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Minutes 02-25-419 CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH RECREATION&PARKS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING INTRACOASTAL PARK CLUBHOUSE a FEBRUARY 25, 2019, 6:30 p.m. PRESENT: Betty Pierce-Roe Wally Majors, Recreation and Parks Director Charles Kanter Crystal Quesada, Aquatic Supervisor Eric Ammon (arrived 6:35) Lisa Tayar, Prototype, Inc. Eugene Fagan Julie Mondello Renee Stern Daniel Shapiro ABSENT: Lisa Brown-Banc Michael Byrd L CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Wally Majors. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. IL ATTENDANCE Roll was called, a quorum was present. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - none IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Boynton Lakes —Parking Mr. Majors spoke about adding a parking space to the existing six spaces at Boynton Lakes. There are multiple HOAs within the neighborhood that are being contacted about the intent; no controversy is expected. Signs may be posted to elicit public comment. B. Selection of Board Chair Mr. Majors stated Board consensus at last meeting was to have Betty Pierce-Roe (currently an alternate) become a regular member so as to be appointed as the Board Chair. This can be accomplished by contacting the Clerk's Office. The vote for Board Chair was deferred. Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 25, 2019 V. NEW BUSINESS A. Magic Wheels & Special Deals and Barrier Free 5K Run, Walk & Roll Mr. Majors reported on the Fourth Annual Magic Wheels event along with the Seventh Annual Barrier Free 5K. Both received full media coverage, even out-of-state and social media. There were 238 participants, up from last year. A conflicting event may have affected the attendance, however, so moving the date back one day for next year is being considered. The conceptual plan for the pond on the east side of the park is moving forward to fulfill the master plan for the dock. The City is putting together a marketing/promotion team, which should include mention of the RPB in future projects. B. Summer Camp Mr. Majors noted Summer camp is coming up (June 12-August 2) for ages 5-12, and is a bargain at $550 for eight weeks. A scholarship program, in participation with the County, will be available for qualifying children for the entire eight weeks. C. Assistant Director Mr. Majors stated that Amy resigned a few months ago, but the position is being replaced with an Assistant Director. The challenge is that Mr. Majors will be retiring in 16 months, so whomever is chosen will be expected to carry the Department forward. While focus is often on recreation, with 29 parks to monitor, the small staff will have challenges with strategic management. Ms. Pierce-Roe commented on the lights on the south side of the dock and around the playground; Mr. Majors has put in a work order to get lights working again. D. Cultural Art Center (aka Old High School) Mr. Majors updated the Board on the Cultural Arts Center programs will be located at the Old High School while construction is underway. The building is expected to be done before the end of 2019, but full programming mode won't be achieved until Spring 2020. Some additional staff will be needed, hopefully with backgrounds in cultural arts. There will also be a beautiful auditorium with a stage for theater and performing arts programs. Ms. Mondello commented on the importance of performing arts for school-aged youth and the growing market for such programs. Mr. Ammon wondered if the new Civic Center will be planning adult programs; the vision is to bring some programs over, but not all. There is definitely a gap in adult programming; Mr. Ammon suggested there be less sports and more culture. Some discussion followed as to the logistics of registration and conducting actual classes at various venues. E. Crowder Dog Park Expansion Mr. Majors reported on Bark Fest and thanked Ms. Mondello for being one of the judges. Ms. Mondello said the only negative feedback was on taking care of the grass, the size of the event, 2 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 25, 2019 and the sun. Discussion ensued regarding shade structures, maintenance and costs, dog runs/fencing, and expectations for dog parks versus standard parks. These points are being contemplated for a few of the parks in the future. Open Public Comment on Ocean Front Park: ➢ Michelle Abderhalden, 6 Aspen Court, spoke on several issues: o Beach maintenance, in particular concerns about seaweed abatement as a continuing problem with this beach. The truck sent to rake up the seaweed often never even puts the rake down to clear the seaweed away; also, there is a concern about where the seaweed goes when it is raked away (in front of private homes?). Ms. Pierce-Roe explained the role of this Advisory Board and Mr. Major's role as Parks Director in reporting to the City Commission. o Clarification that the City owns Ocean Front Park and Beach. o Bathroom Cleaning/maintenance. o Maintenance of railing, stairs, accumulation of sand and weeds. o Addition of a bench halfway along the long ramp for limited mobility users. o Trees, mangroves, sea grapes, grasses. It was noted that all mangroves and sea grapes are protected species/habitat and cannot be cut back even from hurricane damage in order to prevent sea erosion. The grasses and sea grapes are what protect the dunes from being washed away in storms, allowing storm surges to come through and take out AIA. A discussion ensued on hurricanes, beach erosion, red tide, and the changes along the entire coastline. o It was noted that Public Works takes care of the beach maintenance and that a new contractor is being hired. o Dogs at the beach are prohibited during turtle nesting season; this Board is being cautious with this approach. ➢ Bill Hader [phonetic], 2618 Mango Creek Lane, spoke on the seaweed issue being a nightmare and the affects on tourist season. Ms. Pierce-Roe stated this is the first year the seaweed has been seen in such abundance and is a new climate change problem to contend with all the way down to the Florida Keys. Mr. Hader stressed raking and disposal, and that the disposal problem doesn't seem to exist in Del Ray. ➢ Alba Hader [phonetic], 2618 Mango Creek Lane, had questions about allocating funds for increased maintenance on the beach when the seaweed problems are seasonally worse. Various solutions for raising funds were discussed. It was noted that the budget can be accessed at the Public Records office or online; also, the sculptures in question are paid for by the Public Arts Impact fee and the funds are not available for other purposes. ➢ Michelle Abderhalden sought to know how these questions will be handled and addressed. It was explained that the Advisory Board funnels questions to Mr. Majors (as a City employee), who in turn presents them to the City Commission. The minutes of the meetings are available online to the general public as they are presented to the City Commission. All citizens are encouraged to bring their issues directly to the City Commission for public comments. Mr. Majors and Mr. Fagan noted that beach clean-up is addressed on a monthly basis by volunteers and other groups in projects throughout the years, such as the Adopt-a-Park program. 3 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 25, 2019 Schools and Scouts, among many other groups, are regular volunteers. When it was suggested that funds collected for parking at the beach could be used for maintenance, Mr. Majors noted that parking fees do not come close to covering the costs of that beach's maintenance, and parking funds go into the General Funds and could not be allocated for any specific beach or park. VI. ITEMS FOR THE CITY MANAGER'S ATTENTION—None Mr. Kanter spoke about the invasion of love vine (red vine that kills trees) in the City parks, while surrounding municipalities seem to be taking care of it adequately. In nature, regular wild- fires burn it off, but now must be removed by human intervention. Mr. Majors asked Mr. Kanter to contact him directly in order to address this infestation. The Park Tour in April was discussed; it was suggested that Public Works personnel be invited on the Tour. VII. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be held on March 25, 2019. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Hearing no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:28 p.m. [Minutes transcribed by M. Moore,Prototype,Inc.] 4