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PARAB Minutes 09/28/1994 R Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PARAB ) Minutes September 28 , 1994 PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES SEPTEMBER 28, 1994 East Naples Community Park 3500 Thomasson Drive, Naples 33962 PRESENT: Mr. Joseph Zaks, Chairman Mrs. Darlene Koontz, Vice Chairperson Mr. Timothy Blackford Mr. Max A. Hasse, Jr. Mr. Gil Mueller Mr. Bruce Pray ABSENT: Mr. Stephen Klee ALSO PRESENT: Mr. Steve Brinkman, Parks and Recreation Director Mr. Gary Franco, Parks Superintendent Ms. Jacquie Minnis, Secretary Mrs. Donna Fiala Mr. Frank Blanchard Mr. Bob Reed Mr. John Cursory, President, Water Sports Water Ski Show Ms. Connie Kormanyos, YMCA Tennis Director I. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 2:10 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: July, 27, 1994 meeting and August 24, 1994 meeting. Motioned by Mr. MAx A. Hasse, seconded by Tim Blackford. IV. REQUESTS FOR DISCUSSION - SPECIFIC UPDATE ITEMS V. NEW BUSINESS/PRESENTATIONS A. East Naples B. Lake Avalon C. Frank Blanchard (per Gil Mueller's request) VI. REPORTS/UPDATES A. Immokalee Recreation Center/Pool B. Department Profile C. Strategic Planning/Growth Management -1- Gulf Coast Skimmers - represented by John Gursoy. Gulf Coast Skimmers, with the aid of neighborhood residents, helped clean the area surrounding Lake Avalon of abandoned mattresses, refrigerators, car, and junk. This group uses the 20 acre lake for teaching water skiing to members and performing shows. Gulf Coast Skimmers consists of professional business people as well as area youngsters who may not have the resources available to learn to water ski. A show, free to the public, is presented every Sunday afternoon. A video of the above was shown, as was an aerial video of the location. The Botanical Garden, Inc. , represented by Bob Reed, is also interested in acquiring this piece of property. The two organizations decided that the location would be ideal for the purpose of each group, and will work together. The area has 20 acres of high, dry land, as well as areas of wet cypress, dry pine, white sugar sand, wet pine lands, limestone, and fresh water areas. Different varieties of plants can be grown in this area, than at Fairchild Gardens on the East coast. Botanical Garden, Inc. is newly organized and currently has plans for a major membership drive in November. Upon receipt of the 501 C 3 certificate, donations and pledges will be solicited. Future plans would envision a more permanent stadium or amphitheater with dressing rooms and storage underneath. This structure would have multiple uses, there would be a landscaped roadway around the entire lake, classes would be offered to young and old, school programs, etc. , for learning about plants. The Skimmers would still utilize the lake for training, lessons and shows. The area would need to be fenced, gated, and have guards so it would be a very safe area for people at all times of the day and evening. The asking price has not been actually determined, but estimated at 2.5 to 3 million dollars. Original plans were for 372 condos to be constructed here, but may be delayed. MOTION by Darlene Koontz: I make a motion that Collier County Parks and Recreation Department pursue the purchase of Lake Avalon for the purpose of preserving its natural state for the enjoyment and benefit of all Collier County residents. The purchase should be made with considerations given to the plans and needs of the Gulf Coast Skimmers and Botanical Gardens Inc. Seconded: Tim Blackford. Passed unanimously. PARAB members will take a tour of the area at the conclusion of the meeting. -2- East Naples - Update The East Naples Community Park entrance will be re-landscape to enhance the park entrance. A landscape plan is being develop by Jeff Moore. The preliminary design should be ready by October 13, mitigation monies will be used to enhance the park entrance. There is no set dollar amount at this time but there will be shortly. Donna Fiala commented that "the East Naples park is not as pretty as the other parks, but its just a matter of opinion" . There was no irrigation system installed to maintain the landscaping. Ms. Fiala appreciated, what the County is doing; everybody has been nice and also cooperative. The park will be brought up to all other parks standards. Frank Blanchard (per Gil Mueller's request) Mr. Blanchard would like to share with the County what can effect Tigertail Park in the future. Until 1990 there was a little sand bar directly opposite the beach front of Tigertail park. In December of 1987 the Florida Fresh Water Fish Game Commission was granted a one (1) year approval for a critical wild life area. The beginning of last year the Game Commission suddenly moved their boundary definition of the wild life area, without the Governor's approval. The Marco Island Beach Renourishment debated with the Florida Fresh Water Fish Game Commission and they agreed last November to make a new survey. Surveys of the main high water mark, around Tigertail, North and South of Tigertail have been completed. That report will be mailed to Tallahassee probably next week. The Florida Fresh Water Fish Game Commission will look at those maps and redefine were they think a critical wild life area should be placed. There are some people who are trying to get grass to grow on the beach front to convert it from an active bathing beach to a passive bird watching beach. The question was raise as to what can be done as a group (PARAB) to forestall this situation that raise its head every five (5) years and wants to take over this valuable asset of this department? Mr. Blanchard suggested that the strongest step this group can take is to let the Board of County Commissioners know whether you (PARAB) are favorably inclined or unfavorably inclined in converting some or all of that area into a passive bird watching beach. The suggestion was made that the boundaries be moved back to what it was in 1988. -3- Chairman Joe Zaks requested Mr. Frank Blanchard to make a formal presentation at the next PARAB meeting and show diagrams, charts, and pictures so PARAB will precisely understand the situation. Report/Update Mr. Mueller inquired about a few items he recalled that need some follow up: a) Letter to BCC; which was delayed until next week's meeting: b) The hobi cat boat storage; the minutes indicated that the PARAB chairman will be addressing a letter to the Director of City of Naples, Mr. Mark Thornton. However, the chairman did get in contact with the City of Naples but Mr. Thornton indicated that the Police Department handles that issue. Chairman Zaks will be writing the Police Department to get correct information regarding hobi cat boat storage. Chairman Joe Zaks received a letter from Patricia Stacks regarding Golden Gate Aquatic Facility, her concerns was that the Aquatic Facility will be closed. Mr. Zaks responded to the letter and a copy of the letter was mailed to PARAB members. BCC approved that the pool will remain open year round. Corrections and current information was made on Joe Zak's memo to PARAB members. What happen with beach ordinances regarding the vendors? There will be some changes with beach ordinances; the County Attorney's office is in the process of making changes. Effective October 1st, Rangers will no longer be responsible for the enforcement of that program on Marco Island. Pelican Bay - The park should be open as of Monday, October 3, 1994. Groups or individuals from the community can use the facility, soccer fields are available. It was recommended that the department should consider having someone there at this new facility, same as Marco. Connie Kormanyos, YMCA Tennis Director - She was a Tennis pro for Marco Island County Parks about 11 years ago. Ms. Kormanyos was amazed that Pelican Bay has 8 clay courts, further amazed when she learned that there was no staff, and no hard courts. Connie Kormanyos thinks that tennis clubs that are built now in Southwest Florida, if being serious about tennis that the tennis club should have hard courts, not saying that the Collier County is not serious about tennis. The revenue potential is far greater than at the Racquet Center. It is a very serious tennis facility but there will not be anything serious about this facility if there is no staff. People can use the wrong type of shoes and that can leave the courts in bad shape. Alot of things can go wrong, the sprinkler system can go on maybe in the middle of the night. A heavy rain can wash the lines off, and there is no one there to inform the public not to play on the courts. -4- Puddles can be on courts and this can make the courts unsafe to play on. Advised, that someone should be on premises to inform people how dangerous it can be to play on wet courts. It would do more damage to the court surface than good. Motion by Gil Mueller: Strongly advise that the staff consider a program similar to the one we have at the Marco Racquet Center. It would be to everyone's benefit; most important to the tax payers. Regarding the Pelican Bay New Tennis Court 8 state of the art soft courts - that the staff seriously consider a staffing (contractual arrangement) at that facility, in order to achieve a better organization to prevent vandalism, to facilitate organized play and to acquire revenues which may potentially offset the cost. Seconded by: Tim Blackford 6/0 PARAB requested that a report be presented showing the operating expense for Pelican Bay and also a study which will show how much it would cost to staff the new park. Immokalee pool - The pool is progressing, the plans for the gymnasium should be done fairly soon. When the design is finished they will go ahead and start the construction to the gymnasium. Mr. Brinkman would like to THANK everyone for all their efforts. Bruce Pray was recognized for doing a good work. Strategic Planning/Growth Management - will be discussed at a special meeting at Golden Gate Community Park. Mr. Joe Zaks passed his chairman authority to his vice-chairperson, Darlene Koontz, and made a motion that Strategic Planning/Growth Management be discussed at a special meeting, October 18, 1994. Seconded by Tim Blackford. 6/0 A memo will be written by Mr. Joe Zaks inviting Mr. Tom 011iff to the regular PARAB meeting, October 26, 1994. Motion by Gil Mueller: was made that a letter be written to invite Mr. 011iff urging him to attend next meeting at Frank E. Mackle, Jr. Community Park, 1361 Andalusia Terrace. Seconded by: Darlene Koontz. 6/0 Avatar committed to purchase 5 additional acres for the Estate Community Park. The Estates Park now have 5 additional acres, which will be on Golden Gate Boulevard with a separate entrance from the school. Avatar has agreed to pay for the property, and that will go before the County Commission in a couple of weeks. Motion made to adjourned meeting by Tim Blackford. Second by Gil Mueller. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 4:05 p.m. -5-