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PARAB Minutes 11/16/1994 R Parks and Recreation Advisory Board ( PARAB) Minutes November i6 , i994 . PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES November 16, 1994 Golden Gate Community Park 3300 Santa Barbara Blvd. , Naples, FL 33962 PRESENT: Joseph Zaks, Chairman Timothy Blackford Max A. Hasse, Jr. Gil Mueller ABSENT: Stephen Klee Darlene Koontz, Vice Chairperson Bruce Pray ALSO PRESENT: Steve Brinkman, Parks and Recreation Director Gary Franco, Parks Superintendent Murdo Smith, Parks and Recreation Operations Manager Jacquie Minnis, Secretary Kevin Litt Sidney Showalter I. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 2:15 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: September 28, 1994, meeting and October 18, 1994 meeting. Motion by Max A. Hasse, seconded by Gil Mueller. IV. REQUESTS FOR DISCUSSION - SPECIFIC UPDATE ITEMS V. NEW BUSINESS/PRESENTATIONS A. Kevin Litt - Wrote a letter on September 22, 1994 to each Commissioner regarding constructing a skating rink in Collier County for the youths. Mr. Litt mentioned that he received some positive answers from the Commissioners. The kids in Naples are roller blading and skate boarding but do not have the proper facilities to accommodate this type of activity. The youths are using business sidewalk areas and this causes some major problems between the pedestrians and the roller bladers. -1- Mr. Litt recommended that the Parks Department build a skating rink to eliminate teens from skating on the streets. This will also help to keep them out of trouble. There will be less friction between the teens, business centers and police. This will also eliminate damages to sidewalks and businesses. A question was raised by Mr. Hasse - If a skating rink were built, or an area where teens can use their skate board and roller blades, what would stop the kids from using the shopping areas, a block, or two blocks from their house? Mr. Litt's response was the quality of what there is to skate on. 3rd street is a common area which Mr. Litt also uses because of the steps and hand rails adjacent to private businesses. Its more fun than just going straight down the streets or using flat surfaces which tends to get boring. Mr. Litt suggested that if a skating rink is built, that a set of stairs, hand rails, half pipes and a little pit that the youths can jump off of be included. That would attract the young people. The more attractive the skating rink is, the more it would keep the kids off the streets and away from shopping centers. There are differences between roller blading, hockey, and street skating. Roller blading is easier than skating. Mr. Litt suggested that it would be a good idea to build skating rinks at various parks such as North Naples, East Naples, and Lely area instead of one major big rink. Lehigh Acres has a very small skating rink which is half the size of the Golden Gate Aquatic Facility pool. It does have a drop. They also have competitive skating and give prizes to the best skater. Mr. Litt will check with the Fred Surf Shop to obtain some pictures and drawing of skating rinks. Mr. Litt will also supply PARAB with magazines and other information on skating rinks. Mr. Gil Mueller inquired where there were any existing parking lots or open area that are not being used. It would be a good idea to lease the area temporarily and put some obstacles in the area and test to see and determine the degree of usage before putting any money into this project. -2- Chairman Joe Zaks recommend that Mr. Brinkman look at other existing parks. Find out from other counties the usage, also follow up or look into designs, cost and usage. Mr. Steve Brinkman indicated that he would go to Lehigh Acres, visit the site, and would get the actual construction drawing. B. Mr. Sidney Showalter, spoke about the concerns that owners of hobie boats have regarding the lack of boat storage space on city beaches. Mr. Showalter suggested that the county should do something about this problem. Chairman Joe Zaks contacted the Naples Police Department this past month about the beach spaces for hobie cats on Naples beach. According to the Police Department, the people are misinformed that there would be no separate list for county residents that would ever supersede the City residents. They do have two separate lists. The only time you do go into a space is when the city list has no more people on the list. They never intended to make these spaces available to the county residents unless there is no one on their city list. It was suggested by Mr. Gary Franco that Lely Barefoot Beach access near the Lee County line be used. There is approximately 600 feet of property owned by the county. Mr. Showalter was very interested and inquired whether the county had any queries about storing hobie cats. The Parks Department will look into all the proper procedures before making any decision. VI. REPORTS/UPDATES A. Mr. Gil Mueller would like to get some clarification on page #5 of October 18th minutes. It was the motion made by Vice Chairperson Darlene Koontz regarding Lake Avalon on September 28, 1994. Mr. Mueller also would like to hold his vote if it is possible. The actual motion was read by Chairman Joe Zaks. "I make a motion that Collier County Parks & 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 consideration given to the plans and needs of the Gulf Coast Skimmers and the Naples Botanical Garden, Inc. " -3- Mr. Tim Blackford and Mr. Mueller did not understand the motion to be read that way. Tim Blackford comments during this motion were. "We do not know how much the land costs. We do not know what we are able to build there. We have just been presented with the idea. " Mr. Blackford question was "did Mrs. Kootnz say purchase?" Mr. Zaks responded and said to "pursue" , and this is when he thought that we were going to pursue the idea of purchasing. We would do more research by finding the cost and what other facilities can go on the property. Further down the road we can make a decision on whether or not we should purchase the property. The Commissioners authorized an appraisal on the property and to go ahead negotiating with the property owners, the Botanical Gardens group and the Gulf Coast Skimmers. Mr. Hasse would like to see the Parks and Recreation Department run this project instead of the Gulf Coast Skimmers and the Botanical Gardens. Mr. Steve Brinkman clarified that it would be a regional park, and the Parks are in the process of negotiating developing a contract with both organizations. However, Mr. Brinkman met with Gulf Coast Skimmers president November 15th, 1994, and will meet with Botanical Garden tomorrow. B. Pelican Bay Community Park - The opening went well Chairman Joe Zaks spoke and Mr. Hasse was recognized in the audience. A tour of the EMS, library, and tennis complex was very impressive. A question was raised whether the tennis facility was being used frequently and if a thought has been given to staffing the facility? It is not a possibility yet until there is a decision. PARAB will go over some financial information that was given at the last meeting but a decision was not made because there was no quorum. Pelican Bay Tennis Complex - A handout with different options was reviewed regarding staffing the facility. The first option is operating the facility with a ball dispenser which is still in the process of being constructed. Funds for constructing the dispenser will be provided by Leagues scheduled to play at the park. -4- Option #2 would be to contract everything out to a contractor to run the programs. Option #3 is a limited operation where we only contract the ability to teach lessons and to run a pro shop. Option #2 & #3 would include the responsibility of maintaining the courts even though option #3 it would be a little more difficult. On option #2 a 10% would go to the county and also maintain the courts. Mr. Tim Blackford would prefer the Parks and Recreation Department run the programs at the Pelican Bay Community Park instead of a contractor. C. Vote on Frank Blanchard Presentation - Some of the members heard the presentation. However, a vote was not made. The vote was to support his position that the boundaries be moved to stop the organization from turning the beach into a bird watching santuary. The State had sent a letter originally indicating that nesting season would be for 1 year. Mr. Blanchard would like to have PARAB's approval and take it to the Commissioners and then to Tallahassee. PARAB members were ready to make a vote but Mr. Blanchard was not at the meeting. A handout from last meeting attended by Mr. Frank Blanchard was given to members. D. Report of PARAB attendance was distributed and reviewed. Mr .Steve Klee has been absent 6 times and is very close to resigning his position according to ordinance #93-81. The ordinance is difficult to enforce because it is based on a fiscal year basis. The attendance report was done on an annual basis and when board members were appointed. Mr. Klee's secretary said that she called yesterday evening and left a message on the answering machine. Concerns were raised whether another letter should be drafted to members who have not been attending meetings on a regular basis. Mr. Bruce Pray is continuing his term and rejoining the board. A list of applicants was distributed. An interview of the applicants would be done at the next meeting. Two positions and 6 applicants. Correction of phone numbers was done on the attendance sheet for current board members. -5- Tim Constantine recommended that Joe Zaks be reappointed per Chairman Zaks. Motion made by Tim Blackford to amend the Ordinance #93-81 section #4 paragraph C to read calendar year (annually) and not fiscal year. Seconded by Max Hasse. The motion was passed 4/0. Mr. Brinkman will contact Director Mark Thornton, City of Naples Parks and Recreation Department to schedule a joint meeting and invite Mr. Langeford of Boca Raton. The meeting will take place some time in February or March. F. Growth Management - will be discussed at next meeting. G. Snowfest 94 will be held Saturday December 3, from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. VIP pass will be sent in the mail to PARAB members. V. Adjournment Mr. Tim Blackford made motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Max Hasse seconded. The motion was passed 4/0. Adjourned at 4:40 p.m. -6-