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Minutes 04-01-92MINUTES OF THE JOINT WORKSHOP OF THE CITY COMMISSION AND THE RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD, HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 1992, AT 7:00 P. M. PRESENT Lynne Matson, Vice Mayor Jose Aguila, Commissioner Edward Harmening, Commissioner Robert Walshak, Commissioner Recreation and Parks Board Dr. Patrick Shepherd, Chairman Edward Harris, Vice Chairman Betty Thomas, Secretary Larry Leathers George Smith Nathaniel Weinshel I. OPENING A. Call to Order Vice Mayor Matson called the meeting to order at 7:00 P. M. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited. The II. OPENING COMMENTS A. Introduction of Recreation and Parks Board Vice Mayor Matson welcomed the Recreation and Parks Board mem- bers. The Recreation and Parks Board members introduced them- selves. B. Format for Workshop Vice Mayor Matson stated the purpose of this meeting is to discuss the renderings presented for the ten acre Intracoastal Park Site and the Quantum Park Site. She said this is not the final meeting on these sites; this is just another step in the process of planning of City parks. She advised that the City Commission is very interested in what the public has to say and what they think of the initial renderings, and that the City COmmission is here to direct the park planners. She advised that the $800,000.00 or $900,000.00 in the park fund' can only be util- ized for park development; it cannot be used to replenish the general fund, rehire employees who have been laid off, or balance the budget. This money is money collected as park impact fees which were paid to the City at the time various communities were MINUTES - JOINT WORKSHOP OF THE CITY COMMISSION AND RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 1, 1992 Platted. She said there is grant money available; however, in order to be a recipient of this grant money, approval plans, not concepts, have to be submitted. At this point in the meeting, Commissioner Walshak and Mr. Harris arrived. It was the consensus of the City Commission and the Recreation and Parks Board to first have the architects explain their ren- derings and then to hear from the public. III. OVERVIEW OF PARK PLANNING AND ACTION TO DATE A. Recreation and Parks Director - Charles C. Frederick Mr. Frederick stated that in September, 1991 this process was initiated with citizen meetings held in neighborhood areas and'at City Hall to obtain citizen input. The architects then met with the City Commission and discussed the information that was received at those meetings. The City Commission then directed the architects to prepare conceptual drawings based upon that information. Mr. Frederick hoped the City Commission would be able to give the architects some consensus of direction so they can prepare a plan for further review. IV. DISCUSSION OF THE TEN (10) ACRE INTRACOASTAL PARK SITE A. Wallace Roberts & Todd Mr. Frederick introduced Gerry Harston and Kathy O'Leary of Wallace Roberts & Todd, the architects for the ten acre intra- coastal site. Mr. Hartson explained the three plans for the ten acre intra- coastal site. He said three conceptual plans were available to the community at the open forum and that a questionnaire was distributed to obtain the community.s reactions to these plans. Twenty responses were received. Nine persons indicated a pre- ference for Plan A; six preferred Plan A with minor exceptions; and one person objected to Plan A. No one indicated a preference for Plan B, two preferred Plan B with minor exceptions; and thir- teen persons objected to Plan B. Four people indicated a pre- ference for Plan C; nobody preferred it with minor exceptions; and eleven persons objected to Plan C. All three plans contain a veterans, memorial, parking (hard surface and grass), a pavilion, picnic pavilions, a major picnic pavilion, a path which could be used as a heart run or some type of jogging or exercise trail, screening and buffering of the park from the adjacent neiqhbors, sOme structures interpretative in nature (pavilions which'could share some educational message with the community, such as the MINUTES - JOINT WORKSHOP OF THE CITY COMMISSION AND RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 1, 1992 natural environment), a playground, and some type of water feature. The plans differ in intensity of development, such as the number of parking spaces and the size of the facilities. Some of the plans tend to be more formal in nature and some tend to be more natural in nature. The main feature or dominant element of each plan varies. Concept A has parking concentrated on Federal Highway and a long band of parking on the northern property line. The southern property line is screened from the neighbors to the south by topography and vegetation. There is a central lake. Upon entering the park, there is an architectural feature (the veterans, memorial). Concept A contains three interpretative gazebos. Ms. O'Leary advised that Concept A has 115 paved and 90 grass parking spaces for a total of 205; Concept B has 105 paved and 55 grass parking spaces for a total of 160; and Concept C has 92 paved and 132 grass parking spaces for a total of 224. Mr. Marston said Concept B combines the veterans, memorial and the pavilion into one central piece and contains two interpreta- tive gazebos. Concept C is the most formal in its arrangement and takes its cue from the old Florida mansion kinds of developments. VICE MAYOR MATSON~ OPENED THE FLOOR TO PUBLIC COMMENT. Wilda Searcy of 402 N. E. 13th Avenue asked if boats can be tied up at the site. Vice Mayor Matson advised this is within walking distance to Boat Ramp Park and if anybody wanted to bring their boats, that would be the place to do it. Ms. Searcy was in favor of a park to entertain the children. She mentioned the sale of beer in the park and Vice Mayor Matson said that was to be discussed at another time. At this point in the meeting, Ms. Thomas arrived and was intro- dUced by Vice Mayor Matson. C~nthia Greenhouse of 618 N. E. 20th Lane was surprised to see that all three renderings contain a bandshell, which is being called a performance pavilion. She said at the September 30, 19!91 meeting, Commissioners Aguila and Matson, Vice Mayor Ha!rmening, and Mayor Weiner stated they were not in favor of a bandshell at this particular site. Ms. Greenhouse mentioned the prlevious problems residents had with Rumbottoms. She was also concerned about the parking and intensity on the southern side in MINUTES - JOINT WORKSHOP OF THE CITY COMMISSION AND RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 1, 1992 a couple of the renderings and respectfully requested the City Commission not to put a bandshell or performance pavilion on this particular site because it is too noisy and close to the resi- dents. Don Faron of 600 N. E. 20th Lane spoke in favor of a veterans. memorial and against a performance pavilion and referred to the previous noise problems with Rumbottoms and the complaints of aoise from Okeeheelee Park with regard to their performance center. He wanted to know who requested the pavilion or bandshell and asked the City Commission to consider the neigh- boring communities and their reluctance to a performance center in that small, confined area. Miarina Haberman of 712 N. E. 20th Lane spoke against having a biandshell in this area because of the proximity to the residents. She spoke in favor of using a pavilion for educational purposes for the children. THERE BEING NO ONE FURTHER WHO WISHED TO SPEAK, VICE MAYOR MATSON DECLARED THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE CLOSED. B. Commission and Board Discussion Dr. Shepherd felt the requirements everyone wanted to see were pretty well incorporated in all three concepts, with the excep- tion of the pavilion. He said a pavilion is not necessarily a bandshell, and he would like to see it used for educational pur- poses. Mr. Leathers thought it was the citizens who asked the architects to include a bandshell on this site. He agreed with Dr. Shepherd that a structure should be there and possibly utilized for spe- cial events. He understood the concern for neighbors, but he said this park is City property and belongs to all of Boynton Beach. He would like apparatus placed in the park so children can play. He opposed any restrictions as to park use on a beach property. He would like to see the beach remain and used by boats or windsurfers. With regard to Concept A, he felt the lake should be much smaller. With regard to Concept C, he felt the number of paved parking spaces should be increased. Mr. Weinshel would like this to be a family park to be used by all age groups. He did not think a lake or a beach was needed, and felt a beach might be dangerous to the manatees in the area. He would like a boardwalk with a railing at the edge of the waterway. He felt a pavilion should be used for educational purposes, but not for entertainment. He was in favor of more picnic areas. He liked the parking in Concept C as opposed to the parking in Concept A. He thought the edge of the water 4 MINUTES - JOINT WORKSHOP OF THE CITY COMMISSION AND RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 1, 1992 should be properly buffered to deter noise and traffic. Mr. Weinshel felt the site is too small for a bandshell. Mr. Smith preferred Concept B and liked a bandshell type of pavilion area. He said the area should definitely be buffered with trees and berms. He agreed with Mr. Weinshel about having lots of picnic area and tables for families. Mr. Harris agreed with Dr. Shepherd's statements and also desired more picnic tables in the area. Ms. Thomas liked the idea of the corporate picnic pavilion in Concept B. She liked the casual look of Concepts A and B and the two story picnic pavilion in Concept C. Commissioner Walshak was concerned with security during the later evening hours and stated there is no visibility from Federal Highway into the park. He said three or four years ago it was the consensus that this site be developed as a passive park and felt none of the concepts were passive. He felt the concepts were people intensive. He pointed out that the noise out of shooters was deafening to Waters Edge. He would like to see more of a passive park than the renderings show. Commissioner Aguila asked Mr. Frederick how much parking is at BOat Ramp Park. Mr. Frederick said there are approximately sixty spaces for cars, sixty for trailers, and the grass area for over- flow during larger events which could probably handle anywhere from twenty-five to fifty vehicles, depending on how wet it is. In response to Vice Mayor Matson, Mr. Frederick said there would be between five and fifty boat trailers on Federal Highway depending upon the condition of the ocean and the weather. Commissioner Aguila said the definition of a passive park is more of a personal feeling. He felt the park should have a multitude of uses that would encourage the community to come as a family and interact with friends and neighbors. He stated that a larger picnic pavilion does not necessarily mean it is going to be used as a bandshell for rock concerts. He is not encouraging that sort of use and thinks a variety of sizes of pavilions are needed because of different types of users. He felt this site should contain no less than twelve or fifteen picnic shelters geared to the individual family, and one or two that could be used by a small company or entity that may invite fifteen or twenty people. He liked Concept A with some minor modifications. He thought the lake should be cut down by at least two thirds and moved a little to the east to allow more room between the veterans' memorial and the lake so people would be able to gather around for ceremonies. He preferred 75 paved parking spaces MINUTES - JOINT WORKSHOP OF THE CITY COMMISSION AND RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 1, 1992 instead of 115 and suggested moving the western most row and the 9 spaces on the north and south closest to the highway onto the grass so that there are 75 paved and 130 grass. He thought the tier going out into the water would be more of a hassle than it would be worth. He liked the idea of putting a railing at the edge of the beach for people to walk on and to discourage boaters from dumping themselves onto the beach. He thought the entrance should be more like the entrance in Concept C, a double lane separated by a median. Commissioner Harmening liked Concept A the best and felt the lake should be cut down. He liked the two story pavilion on Concept C. He felt that by whatever name they go by, shelters are needed in case it rains during a picnic and that their use could be controlled by the Parks Department. He did not think DERH or DNR would permit the gazebo in the intracoastal. He liked the con- cept but did not think it practical or feasible. With regard to a pier, he advised that DERH requires three feet of water at the terminal end of the dock and that the water at this beach is pretty shallow. Therefore, he did not think this was feasible either. In addition, he felt it could cause congregation of water scooters and so forth which can be very noisy and disturbing to the people frequenting this park and to the neigh- bors. Regarding parking, Commissioner Harmening felt this park could be used as an overflow parking facility for Boat Ramp Park because of its immediate proximity. vice Mayor Hatson wanted to make it perfectly clear that the pavilion is not a bandshell; it is a nice gathering spot and something possibly the Little Palm Theatre may want to use on a Saturday afternoon to put on one of their children's productions. She was in favor of Concept A with modifications. She agreed with Commissioner Aguila that the lake should be further east and smaller. She was in favor of a boardwalk along the water. She would like to see educational information along the heart trail. Mr. Frederick envisioned this as a daytime park which can very easily be gated at night. He stated that Concept C seems to be the predominent plan with some modifications, such as the board- walk, cutting down the lake, and adjusting the parking from paved to grassed. He advised that he told the architects to put the pavilion in; that it is not a bandshell; and that it is a group gathering area to be used for large picnics and educational programs. He said there are many times when a covered area for entertainment is desired, and all activities will be occurring during the day, not at night. Commissioner Aguila liked the convenience of the parking being close to the picnic pavilions in Concept A. MINUTES JOINT WORKSHOP OF THE CITY COMMISSION AND RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 1, 1992 Mr. Leathers thought the parking should remain on the north side because of the comments he heard expressed this evening about keeping it away from the buildings. He thought the northeast corner was an excellent spot to put the two story pavilion. It was the consensus of the City Commission and the Recreation and Parks Board to work the two story pavilion into Concept A. VICE MAYOR MATSON DECLARED A RECESS at 8:25 P. M. THE MEETING RESUMED AT 8:35 P. M, Dr. Shepherd and Mr. Harris did not return to the dais. V. DISCUSSION OF QUANTUM PARK SITE A. Gee & Jenson Jim Park of Gee & Jenson stated that of the sixteen public responses received, seven people expressed support for Concept 3. Mr. Park said he tried to accommodate as much of the active recreational needs that were expressed to him. Concept 3 contains a 200' Little League field in the lower right, a 300' youth/adult baseball/softball field in the center, and a regulation baseball field 215' from the Dos Lago residences. Mr. Park advised that this plan shows the possibility for the acquisition of the pie shaped wedge not presently owned by the City, and shows the maximum use of this site. He advised that even though the lights are directed away from the residents, they still felt it was an intrusion into what they hoped would be a more generous setback from the canal than this plan shows. Mr. Park said two people thought Concept 1 was the most desirable plan. This plan does not include the pie shaped wedge. He advised that the largest field is still situate on the west side, which is a concern for residents because of the lighting and nighttime activity. He said he had to orient the field there because the depth of the field is too great to fit and to make a logical and orderly arrangement of all the other facilities. This was based on having three fields. This plan incorporates a regular football field superimposed on the top of the regulation baseball field. One of the reasons there wa~ more support for COncept 3 was because not having to overlap fields gave maximum flexibility in the use of the fields. This plan contains greater concentration of courts and the feeling was it would have a greater impact on residents across the canal than Concept 3. With regard to lighting, Mr. Park said there are new lighting fixtures with specially designed shields for urban recreational facilities. 7 MINUTES - JOINT WORKSHOP OF THE CITY COMMISSION AND RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 1, 1992 Mr. Park explained that Concept 2 includes the pie shaped wedge. Mr. Park advised that after the public viewing, Gee & Jenson developed two other plans to accommodate those folks who felt the residences were not adequately buffered to the west. He reviewed Alternate A, which shifted the recreational facilities in order to achieve a greater setback on the west side. The regulation field was reduced to 370' in depth and shifted to the east. The most intensive of lighting and most intensively used field was moved to the most remote of the site where it would fit. The advantage of the 300' youth/adult baseball/softball field is that Little League and some adult softball and baseball can be put on the same field. Alternate B features a Little League and a T-ball field. This is the most dramatic departure from the other plans because the ex- tent of the fields that can be accommodated was sacrificed. Mr. Park advised it cost $75,000.00 or more to light the ball field. Commissioner Aguila questioned the orientation of the wall rac- quetball courts. Mr. Park stated that was a sacrifice that had to be made due to there not being much space. He said they can be turned slightly northwest to solve the problem. Mr. Frederick added that it is not the most critical orientation in terms of court games because racquetball is basically a short distance game. Mr. Weinshel inquired if the City has applied for acquisition of the pie shaped wedge. Mr. Frederick advised he spoke to the owner of that property yesterday and the owner indicated he did not want to sell or give the property to the City, but would be willing to look at some type of land swap. Mr. Frederick felt the chances of acquiring that pie shaped wedge were not excep- tionally good at this point and suggested proceeding on the basis of what the City owns. Mr. Weinshel asked if an amphitheatre or bandshell could be added to the plan. Mr. Park advised that at least one large field would have to be eliminated; it may even be necessary to elimi- nate some of the other functions, and parking would have to be taken into consideration. He said if concerts occur on weekends when there are also athletic events going on, the amount of parking spaces may'have to be doubled. Mr. Leathers inquired about the amount of parking spaces it takes to support Littie League, T-Ball and Regulation baseball. Mr. Frederick advised that in one complex the City has where there are four fields, the parking is overcrowded. He recom- 8 MINUTES - JOINT WORKSHOP OF THE CITY COMMISSION AND RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 1, 1992 mended a minimum of fifty spaces per field. Mr. Leathers asked if there would be enough space for a larger field if some of the parking was eliminated. Mr. Frederick did not think so. He said that would bring it closer to the shoreline which is trying to be maintained with strong buffering, berm, high vegetation, and shields on the lights to achieve minimal impact on the residen- ces. Mr. Frederick felt problems would occur if any parking was sacrificed on this site because of the three fields. Commissioner Aguila asked if it was always the intent to develop this site as a baseball park. Mr. Frederick answered in the affirmative, saying this park is the largest site the City owns, and that the Little League complex is currently at maximum capac- .ity. Mr. Frederick advised that the demand for boys and girls six years old and up through adults and senior softball is tre- mendous. Commissioner Aguila asked if the City owns property south of the tennis complex on Congress Avenue. Mr. Frederick said the City has approximately nine acres adjacent to the racquet center; however, he felt there would be objections to any type of active sports facility on that site from the residents of Hunters Run. In addition, the current master plan calls for other types of facilities, a senior citizens shuffleboard center, picnicing areas, a children's playground and other more passive features. CommiSsioner Aguila suggested having only two baseball fields and a soccor field. Mr. Frederick advised that the three fields would accommodate all age groups. He added that Little League is going to have to split into another district, and by National Little League rules, this City is currently overpopulated to be running the Little League the way it is. He advised that exemp- tions were received for the last two years, and the three field complex would make a full Little League program work effectively. With only two fields, some of the children would probably have to play on another site. COmmissioner Walshak said the youth/adult field could be regu- lated for Little League by putting a fence in. He asked Mr. Frederick if it was his intention to run a full program using all three fields at the same time. Mr. Frederick answered in the affirmative. Mr. Frederick said there are presently two games a night during the week and all day Saturday. Commissioner Walshak asked if the additional fields were meant to alleviate some of the traffic. Mr. Frederick said if the League splits into two areas, initially the pressures will drop and the parks will be less active, but that will pick up due to annexation of the west and the continuing growth of the leagues. MINUTES - JOINT WORKSHOP OF THE CITY COMMISSION AND RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 1, 1992 Mr. Leathers asked if the soccer field would be eliminated when the 380' field is reduced to 370'. Mr. Frederick advised it makes it very difficult to overlay. VICE MAYOR MATSON OPENED THE FLOOR TO THE PUBLIC David Wakeman of 50 Vista Del Rio said the shoreline homeowners are concerned about noise and security and at the March 19, 1992 showing of the three concepts, requested a minimum 50' buffer zone and two multiple ball fields instead of three ball fields. He felt Alternates A and B most reflect the needs of the resi- dents. He submitted a document outlining the concerns and needs of the shoreline residents and stated they did not want to see the site destroyed or not developed; they just want to be taken into consideration. Edward M. Sherman of 70 Vista Del Rio was unaware this site was going to be a sports complex. He said the road near his resi- dence is a high use road and garbage remains on the road for at least a week to a month before anybody gets around to picking it up. He said many people are worried that if too much activity is put in this area, the garbage is going to blow across the canal and Dos Lagos is going to become a refuse center. John Palazzo of 435 S. W. 5th Avenue, a member of the Boynton Beach Little League, said the complex is presently overcrowded and that two fields at Caloosa Park are being used for the overflow. He did not think the lights or noise would be a problem for the Dos Lagos residences. Arnold Thompson of 1307 N. W. 8th Court said South Florida and Palm Beach County desparately need more soccer fields; that soc- cer is becoming a year round sports program in South Florida; and that Palm Beach County is lagging behind everybody else in soc' cer. If the City will prOvide the fields, he said he will pro- vide the programs in Boynton Beach. Ed Cook of 57 Vista Del Rio read and submitted a letter signed by himself and Dorothy E. Cook opposing the use of Quantum Park for a ball park. ' Lanette McNeece of 62 Vista Del Rio said she is not opposed to a park; she just would like to have one a little bit more toned down. In addition, she strongly felt the park should be closed off at night. She wanted gates and police patrol. She asked to squeeze in a little area for the little kids to play. Brenda Wakeman of 50 Vista Del Rio was concerned about sand blowing into the backyards. She asked that the berm area be built up. 10 MINUTES - JOINT WORKSHOP OF THE CITY COMMISSION AND RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 1, 1992 Mike Downey of 25 Vista Del Rio was not opposed to the alternate plans. He felt the baseball fields were needed. He did not see a problem with the lights as long as they are facing away from the residences. Phil Cestaro of 11711 N. Lake Drive runs the American Legion Baseball Program in Palm Beach County. He felt there is a real need for additional recreational facilities (baseball, basket- ball, soccer, and football). He said the American Legion is most interested in having the regulation ball field and if the lights are done properly, there will be a minimum amount of spillover. He advised that the amount of spectators at a ball game averages approximately 35. He supported the active use of the park and underscored the need for it. In response to Comn%missioner Walshak, Mr. Cestaro said this year the season begins May 9 and ends July 14. The American Legion plays Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights, with double headers on Saturday. They are not home every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night. They practice on Mondays and Fridays and there are makeup games on Sundays. Half of the 34 games would be home games. Commissioner Walshak wanted to know who will be'utilizing the field the other 330 days of the year. Mr. Cestaro advised that the Boynton Beach American League presently plays in Lantana where there are two lit and two unlit regulation ball fields. The American Legion, Lantana League, a senior men's baseball league over 30, an under 30 senior men's baseball league, the Montreal Expos, a women's baseball league, and a big league team from Lantana play on those fields. The demand on that complex is quite enormous and there aren't enough facilities for the number of leagues that require major regulation size fields. The American Legion would move into Boynton Beach. He thought the County would continue to service the needs of the over 30 league and the women's league which are county leagues. Mr. Frederick added that Little League season runs from March through mid June and that three different divisions also utilize this size field. Bob Harbin of 56 Vista Del Rio felt recreation and parks were necessary to any community and suggested a berm and light dif- fusers to alleviate the impact on the subdivision. VICE MAYOR MATSON DECLARED THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE CLOSED. B. Commission and Board Discussion Vice Mayor Matson said this park is not platted as a neighborhood park; it is a regional or district park. She read from the Comprehensive Plan which distinguished neighborhood parks from district parks. She said she knows the Comprehensive Plan has to be followed but thinks what is put into this park needs to be discussed because it is a park for everybody in the City. 11 MINUTES - JOINT WORKSHOP OF THE CITY COMMISSION AND RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 1, 1992 Mr. Leathers was in favor of Concept 3 and would like to see a mutli-facet quality of life built into this park. He felt the maximum use that this space allows could be provided while still protecting the Dos Lagos residents. He expressed concern with continuing to provide the needed services of the citizens of Boynton Beach. Mr. Weinshel was in favor of one baseball field and certainly soccer. He would also like a bandshell and felt the noise factor could be controlled. He thought there should be basketball courts and felt too much emphasis was placed on baseball. He said it should be a district park. Mr. Smith asked Mr. Frederick if there was any possibility of exchanging the whole area for another piece of property that wOuld not be anywhere near Dos Lagos. Mr. Frederick did not think the odds were good. Mr. Smith agreed with Mr. Leathers about the concept utilizing the full area, but asked if the facilities in the pie shaped wedge would be relocated, since the City is not going to be able to acquire that piece of property. Mr. Frederick answered in the negative. Mr. Parks stated that Concept 1 would do it but it pushes the field very close to the canal. Mr. Frederick advised it is a tough piece of property to work with from a design standpoint. Mr. Smith felt a playground should be added and Mr. Frederick stated that would not be a problem. Mr. Smith felt Concept 1 should contain a service road for emergency purposes. He was against a road going all the way through the property in Concept 2. With regard to Alternate B, Mr. Smith asked if the T-ball and Little League fields could be combined. Mr. Frederick advised that T-ball is the biggest league of the whole Little League program and the two fields are there to accommodate the large number anticipated in the league. Mr. Smith pointed out that Concept 1 does not contain a T-ball field. Mr. Frederick said the 200' field can be utilized for T-ball or Major League. Mr. Smith asked if a bond issue could be placed on the November ballot. He felt people will respond positively at the polls for parks. Ms. Thomas did not think the City was ever going to lack a need for facilities for kids and parents. She liked Concept 1 and did not think noise would be a problem. However, if it was a problem, she liked Alternate B. She felt no need for tennis courts in this area. From a security standpoint, she liked the concept with the service center in the middle of the fields. Commissioner Walshak stated that four or five years ago, the City scheduled this site as a district park; however, "district park" 12 MINUTES - JOINT WORKSHOP OF THE CITY COMMISSION AND RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 1, 1992 meant something different than the concept presented today. He said today it is being turned into a sports complex. He asked Mr. Park the cost of the regulation field. Mr. Park estimated the cost to be between $150,000.00 and $200,000.00 with the lighting. Commissioner Walshak asked if the fields could be integrated. Mr. Park felt this would be difficult because the size of the base line distances differ greatly. Commissioner Walshak felt Alternate B addressed the concerns of the citizens of Dos Lagos. However, he suggested putting in a bandshell instead of the tennis and basketball courts. Commissioner walshak asked Mr. Park the price of Alternate B as is. Mr. Park quoted a million and a quarter dollars. Commissioner Walhsak felt placing a bond issue on the November ballot was wishful thinking, saying there is $900,000.00 in the recreation fund. In response to Commissioner Aguila, Mr. Frederick said there are seven Little League fields currently available. Those same fields are used for youth/adult baseball and softball. All the lit fields in the City are used during Little League season pri- marily for Little League. Adult softball cannot be run until Little League season is over. There is one 300' field used as a regulation field, which is considered smaller than regulation. The City's highest demand is for a 200' field in terms of the number of kids that play in the program. There was no doubt in Commissioner Aguila's mind that this site is an appropriate site for sport activities. However, he thought it was a little intense and there were some things he did not think were appropriate on the site. He felt it important to be considerate of the neighbors. He felt there were ways of berming, lighting and controlling to lessen the impacts and thought it could be done successfully. With regard to Concept 1, he suggested reducing the Little League field to 150', the youth/adult base- ball and softball field to 200' or 250', sliding down the third field and instead of putting a regulation baseball field there, putting in at least one soccer field, maintaining at least a 50' to 75' well landscaped and well buffered berm area between the west end of that field and the canal, and eliminating the basket- ball, sandball and volleyball courts. He felt there was too much on this site. In response to Commissioner Harmening, Mr. Frederick said the fields at the park on Woolbright Road are only twenty-five feet from the High Point residents and he did not receive any complaints about noise or light from them. Commissioner Harmening did not think the usage was as bad as some may believe and felt facilities for the youth need to be provided in this City. He said the City does not have unlimited opportunities and 13 MINUTES - JOINT WORKSHOP OF THE CITY COMMISSION AND RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 1, 1992 money to provide proper facilities. He felt very deeply that the people need to have their feelings taken into consideration and their concerns alleviated if possible. He felt Alternate B would provide more adequate buffering to eliminate some of the problems and would make everyone as happy as possible with the facility. He suggested having a bandshell down near Quantum Boulevard, 900 to 1,000 feet from Dos Lagos. He said people in this City have been asking for a bandshell for as long as he could remember. He suggested building the facility in phases as the City gets the money. He did not know if tennis courts were needed at this site and felt the need to go ahead with a facility in this location as soon as possible. He felt it was a higher priority than the park on the intracoastal. Mr. Frederick said tennis courts were put in at the request of some of the Dos Lago residents. Commissioner Harmening mentioned that the City just finished tearing out some tennis courts down- town because the space was needed for other things and because they were being way under utilized. In response to vice Mayor Matson, several residents of Dos Lagos advised that recreational amenities are not available to them at their development. Vice Mayor Matson was not too crazy about any of the plans and stated that the consensus at the September 30, 1991 meeting was for two baseball fields. She wanted to see soccer in the park, larger berms, denser buffer plannings, and basketball. She wanted the lighting directed east so as not be affect the resi- dents. She felt the park was overloaded with baseball. She said there has to be something here for everyone and she did not see it right now. COmmissioner Aguila wanted to see a little less baseball and a little more consideration given to some of the other activities, in addition to buffering. Vice Mayor Matson felt the residents' concerns should be taken into consideration a little bit more. Commissioner Walshak felt there was a consenus of the City Commission that the buffering be heavy, the berms be filled, the big ball park be situate on the east side away from Dos Lagos, and that two out of four of the Commissioners would like to have a bandshell. Vice Mayor Matson stated parking for 500 cars would be needed to accommodate a bandshell, and the noise factor would impact Dos L!agos, Village Royale on the Green, Boynton Lakes, and Boynton Lakes North. She said it would be real nice to have a bandshell but did not think it needs to be here. 14 MINUTES - JOINT WORKSHOP OF THE CITY COMMISSION AND RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 1, 1992 At this point in the meeting, Mr. Weinshel left. In response to a question from someone in the audience, Mr. Frederick advised that the City would do some programming for the bandshell and would probably schedule Sunday afternoon con- certs. The Little Palm Theatre and other groups can be scheduled for plays. Groups can request the use of the bandshell. The bandshell could be rented out to generate revenue. VI. SUMMARY None. VII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business~ the meeting properly adjourned at 10:38 P. M. THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH Recording Secretary (Five Tapes) Mayor Commissioner C ~issioner 15