PARAB Minutes 08/27/1997 •
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
August 27, 1997
Minutes
Cocohatchee River Park
Vanderbilt Drive,Naples,Florida
PRESENT: Timothy Blackford,Chairman
Elaine Wicks,Vice Chair
Joseph Zaks
Gayle L. Stan
Gil Mueller
Billie Cheney
Daphne Bercher
ABSENT:
ALSO PRESENT: Marla Ramsey,Director
Murdo Smith,Recreation Manager
Gary Franco,Parks Superintendent
Jacquie Hart,Secretary II
John Dunnuck,Operations Coordinator
Jim Thomas,Athletic Supervisor
I. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 2:20 p.m.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
III. INVOCATION: by Jacquie Hart
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: July 30, 1997 meeting.
Motion by Joseph Zaks to approve July 30, 1997, minutes. Seconded by Gil
Mueller. Passed 7/0.
V. NEW BUSINESS/PRESENTATIONS
a. Attitude Award Presentation - Chairman Blackford presented an Attitude
Award to Joel Saez, Community Center Aide from the Immokalee Sports
Complex and Howard McFee, Special Project Supervisor. Chairman Blackford
read the plaque and then congratulated both employees for a job well done.
b. Collier County Summer Camp Food Program - Mr. Thomas stated that
the Parks and Recreation Department applied for a food grant and was accepted.
The Summer Camp Food Program ran from June 16, 1997 through August 15,
1997. The breakfast program ran for nine (9) weeks. Breakfast was served at
Bethune, Immokalee Middle School, Lake Trafford Elementary, and Pincreast;
a total of 16,668 breakfasts were served and the cost for breakfast is $20,835.
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Lunches were served from July 1, 1997 to August 8, 1997. The lunch program
ran late because the school opened on those dates for summer school. All the
lunches were hot meals and the school prepared them. A total of 63,200
lunches were served, which is a 10,000 increase from last year. The total cost
for reimbursement is $138,724 for lunches. Snack totaling 25,716, were
distributed with total cost reimbursement of$13,243.74. The grand total for
reimbursement of the Summer Camp Food Program is $172,802.74. This total
will pay for the operation of the Food Program.
Mr. Mueller commented on how great the Food Program is and it's one of the
best programs put forth by the Parks and Recreation Department.
c. Grant Application For South Naples Community Park- Mr. Dunnuck
stated that the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP)
grant application is similar to the one for Sugden Regional Park. The South
Naples Community Park will include a baseball field, nature walking trail ,and
bike path. The bike path will connect Naples Manor area to the park. The
grant is $100,000 matching fund.
A copy of the grant proposal was distributed and reviewed by the Parks and
Recreation Advisory Board members.
Motion by Chairman Tim Blackford that the Parks and Recreation
Advisory Board recommend approval to the Board of County
Commissioners. Seconded by Joseph Zaks. Passed 7/0.
d. PARAB New Member - Chairman Blackford welcomed Ms. Daphne
Bercher to PARAB.
e. Sugden Regional Park Policy - Ms. Ramsey stated that she did not receive
any feed back from PARAB members but she did make a few minor changes in
the park policy.
Ms. Ramsey stated that Mr. John Good (Boat Show Promoter) is interested in
doing a boat show at the Sugden Regional Park. The program which is
educational, consists of boat safety and dock safety. However, the policy has
not been presented to the Board of County Commission for approval. Ms.
Ramsey also stated that Mr. Good would have to come before PARAB members
for recommendation or approval of the project.
Mr. Zaks suggested that under the deposit policy the security deposit is not
sufficient (e.g. the International Fireworks went bankrupt). Mr. Zaks suggested
that all organization's security deposits should be determined on a case by case
basis and a minimum of$200.
Ms. Ramsey stated that Jaycees had approached the Parks and Recreation
Department regarding a 4th of July fireworks event. Ms. Ramsey stated that the
fireworks event is recreational and nature. The Parks and Recreation
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Department would like to be involved with that event. Ms. Ramsey stated that
she would contact the Philharmonic to do patriotic orchestra music prior to the
event.
Ms. Ramsey stated the Parks and Recreation Department would review vendors
list because the County does not want any beer or alcohol vendors. The policy
did address the period of time that the vendors list should be submitted.
There are no activities at the Sugden Regional Park. The Parks and Recreation
Department is waiting for the Southwest Florida Water Management permit,
Corporation of Engineers Permit, the return of the grant money ($207,000);
this has put the project on hold.
Motion by Elaine Wicks that PARAB recommend to the Board of
County Commissioners to accept the Sugden Park Policy including
the changes made with regard to the minimum of a $200 security
deposit. Seconded by Chairman Tim Blackford. Passed 7/0.
f. City/County Agreement Regarding Funding - Ms. Ramsey stated that
Don Wirth from the City of Naples called and asked if PARAB would be
interested in having an annual joint advisory board meeting.
Chairman Blackford stated that the County should create a policy for funding
the City's park projects. Chairman Blackford stated that he had requested from
staff to research whether County had funding for exiting parks; Fleischman,
Laudermilk, and Cambier. The County has never funded their parks in the past.
Chairman Blackford stated that he does not like the idea of the City requesting
that the County fund the parks, the City determines what's in the park, and the
City dictates to the County that County pays half.
Chairman Blackford stated that he could see the need to contribute to beach
access as the County benefits from these accesses. The County parks program
is similar to what the City has and the County is not benefiting from the City's
regular park system. Chairman Blackford stated that he will not support
funding for any City regular park project.
Ms. Wicks stated that she agrees with Chairman Blackford that if the City Parks
are not offering anything new or different, then why should the County fund
their projects.
Ms. Ramsey stated that the City uses the issuance of beach stickers and
determined that they issue 80%to county residents.
Ms. Stan recommends that a criteria should be set and if the City does not meet
those criteria then there is no need to fund the project.
Motion by Elaine Wicks that PARAB recommend to the Board of
County Commissioners that the Parks and Recreation Department
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charge a minimum handling fee of $5.00 for a beach sticker.
Seconded by Chairman Tim Blackford. Passed 7/0.
Mr. Zaks stated that PARAB had a joint meeting once with the City and the
second time the City Advisory Board stated that they were not interested and
canceled. Mr. Zaks stated that if the City Advisory Board is interested in
having a meeting then PARAB will meet with their board.
Ms. Ramsey inquired as to what PARAB would like to see on the Joint
Advisory Board meeting Agenda. No suggestions were made.
VI. REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION/SPECIFIC UPDATE ITEM
a. Pelican Bay Tennis Award - Mr. Mueller read a letter that Mr. Lewis
received stating that the Pelican Bay Tennis has received an award from the
U.S.T.A for having one of the best tennis facilities in Southwest Florida.
b. Dog Park Update- Ms. Ramsey stated that she received a response from the
Transportation Department and they asked that Ms. Ramsey consider monetary
funding.
Ms. Ramsey is looking into land donation for the Dog Park. The Dog Park cost
is estimated approximately $30,000 to $100,000, depending on whether the
land is donated and also what is included in the park.
VII.REPORTS & UPDATES
a. Monthly Report (June) - a brief discussion took place regarding the
monthly report.
b. Grand Opening of the Veterans Skateboard Park- a grand opening for
the Veterans Skateboard Park is scheduled for September 20, 1997.
c. Parks Brochure - The park brochure is at the printer and will be distributed
at next meeting.
d. Leisure Line Update- the Marco, Immokalee, and the Naples area has each
their own Leisure Line. PARAB commented on how the Leisure Line is easier
to read.
e. Copeland/Lee Cypress Park - Mr. Smith stated that he was under the
impression that the land was cleared, however it is not. The water tank is on
the property which is supposed to be vacant. The playground equipment is at
the church ground temporarily until a piece of land is obtained.
Mr. Mueller stated that his friend on Marco Island owned a piece of property
in the Copeland area and he is willing to donate.
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Ms. Ramsey will contact the gentleman regarding the land donation.
f. Adopt-A-Park Report - Ms. Cheney distributed a detailed report on the
Immokalee area. Each park supervisor at Immokalee gave a report regarding
programs and events held.
Ms. Bercher will adopt the Max Hasse Jr., Community Park, Golden Gate
Community Center, and the Golden Gate Community Park.
Mr. Mueller would like to commend Annie Pappalardo for doing a great job on
the report.
g. PARAB Meeting Schedule - the next meeting is scheduled at Immokalee
Administration Building on September 24, 1997 at 2:00 p.m. Mr. Mueller
stated that he will not be able to attend next month's meeting.
VIII.ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 4:30 P.M.. Motion by Elaine Wicks to adjourn.
Seconded Joseph Zaks. Passed 7/0.
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