PARAB Minutes 03/23/1994 R Parks SZ Recreation
Advisory Board
( PARAB )
Minutes
March 23 , 1994
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
MINUTES
MARCH 23, 1994
GOLDEN GATE COMMUNITY PARK
3300 Santa Barbara Boulevard
PRESENT: Mr. Timothy Blackford
Ms. Darlene Koontz
Mr. Max A. Hasse, Jr.
Mr. Gil Mueller
Mr. Steven Klee
Mr. Joseph Zaks
ABSENT: Mr. Bruce Pray
ALSO PRESENT: Mr. Mark Thornton, Community Services Director
City of Naples
Mr. Steve Brinkman, Parks & Recreation Director
Mr. Murdo Smith, Operations Manager
Mr. Gary Franco, Parks Superintendent
Ms. Peggy Badger, Marketing/Special Events Supervisor
Ms. Jacquie Minnis, Secretary
I. Call to Order - Meeting called to order at 2:05 p.m.
II. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
III. Minutes of February 23, 1994 approved with correction in the heading
changed from Agenda to Minutes.
IV. Requests for Discussion - Specific Update Items
Vanderbilt Beach
Leisure Line
Beach Access
V. NEW BUSINESS/PRESENTATIONS
A. Mr. Mark Thornton, City of Naples
Mr. Mark Thornton, Community Services Director of the City of Naples,
made a brief presentation regarding the services and sites under the
umbrella of his department. Some of the duties have been privatized,
saving the City money and the concession at Lowdermilk Park and the
Municipal Dock now both show a profit. (The Municipal Dock is a true
enterprise account) . This Department is responsible for trimming and
pruning the trees along City streets. The trimmings are chipped by a
contractor and the mulch is used in the parks, saving approximately
$25,000.
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A portion of the Pier is in need of repair and the City will be asking
the County to help with the funding of this project. The Pier is a
tourist attraction and a picture of the pier appears on many emblems
and ads of Naples and Collier County. TDC does not contribute any
money towards the upkeep of this facility.
It is desired that the City of Naples' Advisory Board and PARAB hold a
joint meet annually to discuss items of mutual interest. Possible
discussion could include overlapping of certain programs run by the
City and the County. Most programs run by the City have more County
participants, and although County residents are charged more it is
difficult for the Department to request General Fund money to expand
athletic programs. The current rate is 20% more than the City
residents pay, but it may be more equitable to charge the amount equal
to the tax ratio. The decision was made to hold this joint meeting
May 19th in the City Council Chambers. Mr. Thornton and Mr. Brinkman
will prepare the Agenda with both Beaches and Regional Park included
as topics for discussion.
B. Rob Boyer, Baseball Fields in East Naples
Mr. Boyer was unable to attend the meeting and the presentation was
not made.
C. Leisure Line
Ms. Peggy Badger, Marketing/Special Events Supervisor, spoke about the
plans for increasing the size and distribution of the Leisure Line.
To help offset the cost, advertising will now be sold. Distribution
will now take place two times per year instead of three, the number of
pages will be increased, and the brochure will also be distributed
through the Naples Daily News. If enough ads are obtained, the
brochure will be self supporting. Mr. Mueller offered some
suggestions for the brochure and help obtaining some potential
advertisers.
D. Growth Management Plan and Impact Fee Review
Mr. Brinkman reported that in 1991 an Impact Fee Study was conducted
by an outside firm to review the fees charged, established new fees,
and these have been in existence since that time. The Ordinance
requires a review of the fees charged at least once every three years.
In 30-60 days a RFP will be going out to hire a firm to perform this
review. This firm will be present at least one meeting to provide you
with the new information and a recommendation will be made to BCC.
There are a number of areas not getting impact fees - i.e. cost of
maintenance service buildings, developing and building lakes. These
things need to be considered in establishing new fees, also the
increase in cost of land. We would like to see a standard of 50
acres, and are looking at 1.5 million dollars versus $800,000.
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The question was raised about the ownership of the lake where water
skiing is held in East Naples. This would be an idea for a regional
park, but at the present time there are no funds available to purchase
any land for a regional park. The State allows the County to claim
the State and Federal parks in the Growth Management Plan - thus
creating a surplus of regional park land in the County.
A great potential regional park would be the 600 odd acres owned by
APAC in Golden Gate Estates. This will be available in approximately
two to three years.
E. Election of Officers - will be held next meeting when everyone will be
present.
VI. REPORTS/UPDATES
A. Immokalee Recreation Center/Pool - 8 contractors attended the pre-bid.
The bid opening will be held March 30, OCPM will be handling this.
EMS is also building a new facility in Immokalee and may help to
account for the larger number of contractors attending the pre-bid.
The State has given permission to put the slide in the main pool.
There will be a general contractor for the whole project, which also
includes the renovation of the gym.
B. Golden Gate Estates Park - The County now owns all of the lots - 15
acres will be developed at Big Cypress and the other half of the
community park will be developed at the Orange Tree site. The design
contract has not been signed as the price is still being negotiated.
C. Vineyards. Community Park - Construction has started with the digging
of a three acre lake - blasting has been required. The water has to
retained on site and that is the reason for the huge piles of
soil. The soccer fields have been kept open, although it is a little
congested in that area. The park should be open in January 1995, with
the Center taking a little longer to complete.
D. Pelican Bay Community Park - This 15 acre park has been cleared, the
underground work has been completed and the walls on the restrooms are
being erected.
E. Golden Gate Community Center Expansion - Yesterday the bid was awarded
to Barney Schmitt Weaver for the design of this addition on the west
side of the existing building. The cost will be approximately 1.5
million dollars, coming from impact fees, with project completion
scheduled for Spring 1995.
F. Vanderbilt Bath House - Boardwalks are in, roof is on and the building
should be done by summer. This $117,000 project has taken some time
due to the elevation required for the building and the boardwalk.
The walkovers listed on the capital project list is not for this
project but the five access points at Vanderbilt.
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G. East Naples Community Park Ballfield - permitting is now in progress
which will take approximately six months before contracting out the
construction.
H. So Beach, Marco - Never discussed by this Board. A BCC decision will
no doubt be made before the next PARAB meeting. The County should be
receiving 70 unpaved parking spaces at this site.
I. Beach Parking Fees - The Board needs a revised report - manned vs.
meters. If parking fees are reinstituted, some meters will need to be
purchased. It would be necessary to define the desire - security or
fees. Over the next few meetings this item will be discussed so a
recommendation will be in place for BCC when this item is discussed,
probably at budget hearings. Mr. Zaks made a motion, seconded by Mr.
Mueller that the Parks and Recreation Department put before th BCC a
proposal to reinstitute parking fees at County Beaches. The decision
was to wait until after the April meeting when each member will have a
chance to give imput. A new study needs to be done with the new
expenses, tie in the attendance tracking forms,. and charge more for
non/residents.
The next meeting will be held April 27, 1994, 2:00 pm at Cocohatchee River Park.
The Parks and Recreation Department now has a new van and will be able to
transport anyone wishing to car pool from the Administration office.
Meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
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