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Minutes 10-28-19 CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH RECREATION& PARKS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING INTRACOASTAL PARK CLUBHOUSE OCTOBER 28, 2019, 6:30 p.m. PRESENT: Betty Pierce-Roe (left at 7:26 pm) Wally Majors, Recreation and Parks Director Charles Kanter Eugene Fagan Tatiana Guerrier, Prototype, Inc. Eric Ammon Julie Mondello Renee Stern ABSENT: Joshua Van Leuven Daniel Shapiro (alternate) Richard Bonnell (alternate) L CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:35 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 Motion made by Ms. Stern, seconded by Ms. Mondello, to approve the September 23, 2019, minutes as presented. In a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously (6-0). IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS —Not addressed at this time V. NEW BUSINESS A. Veterans Memorial Park Renaming Recommendation Mr. Majors reviewed the City's procedure for renaming parks. The recommendation is to rename Veterans Memorial Park in honor of Tom Keiser. Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 28, 2019 Florida State Representative Joe Casello, 7981 Shaddock Drive, Boynton Beach, said WWII veteran, Thomas Kaiser has helped make the park what it is today. He worked to get the monuments installed, without the City having to pay anything except for the land to put them on. Representative Casello said it was fitting to give Mr. Kaiser recognition for his efforts. Rep. Casello suggested renaming the park, "Kaiser Veterans Memorial Park." A secondary plan would be to have a plaque stating that Mr. Kaiser served in WWII, and that the park is all possible due to Mr. Kaiser's efforts. Ms. Mondello thought it was a "great idea" to have a plaque or a bench, and Chair Pierce-Roe agreed. Representative Casello emphasized that renaming a park can be done, and has been done in the City. Larry Blocker, Post Commander for the PFC Michael J. Metcalf VFW Post 5335, 500 NE 21st Ave, Boynton Beach, endorsed the comments made by Representative Casello. He has seen Mr. Kaiser's work over 20 years with community organizations and individuals to get the projects done in the park. He said a plaque or bench would be fine,but there should be more and the park should be renamed "Kaiser Memorial Veterans Park." The renaming would not only honor Mr. Kaiser, but all veterans — living, dead, and those who have not yet served. Mr. Blocker spoke about the reason for the renaming of the VFW Post. He mentioned that all of the members of VFW Post 5335 live in Boynton Beach. Some have arranged to have benches put in parks honoring their loved ones. Stanley Gavlick, 15815 Vivanco Street, Delray Beach, is a Korean War veteran and member of the Lt. Richard E. Cronan Korean War Veterans Association Chapter 17. Mr. Gavlick spoke in favor of renaming the park to honor Mr. Kaiser and said the members of his chapter are also in favor of the renaming. Mr. Gavlick reviewed many of the efforts made by Mr. Kaiser to honor veterans, highlighting his networking and fiindraising abilities. He mentioned that Mr. Kaiser had befriended an individual who donated $30,000 specifically to build a monument honoring veterans. Jerry Schnur, said he is Commander of the local post of Jewish War Veterans. He commended Mr. Kaiser for his outstanding efforts and strongly supported the renaming of the park in Mr. Kaiser's name. Charlie Fox, 1111 Lake Terrace, Boynton Beach, spoke in opposition to the park being named after any individual, because the park should honor all veterans. He said he sent a statement to the Board members. He related a story about his past efforts in Salt Lake City to create a park honoring WWII veterans. The Veterans group voted to name it after a local resident, against Mr. Fox's wishes. In time, the park came to be known as the name of the person the park was named after, Holm Park. A Google search for the WWII commemorative park will only bring up parks for 2 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 28, 2019 WWI, and nothing for WWII parks. Citing no personal acrimony against Mr. Kaiser or anybody, he stated he did not want the memory of the veterans to be overshadowed by one person's name. Bernie R. Lewis, veteran, spoke highly of Mr. Kaiser. Jim Suzek, 705 SW 15 Street, Boynton Beach, spoke on behalf of his Commander, who could not be present. He said his Commander would stand in unison with Mr. Blocker and Mr. Gavlick in supporting renaming the park after Mr. Kaiser. He did recognize the pitfalls expressed by Mr. Fox, but said that if it were not for Mr. Kaiser, the park would be a "fallow field." If the park is not renamed for Mr. Kaiser, he asked that the public not make light of the contributions made by him. He did not think a small plaque would be enough to reflect his accomplishments. A nice granite plaque with detail might suffice, however. Comments from the Board members: • Thousands of men who sacrificed their lives do not have even a plaque • It is part of our DNA to have a veterans park • Find a way to honor Mr. Kaiser without diminishing that it is a park for all veterans • It should be more than a plaque with Mr. Kaiser's name on it— it could be a sign or large plaque that would include mention of his dedication and recognition he has given to the City and to all veterans • Need detailed information on what Mr. Kaiser has done so that it could be added to the plaque • Should keep it as a veterans park o Something special should be done for Mr. Kaiser • The community should do more for its veterans — Veterans Day should be the biggest celebration in the community and promoted on a bigger scale • Perhaps set up a Thom Kaiser Memorial Fund with the hinds to go to the park Tom Kaiser mentioned that $30,000 had been donated to the American Legion VFW to be held for several years while the main monument was being researched. A committee was formed to look into it. He said he has never stopped doing things for and about veterans and has put up monuments in several countries. When the main monument was installed, they had to put another $5,000 into it. Some hinds came from the Baptist Church for additional monuments. They put up one monument after another with help from a"Broadway Angel." Mr. Kaiser said he is "not afraid" to do anything or buy anything for veterans. His biggest achievement was to build the park and say, "We've done this." Mr. Kaiser spoke about his experiences as a 17-year-old soldier in WWII. Mr. Kaiser then enumerated the memorials that have been placed in the park, including ones for Battle of the Bulge, the Unknown Soldier, Pearl Harbor, and D-Day among others. Faces of veterans who died are being added to benches. The latest monuments are for the Japanese 442"d and a monument for female veterans. If his name were added to the park, he said he would be honored. 3 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 28, 2019 Mr. Blocker spoke again, saying he understands the concerns associated with renaming the park. The suggestion for a bench or plaque is not adequate. He pointed out that the City gave the land to the veterans, and the veterans own the park. If the City does not name the park after Mr. Kaiser, he liked the idea of having a headstone/face that would show Mr. Kaiser. It should tell his story and all of his accomplishments and be made of granite to match the other monuments. Mr. Kanter suggested splitting the park in half to have one side renamed and the other remain Veterans Park. The veterans present disagreed, saying it would defeat the purpose of the park. Mr. Fagan supported the idea put forth by Mr. Blocker. Mr. Majors asked for a recommendation for the City Commission. A brief discussion followed, with Ms. Mondello suggesting a story board or a living memorial. Board members wanted at least a bust of him in the memorial. Motion made by Ms. Stern, seconded by Ms. Mondello/Mr. Kanter, that they retain the name of Veterans Memorial Park and find a special way to create a living memorial for Tom Kaiser. In a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously (6-0). Ms. Stern said that they will do the right thing for him, and Ms. Mondello expressed her appreciation for what he has done. Mr. Kaiser commented that a person had to be there at the beginning of the park to really appreciate what has been done. IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS — continued from earlier in the agenda A. Quantum Park Site The members decided to table the item unless there was new information. Mr. Majors reported that there were going to be 200 parking spaces, but it has been reduced to 125 spaces. He said that Mr. Kanter was"very persuasive"that the number of spaces had to be reduced. Mr. Kanter related that there was concern about the use of taxpayers' money for parking. Mr. Fagan thought it was an odd site plan and did not make sense; he thought the situation was political. Mr. Majors stated that the decision has been made about the parking lot—it is going in. He added that the plan would provide valuable jobs to the local residents. He mentioned the value of compromise in getting things done. V. NEW BUSINESS A. Veterans Memorial Park Renaming Recommendation (Addressed earlier) B. November Meeting 4 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 28, 2019 Mr. Majors mentioned that Thanksgiving is on November 28 this year and asked the Board if they wished to meet in November. He suggested having the meeting on November 25, 2019, which is a Monday. Several Board members thought it was a good idea, especially since they probably would not meet in December. C. Diane Valentini/Cultural Arts Center Manager Mr. Majors introduced Ms. Valentini, noting that they had worked together in the past. Ms. Valentini recalled her prior job with Boynton Beach fondly, noting she left for an opportunity in Fort Lauderdale Recreation Department. She created all the activities and events on the Riverwalk She recounted her other professional experience. Ms. Valentini stated she has toured the building twice and is planning classroom activities and auditoriums that can be used for concerts,weddings, etc. She was excited to begin the project and said they have a great crew. Ms. Valentini thanked all the members for their advisory board service. VI. ITEMS FOR THE CITY MANAGER'S ATTENTION Ms. Mondello asked if the board planned to nominate anybody for the Grand Marshal of the parade. Mr. Majors said that the Special Events Team is taking care of overseeing the parade, and he will ask them about nominations. VII. NEXT MEETING—November 25, 2019 VIII. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. [Minutes transcribed by J. Rubin,Prototype,Inc.] 5