Minutes 05/11/1979 „”. PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
MINUTES OF
May 11 , 1979
The Collier County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
held their monthly meeting on May 11 , 1979 in Building F of
the Courthouse Complex, Room 520 . The following members
were present :
Chris Blunt
Dave Johnson
Col . Kenneth Cavenah
Dudley Goodlette
Anne Goodnight
Rollie R. Rice, Director of Parks and Rec.
CONSTRUCTION OF BALLFIELD AT TOMMIE BARFIELD SCHOOL
Mr . Paul Calvi , Mr. Slavatore Scuderi, Mr. Nick Varie
and Mrs . Suzi Doyle , residents of Marco Island were present
at the meeting to speak to the PARAB about the construction
of an additional ballfield at Tommie Barfield. Mr. Calvi
stated that Little League, Girl ' s Softball were using the
existing ballfield Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for
games . This leaves Friday, Saturday and Sunday the only
days open for practice . On Marco Island, there are two major
and minor league baseball teams , five girl ' s softball teams and
one women' s softball team using this one ballfield. The biggest
complaint these citizens have is that there is not enough available
time for practice after all of the games .
Chairman Blunt explained to the group , the PARAB passed a
motion some time ago recommending no more new construction on
school facilities . The following is a list of reasons for this
motion: 1 . No supervision for the facility. 2 . The County
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
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does not have complete control over the facilities because of
%we being on school property. 3 . IJhy spend money on school
facilities when the County could and should be spending the
money on County-owned property.
Mr. Henderlong of the Planning Department gave a brief
report on the Comprehensive Plan and what is in the future
for Marco Island. Mr. Blunt stated the PARAB sympathized with
their problem, but unfortunately the entire County is
experiencing the same problem. Mr. Rice suggested that when
the Comprehensive Plan is implemented that the first phase
be the construction of a softball field. Mr. Blunt thanked
the concerned citizens of Marco Island for coming to the
meeting .
woo REPORT ON SCHOOL BOARD MEETING IN REFERNCE TO IMMOKALEE LAND
SNAP
Mrs . Goodnight gave a brief report on her appearance at
the Collier County School Board meeting in reference to the
Immokalee Land Swap . The main purpose of Mrs . Goodnight
attending the meeting was to inform the newest members on the
School Board the history of the land swap between the School
Board and the County Commissioners . A member of the School
Board believes that if this park is built it will bring along
vandalism and unsavory characters will be loitering around
the park. Mr. Rice complimented Mrs . Goodnight on her
presentation to the School Board. Mrs . Goodnight feels that the
School Board will bring this land swap to a head in the very
near future . All of the PARAB members were urged to contact
various School Board members to speed this land swap deal to
a close .
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Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
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Page -3-
POSSIBILITY OF AVAILABLE LAND FOR COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
Col. Cavenah reported that the Naples Floritilla is
running out of room and would like to build a new station.
They are running two shifts on education - one during the
day and one during the night . They are asking for the possibility
of any land on the water through the County. Chairman Blunt
replied that this might set a precedent for the other local
Floritillas . Mr. Blunt continued this item until next month' s
meeting. He suggested all the members think about any
possibilities of available land and if we should donate land to
private organizations such as this .
STAFF REPORT -
A. Naples Fishing Reefs - The grant is being sent to
Tallahassee in the next couple of days for buoys for the
Naples Fishing Reefs .
B . We are still waiting on the Engineering Department for
cost estimate for Bayview Park before we can start on a grant
application . Monies are available through the Boat Registration
(rant Fund to redevelop Bayview Park.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Rice introduced April Boucher, a concerned citizen
who is interested in recreational facilities throughout the
County. She is a jogger and she has no place to jog. She
is very concerned about the future for herself and her family.
She wants her children to have parks to play in and places to
jog. Mrs . Boucher offered her services in any way possible
to let the Commissioners and the people be aware of how needed
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
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the recreational facilities are .
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Henderlong from the Planning Department gave a
brief report on the status of the Comprehensive Plan. The
BCC has adopted the Comprehensive Plan by Ordinance . This
means they agreed to the policies , objectives and to doing
the work that is behind the Plan. It is the function of the
PARAB how this work is to be done. Mr. Henderlong strongly
advises a referendum be considered again for November ( ' 80) ,
especially after speaking with Mr. Bliss from Broward County
who has just recently passed a referendum to finance the
construction of new parks and open space. Broward County
tried previously to pass a referendum and failed. The next
time they tried, they did a selling job . They formed a
committee who in return formed smaller committees in their
own district . These committees went out and spoke at various
organizations and civic groups . Dudley Goodlette suggested
the PARAB form a committee to start the preliminaries for
the referendum. Chairman Blunt asked for volunteers to be on
this committee. Reminding whoever is on this committe needs
to have ample time to attend meetings . After some discussion,
the following were appointed to the committee : Chris Blunt,
Anne Goodnight , and John Iamurri of the PARAB. The following
names were suggested and are to be contacted: Ed Oates ,
President of Southeast Bank, Harry Heinemann, ex-mayor of Naples ,
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
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and April Boucher, concerned citizen. The meeting was
designated for May 25th at 9 : 00 A.M. in the Planning Department
meeting room of the Tower Building , 5th Floor.
There being no further business , the meeting adjourned
at 10 : 30 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
641/
Pat Cookson
Recording Secretary
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