HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes RAB 013105PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
January 31, 2005
Minutes
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met on January 31, 2005. The meeting was
called to order at 7:01 PM in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Complex, located at
10500 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and opened with the Pledge of
Allegiance.
I. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Bert Premuroso, Tory Buckley, Mary Anne Hedrick, Ernest
Volonte, Carolyn Chaplik, Alan Leyland, David Lutrin and Wendy Walker
Members Absent: Phil Milton
Also Present: Charlotte Presensky, Staff Liaison and Community Services
Division Director, and Mike Kelly, Parks Director,
IL APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The Board approved the minutes in a 7 -0 vote.
III. CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR ELECTION
The Board elected Robert Premuroso as Chair and Wendy Walker as Vice Chair
in a 7 -0 vote.
IV. ITEMS BY STAFF LIAISON
Recreation Survey
Charlotte asked the Board for their input with topics and questions for the
Recreation Survey that will be published in the fall Recreation Newsletter. She
asked the Board to think about the topics and come back with that information at
the next meeting. Bert Premuroso asked the Board to really think about the
questions so they can get a good prospective of what residents are looking for in
the Parks and Recreation department.
Youth Festival
Charlotte gave the Board details about the City's Youth Festival that will be
taking place on February 12, 2005. The parade is scheduled for 10:00 AM and
she would like the Board members to be part of the parade. They are expecting
about 700 -800 kids to attend the festival.
V. OLD BUSINESS
Howell Watkins Public Meeting
The Board would like to like to hold the public meeting for Howell Watkins
Middle School in April. Charlotte will check on dates and email the Board with
some choices.
Board Calendar
Charlotte explained that she is trying to set up meetings at the Golf Course and
Tennis Center. The problem she is facing is that the Sunshine Law prohibits
meetings that are not accessible to the public. Therefore, is hard to hold a meeting
outside of the council chambers because the meetings have to be open to the
public. Charlotte stated that she is still working with the City Attorney and City
Clerk to work something out for the Board to be able to tour the different
facilities. She stated they might be able to tour the property and then come back
to City Hall for the actual meeting. The Board expressed that they would like to
go to the Tennis Center, Golf Course and the new Pool at Burns Road. Charlotte
will have more information at the next meeting.
Recreation Impact Fees
Charlotte would like to have Dan Clark from LBFH to do an impact fee projection
to show the Board what is happening in the City's housing construction market
from today through build -out. Next month the Board will address capital
planning and Charlotte should have more up -to -date numbers to present. Bert
asked if the City is under the funding stream. Charlotte stated that there was a lull
for a few months but now everything is back on track. The Board would like to
see what was previously projected compared to what is currently being projected
so they can recommend which projects are their priorities.
Project Update
Lake Catherine: The Ribbon Cutting and Groundbreaking Ceremony are set for
February 5, 2004. Commissioner Karen Marcus will be attending.
Pool at Burns Road Community Center: The spray playground is moving
forward. The target date to open the pool is during Spring Break. They are
waiting for the shipment of the playground equipment. Upon opening the old
pool, new pool and spray playground will all be up and running at the same time.
Burns Road Community Center: Bid advertisements will go out in February.
The gym will be closing on April 27, 2005 and the Community Center will close
on May 15, 2005 for approximately 4 months. The re- opening is scheduled for
September 15, 2005. When the building reopens all the old areas will be open but
the new areas will still be under construction. This includes the locker room and
new gym. The completion date for the Community Center is scheduled for
February 1, 2006.
The City will not be moving the EOC (Emergency Operations Center) to the
Community Center because the technology that is need to run the EOC is located
at the police station and it will be too difficult to move equipment to the
Community Center in an emergency.
The pools will remain open during the closing of the Community Center. Summer
camp will be held at Palm Beach Gardens High School and the Riverside Center
will hold camp for the younger children.
Thompson River Park: Plans for the bridge and trail that will join Burns Road
and Lilac Street is being mapped out. As soon as the State gives the OK on the
grant they will start moving ahead on the project. Staff would like to see this
project completed as soon as possible therefore, when the Community Center is
under construction there will be a place for people to walk on the new trail.
Dog Run: Mike Kelly reported on the Dog Run. He said the area has been
cleared. The fencing will be going up within a week. The hold -up has been with
the irrigation. For safety reasons they are going to be putting up 2 gates. This
will make it harder for the dogs to get out. This area will be originally opened as
a dog run and when the State grant comes through they will make it a Dog Park.
Ilex Circle: Bert stated that a few residents were upset because they are afraid it
Ilex Circle Park will become a hang -out. He stated that he and Tory spoke to the
residents and explained how beautiful the park is going to be. Mike Kelly stated
that he is waiting for FP &L to provide power so they can get the security gates
and irrigation going. It should be a quick process after the power is turned on.
Tennis Center and Sandhill Crane: Both projects are in the process of taking
bids. There should be more information available in a few months and Charlotte
will report back to the Board.
Hurricane Updates: Mike Kelly reported that there are still some parks where
the lighting is out. By February 11, 2005 all the lighting should be repaired. All
the lighting prices have come in lower than what was originally quoted.
PGA National Park's irrigation system is beyond repair. The quote to repair is
close to a quarter million dollars. The city does not have this money budgeted at
this time and it does not qualify for impact fees. The entire system needs to be
replaced and it needs to be considered in the next budget process.
VL NEW BUSINESS
Skate Park Lighting
Staff has done research into lighting the skate park. The estimated cost will be
$150,000.00. Charlotte is looking into allocating impact fees that are currently
unallocated. At the next meeting the Board will discuss the Capital Budget for
next year and hopefully be able to put funds for the lighting into the budget. The
Board expressed that they would like to be able to help the kids as soon as
possible but they have to follow the budget process. Portable lighting was much
too expensive. With daylight savings time coming and it will start to get dark
later, so the kids will be able to use the park into the evening.
The Board suggested after the capital budgeting process and the impact fee
projection, Charlotte hold a meeting for the kids to attend and explain what the
long terms plans are for the skate park. Charlotte said after the budget process she
will plan a day with the skate park staff to hold an informational meeting for the
kids. Maryanne Hedrick stated she would like to see the lights done as soon as
possible. This will send a message to the kids in the City that they can come to
the City's Boards and Committees with their concerns and that the Board will
help them get things done.
Golf Course
Ernest Volonte brought up the subject of the Golf Course. Charlotte explained
that the Golf Course is run through an enterprise fund that is different from the
way any other recreation facility funds are run in the City. Therefore, is not
currently eligible for recreation impact fees. Allan Owens, the City's Financial
Administrator, will be talking to the auditors to see if there is something that can
be done where the golf course would have a stand alone budget and could be
eligible for impact fees.
Tory Buckley stated he is in full support of doing what ever it takes to improve
the golf course and also suggested that having the City look into designating the
golf course as a park.
VII. NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on February 28, 2005. The topic of the next
meeting will be capital planning and budget. Charlotte is also hoping to have a
list of funds that FEMA will be paying from the hurricane damage.
VIII. COMMENTS BY THE PUBLIC
Tim Frohling, of 152 Euphrates Circle, asked about how he can get copies of the
minutes from prior meetings. Susan Bell, the Public Information/ Recording
Coordinator explained that he needs to put in a public records request and she will
be happy to provide him with that information.
John Chaplik, of 715 Hudson Bay Drive, stated that he is the chair of the Budget
Oversight Committee. He gave the Board information about the Golf Course
enterprise fund and reiterated what Charlotte said about Allan Owens talking to
the auditors about possibly changing the fund.
IX. COMMENTS BY BOARD MEMBERS
Carolyn Chaplik stated she would like a map of the upcoming recreation projects.
Charlotte will ask the GIS department to formulate new map.
Tory Buckley stated he hopes to see everyone on the Board at the Lake Catherine
ground breaking on February 5, 2005. He wanted the Board to know that the
School Board has decided to use the media center at Howell Watkins Middle for a
Montessori School instead of the City using the building for adult programs.
Tory also asked Charlotte about the Frisbee Park at PGA National. Charlotte
stated that Justin Lucas is working on trying to do some renovations at the Park.
Mike Kelly said that Justin was just in touch with him about getting new markers
and they are actively working on this.
X. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:32PM.
Approval:
Robert Premuroso, Chairperson
Wendy Walker, Vice Chairperson
Tory Buckley, Board Member
Mary a Hedrick,Bo Member
Ernest Vol te, Board Member
Carolyn Chaplik, Board Member
Alan j yland, Alfernat .� ember
J �
David Lutrin, Alternate Board Member
Attest:
-26sanWW, Public Information/ Recording Coordinator