Parks Advisory Board Minutes – February 7, 2013 Page 2

Minutes

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting of February 7, 2013

6:00 p.m. – Plantation Heritage Park – Plantation

Board Members Present / County Staff: / Members of the Public:
Terry Danger / Dan West, Parks Director / Joe Holmes
Rashad El-Amin / Jim Federici, HCED / Charles Coxon
Tyson Jones / Cyndy Baker, Parks / Ricardo Cruz
Sharon Kent / Cheryl Cayer, Parks / Mark Ridgley
Stephen Lawson / Cathy Hagen, Parks / Walter Syrek
Alex Lazowick / Dori Horowitz, Park / Laura Volk
Dana MacDonald / Jason Lester, Parks / Gary McGee
Jack Mathison / Lou Metz, Parks / Mike Killian
Stephanie Munson / Sarah Perkins, Parks / Vanessa Montoya
Howard Nelson / Gayle Preston, Parks / Norma Rodriguez
Bill Norkunas / Gary Remillet, Parks / Tam Le
Guy Roper / Julie Grady, Park Volunteer / Archie Lansangan
Bill Spute / Leland McLaughlin
Board Members Absent / Alvin Lang
Patrick Brochu / Marge Miller
Christina Clifford / Julia McElvy
Marc Kiar / Judy Eason
Rod Eason
Ann Broadwell
Julia B. Poppe

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (Board) meeting was called to order by Chair Bill Spute at 6:08 p.m., after which all present recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll was called; a quorum was present.

Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Board member Nelson to approve the minutes of the November 2, 2012, meeting. The motion was seconded by Board member Danger, and the motion passed unanimously.

Old Business: The Board Sunset Review Committee met and decided to retain the Parks Advisory Board.

Bond Construction Update: Jim Federici, Parks Planning and Design, distributed an updated project status report and provided a brief update.

Miramar Pineland Regional Park: This project is under construction and is essentially complete. Staff is working with the City of Miramar to obtain the certificate of completion.

West Creek Pineland Bridge: There was a change order to install hand rails on the bridge. That has come in and the installation is complete.

Central Broward Regional Park Maintenance Facility: An RLI for improvements will go before the Commission for approval on February 12.

Deerfield Highlands Natural Area: Bids were just opened yesterday for this project. It should be started by late summer.

Everglades Holiday Park: A consultant has completed a bridge renovation alternatives study, and staff is working with South Florida Water Management District to finalize an agreement to share the cost 50/50 for bridge construction at Everglades Holiday Park. It will need to go to the Commission for approval.

Highlands Park Community Center: The Highlands Park Community Center project, in West Pompano Highlands Park, was transferred to the City of Deerfield Beach by approval of the Commission in November 2012. The transfer was effective January 31, 2013.

Saw Palmetto Natural Area: The design is essentially complete and has been submitted for permits. The County will use a unit price agreement with a local contractor, making the procurement process more streamlined.

Secret Woods Nature Center: The dock extension and overlook plans are in permitting with SFWMD.

Tradewinds Park North: Mr. Federici gave a brief history about the DB3a project, for which the selection committee was formed in 2001, and described efforts that staff is making to finish the project. The concept of the project has changed, many of the selection committee members are no longer with the County or the positions are different than originally named, and the way selection committees are appointed has changed. Staff plans to present a revised request for letters of interest to the Commission. The project is for a demonstration farm as part of a destination venue. Mr. West described the concept for the park. Lou Metz, Parks Contract Development, explained how the makeup of selection committees has changed over the past few years. Discussion continued, with supportive comments from Board members Munson, Danger, and Roper. Extension and 4-H will be involved.

Employees of the Quarter: Mr. Spute recognized Cathy Hagen in the category of Administrative Support and Programming, since she was unable to attend the November 2012 meeting when the other Employees of the Quarter were recognized. Ms. Hagen’s work ethic and dedication to supporting the Director’s Office were noted.

Park Manager’s Report: Jason Lester, Parks and Recreation Manager III, welcomed the Board members to Plantation Heritage Park. Mr. Lester introduced volunteer Julie Grady and thanked her for donating refreshments. Mr. Lester provided statistics on the number of volunteers that support Plantation Heritage and how many hours of service they donate. Mr. Lester also provided a brief report on the park’s facilities, amenities, budget, revenue, attendance, and upcoming events. Mr. Norkunas commented on how valuable a resource high school student volunteers are. Mr. Nelson suggested not just the public school students, but also charter and private schools are a good source of volunteers because many of them need to have projects. Mr. Jones asked about the acreage on the west side of the park. Mr. Lester noted that discussions are ongoing about the best use of the 17 acres. Ms. Kent asked about concerns of the neighbors with the noise that would come with development of that area. Mr. Lester stated any development would likely be passive.

Parks and Recreation Division Update: Mr. West reported that Miramar Pineland will be opening soon. It has about 156 acres and is a sandy slough. The Parks Fee Schedule is on the Commission Agenda for the February 12, 2013, Public Hearing. RLIs for Everglades Holiday Park were completed: one for improvements and the other for concessions. The Commission approved the rankings of the proposers. Staff has made great progress at EHP. Bike America is operating at Quiet Waters and has a great shop. Parks IT will begin installing WebTrac to allow online reservations of park shelters, halls and campsites. And the capital budget process is starting, with sessions scheduled for the Business Operations staff to meet with each park manager to go over budget proposals.

Mr. Jones mentioned an article about the Chili Cook-off. Approximately 22,500 attended, having been reduced from the previous year’s attendance. Counting staff, the total in attendance was about 25,000. Up to 35,000 have been in attendance in years past. The event went very well and received great reviews.

Old Business: None.

New Business: None.

Board Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

Public Meeting was opened at 7:00 p.m. Members of the public were asked to sign in and were invited to address the Board.

Joe Holmes spoke about Disc Golf, explaining how the game is played and how participants would like to see more courses in Broward County. There are five courses in Miami-Dade, and two in Broward County. Mr. Holmes requested a course at C.B. Smith Park and one at Vista View Park.

Charles Coxon spoke to the Board about a reduced cost or one-time-fee passport for persons that are at least 65 year of age. Mr. West asked for clarification that he is requesting a discounted senior passport into the parks. Mr. West stated Mr. Coxon’s proposal will be taken into consideration. It would have to go to the Commission for approval.

Ricardo Cruz, a resident of Plantation, recommended replacing the east playground in Plantation Heritage Park. He asked about shade covering for the park, and suggested exercise equipment/stations. Mr. Lester confirmed the park is in the process of replacing the shade covering and the playground. Mr. Cruz also mentioned he likes the food trucks, and suggested charging entrance fees per car instead of per person.

Mark Ridgley, South Side Little League, addressed the Board to complain about conditions at Sunview Park, stating the neighborhood parks are at the bottom of the list. He wants the neighborhood park designation changed. He also stated that lights have been burned out for six months or are directed the wrong way.

Walter Syrek, Pompano Beach Highlands neighborhood association, talked about Highlands Scrub Natural Area being a public safety issue since the park is now left open 24/7. Parks will take Mr. Syrek’s concerns into consideration.

Laura Volk, Gary McGee, Mike Killian, Vanessa Montoya, Norma Rodriguez, Tam Le, Archie Lansangan, Leland McLaughlin, and Alvin Lang, members of the Broward Volley Ball Club addressed the Board to encourage adding volley ball courts at the parks. Ms. Volk distributed information about courts.

Marge Miller complained about the way her contract to provide dog training classes was terminated, and described the procedure used for most aggressive dogs, Alpha-Wolf Rollover.

Julia McElvy, whose family members were pioneers in Fort Lauderdale and have celebrated Thanksgiving in the parks for years, asked why the parks were closed on Thanksgiving. Staff explained that the parks are open on Thanksgiving, but closed the day after.

Judy Eason and Rod Eason addressed the Board to talk about procedures for dog trainers that train therapy dogs.

Ann Broadwell, having lived nearby for 30-plus years, addressed the Board about Plantation Heritage Park. She praised the park and commented on many of the amenities.

Julia B. Poppe commented on non-native species.

Public Meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

Next Meeting: The next meeting will be held at 7:30 a.m., March 1, 2013, at Secret Woods Nature Center in Dania Beach.