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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes RAB 030795CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT 4404 BURNS ROAD PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL 33410 (407) 775 -8270 MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MARCH 7, 1995 The City of Palm Beach Gardens Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met Tuesday, March 7, 1995 at 7:30 P.M. at the Riverside Community Center. Members present included John Elsner, Ronnye Sands, Joanne Steele, Bette Bates, Don Babin, Y.A.A. President, Susan Miller, Director/Parks and Recreation, Brian McLaughlin, Superintendent/Recreation, and Dick Cameron, Superintendent/Parks. Not present: Chairman Jeff Sabin, Sandy Gottlieb, Joe Kuveikis, Rick DeKeyser, Y.A.A. Vice President, Councilman Joseph Russo. In Chairman Jeff Sabin's absence, John Elsner conducted the meeting. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: *The minutes from the February 7, 1995 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board were approved as written. II DIRECTOR'S REPORT: RECREATION *The number of participants in the Teen Drop -In is growing. The center now has up to around 45 participants daily. There is a need to hire additional staff. Robyne McCarthy recently joined the staff and is a real asset. The Teen Center is receiving money from two separate grants for special programs sponsored by the Palm Beach County School Board. Our Teen Center is part of the LEAP Program sponsored by the Palm Beach County School Board to introduce and encourage development of a sense of art and cultural appreciation and participation. Four local elementary schools participate. Our location within the county falls under C.A.S.T. within the LEAP Program and grant money has been allocated for us. Under another grant, the Teen Center has been selected to receive additional grant money to organize and conduct After Care through the Palm Beach County School Board for Howell Watkins Middle School. *The Advisory Board's issues, that members have worked diligently on, have been the 40 cause of much frustration. The Advisory Board members feel that their recommendations do not get to city council for approval based on their committee recommendations. Their understanding RECOGNIZED AS THE #1 PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT IN THE NATION WINNER OF THE NATIONAL GOLD MEDAL AWARD 'ra C A& was that after many meetings and much of their time was spent on researching issues, working on committees and arriving at a conclusion, their recommendation was a representation of the residents of the city. They can not understand why the city council appoints another committee to do what they have already done. Council liaison seems to be conveying personal feelings on issues as opposed to the recommendations of the Advisory Board. PARKS *Capital Improvements for the next fiscal year will be recommended and discussed by board members. Klock clearing and development need to be budgeted. (A decision must be made first what the 17 acres would best be used for.) Playscape at Burns Road must be replaced. It is beyond repair and considered unsafe. Add fields to PGA National Park for adult leagues. The demand is great and numbers are growing. Additional fields are needed throughout the city for practice and play. Accommodations for the disabled and handicap should be provided in our city parks. *Plant Drive Park lighting is out due to the wire burn out. The entire lighting system is not working. This electrical work was done in 1972 and is due to be replaced. Funding for this must be approved and possibly taken from impact fees, council contingency, or special revenue fund to pay for the repairs. III OLD BUSINESS: *Lake Catherine Homeowners Association is appealing the lawsuit. This should not be a lengthy ordeal, and should be settled quickly. *Roller Hockey report was given by Kathy Babin. This program is bursting at the seams with nowhere to go. It has been over two years with the participants growing significantly, but there still is the lack of a permanent location. Several other municipalities already are providing permanent roller hockey rinks to their residents. Interlocal Agreement between Palm Beach County School Board and the city is being reviewed and the location at the Gardens High School is being negotiated. Much needs to be addressed before the YAA puts money into this venture. Alternate sites were discussed, ranging from the 17 acre Klock property, PGA National Park with the drainage problems, and the 8 acres on Howell Lane near Possum Hollow also with drainage problems. *Oaks Park will be done in two phases. The first phase in 1995 will be the Tot Lots, one for 0 - 4 year olds and the other for 5 - 12 year olds. The second phase in 1997 will include the pavilion, restrooms, lighted of jogging trail and lighted tennis courts. V NEW BUSINESS: *Howell Lane on the north side of Northlake Boulevard, next to Possum Hollow, is an 8 acre property that runs north and south and belongs to the city. It could be cleared and approved for recreational use. *Cordani project, out by the Beeline, across from Caloosa has been approved and they have dedicated at 15 acre site as a park for the city. Z V MEMBERS REPORTS: *John Elsner suggested that in the future each board member gives a report on their particular area of interest. John will report on tennis. Joanne Steele will report on aquatics. Others will decide the area that they want to report on and at subsequent meetings, reports will be given. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, W?�WIMI -- � Dee Schneider Administrative Secretary NOTES: *Our neat meeting will be April 4, 1995 at Riverside Community Center at 7:30pm. *The monthly agendas will be distributed at the beginning of each meeting instead of being mailed with the minutes.