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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-04-18 Parks Advisory Board MinutesCity of Dania Beach Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Tuesday,April 18t°,2006 The Parks&Recreation Advisory Board was scheduled to meet at Frost Park on Tuesday,April 18'" at 6:00 p.m. There was not a quorum present at that time, Chip and Julie Brockman were present but were unable to stay for the meeting due to the activities they were overseeing on the playing Geld. They said they will be present for the neat regular board meeting. The meeting was called to order at 6:25 p.m.by Chairman Ely. Members present: Kurt Ely Judy Jensen Jimmy Peterman Lisa Drake Beulah Lair Members absent: Jo Ann Brave Sharon Nearn Julie Brockman Chip Brockman Others present: Mark Felicetty,Senior Facility Manager Martha Riguero,Parks&Recreation Dept. Chris Barile,Griffin Civic Association Suzanne&Bud Witz Martha Riguero reported Sharon Nearn had called to request an excused absence. Chairman Ely said Chip and Julie Brockman had been present earlier. They said they were turning over the Optimist Program to the city and would be present for the next board meeting. Motion to excuse Sharon Nearn,Chip Brockman and Julie Brockman made by Beulah Lair,seconded by Jimmy Peterman. Motion carried unanimously. Minutes of the March 21"meeting were presented for approval. Motion to approve as written made by Judy Jensen,seconded by Jimmy Peterman. Motion carried unanimously. Mark Felicetty reported Chairman Ely had informed the Commission the board is not in favor of placing an awning on the patio at Frost Park He told the Commission that the board felt the money designated for the canopy could be better spent buying lightning protection for the three parks and the beach area and upgrading the security camera. Chairman Ely had pointed out that the problem with a canopy is that it provides a false sense of security. Furthermore staff has assured the Commission,as well as the board,that if a lightning alarm goes off,the children will be brought inside the building. At the present time it seems some of the Commissioners have doubts about that fact Mr.Peterman pointed out that if there was a canopy,the children wouldn't stay underneath it. They would be running out and playing in the rain. It would be much easier to control the children Inside the building. The board discussed a number of suggestions for dealing with vandalism,drug dealing and crime at the parks including security cameras,police protection,school resource officers and park rangers. Chairman Ely asked for a report on the cost of lightning detectors at the parks and beach. Mr. Felicetty said the cost per park would be$9,200.The unit at the beach would run twice as high, making a total of about 545,000.The units are a prediction system and cover a distance of approximately twelve miles. Ms.Jensen asked if the Commission had approved the detectors. Chairman Ely explained the money is available but they have not seen the proposal as yet. A motion was made by Lisa Drake,seconded by Beulah Lair,the money available for the patio canopy be used 1. instead for lightning detectors for the three parks and the beach. Motion carried unanimously. Chairman Ely said he wanted to get the motion on the Commission agenda as quickly as possible.He urged the board members to attend the Commission meeting when the motion is scheduled to support the issue. Chairman Ely said the next thing on the agenda was the Brockman membership status on the board. He told the board the Brockman were present earlier and they said they are turning the Optimist programs over to the city and will be attending the board meetings starting in May. They also said that previously they had been allowed to sign in and be counted as present.Chairman Ely said he could neither confirm or deny that statement because that was before he was appointed to the board. Mr.Felicetty said he had requested this item to be put on the agenda because he had spoken to the Brockman earlier and told them the advisory board had voted not to change the meeting date and they could not be counted as being present just by showing up and signing in. Lisa Drake said the Brockman were never counted as present if they just signed in and did not actually attend. Chairman Ely also said that when changing the date was discussed by the board in January,the members present said they had already changed the meeting once to accommodate the Brockman and they didn't feel like they wanted to do it again. However,the Brockman had said they never asked for the date to be changed but it bad been changed from Monday to Tuesday when Kristen came along. They had nothing to do with that change. Chairman Ely said this will be discussed at the next meeting when all those involved are present. Mr.Peterman had several questions and comments.He wanted to know what is going to happen with the C.W.Thomas football program which is scheduled to begin in June. The program is usually handled by the Optimists. Also where are the kids going to be able to weigh in for the program since there are no facilities available at the park.Chairman Ely said he couldn't answer Mr.Peterman's question at this time.Everyone will just have to waft and see. One suggestion that was made for the weigh in was to use the BSO building across the street from the park. Mr.Peterman then asked about the status of renovations at the other parks. Mr.Felicetty said Meli Park had requested additional funding. The$325,000 previously requested was based on last years figures. The cost ofmaterials has risen drastically since Hurricane Wilma so now over$400,000 is needed.He is presently preparing the RP and it will be put out the end of May or early in June.As far as C.W.Thomas is concerned,the probable date for completion is some time next Spring. Mr.Peterman then mentioned that baseball screens are badly needed at C.W.Thomas. A lengthy discussion followed. Chairman Ely suggested Mr.Peterman meet with City Manager Pain and explain the problem to him. He requested he be informed of whatever action is decided upon. Chairman Ely said he had received three telephone calls in the past ten days asking what happened to the playground equipment at Frost Park.Mr.Felicetty said it had been stored temporarily and was being repaired so it could be put back in place.Chairman Ely said he felt there should be a sign posted so people would know the equipment will be replaced soon. The board was reminded the next meeting will be on Tuesday,May 16th at 6,00 p.m. Beulah Lair said she would not be in town for the meeting and asked to be excused. Guest,Chris Bartle,a member of the Griffin Civic Association,was asked if he had any comments. He said he had been a resident since 1960 and he is very concerned with the parks in the city. He mentioned he had been working closely with Detective Tarant in regard to suggestions about fencing needed at MeB Park. He indicated he is definitely in favor ofthe lightning warning devices for the parks and beach and he felt the action of the board regarding the canopy at Frost Park was certainly valid.He said he had one question. He wanted to know if the bid on Meli Park had been let. 2. or if it is still being worked on.Mr.Felicetty answered his question saying the bid has been approved with the necessary additional funding coming from impact fees, The construction is anticipated to be completed in December,2006. Mr.Barik stressed the Griffin Civic Association is looking forward to working closely with the Parks&Recreation people to the future.He stated one of their main concerns is security. There are criminal elements that are using the park as a meeting place. He mentioned he had discussed the problem with Chief Cowart. Mr.Felicetty said he had signed the trespass warrants for all three facilities so the officers have the right to make arrests. He said he had also furnished BSO Officer Randy Graham with the parks hours of operation. Chairman Ely thanked Mr.Barik for attending the meeting and invited him to come again next mouth. Mr.Barik said he would be glad to help the board any way he could. Chairman Ely then asked him if he would be interested in serving as a board member. Presently there is an opening and no representation on the board for the Meli Park area.Mr.Bartle stated he is definitely interested and would be glad to serve. Mr.Felicetty announced that Friday night at 6:00 p.m.at Frost Park the kickoff for"Relay for fife" will and it will o on until noon on Saturday.The following weekend the 29n and 300 will ben8Yg the car show at Frost Park That same weekend at the Dania Beach Marina the Plywood Regatta will take place. There being no further business to discuss,Chairman Ely adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m. Kurt Ely,Chairman Respectfully submitted, Suzanne Witz 3.