HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes RAB 090490CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
COMMUNITY CENTER
4404 BURNS ROAD
MAILING ADDRESS: 10500 N. MILITARY TRAIL
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL 33410
(407) 775 -8270
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
September 4, 1990
The City of Palm Beach Gardens Parks and Recreation Advisory
Board met on Tuesday, September 4, 1990, at the Community Center.
Those present were Chairman Chuck Campbell, John Elsner, Chuck
Goforth, Betsey Yerry, Braxton Melvin from the Youth Athletic
Association, and the Assistant Director of Parks;& Recreation
Sue Ruskay. Covncil lizAison zoc Qusso
Mr. Chuck Campbell brought the meeting to order. He asked if
• the letter from Mayor Martino about the nonresidents has gone
out yet. It described the nonresident policy for the city.
Mrs. Ruskay and Mr. Russo did not know if the letter was sent
out. Mr. Campbell said that he was disappointed that Mr. Melvin
was not at the workshop meeting for the nonresident issue. It
was mentioned that Mr. Melvin and Mrs. Gottlieb are not official
members of the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, until the City
Council appoints them and this has not been done. Mr. Russo said
that he will make sure that this problem is taken care of. Mr.
Campbell said that he would like Mr. Melvin to see the letter
from Mayor Martino. It was explained to Mr. Melvin that all res-
idents will be taken first in all the programs and then nonres-
idents, if room is available. Also Mr. Campbell told Mr. Melvin
that it was decided at the joint meeting that the Y.A.A. Board
needed to be made up of residents only, and that all the facil-
ities organization will be handled through the Recreation De-
partment. Mr. Campbell also added that Mayor Martino suggested
charging a fee for nonresidents in addition to any program
fee. A lot of this problem will be remedied by annexation of
adjoining areas. Mr. Russo suggested that Mrs. Ruskay call
Mr. Orr about the nonresident letter and see that Mr. Melvin
gets one as soon as possible. He needs to let his membership
know about the nonresident policies.
Mr. Campbell brought an agenda of things to discuss at the
• meeting tonight. Mr. Russo said that the Council said that
the 17 acres on Burns Road is not definitely for recreational
use, and also that the final decision for the use of the Riverside
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building has not been decided. Mr. Russo said that these de-
cisions were to be made by the City Council. Mr. Campbell said
that he understood that the purpose of the Advisory Board was
to advise on how to use the land or property, and he felt that
that was what the board is doing. Mr. Campbell pointed out that
the riverside building was purchased by Recreation Funds. Mrs.
Ruskay told the Board that Mr. Hood, Director, would like to
see a passive park put on the 17 acres on Burns Road.
Mr. Elsner asked if the tennis court lights will be finished soon
and are they planning to put in clay courts? Mr. Russo said that
the new courts will be a year and a half away. Mrs. Ruskay said
that the new tennis court lights have been approved. Mr. Campbell
said that several people have asked about skateboard facilities
in the city. Mr. Goforth said that skatboarding breeds trouble
and the liability factor is very high.
Mr. Goforth asked about the Senior Citizens and the Teens facil-
ity at Riverside. He wants to make sure that these two groups
have enough separate space and times apart. Mrs. Ruskay said
that all the exercise classes will be going to the Riverside
building. The Seniors time frame right now is from October to
June. This may change to a year around schedule. There was
concern expressed about the Seniors and the Teens not mixing well.
Mrs. Ruskay said that the Teens will be in the back corner of the
building and they will be there at different times. Mr. Campbell
• suggested that Mrs. Yerry call Faith Kaminski, the Senior Citizen
Coordinator and see what the Seniors would be interested in hav-
ing in the new facility. Mr. Russo expressed concern that more
activities be planned for the Seniors.
Mr. Goforth asked Mr. Melvin about the Y.A.A. and the Little League.
Mr. Melvin said that they could not agree on how the rules should
be set up with the Little League Association. A Decision had to
be made before registration and they decided not to go with their
program. Mr. Melvin said that he probably will not run for Pres-
ident again this year. He will be an active past president. The
point was raised that most surrounding cities play in the Little
League organization, which hurts our boys because they miss out on
a lot of post season games with other teams. Mr. Campbell said
that they hoped the problems could be worked out.
The next subject discussed was Programs and Special Events. The
the upcoming special events will be the Holiday Spirit Parade on
November 17th, and the Holiday Bazaar on November 30th and De-
cember 1st. The Board agreed that these community events are
very good for the city. Mr. Russo said the city is losing the
Italian Festival to West Palm Beach. The city still has the Arti
Gras. It was agreed upon that the PGA Park is our nicest facility
for family events, except for parking. Mrs. Ruskay asked for new
ideas for community events. She said that the new "Battle of the
Wings" was a big success.
Next was the discussion of the C -17 Canal land. Mr. Campbell said
it would be a great area for a park. It is located north of PGA
National and east of the C -17 Canal. Mr. Russo said the north
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is county reservoir system for water may be built in this area.
Taxes from all the Foundations vacant land will pay for this
system.
Mr. Russo said that Divosta is planning to build the city
another recreation center. Mr. Russo suggested that Mr. Hood
make some suggestions for the 17 acres on Burns Road, if the
Council decides to use it for recreational use.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 P.M.
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Respectfully submitted,
Linda J. Bullock
Administrative Secretary
Parks & Recreation Dept.