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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Recreation_09/04/2002 T = � VILLAGE �F TE{�UESTA '�► Post Office Box 3273 • 250 Tequesta Drive, Suite 300 �'� � Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273 • (561) 575-6200 '��'' � Falc: (561) 575-6203 - ; � i PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 4, 2002 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Village of Tequesta Parks & Recreation Advisory Board held its regularly scheduled meeting in the Tequesta Recreation Center, 399 Seabrook Road, Tequesta, Florida, on Wednesday, September 4, 2002. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Parks & Recreation Director Greg Corbitt. A roll call was taken by the Recording Secretary, Betty Laur. Boardmembers present were: John G. Vadala, Elizabeth (Betsy) W. Evans, Vi Laamanen, and Kevin Pithnan. Boardmembers John M. Bonnell, David Becker, and Royce A. Hood were absent from the meeting. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Upon motion by John Vadala, seconded by Betsy Evans and unanimously carried, the Agenda was approved as submitted. III. NEW BUSINESS A. The Board's Thoughts on Mission Statement, Goals and Objectives Director Corbitt read a mission statement submitted by Boardmember Bonnell, who was not present: The mission of the Parks and Recreation Advisory is basically to assist the Recreation Director and the Village Council in their efforts to provide a superior recreation program for the Village of Tequesta. This should be done as follows: Recycted Paper Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes September 4, 2ov2 Page 2 ----------------------------------- (1) Provide feedback on the recreation concerns of fellow Tequesta citizens to the Recreation Director and the Village Council. (2) Recommend improvements or additions to the Village Recreation Program. (3) Report any problerns with the Village Reereation program to the Recreation Director. (4) Perforin any actions to help the Recreation Program that are requested by the Recreation Director or the Village Council. (5) Meet quarterly witli the Recreation Director in order to perform the aforementioned duties. Consensus was that the stateme�t provided by Boardmember Bonnell was very good, and was a good place to start. Boardmember Vadala suggested accepting the mission statement as submitted with the provision that it could be narrowed or expanded at a later date. Boardmember Evans commented she was happy with the statement but questioned whether the mission statement should be braad and the responsibilities listed separately. Director Corbitt commented the mission statement had been provided in the first sentence, and the highlights he had read aloud were the goals and objectives. Director Corbitt indicated a copy of Boardmember Bonnell's statement would be provided to each Boardmember. Discussion ensued regarding possible future cbanges. Director Corbitt noted the mission statement could be changed in the future to make it better, but normally a mission statement did not change. MOTION: Boardmember Vadala made a motion to accept the sugg�ted mission statement for now, with the provision that in the future it could be amended. Boardmember Laamanen seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 4-0 vote. Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes September 4, 2002 Page 3 ----------------------------------- B. Chair and Vice Chair Positions 1. Nominations and Elections Director Corbitt reported that Boardmember Bonnell had indicated by letter that he did not want to nominate anyone when he was absent. Boardmember Laamanen indicated she would like every Boardmember to vote on this matter. MOTION: Boardmember Laamanen made a motion to delay nominations for Chair and Vice Chair until the next meeting. Boardmember Evans seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 4-0 vote. C. FRDAP (Florida Recreation Development and Assistance Program) Grant for Constitution Park in Tequesta, Florida Director Corbitt explained that the Village was applying for a$200,000 matching grant from the State of Florida, and that this item had been placed on the agenda since that was a requirement for the application process. Director Corbitt explained this was a State of Florida grant for Parks and Recreation, and the grant coordinator would be the liaison between the Village and Tallahassee. Points were given on the application for having such items as rest rooms, picnic pavilions, trails, upgraded playground equipment, or any other park improvements, except structures, that would benefit the public. Director Corbitt explained this could not be done for Tequesta Park beeause there were 21 years remaining on the 50-year lease from the State of Florida, and the minimum requirement was to have 25 years remaining. Director Corbitt advised that the lease with the State would be rewritten so that next year the Village would be able to pursue a grant for Tequesta Park. Director Corbitt explained that if the grant was received for Constitution Park, this Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes September 4, 2002 Page 4 ----------------------------------- Board could make decisions on how the funds would be used, based on that park's needs, and the Board would not be govemed by the suggested improvemen�s on the application. Mr. Corbitt explained that he had been working with a park planner, who had done a semi-master plan with suggestions for a volleyball court, one large picnic pavilion, and small family picnic shelters throughout the park. Director Corbitt advised that the Village planned to rent the large pavilion at Tequesta Park beginning October 1, and the charge would be $30 for 4 hours and $60 for 8 hours. Director Corbitt advised that possible improvements to Constitution Park might include a barbeque pit, upgrading playground equipment, redoing the heart trail, redoing the gazebo, and adding restrooms. Boardmember Pittman suggested the addition of water fountains. Mr. Corbitt esttimmated the cost of restrooms might be $60,000 since they could be tied into the Recreation Center building, and reported there had been talk of expanding the Recreation Center by building onto the back or adding a second story, and explained that the Village Council had already approved partitioning off and carpeting the meeting room area. This would a11ow renting other parts of the building at the same time meetings were being he1d. Boardmember Laamanen commented it would be cheaper to expand upward and she did not want to cover any more ground with concrete in this community. Director Corbitt indicated that Boardmember Laamanen's comment was an example of the types of recommendations the Boardmember could make during their meetings and if the Village Council ever discussed renovating the building the Board could present their concerns. Boardmember Laamanen commented she did not Iike the multifamily development being built on the other side of the railroad tracks; however, the Recreation Center could use a second story to accommodate the increased population, and commented that it was a known fact that the increase in tax base would be far exceeded by the cost to service those residents. Boardmember Vadala agreed with the second story concept and commented that annexing other properties would take away from community services. Boardmember Vadala favored building a second story ra.ther than taking away any land from the park. Director Corbitt commented he had no idea how much land had been proposed to Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes September 4, 2002 Page 5 ----------------------------------- be used at the rear of the building, but possibly just enough to square off the building. Boardmember Vadala commented the expansion should go up, not out, to which Director Corbitt responded when it got to that point it would be discussed. IV. Any Other Matters Boardmember Pittman commented there had previously been a weight or gym program offered, but it had not worked out since it was not open early in the morning when people wanted to use the equipment. Director Corbitt noted he had received a lot of suggestions for that type of program, but there was a cost to buying the equipment, and the former equipment had belonged to the YMCA, which they had taken when they left. Director Corbitt advised that the FRDAP grant did not cover gym equipment, but there were other grants that could be pursued, or it could possibly be added to next year's budget. The budget for fiscal year 2003 had already basically been finalized, so Boardmembers should think about things for the next year's budget. Mr. Corbitt noted that a gyrn could be placed on a second floor or anywhere in the building, since an elevator would be required to provide handicap access. I?irector Corbitt commented that many of the survey responses indicated the residents were interested in fitness; also that once a recreation program was established it would be easy to obtain equipment and he thought a gym was a great idea. Boardmember Laamanen inquired whether any equipment was need�d for the karate program, to which Mr. Corbitt responded, no, and explained that the instructor had come to him to propose the karate program. The instructor was getting 90% of registration fees and the Village 10%, and there was a 6-month contract. Director Corbitt explained that in order to get inshuctors who would stay here they must receive enough to make it worthwhile, and the split might be changed to 80%/20% at a later date. Director Corbitt was congratulated on his program list. Mr. Corbitt indicated that kick boxing would be added, since an instructor had been interested. Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes September 4, 2002 Page 6 ----------------------------------- Director Corbitt read program suggestions from Boardmember Bonnell's letter, including a Senior Center to provide a place for seniors to meet, relax with friends, and have a cup of coffee or tea, nothing elaborate, and a pool table would be nice but not necessary. Mr. Corbitt indicated he had provided senior programs. Mr. Bonnell indicated boating lessons involving canoes and kayaks had been suggested for juniors and teenagers, and he would like to add sailing and instruction in water safety, as well as fishing programs for kids which would teach them how to use fishing gear and how to catch the big ones. Director Corbitt noted this was something that would be incorporated into the summer programs. For teenagers, Boardmember Bonnell suggested a dance on Wednesday and Saturday evenings with soft drinks. Dance instruction-fox trot, jitterbug and evening dances for seniors when teenagers were not there. Another suggestion from Mr. Bonnell was to keep the Tequesta Park tennis courts well maintained since the surface was beginning to crack again; and the net and net hold-downs required maintenance. Mr. Corbitt indicated paving the tennis and basketball courts was in the budget under the capital improvement plan and they were repaved every three years. Director Corbitt indicated he would check on the life of a net and estimated 2-5 years. Mr. Bonnell suggested if there was paved surface at Tequesta Park for roller blading, to add a basketball hoop at one end. It was noted there was a basketball court at Tequesta Park. Mr. Bonnell also suggested dogs be required to be on leashes at Tequesta Park. Boardmember Laamanen inquired how many tennis courts there were at Tequesta Park and the budget for nets. Mr. Corbitt indicated there were 4 courts, therefore 4 nets, that the cost to replace the nets was not more than $5,000, and funding for the nets and hardware came from the general operating budget. Director Corbitt noted that the basketball court at Constitution Park would be resurfaced in 2003, which would cost approximately $10,000, and the heart trail would be resurfaced in FY2004. Mr. Corbitt advised that each member would receive a copy of the budget, which would help them understand where the money was going and help them make recommendations for FY2004. Director Corbitt announced that he had budgeted for a 15-passenger van which could be used for outings for all age groups, and another van could be Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes September 4, 2002 Page � ----------------------------------- rented for summer camp or as interest grew. Programs for ages 10-15 were discussed and on the first day brainstorming would take place to see what activities were wanted. Mr. Corbitt explained that the programs would be by seasons the fall schedule of programs would run from September to November and the winter programs from December to February. Spring and summer programs would be of�ered. Mr. Corbitt requested ideas from the Board for the winter program. Director Corbitt asked for assistance with a Halloween party to be held at the Recreation Center, and advised he had spoken with Good Shepherd church across the street and they would be involved in the party. A toy store on Dixie was donating gifts to give out. The event would be publicized in the same way as Tequesta Fest and the end of school bash. Mr. Corbitt suggested ads in the Jupiter Courier beginning October 1. Signs for a parade and party were discussed. Director Corbitt indicated he would find out how long small signs could be up. Ideas for the Halloween party were discussed, including prizes for the best costumes. Ideas for assista.nce with the decorations were Good Shepherd church, the Gator Club, and the art center. Boardmember Laamanen complimented Mr. Corbitt on the fall schedule, which she described as manageable and diversified. Director Corbitt reported the tennis program went well and would be held again during the instructor's college break. The Board discussed changing the frequency of ineetings and the starting time. Director Corbitt explained that in order to give members duties for events, the meetings should be held monthly, and if held monthly he hoped the meetings could be limited to an hour. MOTION: Boardmember Laamanen made a motion to amend the schedule of meetings to occur on the first Wednesday montlily. Boardmember Evans seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 4-0 vote. r Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Minutes September 4, 2002 Page 8 ----------------------------------- The starting time for meetings was discussed. MOTION: Boardmember Laamanen made a motion to set the starting time of meetings at 7 pm. Boardmember Vadala seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 4-0 vote. MOTION Boardmember Vadala made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 5, 2002 meeting. Boardmember Pittman seconded the motion, which carried by uoanimous 4-0 vote. V. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m. The next meeting will be held October 2, 2002, at 7 p.m. at the Recreation Center. Respectfully submitted, Beriy Laur Recording Secretary Date Approved: