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PARAB Minutes 04/27/1994 R Parks & Recreation Advisory Board (PARAB ) Minutes April 27, 1994 PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES APRIL 27, 1994 COCOHATCHEE RIVER PARK 13531 Vanderbilt Drive PRESENT: Mr. Timothy Blackford Ms. Darlene Koontz Mr. Max A. Hasse, Jr. Mr. Gil Mueller Mr. Steven Klee Mr. Joseph Zaks Mr. Bruce Pray ALSO PRESENT: Mr. Rob Boyer Mr. Don Shands, Office Capital Projects Management Mr. Cliff Crawford Mr. Steve Brinkman, Parks & Recreation Director Mr. Murdo Smith, Operations Manager Mr. Gary Franco, Parks Superintendent Mr. Jim Thomas, Athletic Supervisor Ms. Jacquie Minnis, Secretary I. Call to Order II. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag III. Minutes of March 23, 1994 meeting approved. IV. Requests for Discussion - Specific Update Items: V. New Business/Presentations A. Election of Officers - postponed until after presentations. Mr. Joseph Zaks was elected Chairman and Ms. Darlene Koontz Vice Chairman. B. Rob Boyer, Baseball Fields in East Naples Mr. Boyer has been very active in community activities as well as programs involving the youth of Collier County. Mr. Boyer requested that a baseball field, possibly two, be built at East Naples Community Park. The current number of Babe Ruth teams in the area reflect this need, particularly since Fleischmann's Park field will not be available for use next year. These players are 13 years and older; practice fields are needed locally as these youngsters do not drive or have transportation available after school. There are softball fields and softball/baseball fields available but the dimensions of these fields differ from a regulation baseball field. Mr. Shands reported that permitting is in process for fields at East Naples Community Park, but due to the wetlands at the location the desired number of fields may be restricted to one. This permitting process will take approximately six months; including time for negotiation with the -1- Corps of Engineers it may take twelve months. Preliminary work will probably begin within the month. A suggestion was made regarding the acquisition of land which is high and dry and located back of the recreational center - it belongs to Collier who sold the land for the park. The Department is currently exploring the possibility of working with the School Department to use fields at various schools. Middle School fields are not currently large enough for Babe Ruth Leagues. Although the existing fields at Marco may be available at times, transporting the players after school is a problem. South Naples Community Park Options discussed at this time as this item is rather related. Davis Boulevard and County Barn Road site has 57 acres available. (A report from the Landscape Architect was distributed.) Three locations have been identified as potential sites; this site has the most potential "good" land available. If just 50 acres were purchased, it would lower the cost. A community center, parking, courts, athletic fields, trail systems, etc. could all be placed in that area. The land purchase would be immediate but the development two or three years away. Babe Ruth may wish to put in writing a request to change 3 to 1 ratio, (three softball fields to 1 baseball field) and a survey showing the actual needs. Growth Management Plan is the directive, dictating what needs to be built due to deficiencies. Standards were developed with impute from various organizations and groups. MOTION BY MR. MAX HASSE, JR. : WE INSTRUCT STAFF TO MOVE FORWARD IN DUE HASTE ABOUT DEVELOPMENT OF THIS BABE RUTH FIELD - THIS PARTICULAR FIELD AT THIS PARTICULAR SITE (EAST NAPLES) . SECONDED BY MR. JOSEPH ZAKS. APPROVED 7 TO 0. MR. MUELLER WISHES TO GO ON RECORD SAYING, "I VOTED FOR THIS BUT I AM CONVINCED THAT WE ARE NOT ADEQUATELY UTILIZING OUR PRESENT FACILITIES, OUR SCHOOL FACILITIES AND I THINK THAT SHOULD HAVE PRIORITY TOO. EVERYONE CANNOT HAVE A PARK IN HIS OWN BACK YARD. " B. Fee Policy - Request by Champion Sports to Hold Tournament The Department had a request from Champion Sports to hold a softball tournament at Golden Gate Community Park. They are a for-profit organization who run softball tournaments for other groups in the Miami area. Our Fee Policy states a for-profit organization cannot raise funds on County facilities. BCC has approved this policy which applies not just to athletic fields but rec centers and park areas as well. Not-for-profit groups can raise funds but would then be charged the full rental for the facility. Champion Sports went before BCC a week ago and the Board directed staff to obtain PARAB's recommendation whether to keep the Fee Policy as written or amend it so for-profit groups can use our facilities if they pay the rental fee. After discussion, with much impute from Mr. Crawford, MS. KOONTZ MADE THE MOTION: "I MOVE THAT THE POLICY IS ALREADY IN PLACE AND THAT IT STANDS THE WAY IT IS. I DO NOT SEE ANY REASON TO CHANGE IT FOR THESE PEOPLE." SECONDED BY MR. HASSE. PASSED 7 TO 0. MR. ZAKS: "IN THE SAME AREA I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT STAFF REVIEW THE POLICY AND DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT FOR-PROFITS SHOULD BE ALLOWED ON A PROFIT MAKING BASIS FOR THE COUNTY - THE COUNTY MAKING A PROFIT. IF WE COULD DO THAT." SECONDED BY MS. KOONTZ. PASSED 7 TO 0. A. Election of Officers Chairman and Vice-Chairman positions are open. Mr. Zaks nominated and elected Chairman. Ms. Koontz nominated and elected Vice-Chairman. Absenteeism and tardiness will be addressed if it occurs. Mr. Blackford thanked for his services as Chairman. VI. REPORTS/UPDATES A. Immokalee Recreation Center/Pool Don Shands from Capital Projects was introduced and the Executive Summary to award the contract to DeMurphy Constructors for this project was discussed. Because the bids were over the budgeted amount, alternative funding is required. The short fall for the base bid may be taken from existing monies budgeted in other projects. There are several options for appropriating money for the add alternates, which include the slide, activity pool, racquetball courts and security devices. All of the options the recommendation is to pay back with Impact Fees generated. Mr. Prey indicated that there has been communication with Mr. Thomas of the Housing Authority and the School Board to determine if the School Board is willing to help with this funding. The decision was made to wait until next PARAB meeting for a recommendation as the School Board's decision would have been made by that time. B. RFP Golden Gate Estates Park A public meeting will be held May 11th. Hopefully by next PARAB meeting a preliminary design will be available. This design will come to PARAB and then a second public meeting will be held for public impute. Meetings have been scheduled with the School Department to discuss the entrance to the park. C. Vineyards Community Park Construction of the lake is now taking place with the first building construction taking place by the soccer fields. The project is progressing very well and on target. D. Pelican Bay Community Park Also on target. E. Golden Gate Community Center Expansion Final plans should be available next meeting with the architectural firm making a presentation. -3- F. Bath House - Vanderbilt Beach This project should be done in 2-3 weeks. Additional clearing near the parking lot is not possible without further discussion through the permitting process. Approximately 6 months was required to obtain permission to cut back the vegetation - there may be more chance to obtain permission if visible security reasons are stated. Collier owns the property, which was not for sale, across the street. Additional signs should be placed along that area indicating the location of the County parking lot. G. Beach Parking Fees It is anticipated that BCC may reinstitute beach parking fees during the budget hearings in August; possibly some PARAB members will attend that meeting. This item will be placed on the next PARAB agenda and a recommendation made for presentation to the BCC. The possibility of dividing the Regional Parks Impact Fees into two sections - one for beach and water areas and a separate one for acquiring land and building was suggested. H. Cocohatchee/Caxambas Boat Launch Operation. An Agreement with Cool Concessions is being drafted for Cocohatchee/Caxambas concessions. BCC approved an Interim Agreement for Cool Concessions at Caxambas which will allow the sale of gas and collection of the launch fee until the long term Agreement is finalized. I. South Naples Community Park Options This item was previously discussed with potential ballfields for East Naples Community Park. Gulf Coast Little League ballfield has not been purchased by the County yet. J. Budget The summary sheet was reviewed. Mr. Smith and Mr. Franco explained the items in the Expanded Requests which were mainly for the operation of new facilities coming on line. A joint meeting with the City of Naples Parks Advisory Board will be held on May 19th. Next regular PARAB meeting will be May 25th in Immokalee. Meeting adjourned at 5:10 pm. 11214 -4- 4 l PARAB MOTIONS - FEE POLICY, CHAMPION SPORTS 4/27/94 Darlene Koonz: "I move that the policy is already in place and that it stands the way it is. I do not see any reason to change it for these people." Seconded by Max Hasse. Passed 7 to 0. Joe Zaks - In the same area I would like to make a motion that staff review the policy and determine whether or not for-profits should be allowed on a profit making basis for the County - the County making a profit. If we could do that. Seconded by Darlene Koonz. Passed 7-0. I j 0 0