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Minutes 09-23-19 CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH RECREATION&PARKS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING INTRACOASTAL PARK CLUBHOUSE a SEPTEMBER 23, 2019, 6:30 P.m. PRESENT: Betty Pierce-Roe Wally Majors, Recreation and Parks Director Charles Kanter Andrew P. Mack, Director of Public Works Eugene Fagan Tatiana Guerrier, Prototype, Inc Renee Stern Richard Bonnell (alternate) ABSENT: Eric Ammon Julie Mondello Joshua Van Leuven Daniel Shapiro (alternate) L CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:33 p.m. by Chair Pierce-Roe. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. IL ATTENDANCE Roll was called, a quorum was present. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Majors amended the August 26, 2019, minutes to read: • Under Approval of Minutes, first paragraph, strike "gave a brief overview of an informal meeting among several ..." and replace with "gave a brief overview of a meeting that was scheduled to allow ...". • Under Approval of Minutes, second paragraph, strike "were no formal minutes taken" and replace with "was a meeting summary taken". • The Board was reminded that a parks tour was taken in July in place of a regular meeting. • Section 4, Unfinished Business, the first paragraph, Ocean Park should read Ocean Front Park. Motion made by Mr. Fagan, seconded by Ms. Stern, to approve the August 26, 2019, minutes as amended. In a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously (5-0). IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 23, 2019 A. Lifeguard Tower Painting—update Mr. Majors spoke with Debby Coles-Dobay, the Public Art Administrator, who will provide an update next month as the call for artists (bid process) is still in process. In summary, it is not just a simple, one-color painting job, but will be an art project to bring some excitement to the towers. There is a sponsor lined up, but the City will have to do some preparatory work. B. Possible dog park—Boynton Lake Park Mr. Majors stated there has not been a chance to get an engineer to visit the site; but conversations with a couple of City Engineers revealed it will be a lot more than just a quick fix to drain the water from that part of the park as mentioned by Mr. Greenspan at last month's meeting. The park was built in that manner intentionally in order to receive the permit to complete the park. To make adjustments would require more than just a drainpipe. It became apparent that before a significant amount of City resources are spent toward engineers, it would be appropriate to ensure that the community that uses that park desire these proposed changes. The Board is urged to invite the surrounding residents and/or stakeholders for that park to come in to give feedback. V. NEW BUSINESS A. Capital Improvements Budget Mr. Majors introduced Andrew Mack, Public Works Director, who gave a PowerPoint presentation of the Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) Budget, the projects that are on the schedule for next year and beyond. Mr. Mack gave an overview of his credentials leading him to Public Works Director. (See presentation attached.) Among the highlights were the Boynton Beach Blvd. Extension Projects, Hester Center, Meadows Park, Ocean Front Park, and the Senior Center/Women's Club Project, as well as a City-wide plan to refresh all of the park signs. Mr. Fagan noted that there was no landscaping included in most of the site projects. Mr. Mack said landscape replacement is not a qualified expenditure according to the surtax program. It would be in a major park renovation, but otherwise not. Some clarification is being sought from the Inspector General's office as well as the County and City Attorneys as there is a lot of landscaping past its life expectancy and that needs replacement. As a side-thought, Mr. Fagan suggested the use of xeriscaping that requires much less maintenance; Mr. Mack said he hopes to get Matt Doyle, the new Landscape Architect, to come to a meeting to discuss such options that are already being considered. Maintenance is included in the Operating Budget, but not in CIP. There is $1.375 million approved recently for landscaping. Chair Pierce-Roe noted an allocation for Oyer Park and asked for further information. Mr. Mack said $15,000 is for sail shade and $25,000 ramp assessment, which includes a roll-over for improvements on the ramp, which repairs recommendations are currently being made; not this fiscal year, but next fiscal year due to permitting and application for a match grant. There is nothing currently in the budget for benches, etc., but sometimes when benches are removed from 2 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 23, 2019 one park, they can be shifted to another area. One of the yellow "suicide benches" is scheduled for Oyer Park. Also discussed was a survey for a dumpster enclosure for the north wall at Waters Edge; and 8-foot concrete wall should help cut down on noise and people jumping over the wall. A goal is to eventually replace all the lights in all the parks with LED lighting, which prompted a discussion on security and making sure lighting stays on in bad weather. Mr. Majors added the CIP is a document that is reviewed on a fairly regular basis. Every year items are prioritized differently. It was noted that whatever revenue comes in for decals ($55,000-$65,000) goes right back into the General Fund; however, other funding options are being explored. B. Quantum Park Site Mr. Mack continued with a PowerPoint presentation of a very preliminary drawing for the proposed access on two sides, Quantum Blvd. and Miner Road, each with a parking lot. There will be restrooms, pavilions, walkways, docks, and a kayak launch. (See attached.) Phases for the project are planned as more funding become available. The construction is estimated to be $1.2 million. Mr. Kanter expressed his disappointment, claiming it is the worst plan he has seen. It is unworkable with the massive parking lot on Quantum Blvd. This has already been fought off, almost went to court for it, and it will not be done again. The reason was that any main entrance would be on Miner Road, and the Quantum Blvd. entrance is exactly what people don't want. Also the Sierra Club has spent many hours inspecting the area; the large parking lot would require digging into the berm (12-14 feet high at that point) with an 8-foot fence, which could impact all the turtles that live along there. This does not take into consideration using the POB property as the main entrance, which would save the City hundreds of thousands of dollars as parking, sewers, lights, and permits already exist. Further history on this site was given to Mr. Mack. Mr. Fagan agreed, having had the same thoughts, and a discussion about parking spaces ensued. Mr. Mack stated one of the reasons for the parking area is for Eco Park's bus tours and educational opportunities that would use this park. Mr. Mack thanked the Board for their feedback and will take this back to the designers and the Assistant City Manager; again, this is a very preliminary proposal. There will be other opportunities for input before a formal recommendation will be put forward. Chair Pierce-Roe and Mr. Majors gave a brief history of what has already been considered for this site and what would be beneficial for use as an educational area, an area that in the 1990s was being considered for a ball field, racquetball and tennis courts. More discussion followed, especially as to how Miner Road is developing. Mr. Bonnell wondered about grants for this project, offering to look into it, especially where infrastructure is concerned. Mr. Major added to the discussion that this is a long journey and eventually the Grants Coordinator will become part of the project team. There are definitely a lot of grants that fall under the sustainable umbrella for projects such as eco-parks. Mr. Kanter asked for permission to email the Board and presenter with additional information, as this display is extremely misleading. Mr. Majors said the information could be sent to him and he would add it to next month's agenda, along with the 2010-2011 conceptual master plan. C. Barrier Free Park—East Pond Enhancement 3 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida September 23, 2019 Mr. Majors was excited to announce a very generous donation from the Realtors' Association of the Palm Beaches to be used to augment the Department Budget to do enhancements to the pond on the eastern edge of the Barrier Free Park. Mr. Majors showed a poster board display to demonstrate the progress being made. The plan is to have a pathway from the existing pathway into the pond area. Various other additions will be made; previously the pond area was surrounded by exotic materials and now the water and the park can be seen. There will be wheel-chair accessible paths and other modifications. With this new grant, the rest of the project should be completed in six to nine months. Chair Pierce-Roe asked about the parking to the right by the radio station. Mr. Majors said there is a good relationship with WMTL and they have offered the use when there are big events. There is also parking at the tennis courts. Additional parking is something that can possibly be added in the future. Chair Pierce-Roe also asked if there were actual fish in the pond; Mr. Majors did not think so, but that is something than can certainly be considered. D. Meet Kacy (Assistant Director) and Diane (Cultural Center Manager) Mr. Majors introduced Kacy Young, the new Assistant Director, who gave his background and credentials. Mr. Young has been in the parks and recreation industry for 15 years. His focus will be on the programming, coming up with and developing new programs for the City's parks. Mr. Majors said that Diane Valentini could not be present. Ms. Valentini has joined the Cultural Center as Manager, having previously worked with the Department in 1986 through 1992. While speaking of the Cultural Center, it is anticipated to be able to move into the City Hall on a "soft basis"by the end of the year, with a formal certificate of occupancy around March-April. VI. ITEMS FOR THE CITY MANAGER'S ATTENTION—None VII. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be held on October 28, 2019. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Hearing no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Attachments: PowerPoint presentation Capital Improvements Plan Budget 2019-2020 PowerPoint presentation Quantum Park Site [Minutes transcribed by M. Moore,Prototype,Inc.] 4