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PARAB Minutes 11/27/1996 AM PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES November 27, 1996 Golden Gate Community Park 3300 Santa Barbara Boulevard, Naples, Florida PRESENT: Joseph Zaks, Chairman Gil Mueller Max A. Hasse, Jr. Gayle L. Stan Timothy Blackford, Vice Chairman Elaine Wicks ABSENT: ALSO PRESENT: Skip Camp, Acting Director, Department of Parks & Recreation Murdo Smith, Operations Manager Gary Franco, Parks Superintendent Jacquie Hart, Secretary II 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 A. Hasse, Jr. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: October 23, 1996 meeting. Correction to minutes of October 23: On page 8, paragraph 6 Christine is spelled incorrectly; correct spelling should read Kristine. Motion by Gil Mueller seconded by Max Hasse. Passed 6/0. V. NEW BUSINESS/PRESENTATIONS a. Marco YMCA Pool - A discussion took place regarding the Marco YMCA Pool. The Marco YMCA is requesting $70,000 from the County to help with the expenses of maintaining the operation of their pool. The County staff met with the Marco YMCA to inquire what will be given in return for the $70,000. A number of ideas were suggested in terms of programs but some things were off limits to the County such as the fitness center, the gym however, was semi negotiable. Mr. Camp stated that the County would have access to use the pool during certain times. 1 AMMMW Chairman Zaks stated that there are no substance to the proposal. Mr. Mueller stated that the Marco YMCA did come before PARAB some time ago and he had strongly advised against the proposal. Mr. Mueller also stated that one of the reason is that the Marco YMCA Board has a turnover which is unbelievable. Mr. Blackford stated that the proposal is not specific enough for him to support at this time. Motion by Tim Blackford that PARAB require very specific information on how and when County residents would be able to use the pool and at what charge before PARAB can consider the proposal. Seconded by Max A. Hasse Jr. Passed 6/0. b. Beach and Water Ordinance - a brief discussion took place regarding amending the Beach and Water Ordinance #89-11. Chairman Zaks stated that paragraph 6b of Ordinance #89-11 is to vague. No suggestion were made. Motion by Tim Blackford to recommend that the Board of County Commission adopt the Ordinance #89-11. Seconded by Gayle Stan. Passed 6/0. c. Capital Projects Update - Mr. Camp stated that he would provide PARAB in January, 1997 an update on a month to month basis on Capital Projects. Mr. Camp updated PARAB with reference to the Florida Community Trust Grant P2000. A letter was received stating the grant status. The grant was based on a point system and the Departments ranking was discussed. A meeting was held with the Parks and Recreation Department Consultant to review grant and the points given to the department. The Department is submitting additional information to hopefully gain 7 additional points. Mr. Camp stated that an RFP for a Grant Writer was proposed a year ago. He did research regarding the Grant Writer and found that the proposal included $267,000 to write a single grant. Mr. Camp stated that he found a person who would write an average grant for approximately $3,000. Mr. Camp stated that the Parks and Recreation Department is going before BCC to reject the Grant Writer RFP (Stan Hemphill) . VI. REQUEST FOR SPECIFIC REPORTS/UPDATES 2 i a. Immokalee Community Center Landscaping Update - Mr. Camp stated that he visited all the Park sites when he first started with the Parks and Recreation Department. The Pelican Bay Community Park had approximately $3,000 worth of sod damage. Mr. Camp stated that he held a meeting with the Department staff and told the staff to take ownership of the facility even if it's not part of their duty. In Immokalee the sprinkler system was not working and the grass was dead. Mr. Camp stated that the department have taken care of the problems and some improvements has been made. Mr. Mueller stated that the Parks and Recreation Department's budget has been cut and the department can only do so much. Mr. Mueller stated that Marco Island facilities look great. Mr. Camp stated that he realized that the Maintenance Department maintain several neighborhood parks which are just mow and go jobs. Mr. Camp is suggesting that these neighborhood parks be contracted to private firms and use the maintenance crews to do high profile community parks. b. Bluebill Property - Mr. Mueller stated that he read in the newspaper that the Bluebill property might be developed into a parking lot. Mr. Mueller is inquiring an update regarding the Bluebill property. Mr. Camp commented that from his understanding Wiggins Pass State Park may have a concern regarding parking at the Bluebill Property. c. Beach Parking Program Report - Mr. Mueller stated that he has some concerns regarding the letter addressed to Mr. Neil Dorrill by Mr. 011iff. Chairman Zaks suggested that Mr. Mueller write a letter to Mr. Tom 011iff regarding that issue. d. News Paper Article Re: Gary Franco - Mr. Blackford read a letter to the editor of the Naples Daily News into the record regarding a boyscout planting and watering landscape material at the Aaron Lutz Park. Attached in the letter to the editor. Mr. Hasse suggested that the Parks Department send a letter out to the youngman. 3 411 e. Dogs in the Park/Leash Law - Mr. Camp stated that a correction to the letter needs to be made, staff did check other Parks Departments regarding whether if dogs are allowed in the parks. Mr. Franco stated that the Park in Orlando does allow dogs in the park. A Park in Sarasota that is a Beach Park allows dog in the park. Mr. Mueller stated that he respects Ms. Armstrong's request, however he sees a problem with this issue. Mr. Blackford stated that his concern is for the safety of the people in the park. The parks are for the community and the people deserve to feel safe. Ms. Wicks inquired if a dog were to bite someone in the park, who would be held liable? Mr. Camp stated that since the park is County property the County will be held liable. PARAB suggested staff to invite Ms. Armstrong to the December 18, 1996 meeting and at that time a recommendation will be made. f. Sugden Regional Park Update - Mr. Camp stated that a meeting was held with residents of the community. Approximately 25 people attended. Staff listened to their concerns and Mr. Camp will address them within 10 days. Mr. Camp will check with all staff to get accurate information, and will forward this information to the community after the Thanksgiving weekend. Mr. Camp stated that he will also forward a copy to PARAB. g. Marco Tennis Fees - Mr. Smith wrote a letter for Mr. Mueller signature thanking Ms. Rehati for her presentation to PARAB. VII. UPDATE/REPORT a. Parks Adoption Report - Mr. Hasse visited Max Hasse Jr. , Community Park and the park is in excellent shape. The main entrance toilet did not have any paper towels. Mr. Hasse requested that something be done regarding the soil getting in the playground area. Golden Gate Community Center is doing good. John Dunnuck just got an approval from BCC to install a playground. 4 Mrs. Stan stated that Ms. Elaine Ritchie called the Golden Gate Gazette and requested that a pay phone be install at the Max A. Hasse Jr. , Community Park. Gayle Stan stated that Cocohatchee River Park landscaping is completed and Barefoot Beach is in good condition at this time. b. Snowfest - Snowfest will be held December 7, 1996. VIP passes and Snowfest T-shirt were handed out. c. PARAB meeting Schedule - PARAB decided to have a meeting on December 18, 1996. Next meeting will be held at the Golden Gate Community Park Administration office. d. PARAB Vacant Position - Chairman Zaks inquired whether any advertising has been done regarding the PARAB Immokalee representative. Mr. Camp stated that the Department will do whatever it takes to get the issue resolve. Mr. Mueller stated that on November 19, the Board of County Commission gave their final seal of approval to the Marco Island Tennis Court construction. The contract has been awarded. e. Cocohatchee River Park Concession - Mr. Camp reported that a relative of one of the associates that was removed drove through the front of the concession stand. The person was charged with a number of violations and is now in jail. There is extensive damage to the building. f. Mr. Mueller reported that the concessionaire at Tigertail Beach is still not issuing receipts. g. October Monthly Report - Mr. Blackford inquired why the beach visitor number is down this year. Mr. Franco stated that Tigertail and Barefoot Beach were the only two beaches that were in operation last year at this time in regard to collection of fees. Mr. Mueller inquired if there is any reason why the citations prior to July were not included in the report. VIII. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 4:10 p.m. Motion by Max A. Hasse. Seconded by Timothy Blackford. Passed 6/0. 5