Parks Advisory Board Minutes – December 4, 2015Page 1

Minutes

Parks and Recreation Advisory BoardMeeting of December4, 2015

7:30 a.m. – Franklin Park– Fort Lauderdale

Board Members Present

Barbara Southwick / Howard Nelson / Thomas Fabricio
Christina Clifford / Kristen Reineke / Tyson Jones
Dana MacDonald / Patrick Brochu / William Norkunas

Board Members Absent

Alex Lazowick / Jack Mathison / Terry Danger
Arthur McNeil / Stephanie Munson
Daniel Mulieri / Stephen Lawson

County Staff

Cathy Hagen / Danielle Bachelder / Lou Metz
Cheryl Cayer / Gary Remillet / Racquel Henry
Chester Pruitt / Gayle Preston / Val Wolberg
Dan West / Jim Federici

Guests

None

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (Board) meeting was called to order by Howard Nelson, Vice Chair,at 7:35a.m., after which all present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.Roll was called; a quorum was not present until later in the meeting with the arrival of several Board members.A quorum was present when matters were discussed and action taken by the Board.

Vice Chair Nelsonannounced the appointment of Board member Barbara Southwick, representing Commissioner Beam Furr, District 6. Ms. Southwick stated that she has been retired for 21 years. She was the chair of Hallandale Beach Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for 15 years, she is a member of the Education Advisory Board as well the Police Athletic League.

Public Comment:Vice Chair Nelson inquired if there were any members of the public who wished to speak on any Parks-related topic. There were none.

Vice Chair Nelson skipped the approval of the minutes for the time being as there was no quorum and moved on to discuss the items on the agenda.

Park Manager’s Report:Danielle Bachelder, Park Manager II

Ms. Bachelder gave a presentation of the park, featuring programs offered and highlighting several upgrades. She reported that the park grossed over $22,000 in revenue for FY 2015. Recent upgrades have been made to the kitchen, the shelter roof was replaced, basketball court was resurfaced, new A/C units were installed, and the fitness equipment was replaced.

Ms. Bachelder stated that there was an increase in programming attendance when compared to FY 2014: 23% increase in the After-School Program, 29% in the Summer Recreation Program, and 14% in the Active Older Adult Programming. Some of the upcoming community special events includes backpack giveaways; Kwanzaa: First Night Celebration; Day of Dignity; and Lights on Afterschool.

Val Wolberg, Park Manager V for the neighborhood parks, stated that there are six neighborhood parks, and the main goal is to serve the surrounding communities. All programs offered at the neighborhood parks are free. There is a partnership with the School Board to provide food to children during the summer months, and with the health department to educate the children on HIV/AIDS prevention. Staff is currently with the School Board’s adult education department to bring the GED program to the neighborhood parks. The community also looks forward to the annual Red and White Ball that accommodates over 300 seniors.

Vice Chair Nelson asked about the remarkable increase in program attendance over the past year. Mr. West replied that through planning and development, the work done by Parks Maintenance Group and management staff integrating all six community parks has contributed to the increase in programming.

Bond Construction Update:Jim Federici, P.E., Manager, Parks Planning and Design

Mr. Federici had renderings of park projects that he showed to the Board.

  • Deerfield Island Park– Received purchase order for the modifications to the fire main system. The contractor is preparing to start in 30 days.
  • Roosevelt Gardens Park–The parking lot addition has been completed.
  • South Fork New River– Installing navigational markers in the South Fork of the New River; project is 90% complete.
  • Quiet Waters Park – The consultant is preparing plans to construct eco-cabins for rental; documents are 80% complete.The plan is to construct four cabins to start and later adding another 12. The cost will be about $50,000 for each cabin, plus an installation cost at approximately $25,000. An infrastructure improvement to include installation of sanitation sewer, electricity, and water will have to be completed before construction.

Mr. West stated that the cabins will have a kitchenette, bathroom, electricity, tile floors, laminated wood walls, and a front porch. Mr. Fabricio asked how much revenue the cabins would generate. Mr. West stated that the cabins will last 30 or more years and will have more long term success, without many replacement costs and renting the cabins at a reasonable price guarantees success in the future. Mr. West stated that the key is to provide the best price point to ultimately pay off the investment.

Vice Chair Nelson suggested that Parks look into Americorp volunteer services to help with building the cabins. Mr. West stated that Parks has reached out to Amercorp in the past, and suggested that Mr. Pruitt will reach out to them again.

Vice Chair Nelson remarked that recent additions of paddle boarding, Dog Park, new playground equipment, and upgrades to the waterpark and mountain bike trails has positively changed the personality of Quiet Waters Park.

Ms. Reineke asked if families will be allowed to bring pets. Mr. West stated that staff will consider accommodating pets.

  • Miramar Pineland Park–Phase 1 has been completed. Phase 2 to construct new office and nature center: the consultant, Singer Architects, has completed preliminary design.
  • Secret Woods Nature Center –Construction of a new boardwalk overlooking the New River to begin soon; plans and specificationsare 95% complete.
  • Shooster Preserve Natural Area – Project in preliminary planning stage to improve fencing, parking lot, nature trail, overlook, and playground.

Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Dana MacDonaldto approve the minutes of the November 6, 2015, meeting. The motion was seconded by Thomas Fabricio and was passed unanimously.

Parks Foundation Update:Vice Chair Nelson announced that the Foundation’s first fundraising event held at Quiet Waters Park, Splash Adventure on Friday October 2, 2015, was a success. The event was called “Yappy Hour” and was an evening of K9 fun for dogs and their owners. At the next meeting there will be an election for a new Chair for the Foundation. Vice Chair Nelson encouraged the Board members to join the Parks Foundation as a way of showing dedication to the Board and Broward County park system.

Mr. Pruitt added that the two main purposes of the first event were lobbying efforts and fundraising. The Foundation raised over $3,000 at the Yappy Hour event.The Foundation’s member brochures are available for corporate and individual sponsorship.

Parks and Recreation Division Update: Dan West stated that the capital budget process is being worked on in preparation for FY 2017. The dedication of the Bob Harbin Butterfly and Bird Sanctuary at Quiet Waters Park is being postponed until next month due to inclement weather forecasts. The second fitness station dedication at Brian Piccolo is scheduled for December 11, 2015. A parcel of land was recently acquired and will be an addition to Boulevard Gardens Park. The existing building will be renovated into a Community Center. An ongoing temporary memorial at TY Park is being handled according to the Park Memorial Guidelines.

Old Business

None

New Business

The Board accepted the 2016 meeting location schedule. Mr. Mulieri suggested that future meetings be held at Easterlin and Everglades Holiday Parks.

Adjournment:The meeting adjourned at 8:33a.m.

Next Meeting: The next meeting will be held at Fern Forest Nature Centerat 7:30a.m.on Friday, January22, 2016.