HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes RAB 022805PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
February 28, 2005
Minutes
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met on February 28, 2005. The meeting was
called to order at 7:06 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.
II.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Bert Premuroso, Mary Anne Hedrick, Ernest Volonte, Alan
Leyland, David Lutrin and Phil Milton.
Members Absent: Tory Buckley, Carolyn Chaplik, and Wendy Walker.
Also Present: Charlotte Presensky, Staff Liaiso n
Division Director; Mike Kelly, Parks Director, D
Manager; and Kevin Kern, Golf/Pro Manager;
Superintendent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The Board approved the minutes in a 6 -0 vote.
III. ITEMS BY STAFF LIAISON
1. Golf Course
and Community Services
Dan Reidy, Golf /Tennis Center
Billy Miller, Golf Course
At Charlotte's request Billy Miller, Golf Course Superintendent, and Kevin
Kern, Golf/Pro Manager, gave the Board an update on the Golf Course. They
discussed the tree removal on the golf course. The Golf Course lost over 300
trees in the hurricanes and there are still some trees that need to be removed.
This is taking much longer than expected. They also stated that the annual
weed program will start in April and there is going to be a camp program
starting on Monday and Wednesday evenings.
Alan Leyland suggested asking the USGA for advice on the types of grass to
plant. He stated that they give free information and thought the staff should
contract them for suggestions on what type of grass to plant.
Ernest Volonte asked Kevin how many golfers are residents compared to
non - residents. Kevin stated that in January there were 1025 residents and
1450 non - residents. Bert Permuroso asked about how the rates are compared
to other public golf courses. Charlotte stated that our rates are comparable to
other public courses and used Okeeheelee as an example. She stated that our
rates were actually a few dollars per round higher than Okeeheelee Golf
Course.
2. PGA Park Follow -up
Charlotte responded to a question asked at a prior meeting about the gate
at PGA National Park. She stated that the Planning Department is looking
into the gate at PGA Park. She was told that since the gate is on the
internal side of PGA National's security gate it was requested that it stay
closed. She is investigating as to how and why this action came about.
3. Recreation Survey
There was discussion about what questions the Board wanted included in
the Recreation Survey that will go out in the fall. The Board asked staff to
come up with some questions to present to them and they will give their
input.
Charlotte explained that the Education Advisory Committee was also
doing a survey in the spring. They are targeting adult education and asking
what the residents are looking for in adult classes.
Ernest Volonte stated that the City offers many great classes and asked
what type of advertising the Recreation Department does. Charlotte stated
that they send out a color brochure three times a year. They also do a lot
of press releases and take out ads for special events. She said there has
been discussion among staff as to whether they should start advertising
and possibly look at it for the next budget year.
4. Howell Watkins Middle School Public Meeting
Charlotte asked the Board if they would consider holding the upcoming
public meeting at the same time as their April 18, 2005 regular meeting.
The Board was respective to this and asked Charlotte to start the process
of getting the public notice out.
5. Site Visit Information and Return to Chambers for Meeting
Charlotte asked to table this subject until the next meeting. She should
have additional information at that time.
6. Skate Park Follow -Up
The word is getting out to the users of the Skate Park that the lighting is a
priority to the Board and they will be discussing this in the next budget
process. The Board will be receiving an invitation to a skate tournament
called the "Garden's Grind." Charlotte asked that they all attend so they
could see what the Skate Park is all about.
7. Hurricane Update
Mike Kelly gave the update on the hurricane restoration. Mike stated the
work is almost complete. There are still a few areas that are being
completed but for the most part everything is finished. The only thing that
will not be completed is the irrigation at PGA National Park. He stated
that this was discussed at the last meeting and nothing has changed as far
as not having the funds to replace the irrigation system, at this time. The
only part of the irrigation system that is insured is the pump and that was
the only thing that was not damaged. There was discussion about the
insurance reimbursement. Mike stated that so far the reimbursement was
good and he is hoping that the costs of repairs will actually be less than
what was originally estimated.
Ernest Volonte stated he was concerned that the lights in the parks are
staying on when there is no one playing. Mike Kelly explained that all the
lights are on timers and are set for specific times. They are hoping that in
the next year's budget they will be able to purchase a computerized
lighting system that will allow them to operate the lights from a computer
instead of the timers. This will be much more efficient as far as having the
lights on only when they are needed.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
Lake Catherine
Mike Kelly reported that the building opening went very smoothly and the
facility is being used effectively and has been well received by the
residents. There is still an issue with the netting and Todd Engle is
working on getting that fixed. Two of the fields have shaded structures
and the others are coming in a few weeks.
10113
The spray playground equipment has arrived. There has been a delay
because the equipment arrived late and the rain has postponed installation,
but the facility should be open in about 60 — 75 days. Unfortunately, it will
not make the original deadline of having the pool open for spring break.
They will be announcing the grand opening date very soon. There will
also be a soft opening to shake out the kinks prior to opening to the public.
BURNS ROAD COMMUNITY CENTER
The City is in the process of accepting bids for the construction on the
Burns Road Community Center. The bid will then be presented to City
Council in April. The plan is to close the building on May 11, 2005 and
reopen on September 15, 2005. When the building reopens only the old
space will be open. The new space, including the locker rooms, new
gymnasium, and the storage areas will not be open until February, 2006.
Staff is hoping that getting supplies, such as the roofing materials will not
be a problem and hold up construction dates. They are looking into pre -
buying the roofing materials so when the contractor is ready to do the roof
the materials will be available.
The Board suggested advertising that the pools will be open during
construction of the community center. Charlotte stated she is working on
a marketing campaign to let people know about the closure, how it will
affect the property, what will be open, and where classes are going to be.
THOMPSON RIVER
The City received the `Notice to Proceed'from the State and they can now
move forward with the project because the grant was approved. The half
mile trail has to be open prior to Burns Road Community Center closing
so the walkers won't be affected.
DOG RUN
Mike Kelly reported that the fence is installed and they are waiting to lay
the sod. There is some other construction being done in the area and they
are waiting for that to be complete before laying the sod. The final plans
for the sod and the irrigation should be complete around March 14, 2005
and the park should be open at the end of the month. The dog run is about
110 square feet.
ILEX CIRCLE
The new sidewalk and the electric have been installed. The irrigation
pump has been installed. The planting will be done next week and the sod
the week of March 14, 2005.
TENNIS CENTER
All the bids are in for the Tennis Center. There will be four new courts.
They are not going to build the center court at this time because of the cost
involved, but they are going to prep the land while building the other
courts so when they are ready to build the center court the land will be
ready. Bert asked Charlotte to explain exactly what the center court is.
Charlotte explained that the center court is usually where the tennis pro
teaches a lesson. During a tournament the center court may have seating
for approximately 500 people. This could be used for local and junior
tournaments. The Tennis Center is extremely popular and could require
more growth in the future.
SANDHILL CRANE
The bids are also in for this project. There is a Professional Selection
Committee that is in the process of evaluating the bids and when there is
more information Charlotte will report back.
FRISBEE PARK AT GARDENS PARK
Mike Kelly reported that the markers at the Frisbee Park are being
installed and the park is being used frequently.
V. NEW BUSINESS
DISTRICT PARK
Charlotte gave the background of the District Park. She discussed the land
use designation change that is going before City Council. She also
discussed the history of the Inter -local Agreement with the County.
Charlotte showed the Board two (2) different plans of the park. The first
slide was the county's most current proposal for the park. The County
sent out a survey to the Parks directors in the North County municipalities.
The County then devised the plan based on the needs from the survey.
The plans are now showing the park being much more passive than on the
previous plans. Some of the decision to make the park more passive is
because the City is now meeting most of the needs that were in the
previous plan in the new facilities they are building on Burns Road (i.e.
the new pool and the new gym). The new plan is very friendly to the
environment and the area.
Charlotte also showed a conceptual plan that is not approved. This plan
was to show what City staff would like to see the park look like. This
included a lot of nature trails, bike trails, picnicking, and a dog park. She
explained that she is showing this just to give the Board an idea of what a
passive park would look like but, again, she stressed that this is all
conceptual and nothing has been approved. At the time of the meeting,
everything is still up in the air. Staff anticipates more discussions with the
County about the land but they are not sure what is going to happen at this
point. The Board stated they would like to be involved in the planning
process of the park. Charlotte will make sure the Board is involved as
much as they can be.
VI. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Tim Frohling stated that he had friends visiting from out of town and they
were extremely impressed with the City's facilities.
VII. COMMENTS BY THE BOARD
Ernest Volonte thanked the Golf Course Staff for coming and giving their
report.
Bert Premuroso also thanked the Golf Course Staff and thanked
Charlotte's staff for putting on the Youth Festival. He said it was a great
event and was very well received by the residents. Charlotte added that
Amy Luetkemeyer, the Public Relations Director and Christy Wolnewitz,
the Special Events Coordinator raised over $9,000 for the event and
praised the staff for a job well done.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at
8:18 PM.
Approval:
Robert Premuroso, Chairperson
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Wendy Waf ker, ice Chairperson
Tory Bu 1 and Member
Phil Milto , Board Member
Mary Anne Hedrick, oard Member
Ernest Vol te, Board Member
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Carolyn Chaplik, Board Member
Alan Leyland, Alternate Board Member
David Lutrin, Alternate Board Member
Attest:
Susan Bell, Public Information/Illeecording Coordinator