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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 " QUAL77T' LE /SURE SERA ICES ... JUST FOR YOU" • 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. �F • 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