PARAB Minutes 05/25/1994 R Parks & Recreation
Advisory Board
( PARAB )
Minutes
May 25 , 1994
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
MINUTES - May 25, 1994
Immokalee Community Park
321 North First Street
Immokalee, Florida 33934
PRESENT: Mr. Joseph Zaks, Chairman
Ms. Darlene Koontz, Vice Chairperson
Mr. Max A. Hasse, Jr.
Mr. Gil Mueller
Mr. Bruce Pray
ABSENT: Mr. Timothy Blackford
Mr. Steven Klee
ALSO PRESENT: Don Shands, OCPM
Brooks Swanson, Barany Schmitt Weaver & Partners, Inc.
Jack O'Brien, Marco Eagle News
Mr. Steve Brinkman, Parks & Recreation Director
Mr. Murdo Smith, Operations Manager
Mr. Gary Franco, Parks Superintendent
Mr. Steve Peffers, Recreation Supervisor
Ms. Jacquie Minnis, Secretary
I. CALL TO ORDER - 2:15 pm
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, April 27, 1994 meeting
Motioned by Max Hasse, seconded by Darlene Koontz. Approved.
IV. REQUESTS FOR DISCUSSION - SPECIFIC UPDATE ITEMS
Mr. Gil Mueller requested that vendor concessionaire fees be added under
new business.
In answer to a question raised regarding the request of Champion Sports,
the BCC approved this request even though PARAB was not in favor. Ms.
Koontz wished to go on record "If there is a policy in place, it becomes
cumbersome to administer if constant exceptions are granted by BCC,
especially over the objection of PARAB. Again makes me question why I
bother to attend these meetings. "
The joint meeting between the City of Naples and PARAB was deemed a
regular scheduled meeting.
The monthly report was reviewed and questions answered by staff.
V. NEW BUSINESS/PRESENTATIONS
A. Golden Gate Estates Park - The turnout of the public meeting was not
great in numbers, but valuable input was received regarding the
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desired facilities at this location. The School District is also
providing input and hopefully by next meeting some finalized plans
will be available.
B. Summer Program Food Grant - This State grant, administered by the
Department for the past twelve years, provides lunches for
participants under the age of 18 during the Summer Camp program.
Eligibility is determined by income levels in the census tracts
compiled by the State of Florida, and is similar to the lunch
program provided during the school year. The lunches are prepared
in designated school cafeterias and distributed to the various
participating sites. Jim Thomas, Athletics Supervisor, has been in
charge of administering this Grant for the Department since its
inception in Collier County. Included in the various sites is River
Park, a City of Naples location. PARAB members will be invited to
the combined site cookout held at Golden Gate Community Park at the
end of the program. The barbecue grilling at the event is usually
done by "top" Parks and Recreation staff, including the Director,
Operations Manager and Parks Superintendent. Mr. Zaks made the
recommendation that the possibility of extending the availability of
this food to hurricane shelters be explored. Mr. Mueller motioned:
Approve the Executive Summary as is to approve the Food Grant.
Seconded by Ms. Koontz. Approved.
C. Leisure Line Bid - Steve Peffers, the Recreation Supervisor, was
introduced. The Executive Summary and tabulation sheet were
reviewed for awarding the Bid for this brochure. Mr. Hasse made the
motion to approve awarding the Bid to Ad-Designs of Naples with
advice to staff to have the contract include a clause that the
County owns the prints. Seconded by Bruce Pray. Approved.
VI. REPORTS/UPDATES
A. Immokalee Recreation Center/Pool - After discussion regarding the
bid and add alternates presented by the low bidder, D. E. Murphy
Constructors, Inc. the motion was made by Bruce Pray: Recommend
accepting the base bid with the add alternates of sonar, activity
pool and slide. Seconded by Max Hasse. The base bid includes
renovating the gym, remodeling the locker rooms, and constructing a
10,000 square foot addition, additional parking, service road,
equipment building and landscape buffers.
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B. Vineyards Community Park - The lake has been completed and
construction begun on the restroom building. This building should
be completed for the beginning of the soccer season, the first of
October. The building under construction in front of the park does
not belong to the County; it is a retirement complex being built by
the Vineyards. The park should be completed the latter part of this
year.
C. Pelican Bay Community Park - The 15 acre site has been cleared, the
building is constructed, racquet ball courts are up, the tennis
courts and electrical system are going in. The parking lot has been
cleared, as well as the infield for the baseball field, and the
sodding of the football/soccer field will take place at the end of
the project. Playground equipment has been delivered but not yet
installed.
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D. Golden Gate Community Center Expansion - Brooks Swanson of Barany
Schmitt Weaver presented drawings of the proposed expansion which
were reviewed. The type of flooring in the multipurpose room was
discussed, wood versus synthetic, and the reasons for choosing wood.
The wood flooring, if properly maintained, should present no
problems and would meet all needs of this room. The bleachers are
on special wheels so they can be moved to accommodate the various
type functions without marring the floor. A meeting is scheduled
with the Frontier Days committee to discuss plans and availability
of space for this event which has been previously held on land which
will be utilized for this expansion project.
E. Bath House - Vanderbilt Beach - This facility has been completed and
should be open this weekend.
F. Beach Parking Fees - This topic will be reviewed during the budget
process. PARAB members will be kept informed regarding dates
scheduled for public hearings of the budget when this item would be
discussed. A report containing two options for collecting fees was
submitted with the budget - one option utilizing people for fee
collection and the other using meters.
G. Cocohatchee/Caxambas Boat Launch Operations - The Department is
negotiating with Cool Concessions for concession operation at these
locations. The County currently has an interim agreement with them
and are now working on a long term contract.
H. South Naples Community Park - In addition to the site shown
previously to PARAB, the Department is looking for 1-3 acres in the
Naples Manor area for a small neighborhood park. These two projects
could be presented as one package to the BCC. Ms. Koontz mentioned
that the Naples Civic Association is interested in a neighborhood
park in this area and if endeavors were combined more could be
accomplished.
I. Budget - Nothing further to report at this time - review with BCC
will be held sometime in June.
K. Fee Policy - BCC wanted PARAB to look at the policy to see if for
profit groups can use our facilities. Mr. Murdo Smith is to draft
something for the Board to review.
L. Summer Camp - registration was held 5/21/94 at each community park.
On that date GGCP and Veterans sites were filled, ENCP almost,
Vineyards - 75, East Naples Middle School site was a little
slow. Holding registration at each park site proved more convenient
and easier to manage than having one consolidated registration.
People still waited 8-12 hours in line but were not there all night.
Indoor areas were offered for waiting, but with the nice weather not
everyone took advantage of it. The field trips all been confirmed,
counselors hired, and everything is in place. Immokalee and
Everglades have the lowest fee, $38.00 vs. $125, for a four week
period. There are scholarships available by sending a letter to
Murdo requesting a reduced rate due to financial problems.
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M. Strategic Planning - the number of reports will be reduced so more
time can be devoted to the strategic planning information
distributed last time, growth management issues , and the impact fee
review which will be started some time this summer. The scheduling
of meetings for the summer months should also be discussed.
If the joint meeting with the City last week is classified as an official
regular scheduled meeting, two members are in violation of missing two meetings.
Mr. Mueller: Motion that the Chairman, or staff, draft a letter that x number
of meetings have been missed and suggest that future meetings should not be
missed. This idea was discussed, but the motion was not acted upon.
A Proposal was distributed that Mr. Joseph Zaks had drafted, with back-up
material from Boca Raton, regarding a beach taxing district. This will be
discussed at the next meeting, with Mr. Langford possibly attending to provide
additional information.
Mr. Mueller wished to add to new business, vendor concessionaire fees. An
annual Beach Vendor Permit is $250 and this fee should be reviewed. The beach
vendor permit fee and the percentage County contracted concessionaires pay the
County are not related. Ordinance 82-11, Beach and Water Safety, was discussed
in relation to these vendors. The Beach Renourishment Committee pay for a
Ranger to patrol the beach on Marco and monitor these vendors. The County
Attorney is to review the existing Ordinance and tighten up the regulations.
The revision will then be brought before PARAB for review and recommendation.
Boat storage at the Preserve will be discussed at the next meeting which will be
at 2:00 pm, June 22, 1994, at Golden Gate Community Park.
Meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m. , with the County van making a quick stop at the
Middle School site.
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