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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 u izal-i-,10221 la,� A Wendy Waf ker, ice Chairperson Tory Bu 1 and Member Phil Milto , Board Member Mary Anne Hedrick, oard Member Ernest Vol te, Board Member O,ao� Carolyn Chaplik, Board Member Alan Leyland, Alternate Board Member David Lutrin, Alternate Board Member Attest: Susan Bell, Public Information/Illeecording Coordinator