population from the parks, but with some additional resources, they can work with thein somehow. Mr. Majors also commented they are meeting with the Sierra Club and a group of volunteers from the Galaxy school to make the scrub natural area more inviting. 2 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton each, Florida April 23, 2018 Mr. Ammon asked about expanding the adopt-a-park program, perhaps getting a task force together to bring in businesses and residents to raise the level of the parks. Mr. Majors thought the challenge would be motivating the volunteers,who usually lose interest after a time. He would also like the volunteers to do more than just clean up a park. Ms. Browne-Banc suggested leveraging what is already in place. She recommended keeping the City website up-to-date with information about the parks. In addition, she thought tours of the parks for the board would be very helpful. She offered her photography services to help update any photography needs for the parks to feed into the website or for presentations. Ms. Browne- Banic suggested leveraging park activities to get the schools "green certified." Mr. Majors outlined some of the department's activities: • Celebrated Arbor Day and Earth Day at the schools • Did an event at Oyer Park with the fishing club • Met with Forest Park elementary school last year to encourage them to enroll in green • Wrote letters to all elementary schools in the City regarding parks and any recreational activities • Made headway at the high school • Offered tours when they can • Made their first drone video of the Links, and will also do it at several more parks Ms. Johnston said she organized a cleanup event for her company on Earth Day, and mentioned an organization called the Great American Cleanup. She suggested using hashtags with popular companies like that for more exposure and volunteers. Chair Pierce-Roe commented she has been working with that company for many years and they are great. Mr. Majors wanted to set up a board meeting where they could lay out the map to make discussion easier. Mr. Ammon brought up Forest Hills Park - noting it was not in good shape when he visited it, but between some individuals, businesses, and the Town, they were able to fix it up. He said the organization of the community that uses the park was key to the success of that venture. They need to look at specific groups within communities to help their parks. Perhaps they could establish a community action committee specifically for the parks. Chair Pierce-Roe reported that when somebody adopted a park, they felt responsible, since their name was on a sign. Mr. Ammon commented that the hospital is adjacent to Forest Hills Park, and he believed they should be approached to participate in the park's upkeep. The City's representatives for that area should be involved also. Mr. Majors expressed his agreement with Mr. Ammon's comments, and said he would make every effort to meet with the communities. Chair Pierce-Roe mentioned that the pilings/mile markers put in the canal at Oyer Park are very nice. Mr. Majors remarked they would continue the discussion at later meetings. 3 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton each, Florida Aril 23,2018 V. NEW BUSINESS • Selection of Chair and Vice Chair Nomination made by Ms. Stern, seconded by Ms. Johnston,to elect Ms. Pierce-Roe for Chair. In a voice vote, the nomination passed unanimously. Nomination made by Ms.Mondello, seconded by Ms.Browne-Banic,to elect Mr. Kanter for Vice Chair. In a voice vote, the nomination passed unanimously.. Upcoming Events o Future Six event at Oceanfront Park- April 28 at 8:30 a.m. o Civic Center Last Dance @ Civic Center— Saturday, June 16 Mr. Majors said they are starting to move out of the Art Center and Civic Center and will be done by the end of May, 2018. He also announced they are hiring additional staff to assist individuals with special needs. VI. ITEMS FOR THE CITY MANAGER'S ATTENTION -None VII. NEXT MEETING: TBD It was agreed to meet at Intracoastal Park next month, but the date will change due to the regular meeting date of May 28 being Memorial Day. After a brief discussion, June 4, 2018, was agreed upon by consensus for the next meeting date. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Hearing no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:24 p.m. [Minutes transcribed by J.Rubin,Prototype,Inc.] 4