Minutes 12/15/1993 R Parks 8z Recreation
Advisory Board
( PARAB)
Minutes
December i5 , 1993
MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
GOLDEN GATE COMMUNITY PARK
Naples, Florida
December 15, 1993
PRESENT: Ms. Geneva Till, Vice Chairman
Ms. Darlene Koontz
Mr. Joseph Zaks
ABSENT: Mr. Timothy Blackford, Chairman
Mr. Vin DePasquale
ALSO PRESENT: Mr. Thomas W. 011iff, Public Services Administrator
Mr. Steve Brinkman, Parks & Recreation Director
Mr. Murdo Smith, Parks and Recreation Operations Manager
Mr. Gary Franco, Parks Superintendent
Mr. Bruce Pray, Immokalee
Ms. Barbara Johnson, Secretary
I. Call to Order - 2:10 pm by Ms. Geneva Till, Vice Chairman
II. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
III. Minutes of November 17, 1993 meeting approved. Motion by Mr. Zaks,
seconded by Ms. Koontz.
IV. Requests for Discussion - Specific Update Items.
Mr. Brinkman wished to add on another item (C) Sand Dollar Island.
He also requested that items be heard in the following order: (B.)
New Pool Fees, (C.) Sand Dollar Island, and then (A.) -New PARAB
Members and Terms.
B. Proposed New Pool Fees - There has been a tremendous drop in
attendance figures at the aquatic facility since the end of
summer. A facility of this type strives for 20% of the revenue
to come from the sale of season passes, but only two have been
sold since the opening of the complex. The Department is
proposing seasonal quarterly fees for passes - the summer rate
would be the higher figure, with the other three quarters having
the same rate. Entrance fees would also be reduced during _the
fall, winter and spring quarters. There is a special "kids" day
being planned during the Christmas vacation, and thoughts are
being given to holding holiday tournaments for kids - swimming,
basketball, tennis, etc.
Mr. Zaks inquired whether any more information had been received
about putting a bridge over the canal for pedestrians using the
park. None has been received, but the possibility of a traffic
light at the entrance to Recreation Lane has been discussed.
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Motion by Mr. Zaks: Accept the proposed aquatic facility fees.
Seconded by Ms. Koontz. Motion approved.
The use of Visa is being discussed by the Finance Department and
that may help patrons with the payment of passes. Both Lely and
Naples High Schools have been using the pool, as well as the "Y"
at times. More instructional programs are being planned
off-season, and possibly the creation of a swim team
encompassing children from elementary through high school age.
Mary Ellen Donner, who has an extensive aquatic background, has
been transferred and is now supervising the pool facility.
C. Sand Dollar Island
The issue of Tigertail Beach and Sand Dollar Island dates back
to 1982 when both the environmentalists and the beach users
wished to control the area. The Department was told at that
time to cease raking the beach which allowed the native
vegetation to grow. The beach, which has the best quality of
sand in the County, became overgrown, and it took approximately
three years to obtain the permitting to commence raking again.
Sand Dollar Island, which is growing in size and will eventually
become part of Tigertail Beach, is now considered a critical
wildlife area and the environmentalists do not want too many
beach users going there. DEP, a combination of the former DER
and DNR, wish it to remain undisturbed. The beach users feel
that the existing fence will keep moving, restricting the beach
area even more. Motion by Mr. Zaks: BCC propose DEP area of
CVA be limited to area originally roped off on Sand Dollar
Island and the remainder of the beach be used for recreational
purposes. Seconded by Ms. Koontz. Motion carried.
A. PARAB MEMBERS AND TERMS
Included in the resumes received for vacancies existing on PARAB
were only one from Immokalee and only one from Marco Island.
The new Ordinance requires a representative from each of these
areas so these two applicants will, no doubt, be appointed. Mr.
Tim Blackford and Mr. Vin DePasquale are each eligible for
another term and have reapplied. This results in one vacant
position to be filled from the Naples/Urban area. In order to
save time, current members will rank the applicants and return
the list to the Parks and Recreation Department. The tap three
ranked applicants will then be invited to the January meeting
for interviews. Bruce Pray and Gil Mueller, representatives
from Immokalee and Marco, will also be asked to attend.
Ms. Till left the meeting at 2:45.
V. New Business/Presentations - none
Mr. 011iff, Public Services Administrator arrived and was
introduced.
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VI. Reports/Updates
A. Immokalee Recreation Center/Pool -
Work should start in January on the 10,000 square foot
expansion and pool. The pool will be eight lanes by six
lanes, a 25 meter pool; the State may allow the slide as
planned.
B. Golden Gate Estates Park - When the design firm has: been
hired, public meetings will be held to determine the desires
of the citizens.
C. Vineyards - Bids are being opened today for the Vineyards
Public Park. Florida law states that professionals are
hired according to qualifications and then the price is
negotiated.
D. Pelican Bay Public Park - Construction was supposed to start
this month, but has not commenced as of this date.
E. School Districts - The Department is investigating the
possibility of using middle school sites, bringing the
existing fields up to County standards and developing
lighting. Lighted athletic fields would be available much
quicker than building and developing new ones on County
land.
Gulfcoast Little League field is being resurveyed and the
purchase contracts will be drawn up. This site will always
be used for a park facility, although not necessarily a
Little League field.
F. Snowfest - Approximately 12,000 people attended and the
event was very successful. The snow piles lasted the
evening, trolleys were busy and everyone had awgreat time.
Summer camp registration was discussed. If charge cards can be used
this year it would be an asset for parents. There will also be two
additional sites this year, the Vineyards Elementary School and the East
Naples Middle School, with approximately 100 registrations accepted at each
facility.
The next meeting will be the fourth Wednesday in January, the 26th, at
Golden Gate Community Park.
A tabulation sheet of the Vineyards Public Park Bid will be sent to each
member; also, the list of applicants for the PARAB vacancies which will be
ranked and returned.
Meeting adjourned at 3:15.
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