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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 2 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. 0 3 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.