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PARAB Minutes 05/22/1996 kevi=-3 gigb etsi PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES May 22, 1996 East Naples Community Park 3500 Thomasson Drive, Naples, Florida PRESENT: Joseph Zaks, Chairman Timothy Blackford, Vice Chairman Gil Mueller Max A. Hasse, Jr. Elaine Wicks Gayle L. Stan ABSENT: ALSO PRESENT: Steve Brinkman, Parks and Recreation Director Murdo Smith, Parks and Recreation Operations Manager Gary Franco, Parks Superintendent Jacquie Hart, Secretary II Lou Carter, Marco Island John Gursoy, Gulf Coast Skimmers Reginald Boucher, Project Manager George Parker, Senior Project Manager Joe Delate, Project Manager I. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 2:10 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG III. INVOCATION: by Max Hasse, Jr. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 24, 1996 meeting. Motion by Max Hasse seconded by Elaine Wicks. Passed 6/0. V. NEW BUSINESS/PRESENTATIONS a. Canoe Rental & Fishing - Mr. Lou Carter would like the County to consider the possibility of purchasing 6 acres of land on Marco Island located at Steven's Creek. Mr. Carter suggested that the land can be used for providing County residents with a canoe rental and fishing site on Steven's Creek. In the future a nature center could be built with additional parking. Mr. Carter stated that at the present time there are 2 canoe launching facilities on Marco Island, one at Rookery Bay and the other at Collier Seminole State Park. A map was shown displaying the property. Mr. Carter would like Collier County to consider purchasing the 6 acres land which he owns. 1 Motion by Elaine Wicks that Parks and Recreation staff discuss the issue with Mr. Carter further. Seconded by Gil Mueller. b. Food Grant Application - Jim Thomas discussed the Executive Summary for the food grant application which needs to go before the Board of County Commission for approval. Motion by Tim Blackford that the Executive Summary be approved and go before the Board of County Commission. Seconded by Max Hasse. Passed 6/0 c. Sudgen Park Master Plan - the 1.3 million will be used for the first phase. This includes a $800,000 grant from the State. The first phase will include an entry drive way, a parking lot, an over flow parking lot, ranger head quarters, and a beach area. The beach will be open during the summer and lifeguards will be on site. A picnic area and a playground will be built behind the beach. Mr. Boucher of OCPM presented the Conceptual Plan. The park headquarters will include a meeting room of 1000 sq. ft. , rest rooms, concessions for paddle and row boats, which will be operated by the Gulf Coast Skimmers. The gates will be secured at night. Chairman Joe Zaks inquired if there is a fishing area. Mr. Boucher stated that there will be a fishing dock but only if there is enough money in the first phase. A canoe ramp will be built. Mr. Mueller stated that the funding for this project, as far as he understands, is an original $500,000, an additional $200,000 donated, and an additional $850,000 from the grant. How much more money will this project take? Mr. Brinkman stated that this project will take approximately $3 to $4 million dollars. This is just a rough estimated figure. Mr. Mueller inquired where will the additional funds come from to complete the project? Mr. Brinkman stated that the additional monies will come from allocated funds on an annual basis in Capital Improvements Projects from Regional Park Impact Fees. There is in addition to the funds that were mentioned, $300,000 for Sudgen Park in this year's budget request. Mr. Boucher reiterated that phase 1 is 99% funded. 2 tOgi Mr. Joe Delate of OCPM who is a Landscape Architect discussed the landscaping of Sudgen Park. Some concerns about park security were raised. Two full time rangers will be on site during park operating hours. Mr. Hasse inquired where the fire works were going to be displayed for the show. Mr. Brinkman stated that Mr. Boucher is working with International Fire Works and Real Property on an agreement. d. Gulf Coast Skimmers Update - Mr. John Gursoy discussed a little about the entrance, landscaping, parking lot, and the grand stand development. Mr. Gursoy stated that he does have concerns about the International Fire Works show at Lake Avalon. The park is too new to have such activities. For 9 years he has been managing the property and he knows what it takes to keep the property under control. Mr. Mueller stated that PARAB also had some concerns regarding security and the fire works. Mr. Gursoy stated that he does not think that the facility is ready for such activity because of security issues. e. Citizen Input - Ms. Becky Beatty inquired whether citizens will be able to fish and boat from the lake. Mr. Brinkman stated that the Gulf Coast Skimmers will operate a concession stand which will be boat rental. At this time no fishing is allowed until the park is completed. Mr. Charles Stephenson stated that the area Mr. Gursoy discussed with beautiful western sunset that will provide the background for the grand stand concert is his back yard. Mr. Stephenson is concerned about noise and pollution. Mr. Stephenson is also concerned about the hours of operation, people trespassing through his back yard, and crossing over his fence to attend the function. Mr. Gursoy stated that the Gulf Coast Skimmers are finished practicing by 7:30 p.m. At this time the attendance for each show is approximately 1,000. The audio system will be similar to a drive in theatre. Berms will be landscaped and a secondary berm as a back up will be landscape to reduce noise. Mr. Stephenson stated that the hours of operation will be 8:00 a.m. until sun down but he is concerned when the facility is used at 8:00 a.m. in the morning. The noise of 3 AMEMMEW the jet skis and people shouting is disturbing. Mr. Stephenson recommend that the Parks and Recreation Department create an ordinance that will limit the number of jet skis, limit noise, and people crossing over the fence. Mr. Gursoy stated that the main events will be on Saturdays and Sundays. Practice will be conducted one day during the week. Mr. Gursoy explained the method of training and all jet skis are not in use at one time. Chairman Joe Zaks stated he is against the additional parking spaces. He thinks it should remain at 350 parking spaces. The idea of this park is to keep it in its natural state not to turn it into Coney Island. Mr. Mueller inquired who was going to control the hour, the type of motorized vessels, and the number of jet skis. Mr. Mueller stated that he is very concerned when he heard the word jet skis since its becoming a major issue in Collier County. Mr. Butch Morgan stated that he attended the commission meeting and brought up the fact that the community should be part of the planning of Sudgen Regional Park. Mr. Morgan stated that he lives right on the lake and before the Skimmers got there, security was a big concern. Parties were going on before the Skimmers and he had to deal with these kind of problems. Mr. Morgan stated that the community needs a further separation, a better divider zone, for the people who live directly on the lake from the Park. In fact he does not want this project to go ahead unless the Parks Department considers an alternative. Mr. Boucher stated that the proposed buffer on option 1 will be a chain link fence on the property line and there will be a 20 foot opening for maintenance. Numerous suggestions were made on the distance of the buffer and how high the berms should be. No definite decisions were made. Chairman Joe Zaks suggested Mr. Boucher should meet with some of the neighbors whose concerns are directed to the buffer zones in the next month or so and to come up with some alternatives. Mr. Brandon Deigenio of the Gulf Coast Skimmers, who is a kid, commented on how important this sport is to him and the community. The sports have kept them out of trouble and they are willing to help keep other people from destroying or doing anything to hurt the neighborhood. 4 f. Summer Camp Program - Mr. Steve Peffers updated PARAB on the summer camp program which will start on June 17, 1996 and run through August 16, 1996. The cost per child is $350.00 for 9 weeks. There is a scholarship program for parents who cannot afford to pay the full fee. The parents are require to complete a form, submit a copy of their last tax return and the their last pay check stub. Mr. Peffers stated that the counselors have been hired and are in the process of training. There are 12 sites and there are 2 middle school camps. One field trip goes to the swimming pool every week and the other goes to an attraction. The attractions are bowling twice, skating twice, King Richards Play House, a rodeo, and to the science museum in Ft. Myers. PARAB members would like to visit the summer camp program during the summer. Mrs. Stan stated that the camps starts a week after school is out and the camp ends one week before school begins. This leave parents in an awful lurch for one week. Mr. Peffers explained that most of the counselors are college students or teachers and normally they are not available until after school is closed. Counselor training is done during the first week after school is closed. The last week of camp is hard to keep counselors because they have to prepare and leave for college and teachers always start school a week before they begin the new school year. g. Veteran Light Spilling - the County Attorney's Office is preparing a legal opinion as to whether the County can use Impact Fees to purchase the lighting for the Veterans Community Park ball field. This would take another 2 to 3 weeks to obtain the information. Mr. Brinkman stated the County would not be able to use impact fees for improving a facility but can use for building something new. VI. REPORTS/UPDATES a. Parks Adoption Report - Mrs. Gayle Stan reported that she visited Cocohatchee. The bathroom on the south side has received some vandalism. Visited Lely Barefoot Beach and everything seems to be fine. The steps going up to the concession stand need to be treated with skid resistant paint. b. Monthly report - no discussion VII. REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION 5 a. Impact Fees - Mr. Mueller inquired whether Impact Fees are being collected. Mr. Brinkman stated that Impact fees are being collected at this time. b. Vineyards Community Park Damage - the damage to the Vineyards Community Park was discussed at BCC meeting. Mr. Mueller inquired whether the contractors were at fault for damages to the Vineyards Community Park. c. Pelican Bay Tennis - contract is still been negotiated for operation of the tennis facility with Lewis Tennis. d. YMCA - no discussion e. Jet Skis - Gary Franco has been working with Code Enforcement. Surveys were conducted by PARAB members and members found the noise not deplorable. f. Marco Festival - a discussion took place regarding some of the facilities to be used. g. Gulf Coast Skimmers - Mrs. Gayle Stan stated that she delayed this discussion because of the controversy it may have caused. Mrs. Stan stated that she has met with Mr. Brinkman and Mr. Franco regarding concerns about the Gulf Coast Skimmers. There are some serious misconducts such as sexual misconducts, personal boats being used, kids driving boats, no rules, violation of 501 3 (C) , fire arms on the property, and program structures. Mrs. Stan stated that everything is in writing and she will get a copy to the members. Mrs. Stan stated that she would like to see the Gulf Coast Skimmers come under Parks and Recreation uniformity as a Parks and Recreation program. Mr. Mueller commented that the Parks and Recreation Department should run the facility and not the Gulf Coast Skimmers, making their own rules and decisions. A formal investigation will be conducted by the Parks and Recreation Department staff. h. Handicap Tennis Court - Mr. Hasse stated that it was brought to his attention by a handicap citizen whether the Parks Department would consider building a tennis court for handicap individuals. VIII. Adjournment 6 Aummmmik Meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m. Motion by Max A. Hasse. Seconded by Gayle Stan. Passed 6 to 0. 7 •tea PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES May 22, 1996 East Naples Community Park 3500 Thomasson Drive, Naples, Florida PRESENT: Joseph Zaks, Chairman Timothy Blackford, Vice Chairman Gil Mueller Max A. Hasse, Jr. Elaine Wicks Gayle L. Stan ABSENT: ALSO PRESENT: Steve Brinkman, Parks and Recreation Director Murdo Smith, Parks and Recreation Operations Manager Gary Franco, Parks Superintendent Jacquie Hart, Secretary II Lou Carter, Marco Island John Gursoy, Gulf Coast Skimmers Reginald Boucher, Project Manager George Parker, Senior Project Manager Joe Delate, Project Manager I. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 2:10 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG III. INVOCATION: by Max Hasse, Jr. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 24, 1996 meeting. Motion by Max Hasse seconded by Elaine Wicks. Passed 6/0. V. NEW BUSINESS/PRESENTATIONS a. Canoe Rental & Fishing - Mr. Lou Carter would like the County to consider the possibility of purchasing 6 acres of land on Marco Island located at Steven's Creek. Mr. Carter suggested that the land can be used for providing County residents with a canoe rental and fishing site on Steven's Creek. In the future a nature center could be built with additional parking. Mr. Carter stated that at the present time there are 2 canoe launching facilities on Marco Island, one at Rookery Bay and the other at Collier Seminole State Park. A map was shown displaying the property. Mr. Carter would like Collier County to consider purchasing the 6 acres land which he owns. 1 4 Motion by Elaine Wicks that Parks and Recreation staff discuss the issue with Mr. Carter further. Seconded by Gil Mueller. b. Food Grant Application - Jim Thomas discussed the Executive Summary for the food grant application which needs to go before the Board of County Commission for approval. Motion by Tim Blackford that the Executive Summary be approved and go before the Board of County Commission. Seconded by Max Hasse. Passed 6/0 c. Sudgen Park Master Plan - the 1.3 million will be used for the first phase. This includes a $800,000 grant from the State. The first phase will include an entry drive way, a parking lot, an over flow parking lot, ranger head quarters, and a beach area. The beach will be open during the summer and lifeguards will be on site. A picnic area and a playground will be built behind the beach. Mr. Boucher of OCPM presented the Conceptual Plan. The park headquarters will include a meeting room of 1000 sq. ft. , rest rooms, concessions for paddle and row boats, which will be operated by the Gulf Coast Skimmers. The gates will be secured at night. Chairman Joe Zaks inquired if there is a fishing area. Mr. Boucher stated that there will be a fishing dock but only if there is enough money in the first phase. A canoe ramp will be built. Mr. Mueller stated that the funding for this project, as far as he understands, is an original $500,000, an additional $200,000 donated, and an additional $850,000 from the grant. How much more money will this project take? Mr. Brinkman stated that this project will take approximately $3 to $4 million dollars. This is just a rough estimated figure. Mr. Mueller inquired where will the additional funds come from to complete the project? Mr. Brinkman stated that the additional monies will come from allocated funds on an annual basis in Capital Improvements Projects from Regional Park Impact Fees. There is in addition to the funds that were mentioned, $300,000 for Sudgen Park in this year's budget request. Mr. Boucher reiterated that phase 1 is 99% funded. 2 ommmto Mr. Joe Delate of OCPM who is a Landscape Architect discussed the landscaping of Sudgen Park. Some concerns about park security were raised. Two full time rangers will be on site during park operating hours. Mr. Hasse inquired where the fire works were going to be displayed for the show. Mr. Brinkman stated that Mr. Boucher is working with International Fire Works and Real Property on an agreement. d. Gulf Coast Skimmers Update - Mr. John Gursoy discussed a little about the entrance, landscaping, parking lot, and the grand stand development. Mr. Gursoy stated that he does have concerns about the International Fire Works show at Lake Avalon. The park is too new to have such activities. For 9 years he has been managing the property and he knows what it takes to keep the property under control. Mr. Mueller stated that PARAB also had some concerns regarding security and the fire works. Mr. Gursoy stated that he does not think that the facility is ready for such activity because of security issues. e. Citizen Input - Ms. Becky Beatty inquired whether citizens will be able to fish and boat from the lake. Mr. Brinkman stated that the Gulf Coast Skimmers will operate a concession stand which will be boat rental. At this time no fishing is allowed until the park is completed. Mr. Charles Stephenson stated that the area Mr. Gursoy discussed with beautiful western sunset that will provide the background for the grand stand concert is his back yard. Mr. Stephenson is concerned about noise and pollution. Mr. Stephenson is also concerned about the hours of operation, people trespassing through his back yard, and crossing over his fence to attend the function. Mr. Gursoy stated that the Gulf Coast Skimmers are finished practicing by 7:30 p.m. At this time the attendance for each show is approximately 1,000. The audio system will be similar to a drive in theatre. Berms will be landscaped and a secondary berm as a back up will be landscape to reduce noise. Mr. Stephenson stated that the hours of operation will be 8:00 a.m. until sun down but he is concerned when the facility is used at 8:00 a.m. in the morning. The noise of 3 411 the jet skis and people shouting is disturbing. Mr. Stephenson recommend that the Parks and Recreation Department create an ordinance that will limit the number of jet skis, limit noise, and people crossing over the fence. Mr. Gursoy stated that the main events will be on Saturdays and Sundays. Practice will be conducted one day during the week. Mr. Gursoy explained the method of training and all jet skis are not in use at one time. Chairman Joe Zaks stated he is against the additional parking spaces. He thinks it should remain at 350 parking spaces. The idea of this park is to keep it in its natural state not to turn it into Coney Island. Mr. Mueller inquired who was going to control the hour, the type of motorized vessels, and the number of jet skis. Mr. Mueller stated that he is very concerned when he heard the word jet skis since its becoming a major issue in Collier County. Mr. Butch Morgan stated that he attended the commission meeting and brought up the fact that the community should be part of the planning of Sudgen Regional Park. Mr. Morgan stated that he lives right on the lake and before the Skimmers got there, security was a big concern. A Parties were going on before the Skimmers and he had to deal with these kind of problems. Mr. Morgan stated that the community needs a further separation, a better divider zone, for the people who live directly on the lake from the Park. In fact he does not want this project to go ahead 4 unless the Parks Department considers an alternative. Mr. Boucher stated that the proposed buffer on option 1 will be a chain link fence on the property line and there will be a 20 foot opening for maintenance. Numerous suggestions were made on the distance of the buffer and how high the berms should be. No definite decisions were made. Chairman Joe Zaks suggested Mr. Boucher should meet with A some of the neighbors whose concerns are directed to the buffer zones in the next month or so and to come up with some alternatives. Mr. Brandon Deigenio of the Gulf Coat Skimmers, who is a kid, commented on how important this sport is to him and the community. The sports have kept them out of trouble and they are willing to help keep other people from destroying or doing anything to hurt the neighborhood. 4 4 f. Summer Camp Program - Mr. Steve Peffers updated PARAB on the summer camp program which will start on June 17, 1996 and run through August 16, 1996. The cost per child is $350.00 for 9 weeks. There is a scholarship program for parents who cannot afford to pay the full fee. The parents is require to complete a form, submit a copy of their last tax return and the their last pay check stub. Mr. Peffers stated that the counselors have been hired and are in the process of training. There are 12 sites and there are 2 middle school camps. One field trip goes to the swimming pool every week and the other goes to an attraction. The attractions are bowling twice, skating twice, King Richards Play House, a rodeo, and to the science museum in Ft. Myers. PARAB members would like to visit the summer camp program during the summer. Mrs. Stan stated that the camps starts a week after school is out and the camp ends one week before school begins. This leave parents in an awful lurch for one week. Mr. Peffers explained that most of the counselors are college students or teachers and normally they are not available until after school is closed. Counselor training is done during the first week after school is closed. The last week of camp is hard to keep counselors because they have to prepare and leave for college and teachers always start school a week before they begin the new school year. g. Veteran Light Spilling - the County Attorney's Office is preparing a legal opinion as to whether the County can use Impact Fees to purchase the lighting for the Veterans _ Community Park ball field. This would take another 2 to 3 weeks to obtain the information. Mr. Brinkman stated the County would not be able to use impact fees for improving a facility but can use for building something new. 4 VI. REPORTS/UPDATES a. Parks Adoption Report - Mrs. Gayle Stan reported that she visited Cocohatchee. The bathroom on the south side has received some vandalism. Visited Lely Barefoot Beach and everything seems to be fine. The steps going up to the concession stand need to be treated with skid resistant paint. 4 b. Monthly report - no discussion VII. REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION 5 1 ammv a. Impact Fees - Mr. Mueller inquired whether Impact Fees are being collected. Mr. Brinkman stated that Impact fees are being collected at this time. b. Vineyards Community Park Damage - the damage to the Vineyards Community Park was discussed at BCC meeting. Mr. Mueller inquired whether the contractors were at fault for damages to the Vineyards Community Park. c. Pelican Bay Tennis - contract is still been negotiated for operation of the tennis facility with Lewis Tennis. d. YMCA - no discussion e. Jet Skis - Gary Franco has been working with Code Enforcement. Surveys were conducted by PARAB members and members found the noise not deplorable. f. Marco Festival - a discussion took place regarding some of the facilities to be used. g. Gulf Coast Skimmers - Mrs. Gayle Stan stated that she delayed this discussion because of the controversy it may have caused. Mrs. Stan stated that she has met with Mr. Brinkman and Mr. Franco regarding concerns about the Gulf Coast Skimmers. There are allegations of some serious misconducts such as sexual misconducts, personal boats being used, kids driving boats, no rules, violation of 501 (C) 3, fire arms on the property, and program structures. Mrs. Stan stated that everything is in writing and she will get a copy to the members. Mrs. Stan stated that she would like to see the Gulf Coast Skimmers come under Parks and Recreation uniformity as a Parks and Recreation program. Mr. Mueller commented that the Parks and Recreation Department should run the facility and not the Gulf Coast Skimmers, making their own rules and decisions. A formal investigation will be conducted by the Parks and Recreation Department staff. h. Handicap Tennis Court - Mr. Hasse stated that it was 4 brought to his attention by a handicap citizen whether the Parks Department would consider building a tennis court for handicap individuals. VIII. Adjournment 4 1 Meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m. Motion by Max A. Hasse. • Seconded by Gayle Stan. Passed 6 to 0. 7