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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes RAB 050592• MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MAY 5, 1992 • The City of Palm Beach Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met on Tuesday, May 5, 1992 at the Burns Road Community Center. Members present included: Chairman Chuck Campbell, John Elsner, Ronnye Sands, Betsey Yerry, Ellen Finnerty, Braxton Melvin, Jeff Sabin and alternate Sandy Gottlieb. Staff present included: Parks and Recreation Director Bobbie Herakovich, Assistant Director Sue Ruskay. Others in attendance included: Joe Russo, City Council liaison, YAA President Dave Panaia and other members of the Youth Athletic Association Board. Chairman Campbell suggested several items for discussion after explaining that he had invited the YAA Board to join the later half of the meeting. Items suggested for discussion included: I The role of the Advisory Board II Summer program III The Oaks park site IV Ballfield conditions V Lake Catherine parking problem (cars are being ticketed by police) VI Use of the Klock property I ROLE OF THE ADVISORY BOARD The role of the Advisory Board in relation to the City Council was discussed. Ms. Ruskay mentioned that the Advisory Board was instrumental in the building of the Burns Road Community Center, the renovation of the Riverside Community Center, revamping the tennis courts, suggesting changes in the summer camp program and other improvements in City Parks and Recreation. Mr. Campbell said that the Director has suggested that the Advisory Board assist with a survey of the parks and recreation needs of the community. II SUMMER PROGRAM There was some discussion of responses to the changes in the summer camp program. The general consensus is that residents like the new format. They like the idea of the four two week sessions and not having to hand out money everyday. Ms. Herakovich stated that next year camp information will be distributed earlier so that residents have time to plan for the fee. The main drawbacks seems to be the increase in price and the fact that residents have to pay for all trips, even if they do not want to go. A "payment plan" has been set up for residents requesting an installment plan. Everyone was pleased with the progress of the tennis courts. The • Hydro Grid courts were placed on the east side due to the higher cost of repairing the sinkholes. • III THE OAKS PARK SITE Ms. Ruskay presented the site plan for the Oaks park site. The proposed eleven acre site is referred to in the Comprehensive Plan in the Oaks development. DiVosta has agreed to put in a jogging trail and parking lot. However construction of a community center has been postponed. The site needs a lot of work to bring it up to the standards of other parks. Mr. Campbell suggested a sports area to be located there like the one DiVosta put in at Garden Lakes. There also seems to be a need for more racquetball courts in the City. The Park site is located off of Burns Road and Campus Drive and includes a 6' by 25' drainage ditch on the property. It was suggested that members visit the site before the next meeting. IV BALLFIELD CONDITIONS Mr. Campbell stated that he felt that the hardness of the fields at Lake Catherine were due to not being properly maintained. Mrs. Gottlieb stated that the Plant Drive t -ball fields were also very hard. They feel that the fields should be watered, dragged and filled in more often. They questioned why the Gardens Park fields were in excellent condition and the others were not. Ms. Ruskay suggested that the Advisory Board should write out their concerns and suggestions in the form of a letter to the Recreation Department with copies to the City Manager and Public Works Department. V Y.A.A. • Mr. Panaia and the Y.A.A. Board arrived later in the meeting to express their concerns about the parking problem at Lake Catherine. They requested that another 50 spaces be added and that one of the six handicapped spaces be changed. Additionally, volunteers who have to unload and load supplies need parking spaces near the building. The Y.A.A. did stagger games to help remedy scheduling problems. Mr. Panaia also stated that there is a problem with the adult soccer program playing on Gardens Fields. He feels they should be moved to PGA Park. Mr. Panaia expressed his concern that it takes too long to accomplish things through the Advisory Board. Some members agreed. Ms. Herakovich suggested that Y.A.A. development requests go through the Advisory Board as a part of prioritizing projects for the budget process. Capital projects will be covered at the next meeting. Ms. Herakovich reported that three of the six press boxes are being built and that Y.A.A. will attempt to raise funds or get donated materials for additional press boxes. VI Use of the Klock property The question was raised as to what is being done with the Klock property. Mr. Campbell stated that the City Manager's office does not want to cut down the trees to clear the land. Ms. Herakovich suggested that research needs to be done as to the best use of the land, based on the needs of the community. Mr. Panaia suggested there might be a need for more basketball courts and that this property might serve that need. Mr. Sandell acknowledged the fact • that Public Works cleared the debris from the area beside the baseball field on Burns Road adjacent to the 17 acres. E • COMMENTS Mrs. Finnerty asked about the function of the Advisory Board and how things can be better presented to the City Council. The Board agreed that things should be presented to the City Council in writing with as much as information as possible about the subject. Mr. Russo will bring the parking problem at the Lake Catherine complex to the attention of the City Council. Mr. Campbell said the Advisory Board will work on the Y.A.A.Is list of problems to be solved. Ms. Ruskay announced that the Advisory Board will meet in June and skip the months of July and August due to not enough members being able to attend during the summer. Several members recommended that the Council recognize the Y.A.A. in some special way for all their work. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Linda Bullock Administrative Secretary Parks and Recreation Department