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PARAB Minutes 12/14/1994 R Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PARAB ) Minutes December i4 , 1994 PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES December 14, 1994 Cocohatchee River Park Vanderbilt Drive, Naples, Florida PRESENT: Joseph Zaks, Chairman Darlene Koontz, Vice Chairperson Timothy Blackford Max A. Hasse, Jr. Gil Mueller Stephen Klee Bruce Pray ABSENT: ALSO PRESENT: Steve Brinkman, Parks and Recreation Director Murdo Smith, Parks and Recreation Operations Manager Jacquie Minnis, Secretary Jerry Neal, OCPM Adrienne Skolnik, Chairperson of Gulf Coast Rowing Assoc. INTERVIEW OF NEW BOARD MEMBERS: Q Leonard P. Reina - LATE Kimberly A. Kushman Robert Hildreth Jim Davis Diane Jacobs 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: December 14, 1994, meeting. Motion by Max A. Hasse, seconded by Gil Mueller. 7/0 IV. NEW BUSINESS/PRESENTATIONS A. Interview of applicants for PARAB was conducted. Motion was made to reappoint Mr. Joseph Zaks by Max Hasse seconded by Gil Mueller. 6/0 Motion was made to recommend Ms. Kimberly Kushman to the Board of County Commissioners by Tim Blackford seconded by Max Hasse. 7/0 } -1- 1 B. New Business presentation - Adrienne Skolnik of Gulf Coast Rowing Association made a correction to the PARAB Agenda. Adrienne Skolnik now works with Roger Frazier who represents Gulf Coast Rowing Association and not Roger Dykstra of the Naples Rowing Association. Roger Frazier who was not present at the meeting, and Adrienne Skolnik have put together some information on a proposal for developing a rowing and canoeing program. The Gulf Coast Rowing Association is non-for-profit, non discriminatory, and not a corporation. Jerry Neal, has assisted the association to find potential rowing and canoeing sites. The purpose of this presentation is: 1) to obtain approval from PARAB for use of specific rowing sites identified by Gulf Coast Rowing Association suitable for rowing centers; 2) to obtain approval from the Parks and Recreation Department to adopt and develop rowing programs for 14 years old up to senior citizens; 3) for the Advisory Board to make a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners to grant approval for rowing sites and adopt rowing programs for the Parks and Recreation Department. The Gulf Coast Rowing Association plans to create rowing centers on multiple sites throughout the county. The concept of growing as a venture for the general public is going to be new. The concept is also to make it available to the general public, whereby the Gulf Coast Rowing Association will provide all the necessary facilities and equipment so the general public can easily have access. Diagram and charts were shown. Adrienne Skolnik is hoping that this program can be in progress by summer of 1995. The next step is to encompass, approaching the colleges and university. Once the Gulf Coast Rowing Association get to that level they are hoping that they can establish Southwest Florida as a rowing entity in the United States. There are 172 colleges that offer scholarships for students interested in rowing. Jerry Neal, presented potential sites that can be utilized for this project. Areas that were considered for storage of boats are Clam Pass and Cocohatchee River Park. Charts were presented showing both potential sites. -2- Clam Pass has a facility for canoes, and currently there are three racks being utilized. Mr. Neal mentioned that on the southern side of Clam Pass there is an area that Gulf Coast Rowing Association, could utilized for storing boats. Mrs. Skolnik explained that in the past it could have cost an individual several thousand dollars, and plus a several more thousand to purchase the boat. G.C.R.A (Gulf Coast Rowing Association) will allow anyone for a nominal fee to participate in rowing. The Gulf Coast Rowing Association is not a rowing entity, it is an administrative entity; it is a provider, and it will bring the rowing centers to the public. Funds will be provided by banks, government funding and other organizations or private individuals. Steve Brinkman briefly explained to Jerry Neal that at the Clam Pass site there is an easement with Westinghouse going from the parking lot down to the ramp by the canoe launch. Mr. Brinkman was not sure of the limits and the availability of space to put a rack to store rowing boats at that area. The racks that are there now, are owned by Westinghouse and it's on their property. V. REQUESTS FOR DISCUSSION - SPECIFIC UPDATE ITEMS Chairman Joe Zaks welcome Bruce Pray back to PARAB. VI. REPORTS/UPDATES A. Vineyards Community Park Status - The park is coming along quite well. They are currently performing work on the inside of the Community Center; also installing the landscaping and fixing the parking. They are finally digging the holes for the light poles to be installed some time this week. The color material is currently being applied to the tennis courts and fixing the racquet ball courts. They are anticipating completion by January 6, 1995. The opening will probably be at the end of January. Chairman Joe Zaks received a disturbing call, someone complaining about the extravagance of the county having a brick fasad on that great big building. Chairman Zaks explain to the caller that the building was a nursing home. -3- rr�rrrr�■r�rr■w B. Estates Park Status - An Executive Summary was handed out to PARAB basically, to discussed the entrance drive way of the facility. The park had a joint entrance with the School Board. The BCC had directed the Parks and Recreation to i look at a couple of options; 1. to purchase a 5 acre track 2. or to purchase an easement from two property owners i This executive summary presents the BCC with the recommendations from Parks and Recreation for cost and available land. It also adds an additional $500,000 toward the project for additional facilities. If the 5 acres is purchased it would eliminate the entrance problem. Darlene Koontz questioned whether anyone has given some thought to a bike path on Golden Gate Boulevard because of the park. Mr. Brinkman responded that consideration has been given to a bike path. They are developing a bike path along Golden Gate Boulevard and there will be a connection at the entry point of the 5 acres. In addition to the road there will be a bike path connection which will connect to the bike path up front and bring them back to the park. When the park is developed there will be bike trail the perimeter of the park Noir area. C. Immokalee Pool Status - The contractors are working diligently and there is a new contract with the contractors to proceed and finish up the gymnasium. Completion of Immokalee Recreation Center is around Easter or sometime in July. The lighting in Immokalee is still poor around the ball park area. Mr. Bruce Pray requested a listing of the staffing for the Immokalee Recreation/Pool Center facility. D. Growth Management - There is some good news with regard to the South Naples Community Park. Apparently, the Utility Department is buying some additional land which is in the South Naples area. It actually goes down to 41. It's 140 acres which is a very large piece of land and the parks department only needs 20 acres. Mr. Brinkman will have some more information regarding the land for the next meeting. 5 year Master plan - will be discussed at next meeting. -4- VII. A. UPDATES - Joint meeting schedule with the City of Naples on March 22, 1995. PARAB will meet 1 hour earlier and then have our regular meeting at our location. Mr. Tom 011iff would like to have the Library Advisory Board meet with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board some time in January. This meeting is to discuss Growth Management related issues, joint use of facilities, and discuss getting public input for all these growth management changes. It was suggested that this joint meeting be scheduled for our next regular PARAB meeting or a special meeting. Meeting is scheduled for January 25, 1:00 p.m. at Central Library. PARAB MEETING SCHEDULE January 26, 1995 Joint meeting w/Library is scheduled at Central Library, 650 Central Avenue, 1:00 p.m. joint - 2:00 p.m. regular meeting. February 22, 1995 meeting is scheduled at Vineyards Community Park, 2:00 p.m. March 22, 1995 Joint meeting w/City of Naples is scheduled at Golden Gate Community Park, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. regular meeting. April 26, 1995 meeting is scheduled at Immokalee Community Center, 1:00 p.m. B. Snowfest update - had three semi-truck loads of ice, from North Pole (Amelio's Ice in Ft. Myers) . There were approximately 20,000 people at Snowfest. Immokalee also had some snow. Two main events on the same day Darlene Koontz attended the Immokalee event as well as Bruce Pray. Pelican Bay Community Park - There is a concern regarding the drainage at the play area. Mr. Smith stated that the county will investigate and alternate the problem. Pelican Bay Community Park - Kids are riding their bicycle on the clay tennis courts and also using street shoes on courts. Something needs to be done. The Parks and Recreation Department will investigate. Pelican Bay Community Park - Staffing cost of operation versus contractor. This item should also be included on the agenda. -5- Park gates are not closed at night because the Sheriff Department needs quick access in case of a crime. Old Business - Mr. Gil Mueller and Chairman Joe Zaks would like the Agenda to include old business and status. Secretary should make sure all old items are on the agenda to be discussed. A plaque will be presented to Darlene Koontz during the January meeting. Telephone survey - needs to be on next Agenda. Update on Impact Fee Study - The county is internally doing an impact fee revision. Bill Hargett is involved in putting the study together. It will be on the next agenda if the Park Department receives a copy of the impact fee revision. Update on Lake Avalon - Mr. Tim Blackford would like to submit a motion in lieu of the first motion that was made by Darlene Koontz to purchase Lake Avalon. Mr. Tim Blackford would like to make a motion to investigate the possibility of purchasing the Lake Avalon site for the purpose of a Regional Park project. The Project should include considerations for limited use by the Naples Botanical Garden, Inc. and the Gulf Coast Skimmers under the direction of the Parks and Recreation Department. Seconded by Max Hasse. 5/1 A motion to withdraw motion by Darlene Koontz made by Max Hasse, seconded by Bruce Pray. 6/0 approved Chairman Joe Zaks recommended that a letter be forwarded to each candidate that was interviewed thanking them for showing interest in the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Also a letter of recommendation of reappointing Joseph Zaks and recommending Kimberly Kushman as board member and also adding Bruce Pray to PARAB should go to BCC. VIII. Adjournment Mr. Tim Blackford made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Joe Zaks seconded. The motion was passed 6/0. Adjourned at 5:30 p.m. 1 -6-