HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes RAB 090391CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
• PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
4404 BURNS ROAD
MAILING ADDRESS: 10500 N. MILITARY TRAIL
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL 33410
(407) 775 -8270
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
September 3, 1991
The City of Palm Beach Gardens Parks and Recreation Advisory
Board met on Tuesday, September 3, 1991, at the Community
Center. Those present were Chairman Chuck Campbell, John
Elsner, Braxton Melvin, Ronny Sands, Betsey Yerry, Ellen
Finnerty, Jeff Sabin, Dave Panaia, alternate Sandy Gottlieb,
City Council Liaison Joe Russo, and Asst. Director Sue Ruskay.
Mr. Campbell announced that Mr. Doug Hood was leaving the de-
partment to take a job in Tennessee. He thanked Mr. Hood for
doing a great job as Director of the Parks & Recreation Depart-
ment. Mr. Hood said that this move to Tennessee is a great
opportunity for him to be a Director of a county recreation
• facility, and also go back to school and get his Master's
degree. He thanked everyone for their support.
Mr. Campbell asked if the Advisory Board could recommend some-
one for the Director's job. Mr. Russo said that is not the
job of the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board. The Board agreed
that the present structure of supervision with a director and
assistant director is working well.
The tennis court bids are coming in at about $150,000 for a
clay type surface for 8 courts. The existing courts are in
bad shape, and we are losing memberships because of this. Hope-
fully the revenue will go up with these new courts. Mr. Camp-
bell asked if the Y.A.A. would consider a junior tennis pro-
gram and maybe a junior golf program.
The next topic for discussion was the Y.A.A. and the nonresident
issue. It was suggested that the Y.A.A. put their information
in the recreation Newsletter, especially the phone numbers and
also list their meetings and registration dates.
Mrs. Ruskay said that Mr. Hood and Mr. Orr discussed the non-
resident issue. They decided that there is to be no new non-
residents added to the Y.A.A. programs, and no nonresidents:
from proposed annexations. The nonresidentfee will be $15.
• It was suggested that this policy be put in writing from Mr.
Orr. If one child is already in the program, the rest of the
family will be allowed to join.
RECOGNIZED AS THE #1 PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT IN THE NATION
WINNER OF THE NATIONAL GOLD MEDAL AWARD
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Mr. Russo is to bring the topic before the City Council on
Thursday, and try to get the nonresident issue resolved.
• Mr. Campbell suggested also that the results of the Y.A.A.
leagues be put in the Newsletter.
Mr. Campbell asked Jeff Renault to speak from the B &E Com-
mittee. The B &E would like to improve the entrance and both
enteries to the Burns Road Community Center. Mrs. Sands said
we need some child proof and cold tolerant plants. Mr. Renault
also suggested a piece of art as a focal point in the front of
the building. He also suggested using some trees from the
city's nursery. This is probably the most used building in
the city. Mrs. Ruskay suggested putting a, decorative cement
area in the front, where plants will not grow. Maybe add
some planters. Mrs. Sands recommended that the sculpture
called "Grandfather & Child" be used in front of the Com-
munity Center. We need funds allocated again for this pro-
ject. Mrs. Ruskay said that the Abbey Road Bar & Grill is
donating the proceeds from their golf tournament to the Rec-
reation Department. Maybe these proceeds could be put toward
this project. Mr. Campbell said he would write a letter to
the City Council regarding this matter. Mr. Renault suggested
putting more shade trees at some of the ball parks. Mrs.
Ruskay suggested more trees along the jogging trail. Mr.
Panaia suggested a racquetball wall be put up at Lake Cath-
erine for children to bounce balls on instead of the building.
The Y.A.A. would like some enclosed bulletin boards too. Mr.
• Panaia wanted to know why the press boxes are not being built
at Gardens Park. Mrs. Ruskay said that they had been approved
and will be started after October 1st.
Mr. Campbell said he talked to Mr. Orr about using the land
behind the Klock building for practice fields. Mr. Orr said
that the school fields should be used. Watkin's fields are
in very bad shape. Mr. Russo said he will try to encourage
the schools to work with the Recreation Department. Maybe
the city could help maintain the fields at Watkins Junior
High, since it is next to Lake Catherine.
The next topic discussed was the Summer Program. The question
was, "are we a day care or a summer program ?" The lunch hour
was closed because of children going everywhere during that
hour. Part of the problem stems from too many children in the
program. The Summer Program needs to be revamped, because we
have out grown our old procedures. Mrs. Ruskay suggests fewer
children or have 2 four week sessions. Mrs. Finnerty suggested
to check to see what other Gold Medal winner cities are doing
for their summer programs. It was suggested that we also pro-
vide some camps like; tennis, golf, dance, to help fill the
void in the 4 week sessions. It was agreed that the fees need
to be raised to hire more counselors to watch the children.
Mr. Russo said that we are not qualified to be a day care center,
• especially as far as liability reasons. The safety of the
children is our first concern.
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The "Bop Till You Drop" was the next subject discussed.
Mrs. Sands suggested more things should be offered for the
teens. She also thought that the food and drinks were too
expensive, and that there should be more smaller games and
prizes for the younger children. Mrs. Finnerty agreed that
things were too expensive, and that the posters that were
used as prizes were to wild. Mrs. Sands also suggested a
central directory to show where things were located. The
dance routines were enjoyed by all ages.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
C::�e
Linda Bullock
Administrative Secretary
Parks & Recreation Dept.