HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes RAB 051605PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
May 16, 2005
Minutes
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met on May 16, 2005. The meeting was called
to order at 7:04 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: Tory Buckley, Bert Premuroso, Mary Anne Hedrick, Ernest
Volonte, Phil Milton, Wendy Walker, and Carolyn Chaplik.
Members Absent: David Lutrin.
Also Present: Charlotte Presensky, Staff Liaison / Community Services Division
Director; Mike Kelly, Parks Director and Councilmember David Levy.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The Board approved the Minutes from the April meeting in a 7 -0 vote.
III. PUBLIC IMPUT SESSION — ILEX CIRCLE
Chief Stephen Stepp discussed some problems with crime that took place at Ilex
Circle. There is concern about the footbridge and some of the residents wanted to
remove the foot bridge. The City feels that there is a need for the footbridge
because there are children that use it to go to school and residents that use it for
walking and jogging. A gate was installed at the bridge but it was never locked
and there was additional crime. The police are recommending putting in a gate
with a timing mechanism so the gate will automatically lock. The Police
Department is in favor of another type of locking mechanism that will
automatically lock around 11:00 PM and open early in the morning so joggers can
use the bridge.
Cassandra Hull of Birdwood Street stated that she appreciates the fact that the
police are in favor of keeping the bridge and would like to see the bridge locked
late at night. She is very glad the bridge will stay open because children do use it
to go to school.
David Huntoon of Ilex Circle thanked the Board for the wonderful job they did on
the Ilex Circle green space. He would like the Board to consider not blocking
people from utilizing the area but agreed with locking the gate after a certain
hour.
Gary Frechette of Ilex Circle thanked the Board and staff for helping with the
beautiful green space. He stated that his car had been broken into around 1 1:00
P.M. outside his home. The police responded very quickly. He agrees that the
gate needs to be locked by 11:00 P.M. at the latest.
Shirley Bonvento of Arbor Way said that she uses the foot bridge and both her
children use the bridge to go to school. She feels 8:OOP.M. is too early to close
the bridge but agrees it should be locked later at night.
Linda Hughey of Reed Drive said she has a big problem with the gate. She feels
they are separating the City with a gate. It is a band aid approach and she feels it
should not be locked at all. She said that no other City parks are locked and this
area should not be locked.
Scott Gordon of Ilex Circle stated his house was broken into about four years ago.
He said that the people who use the bridge late at night are mostly kids. He feels
11:OOPM to 6:OOAM are good hours for the bridge to be locked.
Bob Brockman of Ilex Circle thanked the City and staff for the great job on the
green space. The bridge has been an issue for a long time and the homeowners in
the area really don't want the bridge removed because they don't want children to
have to walk on Military Trail. He feels the crime will never end until this
problem is settled so maybe the bridge has to be removed.
Pat Igo of Ilex Circle feels the bridge should be locked by 11:00 P.M. He said that
there is a steady flow of people that use the bridge but they don't have to use it
after 11:00 P.M.
Lisa Lynn of Ilex Circle thanked the City for the great job on the green space.
She is in favor of locking the gate from 11:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M. The gate will
not stop crime but it is a deterrent.
Marion Demick of Heather Circle stated he lives a few streets away but he has to
agree with the people on Ilex Circle that the gate needs to be locked at a
reasonable hour.
Pat Hughey of Reed Drive submitted a letter to the Board that she read. She stated
that she feels the gate should not be closed. She feels the gate is dividing the City.
She said that other parks in the City are not locked and this area should not be
locked.
Tory Buckley stated that the green space is not a park and they are not locking a
park. The green space was put in to beautify a weeded area. He feels the City
Council should make the final decision. He feels this does not fall under the realm
of the Parks and Recreation Board. He also said that if they do put a timer on the
gate the Police Department should do a study as to what if any crime occurs after
the gate is locked. If this board decided to tackle the issue he will vote that the
board does put a timer on the gate.
The board will discuss this issue and will get back to the residents with the
decision.
ITEMS BY STAFF LIAISON
Hurricane Update
Mike Kelly reported that all the hurricane repairs are completed. He has a meeting
with FEMA and the initial assessment was over $750,000 and they ended up
spending less than $200,000.
Golf Course Update
The golf course has been cleaned of all trees, the roof of the clubhouse was
repaired and the pump station was repaired. There are still some areas that need
sod. All the hurricane repairs have been basically completed.
Board Update to Council
Charlotte explained that City Council will be hosting workshops for all Board and
Committee members to discuss the goals and workings of each board.
New Pool
The new pool will hold a private opening on May 26 and on May 27 there is as
soft opening from 5:00 to 7:00. The pool will be open on Saturday May 28 but
the grand opening is Monday, Memorial Day.
OLD BUSINESS
Councilman David Levy, Charlotte Presensky, Mike Kelly and Jack Doughney
met with Commissioner Karen Marcus. The county wants to terminate the inter -
local agreement with the City and they want to go ahead and build the park. They
are in favor in partnering on certain areas of the park. The county does not have
the funds to work on the park for about five to ten years but might be able to
move forward faster if partnering with the City. They suggested a workshop with
the residents to see what kind of park will be built. Mr. Levy feels the project will
move forward and it will be a great park.
Charlotte suggested a public forum about the park. The Board will host the
meeting and county staff will also attend and answer questions from the public.
Bert Premuroso stated that there are commitments to other parks in the city and
they don't want to get into a situation where the City starts the park and then there
is no money available for the other projects. David Levy feels that this Board's
projects are top priority and other cities that will also be using the district park
will be putting in money. He stressed that the county will be putting in the bulk
of the money and that it will probably be five years before the park is built.
However, the county would like to have a site plan in order to move forward. He
also feels this is a good way to work in a good working relationship with the
county. The board would like to wait until after the summer to host the
workshop. David Levy will pass this information on to the City Council and to
Commissioner Marcus and they will look to hosting the workshop in September
or October.
NEW BUSINESS
Capital Priorities Planning
Charlotte handed out a Capital Planning Project Book. Charlotte feels the
information that was collected a few years ago has to be updated regarding the
priority plans and projects. She would like to hold some workshops and meetings
with the goal of producing another priority list by March that will be used for next
budget year. She went through the book page by page and explained each entry to
the Board. She is proposing they continue to move forward with the concepts
with some modifications and do some significant work on projecting their impact
funds. She feels that this project should not be rushed. She reminded the Board
that PGA National is a priority because the park is in bad shape. She also
discussed doing a needs study on demographics to find out the need for a new
teen center. She would plan on this being one of the priorities for next year.
Tory Buckley would like to know how much the impact fees actually are and how
much money the Board actually has to use for projects. The impact fees through
next year are already projected. Tory wanted to know how the Board is going to
allocate if they don't know how much money they have. Charlotte stated that they
are creating essentially a wish list because they don't know what the impact fees
are at this time. She would like to see the Board involved in a survey with the
public to get an idea of what the residents are looking for. She said that Alan
Owens is working on the projections and Charlotte will bring that back to the
Board when it is available. The Board would like to know what they did in the
four years prior and then have a projection for five years into the future. They
understand a projection is not necessarily fact but they would like to have these
figures. They would like to do the public study but would also like to see what
the future looks like. Charlotte is going to bring a draft of the survey to the June
meeting for the Boards input so it will be ready to go in the Fall Newsletter.
COMMENTS BY THE BOARD
Maryanne Hedrick wanted to know if the dog run is being used. Charlotte said it
is being used and there is an article coming out about the dog run.
Carolyn Chaplik wanted to know where the dog run is located and what is the
difference between a dog park and dog run. Charlotte explained that they are
waiting for additional grant money to turn the dog run into a dog park.
Charlotte also informed the Board that the grant funds that she originally thought
the City was not going to get, they will be getting after all. This will fund
$200,000 for City Park Phase II and $200,000 for Lilac Park Phase II.
Phil Milton wanted to know when the bridge at the walking trail will be
completed. Charlotte stated that it is probably about 6 to S weeks away from
completion.
Tory Buckley commented that if the projections were better there might be funds
for the dog park. He also commented that Nature Trails were one of the top
things on the priority list and this has never been addressed. Tory also wanted to
know from the Police Chief if sex offenders are allowed to use the parks and can
they be barred from the parks if they are a registered sex offender.
Maryanne Hedrick: What is the board going to do to address the gate at Ilex
Circle? She stated that they have heard what the neighborhood has to say but
what is the Board going to do about it. Changes have to be made for the safety of
the residents.
Philip Milton made a motion for this Board to recommend that City Council make
the final decision on the gate closure at Ilex Circle. The Board's recommendation
is to put a timing mechanism on the gate and have it locked from 11:00 P.M. to
6:00 A.M. Ernest Volonte seconded the motion. The Board voted accordingly:
Tory Buckley - Yes, Bert Premuroso,- Yes, Mary Anne Hedrick — Yes, Ernest
Volonte- Yes, Phil Milton- Yes, Wendy Walker -Yes, and Carolyn Chaplik -Yes to
make a 7 -0 Vote.
The Board would like the time frame monitored by a report from the Police Chief
to see if it makes a difference in the crime in the area.
Ernest Volonte asked about the development that is going up on the east side of
the golf course. He is concerned about the level and the land that is in that area.
He is concerned about flooding in the area. He was told that the City is aware of
the problem and the burm will be made higher in the final stage of the project.
All the drainage is going to go into the wetlands.
Ernest would also like to know why it took three weeks to ariate the golf course.
He was told that there was some equipment that broke down and that slowed
down the process. Also, this years arification was more extend than last year.
Ernest wanted to know if the City lost money during this process. The funds are
actually up from last year at this time.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 9:11
P.M.
Approval:
Robert Premuroso, Chairperson
Un IQR�
Wendy Wa er, Vice Chairperson
Phil NMton, Board Member
Mary nne Hedrick, Board Member
f
Ernest Volont oard Member
CAJ-A" C40& �h
Carolyn Clfaplik, Board qember
Alan Leyland, Alternate Board Member
David Lutrin, Alternate Board Member
Attest:
r-
Susan Bell, Public Information/ Recording Coordinator
Pat H ughey
Reed Dr.
NOTICE
PUBLIC MEETING
RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
May 16 7:00 PM
Council Chambers
TO discuss the locking
and timing of the
Ilex footbridge
-rY --
05-16-05
-As a resident of this city for over 40 years, I have seen many changes, some good
and some even better. However, as some lll~mbers of this city's council and this
board, are well aware, I have for many years pleaded for a safe place for the children
and young people in the Palm B each Square area of this,city to play. As it is now,
they play in the streets and sidewalks. Some of the older ones are allowed to walk or
bike to parks on the north side of the canal that separates Palm Beach Square fro m the
rest of the city.
This is also the route that is used to travel to the schools.
-With the closing of this access, o ur children will be force d to walk along Military
Trail or to MacArther Blvd., to use the facilities that our tax dollars have been
applied to, yet we are being denied reasonable safe passageway.
-It WijS after the mal<ln.¥ of"Ilex Circle Greenspace" this gate was installed .It should
be noted that of all th~ par~s in tbe city, tbis is the only one that has required the
installation of a locked gate.
-It is my earnest plea to this groqp to consicler the message bein~ sent by the recent
acti~m in locking this passage way. There have been comw.ents about crime and
hoodlums entering Gardenia G ardens. A.re these l:>eing directed at the Palµi l3eflch
~9uare residents? '
If so, I suggest/request that, if it hasn't already happened, there be a study done to
determine the increase in crime, what kind of crime, who were the perpetrators,
victims, time of day of the crimes, what kind of transportation was used in the
commission of these crimes. Whatever the customary facts are to be gathered and
used in making this kind of study. Only then can an informed decision be made.
Please · co~~ider the equity of the spending of tax dollars, use of facilities and the
messages being sent to the residents of this city. We want to be "one united city".