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PARAB Minutes 01/28/1998 PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD January 28, 1998 Minutes Agriculture& Cooperative Extension Services 14700 Immokalee,Naples,Florida PRESENT: Joseph Zaks, Chairman Daphnie Bercher,Vice Chair Gil Mueller Timothy Blackford John Grice ABSENT: Billie Cheney (Resigned) Elaine Wicks (Resigned) Gary Franco,Parks Superintendent ALSO PRESENT: Marla Ramsey,Director Murdo Smith,Recreation Manager Jacquie Hart, Secretary II John Dunnuck, Operations Coordinator Denise Blanton, CED Director Darrell Caple, Green Heron Landscape Bob Lyndabury,Master Gardener Tom Poter, Master Gardner Bill Dietrich, Master Gardner Bob Petersen, Urban Horticultural John Veit,Parks and Recreation Elizabeth M. Glennon, Commercial Horticulture Jan R. Bennett I. CALL TO ORDER: the meeting was call to order at 2:15 p.m. ii. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG III. INVOCATION: by John Grice Iv. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: November 19, 1997 meeting. Motion by Joseph Zaks to approved November 19, 1997. Seconded by Gil Mueller. Passed 5/0. v. AWARD PRESENTATION: Dawn Dodge and John Veit was awarded the Attitude Award. Mr. Mueller commented that he worked with John Veit for about nine (9%) years and John has always been responsive to the maintenance problem at ® `ir Marco. Mr. Veit always acted instantly and was very eager to help. He did a great job. VI. INTRODUCTION: Chairman Blackford welcomed and introduced Mr. John Grice who is the new Parks and Recreation Advisory Board member. VII. NEW BUSINESS/PRESENTATIONS a. Agriculture Garden Presentation - Ms. Denise Blanton introduced herself and stated that the Department of Agriculture is part of Public Services along with Parks and Recreation. The Agriculture Department is well known to others as 4H Horticultural Learning Center. Mr. Tom Porter, a Master Gardener for 11 years with the Extension Services; made a slide presentation showing the various site for the proposed gardening model showcase. Mr. Porter stated that there are approximately 22 acres of land and a 3 acre pond at the Agriculture and Extension property. The Department of Agriculture would like to plant specific gardens to show how native Florida plants grow in typical environment. These gardens will be helpful when educating the public. Often times, the public asks the Department for ideas concerning landscaping at their home. The gardens would offer a visualized concept of their inquiries. The idea was to create an agriculture learning center. Unfortunately funds ran out. The department has been working for the last few years trying to accomplish the funding for this project primarily by generating some interest in the public. Mr. Porter stated that he hopes there could be a joint partnership between Parks and Recreation and the Agriculture and Cooperative Extension to develop this county wide agricultural park. Mr. Porter stated that the funding is needed for the infrastructure of the gardens. Parks and Recreation Department are involved in these partnership elsewhere. The concept is not new. Other counties are using the idea (pamphlet from Lake County were shown as joint venture). Darrell Caple of Green Heron Landscape discussed the budget for each gardens. For example the cost of xeriscape garden is: planting, $14,000; paths, $3,000; Irrigation, $1,000; and Trellis, $5,000. There are 10 proposed gardens and a learning pavilion. Each Landscape Architect 2 would have an opportunity to display their design for the individual gardens showcase. The cost for a Learning Pavilion was approximately $90,000 for 900 square feet. Mr. Caple stated that the individual gardens could be done in phases. The first phase would cost approximately $38,000. Some concerns were raised as to what type of soil will be used for the gardening. Mr. Caple stated that grade A top soil will not be used for this project because they want to simulate a regular landscape setting similar to someone's home. Ms. Blanton stated that there has been some donation; however the venture would make a great partnership between Parks and Recreation and Agriculture Department. Mr. Blackford inquired what is it that the Department of Agriculture is looking for from the Parks and Recreation Department. Ms. Blanton stated that whether the Parks and Recreation Department would like to be partners or if this would be a parks project that the Parks and Recreation Department would be interested in. Ms. Blanton is requesting that the Parks and Recreation Department assist with the cost of $38,000 for the installation. The Department of Agriculture would be able to come up with 20% of the cost through donations and is requesting that the Parks and Recreation come up with 80%. Mr. Mueller suggested that Ms. Blanton contact local community organizations who are willing to donate to a project of this sort. Mr. Mueller stated that the project is a good idea but the Parks and Recreation Department is constantly supporting organizations or individuals that proposed for playground equipment and ect. Mr. Mueller stated that there are foundations that are willing to contribute to this kind of project and why not approach them. 3 Mr. Mueller complimented the Agriculture Department for a job well done because he always calls with garden questions and the department have been very helpful. Mr. Blackford stated that the project is too costly and the information presented is lacking in terms of what money could possibly be donated; and what kind of revenue would be generated. Mr. Blackford stated that the Parks and Recreation Department has trouble getting more baseball fields and kids are standing there with no place to play. Mr. Blackford thinks the project is a good idea but not knowing what the demand is for this type of facility the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board could not vote. A suggestion was made to the Agriculture Department to get the project started and see what kind of interest or community involvement would be there. Mr. Zaks inquired as to what fund did the Agriculture budget come from and whether if the department was getting Impact Fees. Ms. Ramsey stated that the Agriculture Department works on a very tight budget and there money comes from the Collier County general funds. Mr. Mueller suggested that the project would have a lot of potential if the Agriculture Department would set the garden were citizens could pay for a garden and put a plaque or something to say who the garden is donated by. Ms. Bercher suggested that the project be broken down into phases showing the cost. No motions were made. A request was made that Agriculture Department make another presentation. b. PARAB Officers Election - Motion by Gill Mueller to elect Mr. Joseph Zaks as Chairman. Seconded by Tim Blackford. Passed unanimously. Motion by Tim Blackford to elect Daphne Bercher as Vice Chairperson. Seconded by John Grice. Passed unanimously. 4 c. Letter of Resignation - Ms. Elaine Wicks submitted a letter of resignation from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Also Ms. Billie Cheney submitted a letter of resignation to Sue Filson. Questions were raised as to what determined the district in order for an individual to apply or served for PARAB position. Ms. Ramsey will research. Ms. Ramsey stated that according to the ordinance it says Community Park District. VIII. REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION/SPECIFIC UPDATE ITEM d. Beach and Water Ordinance 89-11 Mr. Blackford stated that at the last meeting which no quorum present he had discussed that the verbiage in Ordinance 89-11 be amended. Ms. Ramsey stated that she had a meeting and the County Attorney Office is in agreement with that the ordinance 89-11 needs to be amended. Ms. Ramsey stated that she could not submit and RLS for the ordinance to be amended until she is directed by the Board of County Commissioners A discussion took place stating that there was a situation were a gentlemen was able to obtain a vendor's permit. The gentlemen got permission from the hotel to utilized their access through their property (even though there were other vendors with permits); in front of the hotels on the beach. To put up a chickee hut; to get around having a physical site with which to operate. Mr. Blackford stated that the language in the ordinance was changed once already to make it restrictive but in fact it made it less restrictive. Ms. Ramsey stated that actually it did make it restrictive except that a North and South boundary is missing in the ordinance. If there was a North and South boundary there; the easement which the hotel owns goes to a 1 1/2 foot to a 4 foot wide easement which would have limited the vendor to a 1 '/2 foot segment of the beach. Mr. Mueller stated that the easement is not commercial and it is a private easement which should have never been used for commercial purposes. 5 C Mr. Blackford stated that the intent of the ordinance was to limit the number of permits that are issued and it is not doing it. Mr. Mueller stated that the enforcement was done by an individual who lived on the beach. Ms. Ramsey stated that the Rangers had requested state permit, building permit, deeds, easement permission thinking that the gentlemen would not meet the requirement but he managed to go through all of the loops. Mr. Mueller stated the he had spent over a month trying to resolve this issue. Mr. Mueller read an article stating " A permitting of a vendor on Marco beach has cause a considerable concern in the City of Marco and in the County government. A badly written ordinance full of loop holes has allowed a permit to be issued to a vendor not on the beach. The potential expansion of numerous jet skis ecetra that could be establish is mind • boggling. Only that this permit was issued by a park ranger and park rangers are not authorized to issue beach permits according to ordinance #96-573. We became a City on August 28, 1997 and the permit was issued on December 10`h, 1997. Marco City must issue its own permits in its own City. I have spoken to the County Attorney David Weigel and his Assistant Attorney is in the process of tightening the ordinance and also the temporary Marco City Attorney Mr. Cuyler is developing a beach ordinance for Marco to take over control of their own city beaches and permitting. Whatever is being discuss right now is not going to pertain to Marco Island." Mr. Blackford inquired whether if the City of Marco is taking over the Tigertail Beach. Mr. Mueller stated that 'no' the County will continue to own the Tigertail beach but the City will run the other beaches. The County will not have any control of the other beaches on Marco. Chairman Zaks stated that he would like to see that the ordinance has concise control. Ms. Ramsey stated that Ordinance 89-11 deals with a number of issues not only vendors and jet skis. Mr. Mueller inquired should the Park Rangers have the authority to issue vendors permits and control to enforce the ordinance or should a higher authority have responsibly. Mr. Mueller also stated that the Rangers does not have the power in the ordinance to enforce it. 6 Ms. Ramsey stated that once a vehicle goes into the water it is no longer a park ranger responsibly. The vendor is a land base operation and the rangers make sure that they are in compliance with all the regulations. Chairman Zaks requested that the Rangers submitted a report of their activities when visiting the vendors for the next month meeting and Mr. Mueller could bring some statement from people. Motion by Tim Blackford to recommend to the Board of County Commissioners to have the County Attorney tighten the ordinance 89-11. Seconded by Gill Mueller. Passed 5/0 e. Track K - Mr. Mueller inquired as to what has happen to the Track K property. f. Ms. Ramsey updated Mr. Mueller stating that the Parks and Recreation has nothing to do with Track K because it is not in the parks inventory and that the property belongs to the School Board. g. Beach Parking Fees Update - Ms Ramsey stated that the idea has not been supported. h. YMCA - Mr. Mueller stated that they have a new director and they are doing well for now. IX. Monthly Report a. A brief discussion took place regarding the November and December monthly reports. b. FYI - Chairman Zaks stated that the F.Y.I. did not reflect the event he had at Immokalee which was a success. c. Snowfest - Mr. Blackford complimented the department on a job well done but there were limited amount of food vendors Mr. Smith stated that the vendors were limited because the vendors complained about not making enough money and plus they pay a vendors fee of$250.00. 7 d. Adopt-A-Park Report - A few changes were made with the park adoption. Tim Blackford will adopt Vineyard and Clam Pass Park. Mr. Joseph Zaks will adopt Cocohatchee and Lely Barefoot Beach; and Mr. John Grice will adopt Sugden and East Naples Community Park. Mr. Grice requested a correction be made to the adoption report the date is showing 5/27/97, but should read 5/27/98. Mr. Zaks stated the Veterans Community Park is doing great but requests that the Parks Recreation Department have the sheriff department visit the facility more often. Mr. Zaks stated that he has seen suspicious individuals hanging around the park and they do not appear to come there for the enjoyment. Ms. Ramsey stated that she has a meeting with the Sheriff Department to discuss some issues. Mr. Blackford had a concerned citizen contact him regarding the use of the soccer field he wondered if the fields are reserved. Ms. Ramsey stated that the fields are reserved for groups or individuals. e. PARAB Meeting Schedule - The next meeting will be held at the Veterans Community Park, Naples, Florida, February 25, 1998, at 2:00 p.m.. VIII.ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 4:30 P.M.. Motion by Joseph Zaks to adjourn. Seconded by Daphnie Bercher. Passed 5/0. 8