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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Recreation_05/28/1987 r v v VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA Post Office Box 3273 • 357 Tequesta Drive Tequesta, Florida 33469 -0273 • (305) 746 -7457 s � k N y C MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE RECREATION BOARD VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FLORIDA MAY 28, 1987 A meeting was held by the Recreation Board of the Village of Tequesta, Florida at 7:30 P.M., May 28, 1987, at the Village Hall, 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida. Recreation Board members present were: Mrs. Fran Kennedy, Mrs. Kathy Reddecliff, Mr. Richard Berube, Mr. Walter "Bud" Blankenhorn and Mr. Thomas J. Little. Also present were: Village Councilmember Edward Howell, Mrs. Gina Reilly McMullen, Reporter for The Leader and Gary Preston, Director, Public Works and Recreation. The agenda was approved as submitted. I. Communications from Citizens A) Village Councilmember Edward Howell was in attendance to discuss his role as Chairman of Tequesta Bicentennial Committee. Mr. Howell stated that he was getting excellent participation from all newspapers, schools, clubs, organizations, businesses and individuals. He said part of the activities are planned for Dover Road Park on September 17, 1987 and he would like to see something done in that park before that date. He suggested something low budget -high visibility that might include a flag pole, benches and trees. The Recreation Board unanimously agreed with Councilmember Howell's suggestion. Preston advised that he would write a memorandum to the Village Council and Village Manager asking permission to purchase these items from the Park Development Fund and that said items be installed before September 17, 1987. Recreation Board Meeting May 28, 1987 Page 2 - ---------------------------- Preston asked Mr. Howell about his recent Village Council comment on renaming the park on Dover Road to Constitutional Park. Mr. Howell advised that he had not made that proposal yet, however, it was being considered. Preston asked the Recreation Board their thoughts on naming the park Constitutional Park. The Recreation Board agreed if the proposal was made they would recommend that the park be named Constitutional Park. II. Minutes A) Approved the minutes of the Recreation Board meeting held February 3, 1987. III. Old Business A) Village Council's Action on Masterplan for Dover Road Park. Preston reviewed the presentation of the Dover Road Park masterplan at the Village Council meeting on February 24, 1987. The presentation included a brief report by Preston on the progress of obtaining Property 510, Property 512 and the JTJC property. Mrs. Martha McNeal, Gee & Jenson, presented the masterplan at the Village Council meeting with comments on facilities and location. Preston informed the Recreation Board that after the presentation, the Village Council received comments from the Village residents. The Board was informed that approximately eight (8) people spoke on the proposal and all were against. The negative comments included: "too close to Tequesta Garden ", "no need for another park ", "survey showed majority against new park ", "too close to Dover Road home" and "cost too much ". Preston stated that the Village Council had concerns about improvement and maintenance costs, and who the park would serve. The Council agreed that the plan needed further study and more input from Village residents. Recreation Board Meeting May 28, 1987 Page 3 - --------------------------- The Recreation Board was advised by Preston that two major concerns prevented much further action on the Dover Road Park masterplan until they were corrected. The first problem, being that the masterplan has received no support from the general public and second, the Village had been unable to buy Property 512 or the JTJC property. Member Little asked Preston where we stood on purchasing Property 510 and Property 512. Preston explained that the Village has bought Property 510 but Property 512 remains a problem. Property 512 has been appraised at $16,000 but the owner has requested $23,000. Member Little recommended that the Village Council counter offer to $20,000 for Property 512. Member Reddecliff stated that Property 512 is prime property and the Village should buy the property before the opportunity is lost. She said the Village should concentrate on Property 512 and forget about the JTJC property at this time. Member Berube said the Village could not possibly find a more centralized location than Dover Road Park. Member Blankenhorn stated that the park's location had so many advantages. Member Kennedy requested Preston to make the Village Council aware of the Board's concern for buying Property 512. The Recreation Board recommended that the Village Council counter offer to $20,000 to buy Property 512 and continue to counter offer until the property is bought. The second Board recommendation was to begin building on Dover Road Park as suggested by Councilmember Howell. To start building the flag pole, three (3) park benches and ten (10) trees and see what kind of community support it will generate. Recreation Board Meeting May 28, 1978 Page 4 - --------------------------- The Recreation Board agreed not to press the issue of buying the JTJC property at this time. Future plans would include trying to buy the JTJC property on both sides of Property 512. IV. New Business A) Comments on Proposed Items for the 1987 -88 Parks and Recreation Budget Preston stated that the budget was scheduled for Village Manager review on June 12. Some of the items tentatively scheduled for the budget included replacement of playground equipment, a new maintenance truck and a complete replacement of the Tequesta Drive Bicycle Path. Preston suggested that any money needed for developing new parks come from the $9,514 in the Park Development Fund. The Board agreed with the proposed items tentatively scheduled for the budget. B). Study the Issue of Providing Public Park(s) within Tequesta as requested by the Village Council on April 28, 1987. Preston reviewed the minutes of the April 28, 1987 Village Council meeting concerning the issue of providing parks in Tequesta. After the review, Preston asked Councilmember Howell if he had any additional thoughts on the matter before it was open for discussion by the Recreation Board. Mr. Howell said he thought the Council was looking toward an impressive feedback on the need for new parks and that the Recreation Board should look toward realistic solutions to the problem. He suggested the Board get started on a low budget project and not concentrate on a $300,000 masterplan. Member Little suggested that any park solution should come from the Recreation Board rather than organizations such as the JTJC or JTAA. Recreation Board Meeting May 28, 1987 Page 5 - ----------------------------- The Board was informed by Mr. Blankenhorn that he was a member of the JTAA and that they would probably would not be able to offer any helpful solutions due to the pressing conditions of running their own programs. Mrs. Kennedy stated that the JTJC could provide opportunities but our past experiences with them had not been good. Member Berube said that we've had enough difficulties with the JTJC and at the present time, our solutions should not include their Board. It was the recommendation of Member Reddecliff that the Village begin building on existing parks and that should solve some of our problems. Mr. Little reminded the Board that as early as 1972, mini parks were considered by the Village Council. He stated that small neighborhood parks are usually not popular for nearby residents and therefore receive little support. The possibility of contacting neighborhood associations to find out the availability of vacant land was offered by Preston. Member Berube said that contacting neighborhood association would not necessarily be the answer, but we should look at all available land in the Village. Any vacant lot or piece of land should be considered. After the discussion, Preston reminded the Board members that the Village Council had asked for a recommendation on the issue of providing parks in Tequesta. The Recreation Board recommended the following solutions to providing parks in Tequesta: Recreation Board Meeting May 28, 1987 Page 6 - ---------------------------- 1) The Village Council buy Property 512 behind Dover Road Park for park land. 2) The Recreation Department concern itself with building facilities on existing parkland in the Village, starting with a flag pole, benches and trees on Dover Road Park. 3) After the renovations of the Village Hall, the Recreation Board consider what land is available behind the Village Green for a future park site. 4) Look at all existing open land in the Village as possible sites to buy for future park development. V. Any Other Matters Member Little stated that a problem has developed behind Dover Road Park that should be corrected. He said that the ambulance squad has been dumping material behind their building for future development and this prolonged dumping is possibly unlawful and certainly unsightly for our Park. Preston advised that he would discuss the matter with the Village Manager. Member Berube expressed his appreciation to Mr. Howell for attending the meeting and asked about the possibility of Mr. Howell becoming a member of the Recreation Board. Mr. Howell said he would consider an appointment if it was agreeable to the Village Council. Mr. Little expressed his opposition to the surveys that are sent to Village residents. He stated that people are busy and do not always have time to fill out surveys, therefore, surveys do not give a true picture to what the general public wants. The Board was in agreement with Mr. Little's statement. VI. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 P.M. Res ectfu ly submitted, Gary reston Director of Public Works & Recreation GP /mk