PARAB Minutes 09/17/2025 (Draft)Page 1 of 5
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MINUTES OF THE COLLIER COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION
ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
Naples, Florida — September 17, 2025
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 2:00 P.M. in REGULAR
SESSION at 15000 Old Livingston Rd, Naples, FL 34109, USA, with the following members present:
Chairman: Edward “Ski” Olesky
Vice Chairman: Josh Fruth
Rebecca Gibson-Laemel
Jessica Bergel
Eric Kelly
ALSO PRESENT:
James Hanrahan – Director
Marissa Baker – Regional Manager
Randi Swinderman – Regional Manager
Said Gomez – Regional Manager
Eric Short – Superintendent, Maintenance
Tiffany Sawyer – Naples Boat Show Presenter
Any persons needing the verbatim record of the meeting may request a copy of the audio
recording from the Collier County Parks and Recreation Department.
1. Call to Order
Chairman Edward “Ski” Olesky called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. The Pledge of
Allegiance was recited, followed by a moment of silence.
Roll call was taken; a quorum was established.
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2. Agenda review:
Motion: To approve the agenda as presented.
Moved by: Jessica Bergel
Seconded by: Rebecca Gibson-Laemel
Vote: Motion passed unanimously (5-0).
3. Approval of the meeting
Motion: To approve the minutes of the August 13, 2025 meeting.
Moved by: Josh Fruth
Seconded by: Jessica Bergel
Vote: Motion passed unanimously (5-0).
4. New Business
A. Naples Boat Show – Presentation by Tiffany Sawyer Shank
Ms. Tiffany Sawyer Shank, Executive Director of the Marine Industries Association of
Collier County (MIACC), presented an overview of the Naples Boat Show to be held at
Sugden Regional Park.
Highlights included:
59th annual Naples Boat Show; 4th year hosted at Sugden.
Over 150 vendors, 250 boats on display between land (Sugden) and water (Naples City
Dock).
Attendance averages 5,000–7,000 visitors over four days (max 1,500–2,000 at one time).
Parking plan: free parking at County Government Center with trolley shuttle; paid parking
at Sugden.
Layout uses the large grass field and ski area back lot for displays; playground and beach
remain open to public.
Safety: fencing for setup/breakdown; on-site security; staff monitors lake path users.
Vendor support: MIACC secures all contracts for waste, security, Fire Department, CCSO,
and permitting.
Long-term goals:
• Floating docks expansion (potential use of renovated Dock 5).
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• Boat ramp improvement (current ramp unsafe; collaboration with Facilities to replace
lime rock ramp).
Discussion:
Board and staff praised MIACC’s collaboration in balancing community access with event
operations.
Attendance has fluctuated (lower during initial relocation from airport, then recovery).
Vendor participation has grown, increasing show quality.
Ski shows by Michael’s Waterski School run concurrently on Saturday–Sunday.
Members noted importance of maintaining public communication (signage, dog walker
outreach).
Future discussions will revisit possible sponsorship/partnership models.
No action required; informational presentation.
5. Old Business
A. Legends Concert Series – Update
Marissa Baker reported on Mr. Randall’s concert series at Sugden Park.
Temporary Use Permit application submitted; awaiting site layout, agency responses
(Emergency Management, Sheriff, Fire/EMS), and alcohol license.
Event dates confirmed: January 10, February 21, March 21, 2026 (adjusted to avoid Naples
Boat Show conflict).
Board expressed support; no action required.
B. Vacancy Applicants
Applications remain open for Board vacancies. Additional applications will be provided for
November meeting interviews.
Discussion of possible working group model to engage passionate community members
(e.g., Immokalee, Golden Gate) if vacancies persist.
Consensus: continue recruiting, explore working group concept as suppleme
6. Board / Public Comments
No formal public comments were recorded.
Board discussed importance of timely filling vacancies and exploring advisory “working
groups” to capture diverse community input.
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7. Manager Updates
Region 3 – Said Gomez
Sports Complex: youth soccer and Pop Warner active; strong fitness center growth.
Community Park: after-school (BBK) at near capacity; hiring for supervisor underway.
South Park: preschool BBK active; collaboration with 105.5 radio for Christmas toy drive.
Max Hasse: after-school program thriving; Kyle Bergenzer appointed permanent supervisor.
Region 4 – Randi Swinderman
Big Corkscrew: 18 in VPK; “Trunk or Treat” Oct 24; new staff (Cooper Cox) developing
track program.
Veterans Park: LED lighting upgrade completed; Special Olympics hosting pickleball
program.
Vineyards Park: new program leader Bill Shanahan; acting/sports classes; 35 children in
after-school.
AIR: “Bootacular” set for Oct 17 (≈4,000 attendees expected); Parents Night Out successful.
Region 2 – Marissa Baker
Sugden Park: hosting Boat Show and Legends Series; ongoing sailing/ski programming.
East Naples: staff retirement; recruiting supervisor; working to reinstate after-school
program; collaboration with pickleball operator on “Parent’s Night Out.”
Eagle Lakes: typical programming; hiring program leader.
Paradise Coast Sports Complex: hosting FC Naples season ticket game; youth soccer and
flag football.
8. Director’s Report – James Hanrahan
Maintenance: 951 boat ramp reconstruction nearly complete; Barefoot concession building
repairs underway.
Marina vendor contract terminated; staff coordinating transition to minimize disruption at
Port of the Islands, Cocohatchee, Goodland.
Events: Snowfest and Christmas Around the World scheduled same weekend (December
2025) with staffing coordination.
Staffing: New Assistant Director of Sports position posted (formerly under Tourism, now
Parks). Goal: oversee Paradise Coast contract, U.S. Open Pickleball, tourism relations.
Promotions & Hiring: Kyle Bergenzer permanent supervisor; 15 new hires completed
orientation; succession planning emphasized.
Facilities: Artificial turf project delays in Immokalee due to design variance; project now
under new management team with close oversight.
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9. Adjournment
Motion: To adjourn.
Moved by: Josh Fruth
Seconded by: Jessica Bergel
Vote: Motion passed unanimously (5-0).
Meeting adjourned at 2:58 p.m.
COLLIER COUNTY
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
Edward “Ski” Olesky, Chairman
These minutes were approved by the Board/Chairman on , as presented (choose
one) , or as amended .