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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes RAB 081505PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD August 15, 2005 Minutes The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met on August 15, 2005. The meeting was called to order at 7:03 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, MaryAnne 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, County Commissioner Karen Marcus, and Tim Granowitz, Principal Planner for Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Planning and Design. IL APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Board approved the Minutes from the May 2005 meeting in a 7 -0 vote. III. ITEMS BY STAFF LIAISON Charlotte discussed re- appointments on the board. She asked the Board Members to please contact her within the week to let her know if they are interested in being re- appointed. Charlotte reminded the Board that the Budget Workshops will be taking place over the next couple of weeks and invited the Board to attend at least one of the upcoming budget meetings. She discussed the projects that are included in the new budget, which are, PGA National Park, Lake Catherine, and Burns Road Community Center. Tory Buckley asked about the status of the Golf Course fund being transferred from an Enterprise Fund to a Special Revenue Fund. Charlotte stated that this is being considered in the proposed budget. IV. OLD BUSINESS DISTRICT PARK Tim Granowitz, Principal Planner for Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Planning and Design, presented to the Board a PowerPoint Presentation about the District Park Master Plan Study. He gave the background of the park and stated that the bond money to acquire the park was approved in 1999 by the voters. In 2000 Palm Beach County and the City of Palm Beach Gardens entered into an Inter -Local Agreement for the development of the park. The Agreement stated that the County would lease the park for 75 years and the City would develop it. Although the Agreement stated that the park was to be developed within 5 years, by the time the Agreement expired in 2004 the park had not been developed. The City and the County have been meeting regarding the Master Plan of the Park. He stated that the purpose of the Master Plan Study was to determine the number and type of facilities that are needed to serve residents within a five mile radius. He discussed the location of the Park and the geographical location compared to other parks in the area. He also discussed the growth of the North County area within the next 20 years. He stated that this park should fulfill the need for recreation facilities in the North County area. He acknowledged that the survey was mailed to Municipal Recreation Department Representatives in the North County. The Cities that participated were: Tequesta, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Lake Park, Juno Beach, and Palm Beach Shores. He went over the questions that were on the survey and the overall results. The results of the survey demonstrated the need for active and passive recreational facilities in the North County area. The survey targeted multi- purpose fields, baseball and softball fields, volleyball courts, and exercise trails as active recreational facilities and bike trails, picnic facilities, fishing facilities, and nature trails as passive facilities. The Conceptual Master Plan was developed to address the needs identified in the survey by providing active recreational facilities including 4 multi - purpose fields, 1 Major League baseball field, 2 softball fields, 1 Little League baseball field, 1 Pony League field, 2 volleyball courts, and passive recreational facilities including 1.38 miles of paved bike paths, 0.77 mile of nature trails, 1 fishing dock, 2 group picnic pavilions, and 9 family picnic shelters. The purpose of the proposed Master Plan is to provide a balance of active and passive recreational facilities. The Board had questions regarding the buffer zones, the length of the nature trails, adequate parking spaces, and the number of softball fields. Tory Buckley pointed out that the residents would like to see additional passive areas and this park looks like it would fulfill these needs. He feels the City should have some priority in scheduling of the recreational programs in the park. County Commissioner, Karen Marcus addressed the Board and stated that she thinks this park will fulfill the needs of the North County residents. She encouraged the Board to recommend the development of the District Park to the City Council. She also addressed Tory's statement about priority scheduling by stating that since this is a County Park they would not be able to give priority to any particular City. The scheduling would have to be worked out between whatever Cities were interested in using the facilities. Tory Buckley made a motion to recommend the development of the District Park to the City Council. Ernest Volonte seconded the motion and it passed in a 7 -0 Vote. Tory Buckley Yes Bert Premuroso Yes Mary Anne Hedrick Yes Ernest Volonte Yes Phil Milton Yes Wendy Walker Yes Carolyn Chaplik Yes Charlotte will draft a recommendation to City Council for this Board's review. V. NEW BUSINESS RECREATION SURVEY Charlotte stated that the Recreation Survey will be on the Website very soon. It is also going to be mailed to residents as part of the Recreation Department Newsletter. The survey will be completed by mid - October and she will bring the results back at the October meeting so the Board can start planning. ANNUAL RENOVATIONS This week the Tennis Center is closed for the annual renovation. The entire facility will be cleaned including painting, carpet cleaning, and all general cleaning and maintenance. The Golf Course will be next to close and cleaned thoroughly. MH(E KELLY'S UPDATE Mike Kelly gave the Board an up -date on the Dog Run. He said the Dog Run is being used frequently. The grant they received will fund the trees to shade the area. He also added that Babe Ruth Baseball is funding the reconfiguration of two baseball fields in Garden's Park. They are putting in 70' base pads. This will be completed in a few days. Charlotte introduced Jeff Heinz who is the Pool Supervisor. Jeff is going to be a liaison for this Board along with Charlotte and Mike Kelly. VI. COMMENTS BY THE BOARD Bert Premuroso stated the pool is really great. Carolyn Chaplik asked about the Bocce Courts. She said the courts are not packed and hard enough. Mike stated that the problem is the base of the court is sand and should have been gravel. They are starting to harden over time and should be better in the future. Bert Premuroso asked about meeting with H. Watkins Middle School. Charlotte said they will be having a public meeting with Watkins Middle School in a few months. Bert also asked Charlotte to please draft a letter to Karen Marcus thanking her for attending the meeting. Ernest Volonte asked about the maintenance on the Golf Course. Charlotte explained the process of the annual cleanup and what it included. VII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:04 P.M. Approval: Robert Premuroso, Chairperson LU Wendy Walkir, Vice Chairperson Ernest Volonte, Board Member Carolyn Chaplik, Board Member ' 1 , David Lutrin, ternate Board Member Attest: Susan Bell, Public Information/ Recording Coordinator