PARAB Minutes 05/27/1998 eft
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
Mav 27, 1998 Minutes
Vineyards Community Park
6231 Arbor Boulevard West, Naples, Florida
PRESENT: Joseph Zaks, Chairperson
Daphnie Bercher, Vice Chairperson
Timothy Blackford
Gil Mueller
John Grice
Edward "Ski" Olesky
ABSENT:
ALSO PRESENT: Marla Ramsey, Director
Murdo Smith, Recreation Manager
Gary Franco,Parks Manager
John Dunnuck, Operations Coordinator
Jacquie Hart, Secretary II
Donald Wirth, Community Service Director, City Of Naples,
Terry Fedelem, City of Naples
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. INTRODUCTION: Chairman Zaks welcomed Mr. Edward "Ski" Olesky as
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Member for Immokalee.
v. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 22, 1998 meeting.
Motion by John Grice to approve April 22, 1998 minutes. Seconded by
Gil Mueller. Passed 6/0.
VI. AWARD PRESENTATION - Chairman Zaks presented Murdo Smith
and Barbara L. Johnson with the attitude award. Mr. Smith accepted
the award on behalf of Barbara Johnson.
VII. NEW BUSINESS/PRESENTATIONS
a. City of Naples Capital Improvements Proposal - Mr. Don
Wirth, Community Services Director of City of Naples, submitted a Joint
County/City of Naples Capital Improvement Proposal. The City is
proposing that $100,000 is needed to improve the following Beach
Accesses:
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1. 3rd Avenue North $ 2,000
2. 2n1 Avenue North $ 6,450
3. 1st Avenue South $ 2,600
4. 2"d Avenue South $ 2,600
5. 6th Avenue South $ 8,400
6. 7th Avenue South $ 5,600
7. 8th Avenue South $35,850
8. 9th Avenue South $ 1,450
9. 10th Avenue South $ 6,200
10. 11th Avenue South $ 2,100
11. Broad Avenue South $ 8,000
12. 13th Avenue South $ 8,500
13. 14th Avenue South $ 7,800
14. 33th Avenue South $ 7,450
$100,000
The City Manager met with the County Administrator and discussed the
proposal and an amount of$25,000 was penciled in the FY/99 budget to be
submitted for approval.
Mr. Olesky inquired if the City of Naples had presented the proposal to the
Tourist Development Council, and if not he suggest that the City do so.
Mr. Olesky stated that the Tourist Development is very interested in the
beaches so it would be a good idea to submit a proposal.
Mr. Mueller inquired whether the subject of submitting the City of Naples
Capital Improvements proposal to the Tourist Development Council came
about during the City Manager's meeting with the County Administrator.
Ms. Ramsey stated that the meeting was at a Capital Budget hearing so
that discussion was not appropriate at that time.
Ms. Ramsey stated that Mr. Wirth and Mr. Terry Fedelem were directed by
the Board of County Commissioners last year to present the proposal
before the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for recommendation.
The City of Naples is requesting that Collier County contribute $50,000,
which is half the cost to improve the Beach Access. The City will
contribute the other $50,000.
Mr. Grice inquired whether, if any, of the parking meter funds are set aside
for refurbishing.
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Mr. Fedelem stated that the parking meter funds are not used for
refurbishment, but for the daily maintenance of beach operations.
Mr. Mueller inquired if there is a report that breaks down the percentage of
what Ad Valorem tax dollars are contributed by the City of Naples.
Mr. Wirth stated that the City resident pay the same amount of Ad
Valorem tax dollars as county residents do and in addition they also pay
City tax.
Ms. Ramsey stated that there is no report that shows a breakdown.
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board discussed and analyzed the
packet and made the following motion.
Motion by Gil Mueller that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
recommend $25,000 for approval by the Board of County Commission
with the understanding that the City of Naples will submit a proposal
to the Tourist Development Council for the additional $50,000.
Seconded by Tim Blackford. Passed 6/0.
b. Landing Park Phase III - Mr. Fedelem stated that the Landing Park
is located on Naples Bay. Its primary objective is to provide boating access
to City and County residents. It is proposed that Collier County provide
partial funding for Phase III of the Landing Park Development in the City
of Naples. This proposal is consistent with concept that both City and
County residents will benefit from this park located on Naples Bay.
Phase I provided boat launching improvements and shore protection.
Phase II, which is currently under construction, will include sidewalks,
lighting, gazebos, landscaping and shore protection. County funding
support for Phases I and II totaled $160,000. Phase II will be completed
fall, 1998. City provided a total of$161,746 for Phase I and II.
In order to provide additional amenities to support previous improvements,
Phase III will include additional lighting, and improved additional parking,
gazebos, shore protection and landscaping. The City of Naples proposes
that funding for Phase III (1999) be a combination of City, County and
State funding sources, to be detailed as follows:
County $60,000
City $60,000
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State $50,000
Total Phase III $170,000
The development project will be completed with Phase IV in year 2000.
Phase IV will include a new park building to house restroom and storage
for the park and boating activities at the park. Landscaping and irrigation
will be completed.
The County Administrator has penciled in $60,000 in the budget for this
project.
Ms. Ramsey inquired if the project is an improvement or is it maintenance
repair.
Mr. Fedelem stated that its both. The City is adding parking space,
resurfacing, gazebos and landscaping.
Chairman Zaks inquired whether there was a breakdown of the items that
are being proposed for the Landing Park Phase III.
Mr. Blackford stated that if there was something unique about the park that
county facilities could not provide then he would consider funding the
project. Since there is park related services within that park; and he would
like to see some breakdown.
Mr. Wirth stated that he would get his office to fax a copy of the
breakdown.
Chairman Zaks requested that the City fax a copy of the breakdown before
the meeting is over.
Motion by Tim Blackford to recommend to the Board of County
Commission to approved $25,000 for the Landing Park project.
Seconded by Daphnie Bercher. Passed 6/0.
VIII. REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION/SPECIFIC UPDATE ITEM
a. Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Ordinance - The board
members requested at the last meeting that a copy of the ordinance creating
the board be included in the packet . The question was raised at the last
meeting whether the ordinance described their job function as a Parks and
Recreation Advisory Board member.
Ms. Ramsey stated that she reviewed the ordinance and her understanding
was that there is a fine line between operating and procedures verse policy
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and project recommendations to the Board of County Commission. Ms.
Ramsey stated that there is a lot of time spent discussing day to day
operating activities when more time should be spent on major projects
which needs to be addressed.
Mr. Mueller suggested that Parks and Recreation make a presentation or
write something spelling out what the boards function is.
Mr. Mueller stated that for an example he had quite of few residents of
Marco Island asking him what did he think about the Coast Guard building
at Caxambas. Mr. Mueller stated that he did not know anything about it.
Mr. Mueller stated that this is something that should have been brought to
the board. How could something like that not be brought to the board?
And why would they have this board if projects like that are not being
discussed or the board is not informed.
Ms. Ramsey stated that she would not disagree with that issue because
something like that should have been presented to the board; however,
directions from higher authorities is given to Parks and Recreation staff
that a project needs to get done and by the time the board meets its
already done.
b. BCC Recap - Mr. Blackford inquired whether there could be a brief
synopsis be submitted with the packet since the Parks and Recreation
Advisory Board makes recommendation to the Board of County
Commission. Mr. Blackford stated that he understands that the board
meets once a month and that impossible to bring everything before the
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. E.g. The Midnight basketball
would not be something the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board needs to
discuss.
Ms. Ramsey stated that every executive summary that goes before the
Board of County Commission is not always discussed on the agenda.
Sometimes, depending on part of the agenda ,the items get on approved
consent agenda. Ms. Ramsey also gave examples of items which were
discussed by PARAB and now went before the board.
c. Sunshine Laws - A copy of the Sunshine Law was included in the
packet. At the last meeting the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
members raised the questions as to whether PARAB could asked
interviewers to leave the meeting for an open discussion.
The County Attorney spoke to Parks staff and stated that if a person is
being interviewed for the Advisory Board position the board could asked
the person to leave but the individual could choose to stay in on the
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meeting. The Attorney's Office also when on to say that the Board of
County Commission interviews for the County Administration position and
asks the interviewees to leave the room before making a decision. Also, the
advisory board is not under the Robert Rules.
d. Letter from the Agriculture/Extension Services - The letter was
reviewed by the Board. Ms. Ramsey stated that the Parks and Recreation
Department did give the Agriculture Department 300 yards of fill which
cost $1,200.
Mr. Mueller stated that, as he recalled, the Parks and Recreation Advisory
Board made several good constructive suggestions to the
Agriculture/Extension Services, he asked whether they had followed up on
these suggestions.
Motion by John Grice to direct Parks and Recreation staff to write a
letter saying that the board is not taking any further action unless the
Agriculture Department follow up on the boards suggestions or
recommendation. Seconded by Gil Mueller. Passed 3/2 and 1
abstained.
Motion by Daphnie Bercher to write a letter stating that the Parks
and Recreation Advisory Board is not interested in the Project.
Seconded by Tim Blackford. Passed 4/2 abstained.
e. Bayview Lighting- Ms. Ramsey met with the Sheriffs Department to
discuss how to make Bayview a safe place. The Sheriff suggested lighting
the back of the park.
Ms. Ramsey talked to Ron Steedman, Specific Lighting, Inc. Mr.
Steedman gave the Parks and Recreation Department a proposal showing
the cost for the lighting at approximately $55,000. Ms Ramsey stated that
the cost of a pole is approximately $2,000.
Motion by Tim Blackford to recommend to the Board of County
Commission for approval that the project be funded through boating
improvements funds in this fiscal year. Seconded by Daphnie
Bercher. Passed 6/0.
f. Sugden Regional Park Dedication Update - Chairman Zaks gave
the Board an update on the dedication at Sugden Regional Park. The
weather was beautiful, Chairman Zaks spoke, Jacquie Hart sang the
National Anthem, each commissioner spoke, Mr. Sugden also made a
speech. Everything at the dedication went well.
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Ms. Ramsey stated that for the Grand Opening of Sugden Park a block
party will be held on June 12, 1998. The date is tentative and could be
changed.
g. South Naples Community Park - Ms. Ramsey stated that there was
an RFP for a construction manager and the committee selected W. G.
Mills. The Department is in the process of negotiating fees with the
construction manager at this time.
h. Impact Fee Study - Mr. Mueller inquired again on the Impact Fee
Study. What is being studied, and what is it costing the department?
Ms. Ramsey stated that basically the Impact Fees has two funds. One is
Community Park and the other is Regional Park. The parks are build out
and the department is switching its focus from community to regional
parks. The fees needs to be utilized into one impact fee.
i. Immokalee Community Park - Mr. Olesky stated that there are
gangs in Immokalee who are vandalizing the Immokalee Community Park.
Mr. Olesky inquired if there is any way that the department could have the
Sheriff's Department to look into the matter.
Ms. Ramsey spoke to Annie Pappalardo, Recreation Supervisor and she
will talk to the Sheriff staff in Immokalee.
Mr. Olesky stated that he would do whatever he could to try to keep things
under control.
IX. Monthly Report
a. March & April's Monthly Report - Mr. Grice inquired as to why
the figures come into the office so late.
Ms. Ramsey stated that the figures have to be accumulated from all the
satellite park sites, including the concessionaires fees in order to give an
accurate revenue report. The concessionaires date (15th of each month)
is included in there contracts.
b. Beach Parkin! Non-Resident Fee - Mr. Smith researched and
distribute a status sheet of his survey. Mr. Smith surveyed several
different counties and some of them had fees and others did not have a
fee. Dade County had determined fee by proximity to beach.
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Mr. Smith stated that the people he talked to, and answered the phones
were rude and gave him the run around. Mr. Smith stated that Collier
County staff has good service and the staff is really nice and helpful.
Chairman Zaks stated that if Collier County instituted a fee, then he
would like to see the City of Naples do the same.
Motion by Chairman Zaks to recommend the institution of a $35.00 per
year non-resident beach parking fee pass. Chairman Zaks withdrew the
motion.
Mr. Grice stated he feels that the institution of a fee will limited the
ability to obtain more revenue.
The motion from previous meeting not to have a beach parking fee still
stands.
Old Business
c. Siznage Update- Ms. Ramsey stated that a representative from the
Department of Environmental Protection did a walk through on Sand
Dollar Island and will report to the State Department who will address
the issue.
Mr. Mueller stated that he still maintains that a universal sign needs to be
installed.
d. Caxambas Gate Update: Mr. Franco reported that he did visit the
gate and it was okay, nothing was wrong.
e. Adopt-A-Park Report: Mr. Grice reported that he visited the East
Naples Community Park and was not pleased with the condition. The
grass is dead, the garbage can lids are all off, the park has trash. The
park is not well maintained. The water fountain is not draining properly,
there are fire ants, sidewalks are untidy and the men's restroom counter
is filthy. The golf cart is parked in front of the building.
Mr. Franco stated that the Crew Leader that was stationed there is no
longer at this park and staff is addressing these issues.
Mr. Grice stated that the Sugden Regional Park looks great but there is
still a lot of work that needs to get done before the park is open.
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f. PARAB Meeting Schedule - The next meeting is scheduled at the
East Naples Community Park, at 2:00 p.m.
VIII.ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Chairman Zaks to adjourn. Seconded by Daphnie
Bercher. Passed 6/0. Meeting adjourned at 5:25 P.M..
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