Loading...
Minutes 05-23-22 CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH RECREATION&PARKS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING 100 E. Ocean Avenue, Bovnton Beach May 23, 2022. 6:00 p.m. „:fes PRESENT: STAFF: Julie Mondello, Chair Kacy Young, Recreation & Parks Director Elizabeth Pierce-Roe, Vice-Chair Franky Lazo, Asst. Recreation & Parks Director (Arrived at 6:09 p.m.) Luis Bencosme, Planner II Charles Kanter Amanda Radigan, Principal Planner Eugene Fagan (Arrived at 6:30 p.m.) Jennifer Oh, Recording Secretary, Prototype Sean Conklin Geoffrey Campbell, Alternate ABSENT: James Jenkins Frando Patterson Dan Winters, Sr., Alternate GUEST: Glenn Weiss, Manager of the Public Art Program I. Call to Order Chair Mondello called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. II. Pledge of Allegiance III. Roll Call Roll was called and a quorum was present. IV. Agenda Approval —May 23, 2022 Kacy Young, Recreation and Parks Director, added the Juneteenth Celebration as Item D under New Business, and the Park System Master Plan Update as Item E under New Business. Motion was made by Mr. Kanter, and seconded by Mr. Campbell, for the May 23, 2022, agenda approval with two items added to New Business. In a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously. (6-0) V. Approval of Minutes —April 25, 2022 Motion made by Mr. Kanter and seconded by Mr. Campbell to approve Minutes for the April 25, 2022 meeting. In a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously (6-0). Meeting Minutes - Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 23, 2022 VI. Unfinished Business a. Park Tour Kacy Young, Recreation and Parks Director, mentioned the Board came up with a few dates to visit certain parks as a group during the last meeting, but they are not able to go on the park tour. Mr. Young explained the tour was reviewed by Legal, and it was too great of a risk for a violation of the Sunshine Laws; they need more time to vet this. Chair Mondello suggested having the meeting and that members drive separately to the parks. Mr. Young stated that would work if the members were out as citizens doing an evaluation on their own and not as a group. Vice Chair Pierce-Roe questioned where in the Statute this was since this changed. She mentioned the past three years when the Board met, and no one was taking notes while they were on Zoom. Mr. Young did not have the Statute; it was reviewed by Legal as far as what the violation could be. If the Board went out together, they would not be able to talk to each other, so he did not know how beneficial it would be. He stated there was a clerk taking minutes during previous Zoom meetings and the meetings were recorded. He advised during the time they were having Zoom meetings they were under an Emergency Statute, which allowed public meetings to be conducted through Zoom, but that mandate has changed. Chair Mondello commented they could have their meeting, go out as citizens, talk about whatever they want, and then bring the information back to the next meeting. Vice Chair Pierce-Roe asked if this was just for Boynton Beach or for the State of Florida. Mr. Young indicated it is the Sunshine Law, so he believed it is for the entire State. He will bring this back to Legal to continue vetting the situation to see if there is a way for the park tour to happen and how they need to go about doing so. The way the plan was set for tonight is not the way to do it, it will violate Sunshine Laws, Chair Mondello asked Glenn Weiss, Manager of the Public Art Program, if their Advisory Board ever goes out to look at anything. Mr. Weiss agreed with the Attorney's decision that there is no way to control what kind of dialogue there might be. They bring in pictures and anyone in the public has an opportunity to come in and listen to the discussion. This has also been true in other jurisdictions he has worked in. 2 Meeting Minutes - Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 23, 2022 Mr. Young recommended developing the park survey previously discussed, taking it to the park, evaluating the park, and bringing the information back to the Board for discussion in the Chambers where the public can hear the discussion and input can be received regarding amenities and conditions of the parks. He reiterated the Sunshine Law says having conversations in a public setting outside a public meeting is not allowed. Mr. Conklin advised he works for the County and their Attorney is conservative about this; she always tells them to avoid the appearance of impropriety because they can get sued. If someone thinks members are talking about parks without the publics' knowledge, even if there are two people together privately, or if someone thinks they are talking about park issues, that is a violation. Most municipalities are being strict because people are paying more attention; the biggest thing in Florida is people suing governments for money because of violations of Sunshine Laws. b. Park Survey Chair Mondello asked if it would be okay if she came up with a few questions and bring them to the next meeting. Mr. Young stated questions do not have to be from Recreation and Parks, they can be questions the Board comes up with and discusses. Questions were drafted for review and distributed. A typographical error was mentioned on Line 3; the word lease should be leased. Chair Mondello indicated she would add if the park fit the need of the community. Mr. Young indicated that could be added as part of the description. A recommendation was made to #8; instead of asking about cleanliness, also ask about maintenance. Many complaints are about parks not being maintained. Mr. Young clarified this is the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Evaluation Form. Chair Mondello commented they could say this is the planned form they are going to use. Mr. Young advised some exercises discussed will be part of the Park System Master Plan exercised where the Board will have an opportunity to be interviewed and the Consultant will have discussions with members to discuss the overview of the park system, amenities, changes, etc., and residents will receive surveys. This is a preempted task for discussion. 3 Meeting Minutes - Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 23, 2022 VII. New Business a. Sara Simms Amphitheater Glenn Weiss, Manager of the Public Art Program, reported as of May 13, 2022, the mural was complete at the Sara Simms Amphitheater. A painting was created, and a section of the painting was taken with bright colored stripes with birds flying in each direction, and they were printed on an aluminum composite material, which is aluminum on both sides with a plastic material in the center, which is then printed on the material and applied to the Amphitheatre. Mr. Young apologized that they were unable to show pictures, but Mr. Weiss has before and after pictures that show the improvements. (Eugene Fagan arrived at 6:30 p.m.) b. Parks & Recreation Month Photo Contest Mr. Young announced they are hosting a photo contest and are partnering with Art in Public Places. The contest is in July, which is Recreation and Parks Month. They are encouraging residents and visitors to take pictures of them being active in the park and submit them to the park. Photos will become an art exhibit at the Arts and Cultural Center in July and will be displayed for the public to view. The theme is "They Rise Up for Parks and Recreation". Recent photos must be taken at a Boynton Beach Park and a complete list of rules can be found on their website. There are certain categories where photos can be entered: Gatherings in the Park, Sports, Events, Nature, and People. A winner will be chosen from each category and the prize is possibly a $50 gift certificate. Signs can be found in parks encouraging visitors to enter; there will be a QR code, and they can scan to enter the contest and enter their photo. Winners will be announced on Saturday, July 23, 2022. Mr. Weiss stated the deadline is June 12, 2022. Vice Chair Pierce-Roe asked if they are allowed to have two Advisory Boards meet. Mr. Young advised he would check, but he was sure if the Arts Advisory Board has something on the agenda, the Recreation and Parks Board would want to attend the meeting to provide input or vice versa. Mr. Conklin commented that the County Parks and Recreation Department is currently doing a photo contest until the end of May. Mr. Weiss indicated they are already receiving Boynton Inlet photos because people like the space in the County park. 4 Meeting Minutes - Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 23, 2022 c. Memorial Day Veterans Service Franky Lazo, Assistant Recreation & Parks Director, announced there will be a Flag Facing Ceremony on Friday, May 27, 2022, at Boynton Beach Memorial Park; otherwise, known as the Cemetery/Mausoleum, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. They are looking for volunteers if anyone is interested in working with the Veterans Task Force, the Recreation and Parks Department, and the Cemetery. On Sunday, May 29, 2022, there will be a Memorial Day Ceremony at Boynton Beach Memorial Park at 2:00 p.m. d. Juneteenth Celebration Mr. Young advised the City along with the Boynton Strong is hosting the Juneteenth Celebration at Sara Simms Park, 209 NW 9t" Avenue, Boynton Beach, on Sunday, June 19, 2022, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. This is a free event, and it is a celebration for freedom. e. Park System Master Plan Update Mr. Young indicated there was a presentation on the Park System Master Plan at the last meeting. They are hosting two Community Input meetings, one on June 6, 2022, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Ezell Hester Center inside the gymnasium. The other meeting is on June 8, 2022, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Arts and Cultural Center. Consultants will present an overview of the Park System Master Plan and will conduct surveys to gain input from the community. Chair Mondello asked if the presentation will be about what a Master Plan is and the need or if they are they going to just ask what the community wants. Mr. Young stated it will be a combination of both. The presentation will give everyone an overview of what a Master Plan is and what the goals and objectives are. There will also be survey questions regarding parks and improvements. Mr. Kanter thanked Mr. Young for bringing up the concern that time is being wasted at Quantum Park. It appears a lot of money was spent building the park; however, the park was destroyed and turned into a parking lot. He mentioned the turtles and lighting and stated that everyone is upset, and he thinks the Commission needs to be told there is a lot of dissatisfaction because they are not following the Board recommendations. Chair Mondello advised perhaps that could be brought up as an item for the City Manager's attention. VIII. Public Audience Ernest Mignoli, resident, 710 NE 7t" Street, Unit 407, Boynton Beach, Harbor Hall Inlet Club 1, next to Harbor Hall Inlet 2, was present. He lives next to a building built 45 years 5 Meeting Minutes - Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 23, 2022 ago that has all the signs of the Surfside building collapse. He mentioned District 4 and District 2 and stated they will never talk to the public or to a Homeowner's Association. He commented that no matter what the Board votes or says or what the public says, the Mayor and Commission do not pay attention and that is why the public has stopped coming to the Advisory Board meetings. He mentioned schools are being built near the highway and kids are getting sick from the fumes when they are outside, and now, the Commission approved Publix to put in a 650,000-square-foot warehouse to bring in diesel trucks from all over the country 24 hours a day. He noted the Publix on Woolbright is involved in politics, not the owners, but the management in the store. He concluded by saying the parks are a disgrace. IX. Items for the City Manager's Attention As noted above, Mr. Kanter mentioned the publics' dissatisfaction regarding things at Quantum Park is because the Commission is not following the Board's recommendations. X. Future Agenda Items • Sunshine Law follow up. • Pickleball discussion XI. Next Meeting — June 27, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. VII. Adjournment With no further business to discuss, upon motion duly made and seconded, Chair Mondello adjourned the meeting at 6:54 p.m. [Minutes transcribed by C. Guifarro, Prototype, Inc.] 6