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Agenda 01-25-21CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH RECREATION & PARKS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING January 25, 2021 - 6:30 PM “ZOOM ONLINE MEETING” AGENDA IMPORTANT NOTICE: This public hearing will be conducted using means of communication media technology. If you wish to join the meeting using a computer or smart phone you will need to join the meeting using this zoom link – Recreation & Park Board. The agenda, electronic link for the meeting and access instructions will be available at the City’s web site within two days of the meeting. If you cannot join the meeting, written comments can be e-mailed to youngk@bbfl.us which will be read into the record by City staff. I. CALL TO ORDER II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. ROLL CALL IV. AGENDA APPROVAL – JANUARY 25, 2021 V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – OCTOBER 26, 2020 VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS VII. NEW BUSINESS a. INTRODUCTION OF NEW BOARD MEMBERS b. PARKS SUPERINTENDENT INTRODUCTION c. MAGIC WHEELS & SPECIAL DEALS SPECIAL EVENT VIII. PUBLIC AUDIENCE IX. ITEMS FOR THE CITY MANAGER’S ATTENTION X. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS a. HESTER CENTER IMPROVEMENTS XI. NEXT MEETING – FEBRUARY 22, 2021 XII. ADJOURNMENT The Board (Committee) may only conduct public business after a quorum has been established. If no quorum is established within fifteen minutes of the noticed start time of the meeting the City Clerk or designee will so note the failure to establish a quorum and the me eting shall be concluded. Board members may not participate further even when purportedly actin g in an informal capacity. NOTICE IF A PERSON DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE BY THE CITY COMMISSION WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER CONSIDERED AT THIS MEETING, HE/SHE WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND, FOR SUCH PURPOSE, HE/SHE MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDING IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED. (F.S. 286.0105) THE CITY SHALL FURNISH APPROPRIATE AUXILIARY AIDS AND SERVICES WHERE NECESSARY TO AFFORD AN INDIVIDUA L WITH A DISABILITY AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN AND ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF A SERVICE, PROGRAM, OR ACTIVITY CONDUCTED BY THE CITY. PLEASE CONTACT THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE, (561) 742 -6060 OR (TTY) 1-800-955-8771, AT LEAST 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THE PROGR AM OR ACTIVITY IN ORDER FOR THE CITY TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE YOUR REQUEST. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS MAY BE ADDED SUBSEQUENT TO THE PUBLICATION OF THE AGENDA ON THE CITY'S WEB SITE. INFORMATION REGARDING ITEMS ADDED TO THE AGENDA AFTER IT IS PUBLISHED ON THE CITY'S WEB SITE CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK. CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH RECREATION & PARKS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING “ZOOM ONLINE MEETING” OCTOBER 26, 2020, 6:30 p.m. PRESENT: STAFF: Julie Mondello, Chair Kacy Young, Assistant Recreation & Parks Director Betty Pierce-Roe, Vice Chair Colin Groff, Assistant City Manager, Public Services Eugene Fagan Kathryn Matos, Assistant City Manager Charles Kanter Jamie Opperlee, Prototype, Inc. Tory Orr Brian Bonnell (alternate) Jacob Schwartz (alternate) ABSENT: GUESTS: Charles Frederick Diane Valentini, President of the Cultural Center Joshua Van Leuven I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Mondello called the Zoom online meeting to order at 6:37 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. ATTENDANCE Quorum was present. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – September 28, 2020 Correction: Mr. Young stated last day of work for the Parking Attendants was September 27, not 31. Motion by Mr. Kanter, seconded by Mr. Fagan to approve the minutes for September 28, 2020. In a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – None VI. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Young asked to make changes to Agenda; order of new business as follows in these minutes: A. New Board Member Introduction Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 26, 2020 2 Chair Mondello welcomed new Board Member Tory Orr, who gave a brief introduction of himself, specifically about Boynton Strong and finding better ways to make this “One Boynton,” joining the East and West. Mr. Kanter offered to make a presentation on how and why the division grew and who the players are. D. Oceanfront Bark Announcement Diane Valentini, Manager of the Cultural Center is heading up the Oceanfront Bark Event this year. As last year, the event will span November/December/January/February on the third Saturday of every month. The first event is November 21, 9:00-12:00. The south portion of the beach is sectioned off with orange fencing; this year there will be a maximum of five pet -related vendors ($25 per booth). So far the interest is a bakery, a groomer, pet supermarket, and a trainer. A mobile grooming unit will also attend. Agencies involved are the Parks Superintendent, Ocean Rescue, and Staff/Volunteers. The name of the event is “Bring Your Dogs to the Beach,” and has been in the City Fanfare magazine and on digital marquees throughout the City. Postcards for the event will be distributed to businesses in the area, all the Recreation & Parks centers, and the community as much as possible, as well as social media and the dog park. This is the only time dogs are allowed on the beach and rules include: vaccines, tags, leashed until reaching the fenced-in area. Attendees encouraged to sign in for a raffle and other swag. Staff will be present to make sure everyone plays nice and to pass out doggie bags for cleanup. Board Volunteers are welcome; also a Canine Officer is coming. C. Mangrove Extension [presenter unavailable, tabled item to next month] B. Quantum Park Presentation Colin Groff, Assistant City Manager, Public Services, made a presentation on the proposed Eco Park. The existing 23 acres is undeveloped, full of invasive species, trash, and garbage. The other side is owned by Quantum Park which includes the lake, which now totals about 60 acres. The project looks to maintain the pine scrub environment and its animals. What is needed now is a concept plan for development so that people can enjoy it without damaging the environment. Feedback is needed on the following points:  Parking lot: Average visitors over weekends is projected upwards of 200 people.  Eventually turn FOP Lodge into an educational center.  Private partner has donated a nearly-finished parking lot; approximately three-quarters of the lot is used during business days. The value of the lot is estimated at $800,000. The Commission approved the public/private partnership a year ago.  Proposed paved path (ADA-accessible) connecting to another small parking lot off Miner for such uses as a gazebo/picnic shelter and a floating kayak launch or maybe just a dock, with restrooms off to opposite sides of the park. Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 26, 2020 3  Mulched nature trails so as not to disturb environment. Maybe some small shelters for educational meetings or even picnics.  Keep the park passive as possible and protect the environment.  Ideas/concept include: o Put people outside enjoying the water with kayaks/canoe launch. o Walk through park on passive trails. o No lighting (to not disturb animals), so parts will be closed to public at dusk. o Paths that are lit will have security cameras, as well as parking lot, to make the park as safe as possible. o Possibly sidewalks or gated entry closed at dusk. Already approved for installation at this park is a Miracle Bridge playground (a California company) will make this the first of its kind on the East Coast. It will be placed where it will not disturb the natural environment (preserving tortoises, indigo snakes, pine scrub vegetation). Of note, all of the invasive in the park will need to be removed to bring back the pine scrub environment. Efforts will be made to keep the trails away from the residential areas. Funding considerations:  Phase 1, parking lot, has been funded and built.  Quantum Park Overlay Development District, residents are paying into a fund which should accumulated somewhere between $500,000-$700,000 by next year toward this park.  Other funding sources are being sought. A plan similar to this one, with these kinds of features, would be about $1.5 million; therefore, about $800,000 is still needed. Chair Mondello loves it, especially the kayak launch, and wonders if there is a way to begin the project without all the funding in place. Mr. Groff said it can be done in phases; the funding from the Quantum Park Overlay Development District will be available very shortly. Once the public meetings are held and the design is in place, that funding will be available. Unfortunately, the next phase, the 23 acres clean-up, will be fairly expensive at $200,000-$300,000. When that is done, though, it will be easier to maintain the scrub annually by a professional maintenance company. Then the trails and the north parking can become Phase 3 and the park can become useable. Chair Mondello asked if volunteers can help with the removal of the invasive species; Mr. Groff said absolutely, that is one of the plans to help save money. It could be an excellent way for kids to get their volunteer hours; also, there is an estimated 30-40 tons of trash that needs to be hauled away. Mr. Bonnell asked about lighting along main, paved path, but after dark the rest of the park being close; how would the closure be enforced? Mr. Groff said there would be gates at the entrances/ parking lots and there now is a new Park Ranger program; some dim lighting would be along the main path to help the Park Rangers and facilitate the security cameras. Mr. Young gathered comments from Board Members: Mr. Fagan stated he would like to keep it as natural possible; Ms. Pierce-Roe suggested that perhaps buckets could be donated so that, like Oceanfront Park, visitors can pick up garbage as they walk. Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 26, 2020 4 Chair Mondello noted all high school kids need volunteer hours towards graduation and suggested working with high schools promoting this ongoing volunteer event. Mr. Groff added that the park will need permanent volunteers for tours and more to keep it in great shape. Additional ideas should be forwarded to Mr. Young. The design phase won’t begin until a lot of input has been gathered through public meetings so there is a good idea of what people want. At the moment, the design plans are fluid, just there as a concept and not indicative of an actual plan. Ms. Pierce-Roe suggested the Eco-Park could be added to the Adopt-a-Park program. Another Staff idea is a naming-rights opportunity – e.g., Publix Eco Park – for a $150,000 annual contribution towards maintenance. Mr. Kanter asked Mr. Young and Mr. Groff if they have all of the information he had previously compiled about volunteers, including the Boy Scout troops. Mr. Groff said he has every bit of it in his files waiting for the right time to put it to good use. Also, the ideas Mr. Kanter had for the entrance to that parking lot are going to be implemented (striping and speed bumps and U-turn restrictions) as part of upgrades to Quantum Park Boulevard in coming months. Commissioner Penserga has this as one of his special projects and is available for input to get this project done. F. Department Update Mr. Young gave an update to Board on dealing with Covid-19 and plans to move forward as restrictions for transition to Phase 3 for the County are being changed. Regarding recreation centers, the Hester Center is closed for renovations (new roof and gym floor, renovations to locker rooms, game rooms, and restrooms). The center has only been opened up for use as an early voting site; once voting ends, the projects (including renovation of computer lab) will resume with completion expected for early December. Early voting has taken place at Hester Center and polling places on November 3rd will open at the Sim Center, the Senior Center, and Coast Guard Building at Oyer Park. Feeding South Florida has been constant at the Hester Center on Thursday from 8:00 to 11:00, with one change to the Boynton Beach Mall in partnership with Christ Fellowship for distribution of food boxes (fourth Saturdays of each month). The need still is very much evident. Feeding South Florida will return to the Hester Center the first Thursday in November, at least until Thanksgiving. Carolyn Sims Center is currently open for the onsite learning program providing virtual learning labs for Palm County students and for City employee’s students who have not returned to campus; hours are 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. weekdays. Now that Phase 3 is in effect, hours will be extended to the public for the onsite learning program. The game room, however, will remain closed indefinitely. Chair Mondello explained that the Covid-19 re-openings have happened so quickly that the services and availability of the facilities have been difficult to coordinate for the public. Mr. Young finished with announcing the pavilion rentals will be available the beginning of November, provided well-known CDC guidelines are observed; while the numbers attending will not be limited, groups larger than 10 will require face coverings to prevent the spread or outbreaks of Covid-19. Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 26, 2020 5 E. November/December Meeting Schedule Chair Mondello noted the next scheduled meeting would be November 23rd (Thanksgiving week) and typically there would not be a December meeting. The Board Members agreed with their availability for November 23rd, and no meeting for December. VII. ITEMS FOR THE CITY MANAGER’S ATTENTION – None VIII. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS A. Parks Superintendent B. Mangrove Extension IX. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be held on November 23, 2020. X. ADJOURNMENT Hearing no further business, Chair Mondello adjourned the meeting at 7:29 p.m. Attachments: PowerPoint Presentation Quantum Park/Eco Park [Minutes transcribed by M. Moore, Prototype, Inc.]