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