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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes RAB 030690CITY 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 March 6, 1990 The City of Palm Beach Gardens Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met on Tuesday, March 6, 1990, at the Community Center. Those present were Chairman Chuck Campbell, John Elsner, Alan Shisgal, Jeff Sabin, Betsey Yerry, Ellen Finnerty, Chuck Goforth, and Councilman Joe Russo. Also present were Mayor Mike Martino, Parks and Recreation Director Doug Hood, Assis- tant Director Sue Ruskay, and the President and board members of the Youth Athletic Association. • The meeting was brought to order by Chuck Campbell at 7:10 P.M. He introduced the Advisory Board members and explained the Advisory Board's purpose to the Youth Athletic Association. Mr. Campbell had sent a letter to the Y.A.A. explaining some of the issues that we need to work together on. One of the concerns was over the nonresidents involved in their programs. The next issue was over the quality of the Y.A.A. programs. Mr. Melvin, the Y.A.A. president, passed out some information concerning the statistics of the resident vs. nonresident. The Y.A.A. members introduced themselves. There are 6 nonresident board members for the Y.A.A. Statistics show that there are 305 nonresidents in the T -ball, baseball, and softball programs. The current percentage of nonresidents is 240. Residents were notified of registration via the Y.A.A. newsletter, newspapers, posters, and schools. Residents were checked by a city street roster and addresses on their personal checks. The main prob- lem voiced by the Y.A.A. is not enough practice area for the baseball teams. Mr. Russo expressed concerns of the City Council. One is are we taking children from other neighboring cities that have sim- ilar programs. Another concern is the quality of the programs and that the children all get to play. The Council would like to have the President of the Y.A.A. be a laison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and have both programs working • together. Also some of the nonresidents will be annexed in the future. It was suggested that it be stressed for residents to register first and then the nonresidents. "QUALITY LEISURE SERVICES ... JUST FOR YOU" NATIONAL GOLD MEDAL AWARD FINALIST 1987 and 1988 7 Mr. Martino expressed his concerns over the running of the Y.A.A. He said that we need to get the nonresident issue settled. He will not vote for more facilities to take care of nonresidents involved in our programs. He feels that the Y.A.A. has lost some of its original direction. The Y.A.A. said that they feel they have a quality program. Playing time for the child is the same and the dchedule has been extended. They do make sure that all residents are playing on teams. Mr. Hood brought up the point of the amount of time and main- tenance involved keeping the fields in good condition. There are a lot of teams using the ballfields, which tears them up. Also there is a safety hazard of too many teams of different age groups trying to practice in the same areas at the same time. He said the teams would be smaller and the facilities would not be as crowded, if we eliminated the nonresidents from our programs. Mr. Crawford made an important statement, that the people think the Parks and Recreation Department and the Y.A.A. are one in the same. We need to clear up this misconception. Mr. Martino said that the Council does support the Y.A.A. The Y.A.A. said it is hard to get coaches for some of the teams. • It was suggested to tell the parents that the children will not be able to play if no one volunteers to coach. The Y.A.A. wants good coaches to teach the children. The Y.A.A. said that they will not take in any new nonresidents next year. Some of the nonresidents will be annexed into the city, as previously men- tioned. Sometimes there is a need for nonresidents to fill teams, which would benefit the Gardens players that want to play, if the facilities are available. He is not in favor of the "grandfathering" program, when it involves children from neighboring cities that have their own programs. Mr. Campbell proposed that we would "grandfather" those people who are already in the program and will take in no new non- residents from this day forward. The only exception would be for the programs that need teams. Some of the Y.A.A. suggested that they should use the no new nonresidents across the board. Mr. Hood suggested that a joint recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the Y_A.A. be presented to the Council. It was decided jointly that there will be no new non- residents registered next year. The options for nonresidents already in the program are: 1)The "grandfathering" program and 2)Any nonresident that does not have a program where they live would be accepted, and if they do have a program they will not be allowed to register in our program. Mr. Hood asked for a . show of hands from the Advisory Board on the "grandfathering" of nonresidents and no new nonresidents. The Advisory Board voted "yes" on the previously stated issue by a majority vote of (4). The Y.A.A. voted "yes" also by a vote of (19). I* t-I Mr. Campbell asked if the Little League program was voted down by the Y.A.A. They said the desision was tabled. Mr. Martino said that he is in favor of the Y.A.A. staying a volunteer organization. He also would like to see the Y.A.A. President meet with the Parks and Recreation Director before the ball season starts and discuss the use of facilities. He also feels that practice times for these teams should be limited and no Sunday practices. The president of the Y.A.A. said that the directors are going over all the rules for the Y.A.A. and reviewing them. Mr. Martino also mentioned that the Council is working with the schoolboard about using their facilities; for Gardens programs. Mr. Sabin made a recommendation for better communication be- tween the Y.A.A. and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. One suggestion for better communication was to put the Y.A.A. information on their programs in the city's newsletter. Mr. Hood made a suggestion that the Advisory Board and the Y.A.A. need to write a letter jointly asking the Council to approve the "grandfathering" of nonresidents and the addition of no new nonresidents in the programs with both signatures on it. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Linda Bullock Administrative Secretary Parks & Recreation Dept. Palm Beach Gardens, FL