Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-05-15 Parks Advisory Board Minutes • City of Dania Beach Parks,Recreation &Community Affairs Advisory Board Meeting Tuesday,May 15",2007 The meeting was called to order by Chairman Kurt Ely at 6:00 p.m. Members present: Kurt Ely Beulah Lair Chris Barile. Jimmy Peterman Antonio Williams Members absent: Chip Brockman Julie Brockman Lisa Drake Sharon Nearn Judy Jensen Others present: Kristen Jones,Parks & Recreation Director Mark Felicetty, Senior Facilities Manager Suzanne& Bud Witz Chairman Ely welcomed new board member,Antonio Williams and asked him to tell the board a little about himself. Mr.Williams said he lived in the Liberia area • of Hollywood and frequented Modello Park when he was growing up. He said he was from a humble background and has grown into a humble adulthood. For the past three years he has lived in Dania and is very anxious to be involved. He is presently working to get a Boys and Girls Club started and wants to be a helpful and active citizen. A motion was made by Beulah Lair,seconded by Chris Barile to grant Tony Williams an excused absence for the April 17'h meeting. Motion approved unanimously. Minutes of the April 17'b meeting were presented for approval. Motion to approve with addition of Tony Williams excused absence made by Chris Barile,seconded by Tony Williams. Motion approved unanimously. The next item of business was the Public Hearing in regard to the grant request for the funding of a Linear Park. Kristen Jones explained exactly what a linear park is. She said a linear park is a park that lines up with two other green spaces. In this case the area involved is a small piece of land along S. E. 5th Avenue that runs from Frost Park south to West Lake Park on Sheridan Street. We will be able to make a bike trail connecting the two parks,put in exercise stations,benches,picnic tables and a water fountain. It will be maintained by the City Public Services Dept. 1. Following a brief discussion,a motion was made by Beulah Lair,seconded by Chris • Bartle that the Parks,Recreation and Community Affairs Advisory Board support the grant application. Motion approved unanimously. Mark Felicetty said Chip and Julie Brockman had called to ask for an excused absence from the meeting tonight. A motion was made by Chris Bartle,seconded by Beulah Lair to grant the excused absence. Motion carried unanimously. Kristen Jones reported most of the current projects are either completed or very near to completion. The C.W. Thomas construction is well ahead of schedule. She and Mark Felicetty are currently getting everything ready to begin work on the dog park which will be at P.d.Meli Park. Mark Felicetty and Randy Timmerman are working on RPs for the ball fields and the shelters for the Pier Restaurant. Ms.Jones then introduced Randy Timmerman,Maintenance Supervisor for the Public Works Department. She said Colin Donnelly,Assistant City Manager and Mr.Timmerman had been invited to attend the meeting tonight but Mr.Donnelly had a prior engagement and was unable to attend. He promised to attend at a later date. Mr.Timmerman began by giving the Board a little information on his background and previous experience. He also described the make up of his crews and their duties. He said they are presently working on replacement and repair of netting at the parks.They handle the landscaping,do daily inspections and do all • the maintenance at the parks. Ms.Jones interrupted Mr. Timmerman to say that she feels he is doing an excellent job and in all the years she has been involved with the parks,they have never looked as good as they do at present.. Mark Felicetty said he had just prepared the specs for the laser grade and resoding of all three major parks. He anticipates a four to six week process before it can be brought before the Commission for the awarding of the bid. A twelve month timeline is planned for completing all three parks. Chris Bartle asked about repairing and aiming the light fixtures at Meli Park. Mr. Timmerman said that is being taken care of at the present time. Chairman Ely asked if anything is being done to correct the handicapped ramps at Meli Park. After some discussion on the best way to proceed Mr. Timmerman said he will follow up on the problem. Chris Bartle inquired if any decision has been made about the concession stands at the three parks. Ms.Jones said it will be the end of June before any decision is reached in that regard. • 2, • The security system at Meli Park was the neat item discussed. A number of suggestions were made including the replacement of the current camera system and having a regular police inspection several times each evening.Ms.Jones made a comment that she feels this is a problem that needs attention now, not only at Meli Park but at all three parks,particularly with the added impact of the casino gambling. Beulah Lair suggested using the COPS program cars and volunteers to help police the park areas. Ms.Jones said that was a great idea and it would be pursued. Security at the parks is an ongoing problem and will continue to be discussed at future meetings. Mark Felicetty reported on Summer Program Information. He said there are two different programs. One is at Frost Park. It is not subsidized.It is an eight week program which can accommodate abut 75 children. It starts June 4th and rums through July 27n. There are two subsidized programs. One of them is at P.J.Meli Park. It can have 75 children and the other one will be at Attacks Middle School because C.W.Thomas Park is under construction. It can accommodate 100 children. The subsidized programs cost$2.50 per child,per week. The charge includes swimming lessons,t-shirts,field trips,breakfast,a snack and lunch. The provider is After School Programs. They are seeking qualified teachers because they cover academics such as F-Cat testing. The subsidized programs run for ten weeks,June 4 b through August 174~. Reservations are presently taking place for all three parks.Next year one of the programs will be held at C.W.Thomas Park • instead of Attacks Middle School. Under Old Business,Chairman Ely reminded the members that at the last meeting a motion was approved to handle fee waivers for all three parks in the same manner as they are handled by the I.T. Parker Board. Chairman Ely submitted the Board recommendation to the Commission and has received a letter from them which states a Resolution will be prepared by the City Attorney approving the recommendation of the Board. Jimmy Peterman asked a question about replacing bleachers at C.W.Thomas Park. However neither the question or any answer is available because of the noise outside the meeting room making it impossible to bear what was being said. Beulah Lair asked what the charge would be if the residents of Melaleuca Gardens wanted to use the community park for a picnic. She was told there would not be any charge but a Special Event Request must be filed so the City is aware of what is planned. Tony Williams gave the Board some information in regard to the formation of a Boys &Girls Club in the area. 3. • The next regular meeting of the Board will be on Tuesday,June 196 at 6:00 p.m. Beulah Lair stated she would like an excused absence for that meeting because she will be out of town. Chairman Ely suggested that the July and August Board Meetings be cancelled since so many of the members will be on vacation. A motion to that effect was made by Beulah Lair,seconded by Chris Barile and carried unanimously. Chairman Ely said if an emergency meeting becomes necessary during July or August Ms.Jones will contact the members. There being no additional business to bring before the Board,Chairman Ely adjourned the meeting at 7:05 p.m. Kurt Ely,Chairman Respectfully submitted, Suzanne Witz 4. •