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Minutes 08/25/1993 R Parks & Recreation Advisory Board ( PARAB) Minutes August 25 , 1993 MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD VETERANS PARK Naples, Florida August 25, 1993 PRESENT: Mr. Timothy Blackford, Chairman Ms. Geneva Till, Vice-Chairman Mr. Joseph Zaks Ms. Darlene Koontz Mr. Vin DePasquale ALSO PRESENT: Mr. Steve Brinkman, Parks & Recreation Director Mr. Murdo Smith, Parks and Recreation Operations Manager Mr. Gary Franco, Parks Superintendent Mr. James Thomas, Athletic Supervisor Mr. Dick Dempsey, Friends of Barefoot Beach Ms. Barbara Johnson, Secretary I. Call to Order - 2:10 pm 1 II. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag III. Minutes of July 28, 1993 meeting approved with the addition of the following: The name change for Vineyards Community Park was discussed at the beginning of the meeting. It was decided later in the meeting that the name Vineyards Community Park may be just a desire of the Vineyards and not a definite requirement. This matter to be investigated. Minutes, with this modification, approved. Motion by Mr. Zaks and seconded by Mr. DePasquale. Same name situation will probably occur with the Pelican Bay Park. Mr. 011iff to check with the County Manager regarding this matter and see if name can be modified to at least say public park. The public will then know that the park is open to the public and not just the residents of that community. IV. Requests for Discussion - Specific Update Items: Beach Parking - The packet that had been distributed last meeting was for informational purposes. The last time the item appeared before the BCC it was requested that it would not be reconsidered for two years (October 1994) . PARAB will discuss this matter if it comes up again. There is no canoe launch fee at Clam Pass. The facility is not open at the present time - an agreement needs to be completed with Westinghouse. -1- Cocohatchee River Park - There is a $2.00 launch fee at Cocohatchee regardless of the type or size of boat. There is the possibility of someone launching a canoe or small boat from the boardwalk at Cocohatchee, but this procedure would be discouraged by the Park Rangers. There is a parking attendant on site from 7 in the morning until 6 in the evening. The Department is in the process of bidding out the concession here and by the first of the year there should be a concessionaire running Cocohatchee River Park and Caxambas Pass. Aquatic Facility - There has been a decline in attendance at the pool once the fee was initiated. Over 32,000 people have used the pool since July 12. V. NEW BUSINESS/PRESENTATIONS A. Friends of Barefoot Beach Preserve Mr. Dick Dempsey, a member of Friends of Barefoot Beach, discussed a proposed project that the Friends would like to assist with. The Friends of Barefoot are a support group formed for the sole purpose of supporting the Barefoot Beach area, helping to keep the park in a pristine, natural state, with as little development and impact from the outside as possible. The project consists of developing a nature trail, starting at the County property and going through the State Preserve to Wiggins Pass, approximately a mile. The Friends will be seeking benefactors — to assist in providing funds, cleaning the trail and doing some planting. The path now exists and was used by trucks and equipment when Wiggins Pass was being dredged. It is currently used for security purposes and by a few fisherman. It is a dirt path, a nice place to walk and an opportunity to see birds and wild life. The Friends wish to develop fencing which will distract and keep people from entering the beach and crossing the dunes. Two more accesses to the beach are proposed and another one near the Pass. The current fences have 2 x 2 posts every 10 feet with a rope running between them. We wish to make it a more permanent structure - enhance what is already there using larger posts and heavier ropes. Materials and labor would all be provided by Friends and there would not be any cost to the County. Estimating 180 posts and 1800 feet of rope, the cost would be approximately $1,300. In addition we would like to include signage, in an educational manner, to deter people from crossing the dunes and to designate plants. As the path gets closer to Wiggins Pass there will be fewer people using that portion of the trail; hence, the fencing of this area would not be as critical. The Friends would also like to include some plantings - anything that people would not want to cross through - cactus, sea grapes, etc. , that would create a dense growth. Then the fences could be removed. There would also be directional signage stating so many feet to the next access. There is a land locked out-parcel located in this area that is fenced. People would have to walk around the fence onto the beach and then back on the trail again. Hopefully the State will purchase this piece of property. -2- There are no permits needed. Mike Joity has given his verbal permission and the fence is not considered a structure. Work would be done by the Friends and the Park Rangers. The Friends would take care of any repair and maintenance necessary. Mr. Brinkman noted that 250,000 people have used the Preserve so far this year. This would provide another attraction in the park in addition to the beautiful beach. In addition to signage designating plants, there would be some exotics removed. At the end of the turn around we are able to build another 100 car parking lot. The request was made to perhaps look at another location for the parking lot. The area should be extremely busy as the Bonita Beach lot in Lee County is currently closed, and possibly for another 6 months, for construction and improvement. The "park monster" master meter was discussed. VI. REPORTS/UPDATES A. Budget Budget summaries of Funds 001 and 111 were distributed and discussed. The major improvements in Fund 001 being proposed were as follows: replacing wood play structures with plastic at Veterans and East Naples Community Parks, as well as at Aaron Lutz; replacing sod at Vineyards and various ballfields; upgrading irrigation system at Aaron Lutz; fencing the play areas at Veterans and Golden Gate Community Parks; upgrading the electrical system at Shadowlawn, and resurfacing some of the tennis courts. There will again be two play areas at GGCP, one for smaller children and the other for older children. These structures will be in close proximity with a barrier between. All equipment will have to meet the ADA standards and be handicapped accessible. Fund 111 improvements include renovating the Little League field, upgrading the lighting system there, and purchasing needed maintenance equipment. i.e. mowers, blowers, etc. Suggestion made that more mulch is needed at Aaron Lutz playground. Noted that the play equipment at Cocohatchee River Park is enjoyed by small children and meets most of the ADA standards. Expanded Requests are over and above the current budget. These budgets are all tentative and funded from ad valorem taxes. Any revenue collected goes back into the General Fund. The Board of County Commissioners will approve the budgets before October 1st, 1993. MOTION by Mr. Zaks BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVE BUDGET AS SUBMITTED TO US TODAY. Seconded by Mr. DePasquale. Approved 5 to 0. -3- At this time the Department has no enterprise accounts. Pool expenses and revenues will be better estimated after a year of operation. At present there is no concession at this facility, but hope to have someone come in with a portable unit. It will be necessary to check with the Health Department for requirements. B. Food Grant Program Jim Thomas, Athletic Supervisor, gave a report on the Food Grant Program. Eleven sites were eligible for the program and 33,507 lunches and 19,149 snacks were served in 34 days. The cost for lunches prepared by the School Department was $60,366 with administrative and other costs amounting to $24,755. This total of $85,121 is totally reimbursed by the Grant. Hot meals were serve 3 days of the week and cold lunches 2 days. One day all groups held a field day at Golden Gate Community Park and over 700 hamburgers were grilled for lunch. Children enjoyed the meals and there was not much waste. Mr. Murdo Smith remarked, after Jim left, that he does a super job and donates many extra hours administrating the program. He has been doing it for approximately 8 years now. MOTION BY MR. ZAKS TO SEND A LETTER OF COMMENDATION TO JIM. Seconded by Ms. Till. Approved 5 to 0. SUMMER CAMPS - Murdo Smith gave a brief summary regarding the successful summer camp program held at 8 sites for a total of 8 weeks. Over 650 children participated in this program that consisted of two, four-week sessions with a one week break in between. Cost was $100 per child per session. School buses were used to transport children on field trips. A full day program was held at Big Cypress School for the first time with approximately 90 children taking part. This helped to lighten the load at GGCP. The Department is now looking at other available school sites for next year, the possibility of accepting credit cards, and a different type of registration procedure. The Golden Gate Community Center held a Latch Key program all summer that is basically the same as the Summer Camp program. The supervisor, Sandy Homeier, did a great job and has obtained grants to help offset the cost. MOTION BY MS. TILL TO WRITE A LETTER TO STAFF, WITH PARAB MEMBERS SIGNATURES, THANKING THEM FOR THEIR EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE. SECONDED and approved 5 to 0. POOL - This facility has been busy and the lifeguards had a busy summer, working long hours in the hot sun. There are now locker room attendants working. Attendance did drop after the first month when there was no charge for use. Current attendance is approximately 500 people per day, with the most popular area being the activity pool in the morning, and the slide and larger pool later in the day. Naples High School swim team is using the pool now and Lely will be soon. The teams use only 4 lanes at one time so the activity pool, slide pool and 4 lanes of the large pool are always available to the public. -4- B. Growth Management - Regional Parks Parks and Recreation Department is now working with Growth Management Department rethinking and revising the existing standards. At the next meeting a representative from Growth Management will give a history of the program, the process of looking at our existing standards, and trying to develop some realistic standards. Hopefully there will be two types of standards devised - one long range, where we would like to see the County 20 years from now - and a short term standard from 1 to 5 years. Currently the County conducts an annual survey which has two questions dealing with Parks and Recreation. We wish to see a survey that would deal with long range planning. Hopefully within the next 30-60 days we will be talking with a firm regarding some model surveys that would deal with customer satisfaction. These would be small surveys and mailed at random to participants and non-participants. Other surveys would encompass the entire County, looking at different regions to receive impressions of what people desire. By reviewing existing standards and the surveys, some long range projections could be made. It would be advisable to wait until after the presentation by Growth Management to propose revising the standards and the input from surveys before earmarking funds. We are now able to leave the money in a general pot for regional parks until definite decisions are made. After the Department receives all the information, a number of public meetings would be held, involving as many community groups as possible, and a set of recommendations will be developed. Vanderbilt Restrooms, boardwalk restoration at Clam Pass, Utilities at Clam Pass, improving the five beach access areas off Gulfshore Drive N. , and the Tigertail parking lot expansion with turnaround are all in the budget. C. RFP Golden Gate Estates Park Selection of Proposals - Both Mr. Zaks and Mr. DePasquale reviewed the proposals and gave weight to the entities that might have insight to this particular community. The firms chosen by PARAB were the same firms chosen by the rest of the Selection Committee. These four firms will give presentations to the seven member committee on September 3, 1993, at 9:00 am, 10:00 am, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. If a PARAB member cannot be present, a representative from the Department will take his/her place. Mr. Zaks and Mr. DePasquale were thanked for their work on this project. D. Ordinance 93- O (Confirming PARAB) The first public hearing will be held on 9/28 at the Board of County Commission meeting. It is necessary to have two public hearings before approval by BCC. PARAB members will be notified of the definite time and date. -5- Monthly Report - PARAB will receive every month. This report, indicating the use and attendance figures at various facilities, goes to the County Manager monthly. Naples Race Track - PARAB voiced the desire that this item had come before them before going to the BCC. A gentleman spoke at a meeting held in Marco, but thought no recommendation was made at that time. Will parking be a problem? Maybe, in season, but a new 50 space lot is being constructed adjacent to the first parking lot. This should help somewhat. Friends of Parks - There is a group at each of the parks and various sites. These people are primarily users of that facility, and in most cases reside in the immediate area. A general over-all non-profit group will also be formed. Kim Kobza, a former member of PARAB, is working on the actual document. Mr. Zaks requested more publicity so the public would be aware of what was going on and perhaps come forward with suggestions. Next meeting will be held at Frank E. Mackle, Jr. Community Park, Marco Island. A map will be enclosed with the minutes, and car pooling will be available. MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 4:35 PM BY MR. ZAKS, SECONDED BY MS. TILL. Approved 5 to 0. 9755