PARAB Minutes 02/25/1998 PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
February 25, 1998 Minutes
Veterans Community Park
1900 Immokalee Road,Naples, Florida
PRESENT: Joseph Zaks, Chairperson
Daphnie Bercher,Vice Chairperson
Gil Mueller
Timothy Blackford
John Grice
ABSENT:
ALSO PRESENT: Marla Ramsey, Director
Murdo Smith, Recreation Manager
Gary Franco, Parks Superintendent
John Dunnuck, Operations Coordinator
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 Jacquie Hart
Iv. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 28, 1998 meeting.
v. Correction & Amendment to the Minutes: Chairman Zaks had
inquired if the status of the YMCA was relative to their request to the Parks
and Recreation Department regarding joint programs and funding.
Mr. Mueller stated that the YMCA is doing well.
Motion by John Grice to approved January 28, 1998 minutes as
amended. Seconded by Tim Blackford. Passed 5/0.
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Members District:
Question was raised as to what determined the district in order for an
individual to apply or serve on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
Ms. Ramsey did some research and distributed a map showing that the district
area is determined by Impact Fees or Community Park Districts and not by
County Commission District.
1
Vi. AWARD PRESENTATION: Chairman Zaks presented Cindy Rimes with
an Attitude Award. Ms. Rimes works at the Immokalee Sports Complex as a
Community Center Aide and helps out at the Fitness Center or wherever she
is needed.
VII. INTRODUCTION:
VIII. NEW BUSINESS/PRESENTATIONS
a. Summer Camp Food Grant - Mr. Thomas, Athletic Supervisor
discussed the Executive Summary which is being submitted to the Board
of County Commission for approval.
Collier County's Summer Youth Food Program serves children lunches
for 9 weeks during summer camp program. This year the food program
will serve breakfast, lunch, and snacks. Last year there were 15 sites.
This year there will 18 sites. In order for these sites to qualify, the School
Board did a survey and determined which schools were located in a low
income bracket.
The State reimburses the Parks and Recreation Department 100%.
b. Naples Roller Hockey - Mr. Thomas stated that the Naples Roller
Hockey Association has made a verbal request to the Parks and Recreation
Department to display sponsor banners at the Roller Rink. The Naples
Roller Hockey Association was asked to submit the request in writing.
VIII. REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION/SPECIFIC UPDATE ITEM
c. Sugden Regional Park Update - The County is acting as the
general contractor on the job. The sub contractor for the site is Bonness;
park pavilions is High Point Construction; landscaping and irrigation is
Turner Tree; site electrical is Mid Continent, and fencing is Carter Fence.
The site developments are as follows:
• The site development contractor is 90% complete.
• The contractor is currently working on the beach and sidewalks.
• The irrigation is about 50%complete.
• Landscaping is starting today or sometime this week.
• Florida Power and Light is finished with their portion.
• The park pavilions are about 75% complete.
2
rap
• Picnic pavilions are 10% complete.
• The pump house is 15% complete.
• The site electrical is 50% complete.
• The docks, signage, and the main gate are in the fifth stage.
• The playground equipment is awarded to Game Time and Contract
Connection.
• The project opening date is June 5, 1998.
Ms. Ramsey stated that fishing will be allowed. An individual could
catch a fish and then release it.
All docks and picnic tables will be installed with recycled plastic. There
will be one floating dock. At the dock boats and water bikes can be
rented.
The facility will not be open during the Gulf Coast Skimmers show or
practice. Ms. Ramsey stated that a wrecked ship play apparatus will be
installed on the beach for children to play on. The playground area will
have the traditional playground equipment.
The Ranger station is enhanced by brick pavers in front of the building
and bathrooms. A price is being negotiated for walkway lights.
Chairman Zaks stated that he does not recall staff giving a verbal report
recently about the development of Sugden Regional Park. It would be
very helpful if the department would show the playground design so that
the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board could be involved.
Chairman Zaks also commented on the agenda being light. The footage
included on B14 (Parks Section: Developed conceptual landscaping
improvements for parks; Completed conceptual floor plan for dock
master building at Caxambas) should actually be discussed at the meeting
or be on the agenda.
Ms. Ramsey stated that the agenda has been discussed with staff and
more meaningful subjects will be submitted for discussion.
b. Draft Letter sent to the State relating to Sand Dollar
Island: Mr. Franco stated that he sent a letter to the State regarding
what the State is doing about the signage for Sand Dollar Island. Marge
Miller of Tallahassee responded to Mr. Franco's letter but the department
is waiting for a response from the State Field Office.
3
imossonommommimm
o
Ms. Ramsey stated that the response letter states that they will schedule a
meeting with the Parks and Recreation Department staff to discuss some
changes. The Sand Dollar Island is State land. The Parks and Recreation
Department did install additional signage but the department wanted the
State to be aware of the concerns and to take some of the burden.
Mr. Mueller stated that he hopes that the department does not go
overboard with the signs because it is beginning to look like sign city.
Mr. Mueller stated that it looks tacky with 6 signs and hopes that
something could be done. Mr. Mueller stated that he personally does not
think that the department can protect everybody from everything.
c. Max Hasse Jr. Community Park Basketball Court - Mr.
Franco stated that the basketball court pavilion project at Max Hasse Jr.
Community Park is on schedule. The project cost is $119,490.00. The
certificate of occupancy is scheduled to be issued June 10, 1998 and final
completion is schedule for June 25, 1998. The building is a pre-
fabricated steel structure which is on order and will be delivered some
time in March. The pavilion will be identical to Frank Mackle Jr.
Community Park basketball pavilion. This pavilion will also aid the
summer camp program.
d. Beach & Water Ordinance - An executive summary went before
the Board of County Commissioners recommending that the County
Attorney look at changing the Beach and Water Ordinance. Ms Ramsey
stated that the Executive Summary went before the Board of County
Commissioners and will be forwarded to the County Attorney's Office.
e. Proposal For a Neighborhood Park at East Naples - Ms.
Ramsey stated that an individual would like to donate a parcel of land to
the Parks and Recreation Department located off Bayshore. There is an
MSTU that is being formed to beautify the medians in that area. Ms.
Ramsey was asked to looked at the property and give a cost estimate to
improve the park site. This proposal would be submitted to the Board of
County Commissioners who would then send it to the MSTU for review.
The MSTU would then discuss if they want to add this proposal to the
beautification district.
f. South Community Park Update - The contract for design was
awarded to Wilson, Miller, Barton, and Peek. The Department is now
scheduling a meeting for the design process. The opening date for South
Community Park is scheduled sometime next year.
4
C
g. Shaded Structures - Mr. Dunnuck stated that there was $200,000
dollars budgeted for shade structures and the executive summary is going
before the Board awarding the contract to Varian Construction.
There will be 2 shelters at the Veterans Community Park, 2 at Vineyards
Community Park and 1 at Golden Gate Community Park. The total cost
came to $176,000 dollars. The completion time will be 100 days.
h. Safety Update at Bayveiw - Ms. Ramsey stated that there were
concerns raised at the last meeting regarding safety issues at Bayview.
Mr. Franco and Ms. Ramsey met with Captain Dennis Huff to discuss
safety issues at the park. Captain Huff recommends that the Parks and
Recreation Department gate the rear parking area, add more lighting at
the entrance and around the pathways.
i. East Naples Skate Park Update - The skate park currently has 620
members. Eight thousand skaters visited the park within the last 4
months. Visitors both state and country wide are visiting the skate park.
There have also been many patrons from other countries visiting the park.
A copy of the skaters event schedule was distributed.
Mr. Grice made an observation that the skate park has not been open on
time. Mr. Grice visited the Skate Park and stated it was 30 minutes late
opening.
Ms. Ramsey will look into the matter.
IX. Monthly Report
a. January's Monthly Report - Mr. Blackford asked if there were a
reason for a decrease in revenue at North Gulfshore Access. Staff stated
that January was just a bad month but last year the revenues were good
in January. Mr. Franco stated that there are no problems with the
meters. Mr. Franco stated that February, March and April are the big
months for revenues.
b. Adopt-A-Park Report: Mr. Smith stated that new dugouts at Tony
Rosbaugh Park are being installed. Some students from the University
of Michigan have been donating their time and services to Immokalee
Park. The Immokalee practice baseball field is 99% complete.
5
C
c. PARAB Meeting Schedule - The next meeting will be held at the
Lely Barefoot Beach Preserve, Bonita Beach Road, Florida, March 25,
1998, at 2:00 p.m. at the Visitors Learning Center.
VIII.ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Daphnie Bercher to adjourn. Seconded by Tim
Blackford. Passed 5/0. Meeting adjourned at 3:40 P.M..
6