PARAB Minutes 06/19/2013 June 19,2013
MINUTES OF THE COLLIER COUNTY
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
MEETING
June 19, 2013
Naples, Florida
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Collier County Parks and Recreation
Advisory Board, having conducted business herein,met on this date at 2:00 P.M.
in REGULAR SESSION at the North Collier Regional Park, Administration
Building, Conference Room A, 15000 Livingston Road, Naples, Florida, with the
following members present:
Chairman: John P. Ribes
Vice Chair: Edward "Ski" Olesky
Mary Bills
Phillip Brougham
John Fuchs
David Saletko
Murdo Smith
ALSO PRESENT: Barry Williams, Director- Parks & Recreation
Amanda Eberl, Administrative Assistant
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June 19,2013
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman John P.Ribes called the meeting to order at 2:05 PM.
A quorum was established; seven voting members were present.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE&INVOCATION
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The Invocation was offered by Mary Bills.
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Vice Chairman "Ski"Olesky moved to approve the Agenda as presented Second in
support by Mary Bills. Carried unanimously, 7-0.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MAY 15,2013
Correction:
• Page 5: Under(3)—"Barefoot Beach Preserve"
o (First Bullet)Two-age was changed to two-page written report
• Page 5: Under(2) "Clam Pass Park"
o The tram stand safety issue was resolved as indicated by photographs which
were made part of the minutes.
Vice Chairman "Ski"Olesky moved to approve the minutes of the May 15,2013 meeting
as amended. Second in support by Chairman John Ribes.
Motion carried, 5—"Yes"/1- "Abstention." Phillip Brougham did not attend the May
meeting and could not vote.
Added:
Chairman Ribes welcomed new member,John Fuchs,to the Committee.
V. STAFF HIGHLIGHTS
A) Policy Revisions
Amanda Eberl referenced the last page of the information packet which contained an
amendment to the Policy Manual.
"Amendment to Recreation Policy—Letter `F"
F. Please refrain from wearing `flip flops"in the Fitness Centers.
Due to the chance of injury, "flip flops"will not be permitted
She noted the change will become effective on June 1,2013.
RE: Cashier Operations
Murdo Smith:
• Asked if the information provided indicated there was a separate policy for the
Fitness Center.
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June 19,2013
• Requested an explanation for the language in Item 9-"... drawer contains the
amount as specified per park"
• Suggested the language should reflect that the daily cash is to be brought to the
Exhibit Hall. The money will be held in the safe until a deposit is made at the
bank by a Park Ranger.
• Typo: Correct spelling of"facility"
Phillip Brougham noted there was no documentation mentioned to indicate who
signed for the cash at the Exhibit Hall.
Barry Williams stated the document will be revised and presented to the Advisory
Board members at the next meeting.
RE: Outside Employment
Murdo Smith:
• Under"Procedure" Item 1: The last sentence is confusing.
o Suggestion: Remove"absolutely"and change"any"to"no"
• Asked if background checks were required for non-employees(i.e.,personal
trainers)who use the fitness facilities
• Amount of daily fee($7.00)should be noted
• Specify amount of required liability insurance coverage
Barry Williams stated the document will be revised and brought back to the Advisory
Board members to review at the next meeting.
Chairman John Ribes moved to approve requesting that Staff review the Policies and
Procedures Manual with reference to the items outlined above, and return to the
Advisory Board with an amended document for their review. Second in support by
Mary Bills. Carried unanimously, 7—0.
Murdo Smith moved to approve the amendment to Recreation Policy Item `F'as
presented(with correct spelling of"due'). Second in support by Mary Bills.
Carried unanimously, 7—0
B) Marketing Report—Peg Ruby
• Summer Camp—in second week—attendance is up 43%from 2012
• July is National Parks and Recreation month.
o Banner: "I goo My Park&Recreation"will be on display in regional
and community parks
• Sugden Regional Park—July 4th Celebration
o "Ice Cream Social:" July 4th from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
o Big Band Music: from 7:00 to8:30 PM
o Fireworks: beginning at 9:15 PM
• Dogs in the Park: a copy of the new pamphlet which explained rules and
regulations(i.e.,dogs must be on leash)was distributed to the members
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June 19,2013
• Conservation Collier: a copy of the pamphlet which provides a map to locate
each of the Preserves was distributed to the members.
o Pamphlet explained the"Public Use"Categories
• Gift Cards: New marketing program promoting the card will begin soon
C) Employee of the Month—March and April
• East Naples Community Park Staff was honored as the Employee of the Month
for March,2013
o Their"sweat equity"made a significant improvement in the Park's
appearance
o Jeff Zimmerman accepted the plaque on behalf of the Park's Staff
• Matt Fleig,Summer Food Program (North Collier Regional Park), was
honored as the Employee of the Month for April, 2013
Director Barry Williams recognized East Naples Community Park Staff and
Matt Fleig with plaques. He thanked them for their outstanding service to the
County.
D) Barefoot Beach Presentation-Cinde Kavan,Park Ranger
• Coast Life Magazine named Barefoot Beach as#6"Best Beach"in the Nation
• New sign at the Park's entry
• Six new Gopher Tortoise crossing (caution)signs—in the road and at the
entrance to Park
• Wheelchair ramp—by Ranger station—at proper pitch with compliant hand rails
• Parking
o up to 400 cars
o created over-flow parking
o 13 handicapped spaces
• Park capacity: up to 800 visitors(during"season")
• Programs sponsored by"Friends of the Master Naturalists"(during season)
o Beach combing and shelling tours(Monday and Fridays)
o Exploring Coastal Habitats(Wednesdays)
o Guided Nature Walk (Saturdays)
o Lecture Series—different topic every Saturday
o All—free to public
• Guided Canoe Trip with Ranger(fee is charged)
o Tuesdays,Thursdays and Sundays
• Nature Walk"on Wheels" golf cart tour for physically challenged
• August/September/October—lecture series is offered
• May: elementary school children-field trips
• 18 volunteer Park Rangers
• Alliance with FGCU students—park cleanup
• Friends of Barefoot Beach—will collect shells—each visitor receives a gift shell
o fobb,org
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June 19,2013
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A) Adopt-a-Park Assignments:
(1) Mary Bills
• Golden Gate
o Community Center was very active
o Pool and Fitness Center were in use—clean and neat
o Parking lot was clean
o Pavilions were used for picnicking
o Playground—neat and tidy
o Sports fields—in good shape
o "Weedy"areas around basketball courts and walking trails
• More weeds than grass
o Boat Launch—great shape
(2) Murdo Smith
• Freedom Park
o Park Ranger,Dick Sullivan,accompanied
o Increased visitation from schools—nature walks
o Very little trash due to"take in/bring out"program
• Few trash receptacles
o Restrooms were clean and well maintained
o Park still looks a little untidy
• Vineyards Community Park
o Regional Manager,Jeannine McPherson,accompanied
o Parking lot
• dead landscaping should be removed
• distribute mulch
o Interactive water feature—still not working
o Soccer field walkway-Needs attention
• Poles were rusted
• Junction box cap—removed—exposed wiring
o 140 attending summer camp programs
o Sidewalks are under repair—roped off
• Veterans Community Park
o Regional Manager,Jeannine McPherson,accompanied
o Park looked clean
o Drainage is an issue
o Hockey rink roof—leaking in middle
o Playground—in good shape
o 160 attending summer camp programs
o Dog Park—functioning well—clean up area should be moved
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June 19,2013
• Pelican Bay Community Park
o Very well maintained
o Retaining wall by picnic area by lake—looks worn and should be
inspected
o Live Oak Tree growing over a sidewalk-inspect by arborist
o Picnic tables and benches are in process of being replaced
Mary Bills
• Bayview Park
o Article in newspaper—parking is an issue—not enough spaces
■ Parking on grass—messy
Barry Williams responded:
• There is a limited footprint—cannot expand
• Park was designed for grass parking w/grass pavers
• Boat trailer parking causes too much damage—"a muddy mess"
o Corrective options are being reviewed
o One option—using crushed shells
o #57 stone was suggested as an option
VII. OLD BUSINESS
A) Field Report
• Was continued to August
VIII. DIRECTORS HIGHLIGHTS
• Clam Pass Park—incident
o Visitors were swept out—"rip tide"
o May need more signs
• Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Committee will sunset Conservation Collier
this year unless the tax levy is renewed
• Tony Roberto,Facilities Management,will retire this month
IX. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
(None)
X. BOARD COMMENTS
• Phillip Brougham
o Asked about the status of the East Naples Community Center — has the
design been completed.
Barry Williams replied the design work was between 60 to 90%. It may be
placed to bid during September/October. If Board approval is obtained by
December,construction may begin,in January/February,2014. He noted the
Budget contains a line item for hiring of Staff to begin in July,2014.
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June 19,2013
o He asked about participation from Marco Island YMCA.
Barry Williams responded the Budget contains sufficient funds for staffing
of the facility. However,they will try to maintain contact with the YMCA
staff.
o Follow-up on paddle park—"headless iron ranger"
A. Waiting for parts for the top portion. The base and concrete pad were
installed and we were waiting for the parts to install for the top.
o Follow-up on towel dispensers in rest rooms
A. He will review that item.
Mr. Brougham noted the Board of County Commissioners supported disbanding
the Environmental Advisory Committee and merging its members with the
Planning Commission. The Planning Commission sent a recommendation to the
BCC to keep its membership at nine members,i.e.,one from each District plus
Immokalee,and three certified environmentalists.
• Mary Bills
o Suggested explaining the"Adopt-A-Park"assignment to John Fuchs.
He was assigned Tigertail Beach Park,Caxambas Marina,and Max Hasse
Community Park. His reports will be due in August and October for
Tigertail,and May for Caxambas and Max Hasse.
Chairman Ribes explained,as an Advisory Board member,his responsibility is
to visit each of the assigned("adopted")parks,tour the park, and report any
deficiencies during the next Board meeting.
• It was noted there was some vandalism to certain park signs;the locations will be
provided to Barry Williams for follow up
• Follow-up: Signs should reflect that dogs are now allowed in Parks
• Follow-up: Fans in Veterans Park"cheekie"huts
• Follow-up: Signs to warn about"strong currents"(bi-lingual)(at appropriate beaches)
• Follow-up: Beer sales at Tigertail Beach Park-on the BCC's agenda for July
PUBLIC COMMENTS
• Suggestion: change policy regarding location of boat sticker-should not be on the
boar or the trailer but located inside the tow vehicle.
Barry Williams stated the topic will be added to the Agenda for discussion at the next
meeting. The speaker was invited to attend the August meeting.
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June 19,2013
NEXT MEETING: AUGUST 21,2013
(Will not meet in July)
There being no further business for the good of the County,the meeting was
adjourned by order of the Vice Chair at 3:38 PM.
COLLIER COUNTY PARKS&RECREATION
ADVISORY BOARD 44 11 lk SP JOHN P. '1 I 1 HAIRMAN
The Minutes were approved by the Board/Committee on 214I3 ,2013,
"as submitted" [ 1 OR "as amended" V
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