Loading...
PARAB Minutes 03/26/1997 NA* PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD March 26, 1997 Minutes Golden Gate Community Center 4701 Golden Gate Parkway,Naples,Florida PRESENT: Timothy Blackford,Chairman Elaine Wicks,Vice Chair Gayle L. Stan Gil Mueller Joseph Zaks Max A.Hasse,Jr. Billie Cheney ABSENT: ALSO PRESENT: Marla Ramsey,Director Skip Camp,Acting Director Murdo Smith,Recreation Manager Gary Franco,Parks Superintendent Jacquie Hart,Secretary II Steve Peffers,Recreation Supervisor Commissioner Timothy Constantine Dale Schwegel 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: February 26, 1997 meeting. Correction to the minutes: Cyndy is spelled incorrectly the correct name and place of work should read Cindy Hackney,Everglades Echo. Motion by Joseph Zaks to approve February 26, 1997, minutes. Seconded by Max A.Hasse. Passed 7/0. Chairman Blackford welcomed Immokalee Representative Ms.Billie Cheney on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Mr. Mueller stated that PARAB explored all options to obtain representation from the Immokalee area. However,he was looking forward to seeing a black applicant to apply for the Immokalee district, but the only person to apply was a Caucasian. V. NEW BUSINESS/PRESENTATIONS 1 a. Golden Gate Neighborhood Park - Commissioner Constantine made a presentation regarding a parcel of land which is available and will be auctioned by Avatar. The lot #179 is located at the NW corner of Golden Gate City. Lot #179 is being auctioned for approximately $40,000. Commissioner Constantine stated that the 5 acres of land would make a beautiful neighborhood park. Commissioner Constantine requests that PARAB explore the idea of another Neighborhood Park. Commissioner Constantine stated that he is aware that the Parks and Recreation Department is getting away from building neighborhood parks and now is concentrating on regional parks. PARAB suggested to Commissioner Constantine to inquire whether Avatar would be interested in donating the 5 acre tract of land. Mr. Mueller stated that he always liked the idea of having a neighborhood park because children around the surroundings would not have to ride their bicycle a distance. Funding for the property and neighborhood park will be provided by taxing districts, donations, and housing associations as funding sources. Mr. Zaks brought up the fact that at last month's meeting a proposal for a park at the Lee Cypress area was presented by Deputy Thomson. PARAB suggested that Deputy Thomson do something like the Naples Manor Tot Lot. The Firefighters and the East Naples Civic Association did fund raising and built the Tot Lot they donated it to the County. A question was raised as to why a passive park needs lighting. Mr. Franco explained that the lighting would light the perimeters of the park and would provide security for the citizens. Motion by Gil Mueller that PARAB request that Commissioner Constantine approach Avatar and discuss the possibility of their flexibility on the price. Commissioner Constantine would also inquire whether Avatar is willing to donate the property. The property is to be added to the Parks and Recreation inventory but the actual expense for development is subject to authorization by PARAB and by the Board of County Commissioners. Seconded by Joe Zaks. Passed 7/0. b. Lee Cypress Tour- Chairman Blackford briefly discussed that he was surprised to see that the church was full with people waiting for their(Elaine Wicks, Gayle Stan, Murdo Smith, and Marla Ramsey) arrival. Chairman Blackford stated that they spoke to the community and they were very passionate about their desire for a park. Chairman Blackford, Elaine, Gayle, Murdo, and Marla took a look at the site. The community got the land donated for one site and the group looked at the surrounding sites that may be available. Ms. Ramsey stated that an appraisal was done for two parcels of land in order to do a title search. The appraisal is given to the company that does the title search. An answer will be provided in a couple of weeks as to who officially owns the 2 Q other two parcels of land next to the donated site. One site is owned by Cypress Water and Sewer Corporation. Ms. Ramsey stated that the Department has received a first draft of a lease for the quarter acre plot. The community would contribute by clearing the land, fill the land, and the community would maintain the facility after Parks and Recreation did the improvements. There is not enough information to make a motion so the Lee Cypress subject will be tabled until next month's meeting. c. Frisbee Disc Golf- Mr. Schwegel distributed a packet with some updated information on Frisbee Disc Golf. Mr. Schwegel also inquired whether the Parks and Recreation Department has any land or open space available for a Frisbee Disc Golf Course. Mr. Schwegel stated that the Disc Golf course located in Bonita Springs on West Terry Street was at no cost to the Lee County Parks and Recreation Department. The Frisbee Disc Golf Association received donations from 25 different local businesses, the YMCA, and the Rotary Club. The sport is for anyone who is interested in participating including families. Motioned by Elaine Wicks that Parks and Recreation look into East Naples Community Park around the lake to see if there is some space available. Also, look into the South Naples Park to see in what stage the Master Plan is in to accommodate the Frisbee Disc Golf project. Seconded by Joseph Zaks.Passed 7/0. VI. Updates a. Monthly Report (February) - The monthly report for February 1997 prompted several questions of clarification. Steve Peffers, Recreation Supervisor West was on hand to field questions. Mr. Peffers was asked why some parks reported high numbers of facility users with few user hours and smaller revenue while some reported less users but more user hours and more revenue. Discussion also include car counters and whether they reported accurate figures. The response from Mr. Peffers was that car counters are periodically tested for accuracy and sent out as needed for repair. Parks are all used differently by the public and that results in inconsistent numbers from Park to Park. Mr. Peffers was asked to research Monthly reports and be available to address the issue further at the next meeting. Mr. Zaks inquired why the bulleted items on the monthly report were still showing when he specifically requested that they be removed since there was no change in these items every month. The bulleted items are there for Parks and Recreation information and Barbara Johnson would like for them to remain on the report. Mr. Zaks would like to have a memo explaining why the bulleted items are still there. b. Everglades McCloud Park-No discussion 3 C c. Frank Mackle Community Park-the renovation involving the divider and the extra storage space will begin mid April. d. Collier County Racquet Center - Mr. Mueller stated that the contractors put the clay on two courts, all the fencing is done and the ground have some PVC pipes for two more courts. Number 5, which has been resurfaced, does not have any gravel or clay. e. Aeronautic Model Club - Ms. Ramsey stated that a three month extension was granted for the same lease, as is. f. Parks Adoption Report - Mr. Zaks visited Cocohatchee River Park and normally it is in good condition but the playground equipment is very moldy. The Pelican Bay playground equipment also need some cleaning. Mr. Zaks requested that the Parks and Recreation Department install an additional outlet for the scoreboard at East Naples Community Park. Mr. Mueller stated that at Tigertail Beach the parking lot gets filled and recommended to Parks and Recreation Department to have a ranger direct traffic. A suggestion was made that the list needs to be modified for the parks adoption report because its confusing as to when a report was done. g. Bluebill Property Update-No discussion h. Sugden Regional Park Update - Ms. Ramsey stated that the Department has looked into landscaping the entrance area. i. PARAB Meeting Schedule - Next meeting is scheduled on April 23, 1997, at Immokalee Community Park. VII. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 4:20 P.M.. Motion by Elaine Wicks to adjourn. Seconded by Max A.Hasse Jr.. 4