PARAB Minutes 08/21/2019MINUTES OF TI{E MEETING OF TFIE PARKS AND RECREATION
ADVISORY BOARD
North Collier Regional Park
Naples, Florida
August 21,2019
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, the Collier County Parks and Recreation Advisory
Board in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on
this date at l:53 P.M. at North Collier Regional Park, 15000 Livingston Road,
Naples, FL, with the following members present:
CFIAIRMAN: Mr. Edward "Ski" Olesky
VICE-CHAIR: Ms. Mary Bills
Mr. Phil Brougham, Advisory Board Member
Mr. Joshua Fruth, Advisory Board Member
ALSO PRESENT:
Mr. Barry Williams, Division Director, Parks and Recreation Division
Ms. Jeanine McPherson, Assistant Director, Parks and Recreation Division
Mr. Miguel Rojas, Jr., Administrative Assistant, Parks and Recreation Division
Ms. Annie Alvarez Regional Manager, Parks and Recreation Division
Ms. Margaret Bishop, Principal Project Manager, Facilities Management
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I.Call to Order
II. Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and a moment of silence observed.
ilI. Approval of the Agenda
Ms. Bills entered a motion to approve the August 21, 2019 meeting agenda. Mr.
Brougham seconded the motion. All members were infavor. The motion was canied.
IV. Approval of June 19,2019 Minutes
Mr. Brougham entered a motion to approve the June 19,2019 meeting minutes. The
motion was seconded by Mr. Fruth. All members were infavor. The motion was
carried.
V. Capital Projects Update - Ms. Bishop
+Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park: Phase I of the project is now out for
construction bids, due back August 27,2019. Work is anticipated to begin in October
2019, with completion of Phase I projected for 2021.
*Barefoot Beach Boardwalk and Pavilions (North access): The design plan for the
project is at 100% and is scheduled for presentation to the TDC for approval on
September 23,2019 and for the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) review and
approval on September24,2019. Construction will be done by Infinite Construction,
LLC, with a November 2019 start date.
+Clam Pass Boardwalk Repair: Temporary repairs have been completed, with
negotiations now underway with the Naples Grande to identifz a date for commencement
of permanent repairs, sometime following summer 2020. Mr. Brougham inquired as to
whether the restroom expansion project may be done concurrently with the boardwalk
repairs. Ms. Bishop noted the hope is for work to be done on both projects
simultaneously, however the restroom expansion and boardwalk repair are separate
projects, utilizing separate contractors.
*East Naples Community Park Master Plan: Electrical upgrades are currently being
completed throughout the park. AVB is creating the design plans for ten additional
pickle ball courts. Both projects are planned to be completed prior to the April 2020 U.S.
Open Pickleball Championship. The existing maintenance facility will be torn down,
with placement of a slab for a temporary maintenance structure, relocated along the
boundary of the Isles of Collier and the soccer field. Designs for the Welcome Center are
also under review.
+Collier County Sports Complex: Preliminary land clearing, placement of stormwater
structures, etc., is near completion, with underground utility construction currently
underway. Construction of five Phase I buildings will also soon commence.
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Artificial turf field construction is planned to begin in OctoberAJovember 2019 and is
scheduled for availability for use in Febru ary lMarch 2020. All Phase 1 facilities are
currently scheduled for completion inMay 2020; including the Great Lawn, food truck
park, and Pavilion with food and beverage area. Stadium completion is anticipated in
December 2020.
+Mr. Brougham requested clarification regarding some abbreviations assigned to several
open projects on the capital projects list. Mr. Williams noted descriptors given to projects
for intemal use, however explained that repairs were being done to interactive water
features at Vineyards Community Park, as well as major court resurfacing planned
throughout the Parks system, to include tennis and basketball courts.
+Mr. Brougham inquired as to the status of changing the Eagles Lakes Community Park
sign in honor of Commissioner Fiala, as previously approved by the BCC. Mr. Williams
stated that a proposal and mockup have been received from Lykins-Signtek, to reJetter
the existing sign to read, "Donna Fiala Eagle Lakes Community Park." This proposal is
cunently under review by executive management. Mr. Brougham inquired as to the size
of the lettering and the elevation of the sign. Mr. Williams will forward a copy of the
current mockup and dimensions to Mr. Brougham for review and feedback.
New Business
a. Parks Suggestions
Mr. Williams and Mr. Steve Camell recently met with Commissioner Solis to discuss
feedback the Commissioner had received from members of GAIN (Growing
Associates in Naples), a Chamber of Commerce program designed for next
generation leaders, ages 21-40. The young professionals involved in this program
had expressed a desire for an altemative park experience in Collier County, with less
focus on sports activities, with large scale outdoor art and,/or music events, and with
cafes or restaurants within the park. Ms. Bills and Mr. Fruth noted that the Collier
Sports Complex will offer this type of experience to visitors, with two food trucks
and four food vendors on site, a bar, miles ofpathways, as well as the opporhrnity for
pickup games, such as sand volleyball, and special events on the Great Lawn.
Children playscape areas, and seating areas with fire pits are also planned. The
Sports Complex will undergo a name change to reflect the multiuse capabilities of the
facility, with sponsorship currently being sought. Ms. Bills noted the opportunity to
expand local existing parks to include similar amenities in the future. Ms. Alvarez
also noted staff attendance at the first strategic planning meeting for the development
ofa County wide cultural arts program, sponsored by the Convention and Visitors
Bureau (CVB), which may dovetail with the expanded use ofParks concept.
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b. Summer Camp Presentation
Ms. Alvarez noted the tremendous amount of preparation done throughout the year in
order to ensure a successful summer camp program throughout the County. A theme is
chosen for each summer program, with activities chosen to support the theme, including
crafting, athletics, recreational games, food experiences, and science projects. 2019
summer camp goals included increasing attendance, revamping the Jr. Leader program,
and launching a new online training system for staff, with onsite training the week prior
to camp corlmencement. Safety drills were conducted as well, including for fire, active
shooter, and storms. Staff and senior volunteers assisted with water and park "watch"
activities to fuither ensure children's safety. Quality control inspections were also
conducted of each campsite throughout the summer.
Camp Collier 20 1 9 yield ed 7 53 children who enrolled in full sessions and 2220 campers
who enrolled for weekly programs, totaling 2973 clttldren. This number reflected an
increase over the 2436 enrolled campers in 2018. Further, an additional 650 children
were enrolled in week-long specialty camps, for a grand total of 3623 summer camp
participants.
VII. Old Business
a. Veterans Park Update
Mr. Williams noted that a review of conditions at Veterans Park had been undertaken
following concerns shared by a Naples resident, Mr. Chuck Schumacher, at a recent BCC
meeting. Mr. Schumacher's son is a participant in the Cal Ripkin Baseball League,
which plays primarily at Veteran's Park. The Cal Ripkin Foundation has made funds
available for the creation of a stand alone facility, however the suggestion was made to
improve the existing Community Park. Unfortunately, the Foundation disallows the
investment of funding into a public facility. Mr. Williams pointed out Veterans Park as
being one of the oldest Parks in the County, with water drainage issues, old fencing, and
a need for updating of field irrigation systems, with an estimated cost of $ 10M-$ 15M.
Mr. Williams noted working with the County Manager's office to identify and prioritize
deferred Capital Projects which currently lack finding, in order to possibly secure low
interest debt for funding of these projects, versus continued repair and replacement.
Potential projects include lighting, irrigation systems, infrastructure, elevations, etc. Mr.
Brougham suggested PARAB review and input in the identification and prioritization of
the capital projects chosen.
b. Parks and Recreation Month "Game On"
Collier County Parks and Recreation joined with the National Recreation and Park
Association to celebrate the month of July as National Parks & Recreation month.
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A variety ofevents were held throughout the month, including a Great Park Scavenger
Hunt,4ft of July Fireworks at Sugden Regional Park, Conservation Collier Preserve
cleanup at Rail Head Preserve, Hot Summer Nights pool parties, community walks and
swim nights. An ice cream social was held at Aaron Lutz Neighborhood Park in
partnership with the Collier County Sheriffs office, with positive feedback received from
the local community on the event.
c. NFC Grant Update
Mr. Williams reported that the NFC Fitness Grant has been approved and will be
presented to the BCC in September 2019. Sites identified for the construction of fitness
courts include North Collier Regional Park (NCRP), Big Corkscrew Island Regional
Park, and the Sports Complex. An open green space located on the south side of the
soccer fields at NCRP has been identified as an excellent location for the fitness court,
however the location and timing of construction of the remaining two fitness courts is
under discussion.
VIII. 311 Report
Mr. Williams encouraged PARAB members to utilize the 311 app to report issues noted
at Park sites or throughout the County. Ms. Bills shared a recent positive experience with
using the 31 1 app, having received prompt communication and intervention by a Corurty
employee.
IX. Director'sHighlights
+Mr. Williams remembered Ms. Nancy Olson, who recently passed away. Ms. Olson
was noted to be a valued, long-time member of the Parks family. Her presence and
contribution to Parks endeavors will be greatly missed. Parks Staff is planning an
informal celebration of life gathering in Ms. Olson's honor on September 9, 2019 from
5:30 - 9:00 p.m. at Bokamper's Sports Bar and Grill.
+Mr. Williams reported that Mr. Terry Cooke, owner of Florida Tracks and Trails, also
recently passed away. Florida Tracks and Trails participated with Collier County in the
Tickets to Ride program; however, following Mr. Cooke's death, the ATV Park has
ceased operation. Mr. Williams stated that the $3M set aside for the construction of an
ATV Park in Collier County remains available, with a portion ofthe interest generated
from these funds used to operate the Tickets to Ride program. Identification of additional
participants in the Tickets to fude program is currently underway.
+Mr. Williams noted the ongoing five-year "rolling plan" which looks at all Park sites,
seeking to identify projects requiring replacement within the next five-year timeframe.
These projects are prioritized within the available budget, with consideration being given
to debt funding to assist with addressing projects outside of available frmding.
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+Mr. Williams noted two "high seasons" for the Parks Division; at the onset of Season,
as well as following the end of the school year. The slowest time for the Parks Division
is during the month of September, at which time Staff attends the Florida Recreation and
Parks Association meeting in Orlando. Mr. Williams stated an update on this year's
meeting highlights will be shared with PARAB members, who were also invited to
attend.
Public/Board Comments
+There were no additional Board member comments.
+There were no comments by members of the public.
XI. Adjournment
There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjoumed.
These minutes approved by the Board/Committee on as presented, or as amended.
Parks and
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