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PARAB Minutes 08/24/1994 R Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PARAB) Minutes August 24 , X994 PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES August 24, 1994 Vineyards County Club 400 Vineyards Boulevard Naples, Florida 33999 PRESENT: Mr. Joseph Zaks, Chairman Mr. Max A. Hasse, Jr. Mr. Gil Mueller Mr. Timothy Blackford Mr. Stephen Klee ABSENT: Ms. Darlene Koontz, Vice Chairman Bruce Pray ALSO PRESENT: Mr. Steve Brinkman, Parks and Recreation Director Mr. Gary Franco, Parks Superintendent Mr. Murdo Smith, Parks and Recreation Operations Manager Ms. Jacquie Minnis, Secretary Mr. Jim Thomas, Athletic Supervisor Mr. Steve Peffers, Recreation Supervisor Ms. Jennifer Boreham Mr. Art Kraictes Mr. M. Goldie I. CALL TO ORDER II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of 7/27/94 not distributed beforehand so members could not review. IV. REQUESTS FOR DISCUSSION - SPECIFIC UPDATE ITEMS V. NEW BUSINESS/PRESENTATIONS: A. Ms. Jennifer Boreham, representing Dr. Scopelliti, spoke about the concern that owners of hobie boats have regarding the lack of boat storage space on the beaches. In 1992 the City of Naples changed their policy of leaving boats on the beaches and at that time it was determined that 34 boats would be the maximum number allowed. City residents would have first choice, and a waiting list would fill any vacancies as they occurred. It appears that this system is not working as County residents have never been offered spaces - Ms. Boreham has been third on the list since the policy's inception. To operate these small crafts, it is necessary to rig them before launching which means that they cannot be launched from a marina. It was determined that this would be put on the agenda for the joint meeting of the City's Parks Board and PARAB. In the meantime, Chairman Zaks will write to Mark Thornton asking him to give some consideration to this issue. -1- IV. REQUESTS FOR DISCUSSION - SPECIFIC UPDATE ITEMS A. Softball Schedules A question had been raised whether the women were given equal opportunity for field time throughout the year. Jim Thomas, Athletic Supervisor, explained the status of women's softball teams. Leagues were offered and advertised during the months of December and January. Only two teams and enough players for a portion of a third team responded. This is not enough teams to form a league. At the same time a league was being held in Bonita so many of the women were already playing. The City of Naples run a co-ed league in the fall with 22 teams participating. The problem seem to stem from women being available at the time programs are being run. Most people are available in the summer, which is of course the rainy season. This means that some games are rained out and there sometimes there is difficulty in getting all the games played. There are a lot of women playing in our co-ed league - it just seems that there is not enough response for women only leagues. Mr. Mueller made the remark that Mr. Trafton, coach with the Little League in Marco, said Jim was extremely cooperative in scheduling. B. Summer Program Steve Peffers, Recreation Supervisor, reported on the successful summer camp program held this season. Nine sites were used to accommodate 850 campers and 53 counselors. Two new sites were added this year - one at the Vineyards Elementary School and one at East Naples Middle School. Evaluation forms are being mailed to the parents and information gained from these evaluations will be used to improve and meet the requirements of the public for the program next year. This includes the registration process which had been changed this year. Instead of having all the registrations taken at the Golden Gate Community Center on Golden Gate Parkway, each Park held their own registration. In an effort to eliminate people spending the night in line, this took place at 5:00 pm on a Saturday instead of the previous 8:00 am start time. However, people still formed a line hours before registration took place. If the weather were extremely hot, this is not a practical solution either. The camp hours are 8:00 to 5:30/five days per week/4 week session for a cost of $125, which equates to $6.25 per day. Plans are in progress to establish a scholarship for people unable to pay this modest fee. Lunch was provided through the Summer Food Grant program. C. Food Grant Program Jim Thomas has been administering this program for the past 10 years. It is a Federal grant given to the State and the Parks and Recreation Department is a sponsor of the State. Meals are available, free of charge, to people 18 years or younger at eligible sites. When the -2- program first started a total of 2,000 lunches were served. This year 35,988 snacks and 54,128 lunches were served. The snack consists of 3 cookies and a 7 oz. juice, and lunches are similar to those served in the schools. The food is prepared by workers at the County schools and distributed by people hired through the Program. The cost of this program is 100% reimburseable - this year amounting to $142,000. In Immokalee there were 90 children enrolled in the program, but because the site was eligible for the program, other children came for lunch bringing the daily total served to 400. V. REPORTS/UPDATES A. Department Profile An 8 page document containing information regarding the Parks and Recreation Department was distributed. The suggestion was made that PARAB members review the information and place it on the next meeting's agenda for discussion. B. Executive Summary regarding the Immokalee Recreation Center This item will appear on the 9/6/94 Agenda of the Board of County Commissioners. Staff had been requested to explore the possible use of the schools' gyms in the areas and bring various options regarding the gym portion of the Immokalee Recreation Center back to the BCC for review. The data gathered was that the existing gyms were very heavily used, and the School Department would welcome a County gym to relieve some of their scheduling problems. The various options were discussed. Mr. Hasse motioned that Option 1 be recommended. Seconded by Mr. Blackford. Approved 3/2. Mr. Mueller commented that he liked the idea of having an open discussion periodically, thus giving the members an opportunity to voice their opinions on various subjects. PARAB members discussed various ways of making BCC aware of the group's recommendations on issues and came to the conclusion that if a really important issue was being considered a memo would be written to the BCC and a member(s) would be present at the BCC meeting. This member(s) would be available to answer any questions. Bruce Pray is planning on attending the 9/6/94 BCC meeting when the Immokalee Recreation Center will be discussed. Chairman Zaks will write a letter to BCC regarding the dedication of PARAB members and the hope that BCC "pay attention" to what PARAB members have to say. The Interlocal Agreement with the School Board will be mailed to PARAB members so it may be discussed at the next meeting. The original agreement was in 1974, amended in 1980 and updated in 1990. -3- C. Strategic Planning The review of the plan continued from last meeting. The next item to be discussed was the review and establishment of standards for aquatic facilities. Considering the amount of revenue generated at the Golden Gate facility, and the pending construction of the pool in Immokalee, members felt they did not wish to create a definite standard at this time. After discussion, it was determined to leave this open and be considered last and that the standard created would not require a facility in the next five year period. There is a suggestion that in the future facilities be divided into district parks and regional parks. District parks would serve a certain section of the County and the regional parks would serve the entire County. Golden Gate Community Center Expansion The expansion plan for the Golden Gate Community Center was shown and discussed. This 15,000 sq ft addition will be added to the existing 10,000 sq ft facility, allowing more programming and activities to take place. Marco Island Survey - A survey of desires of residents has recently been conducted. Mr. Mueller to provide the name of the person who conducted this survey. Standards for Community Centers Discussion regarding community centers and senior centers took place. Although the senior centers are not usually combined with community centers, it was mentioned that maybe a portion or wing of a community center be designated for seniors. Mr. Hasse Motioned: Accept standard for Community Centers but with a section for Senior Centers. Seconded by Mr. Blackford. Approved 5/0. Status of posting names and telephone numbers of PARAB members at Community Centers. This is in the process of being completed. Telephone numbers will also be listed in the Leisure Line. Business cards for PARAB members are also being considered. September Agenda will include East Naples and Lake Avalon. October Agenda will include neighborhood park issue - donation of land - Barbara Cacchione will be invited. Chairman Zaks suggested a thank you letter be written to Anne Goodnight for making her swimming pool available to the Immokalee children this summer. Motion meeting be adjourned at 4:55 pm by Mr. Hasse. Seconded and approved. Next meeting at East Naples, September 28, 1994. -4-