HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes RAB 092088CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
• PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
COMMUNITY CENTER
4404 BURNS ROAD
MAILING ADDRESS: 10500 N. MILITARY TRAIL
PALM BEACH GARDENS. FL 33410
627 -2558
JOINT MEETING - PARKS AND RECREATION
ADVISORY BOARD AND CITY COUNCIL
September 20, 1988
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and City Council had
a joint meeting on Tuesday, September 20 at the Community Center.
Present were Chairman Chuck Campbell, Betsey Yerry, Ellen Finnerty,
Lynne Bundick, Allan Shisgal, Jeff Sabin, Chuck Goforth, Al
McKenna, Council members Mike Martino and Linda Monroe, Parks
and Recreation Department Director Doug Hood and Assistant
Director Sue Ruskay. Also in attendance was City Manager John
Orr, Assistant to the City Manager Ed Mitchell, and Youth Athletic
Association President, Fred Davies. Absent were Art Kaminski
and City Council members Dick Feeney, Dick Aldred, and Don
• Kiselewski.
Doug Hood showed a slide presentation that was compiled to
compete for the Gold Medal Award. The Palm Beach Gardens Parks
and Recreation Department is one of the four finalist
in the country to receive this award.
Chairman Chuck Campbell had a packet of of material sent to
all the members outlining an agenda for the meeting. He stated
the community is proud of the Parks and Recreation programs and
it is responsive to the citizens with classes and events all
can enjoy and participate in. However the present Community
Center is over capacity and one of the key items for discussion
is the possible expansion of the Community Center. A sketch
of an idea for expansion adding an additional 10,000 sq. ft,
to the present Community Center was presented.
There was a discussion on the over - crowded Municipal Swimming
Pool. A shallow lap pool adjacent to the present facilities
would alleviate some of the over - crowding and allow more adult
swim time. City Manager John Orr stated the pool facility has
a great deal of funds spent for maintenance and up -keep and
is a money losing proposition. He is not in favor of an addi-
tional facility at this time.
• An addition to the present Community Center would hopefully
relieve some of the over - crowding, especially for the Summer
Program. This past summer, over 350 children who are residents
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• of Palm Beach Gardens and yet were turned away from the Summer
Program because of limited facilities. Alan Shisgal stated
that he can see a need for expansion; all residents should be
able to participate in programs. We also need expansion for
future growth of the community. Ellen Finnerty stated we should
be able to provide for all the children in our community. -
Betsey Yerry stated now is the time to expand.
Councilman Mike Martino complimented the Advisory Board on their
plans and ideas. He stated there may be available funds in
the Land and Facilities Account for a portion of the expansion
but it may take a city referendum to raise additional funds.
The expansion idea should be looked into as well as maximizing
the use of the present facilities and the possibility of utilizing
the county schools for programs.
The condition of the ballfields at Lake Catherine was discussed.
The property in that area will be sold under the condition that
land that is south of Howell Watkins Jr. High School be used
for ballfields. Fred Davies stated there is a real need for
up- grading the condition of the present fields. One solution
would be to have the participants of the YAA programs work to-
gether to improve the fields and to re- schedule to have games
on other fields in the city.
• Solutions to the over - crowed Summer Program were discussed.
Linda Monroe stated that she talked to Ken Schrimster of the
County School Board and he said the schools would cooperate
with the idea of using school facilities in the summer. Another
plan would be to have two 5 -week sessions in the summer so that
a larger number could participate.
Jeff Sabin showed documents that indicated some of the property
the Board was interested in obtaining for expansion is up for
sale. John Orr stated that property MacArthur Foundation wants
to sell is bid on and the city cannot plan, budget, and put
on referendum an amount that is not exact. The city will look
into property that would be for sale.
A survey of what the needsand wants of the citizens of
Palm Beach Gardens needs to be compiled for study and planning.
This is one item the Board will do in the near future.
There was a discussion on non - residents use of the programs
and facilities. Doug Hood stated that no city in the state
of Florida charges more than we do to non - residents. Mike
Martino stated that with the proposed annexiation, non - residents
participation may not be applicable. Fred Davies stated that
20% of participants of the YAA programs are non - residents; down
from 33% in previous years. John Orr stated that county wide
• impact fees may go to develop regional parks and they would
be utilized by all residents. The city has had to be careful
about using Federal Revenue Sharing Funds; they cannot
to used for resident only programs. Ed Mitchell explained impact
fees.
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• YAA President, Fred Davies, presented a sketch and plan for
a new building to be utilized by the Youth Athletic Association
for a meeting room, concession stand, and storage. He stated
the YAA hopes to start a building fund soon.
A new Regional Community Center location was discussed.
Mike Martino showed the area of the proposed annexiation.
The location would be chosen once the annexiation is com-
pleted.
Doug Hood will seek funds for plans and an architects drawing
for expansion for the Community Center. Costs would also
be needed for a new Regional Center and additional park
properties to possibility put on a referendum for the up-
coming city election in March, 1989.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Sellers
• Secretary