Parks Advisory Board Minutes – March 3, 2016Page 1

Minutes

Parks and Recreation Advisory BoardMeeting of March 3, 2016

6p.m. – Central Broward Regional Park– Lauderhill

Board Members Present

Alex Lazowick / Daniel Mulieri / Terry Danger
Arthur McNeil / Jack Mathison / Thomas Fabricio
Barbara Southwick / Kristen Reineke / William Norkunas
Christina Clifford / Patrick Brochu
Dana MacDonald / Stephanie Munson

Board Members Absent

Howard Nelson / Stephen Lawson / Tyson Jones

County Staff

Cathy Hagen / Gayle Preston / Orika Carty
Cheryl Cayer / Jim Federici / Racquel Henry
Dan West / Katie Hendrickson / Sarah Perkins
David Henkel / Lou Metz / Tiaona Scott
Dori Horowitz-Remillet / Maureen O’Rourke / Trevor Fell
Duncan Finch / Michelle Parks
Gary Remillet / Nikki Hochberg

Guests

Dinesh Mehta / Scott Sheckman

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (Board) meeting was called to order by JackMathison, Chair, at 6:07p.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 Daniel Mulierito approve the minutes of the December 5, 2015, meeting. The motion was seconded by Patrick Brochu and was passed unanimously.

Employees of the Quarter: Each Employee of the Quarter was introduced and presented with a framed certificate to commemorate the award, a tote bag, a personalized logo shirt, and a Division “Find it All” mug.

Employees for the 4thQuarter 2015 were: Tiaona Scott, Student Worker, Roosevelt Gardens Park; Michelle Parks, Parks Manager, Everglades Holiday Park; and David Henkel, Electrician II, Parks Maintenance Group.

Park Manager’s Report:Duncan Finch, Senior Parks Manager

Mr. Finch reported that Central Broward Regional Park (CBRP) has been in operation for over 8 years and is doing very well. There was a 19% increase in revenue over the prior year, and stadium rentals increased to 287 reservations, up from 115 in FY14. The two light poles on the southern side of the field are being relocated to the outside of the field to improve usage of the stadium. Staff is currentlyin talks with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers regarding their use of the stadium for daily practice.Upcoming events at the stadium includes The American College Cricket National Tournament,Lawrence Rowe Foundation’s 2nd Annual Legends of Cricket event, FC Barcelona three weeks of summer camp, Aussie Rules Football, Youth Caribbean Carnival, J’ouvert, and Kickball. Mr. West stated that the park and staff were recognized by the Commission. CBRP is looking forward to drawing more anchor-tenants, identifying markets, and getting sponsors for events. The benchmark has increased to 287 days per year of reservations and in the near future will increase to over 300 days. There is an agreement withLauderhill Performing Arts Center to utilize parking spots on the corner lot. Plans are underway for an electronic marquee sign on State Road 7, with the City of Lauderhill matching the county’s cost.

Mr. Danger asked if there is adequate parking for large events. Mr. West replied that there is enough parking for about 2,000 cars during a large event.

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

  • Deerfield Island Park – the project is to develop a new six inch fire main; construction work commenced on February 29, 2016.
  • Hollywood North Beach (HNB) and West Lake Park–the project is to renovate observation tower at Anne Kolb Nature Center, consultant is preparing package for submission to Purchasing for bid advertisement.
  • Quiet Waters Park– the project is to develop a new dog park featuring a splash pad in the northwest corner of the park.
  • Secret Woods Nature Center – the project is to construct a new boardwalk to overlook the New River.
  • Tradewinds Park North –the project is to replace septic systems, construct new multi-use park services center and to re-develop farm area to include new barn, corral/pen, and associated support facilities.

Parks Foundation Update:Mr. West stated that the Foundation is working diligently on fundraising projects and looking for potential members to join the foundation. Based on the County Attorney’s opinion there is no conflict of interest if two members of the Board were to serve on the Foundation as long as Parks’ business matters are not discussed. Nonetheless, it is in Parks’ best interest to not have more than one member of the Board serving on the Foundation.

Mr. West stated that the Board and the Foundation are very valuable to Parks, each with a different mission and in the case of the Parks Advisory Board, a statutory responsibility.

Chair Mathison stated that if Vice Chair Nelson is unable to attend a Foundation meeting, then Alex Lazowick could attend to represent the Board.

Parks and Recreation Division Update:

Park Naturalists Katie Hendrickson and Nikki Hochberg gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding Parks programs that are geared toward school children.Ms. Hendrickson stated that students and teachers are offered volunteer and educational opportunities throughout parks, with hands-on, interactive field trips that areapproved by the Broward Supplemental Arts and Science Program. Parks has partnered with several schools including North Broward Preparatory School and Crystal Lake Middle School.

Barbara Southwick stated that she is concerned that there is not a better partnership with parks and Broward schools. She suggested that staff attend the School Board Advisory meetings. Mr. West stated that a Foundation Board member is a member of the School Board.

Mr. West followed up on a question that Mr. Fabricio asked at the last meeting regarding HNB parking and the projected revenue increase. Mr. West reported that the annual revenue for HNB parking is $450,000 to $500,000.Included in this year’s capital budget is funding to move to a parking meter system. The parking fee is being increased for weekends and holidays from $8 to $10 per day and will include all pocket parks.

Dori Horowitz-Remillet addressed Mr. Norkunas’ question asked at the December 5, 2015, meeting, regarding service animals at water parks. Ms. Horowitz-Remillet stated that County policy does not allow service animals in pools and water playgrounds, which is in line with the Department of Justice.

Mr. West stated that the 30th Annual Employee Meeting was held on Thursday, February 25, 2016, at Anne Kolb Nature Center. MayorMarty Kiar attended the event,as did Deputy County Administrator Rob Hernandez. The Board is invited to attend next year’s meeting.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is scheduled to go live on Monday, April 4th. The system will interface all County processes, budgeting, purchasing, inventory, asset management, etc.

The capital budget process has been completed. The Division submitted over 20 items. The class and pay study was introduced.Staff is still working to finalize disparities.

Old Business

Cathy Hagen asked if there were any outstanding 2015 Secret Shopper Surveys to be turned in. The FY16 Goals and Objectives was amended to state Goal 1, Objective 2 - 2015 accomplishment as nine completed Secret Shopper Surveys, and Objective 3 - 2015 accomplishment as five visitors to parks. A motion to approve the amended FY16 Goals and Objectives was made by Terry Danger. The motion was seconded by Daniel Mulieri and was passed unanimously.

Chair Mathison suggested that Board members sign up with Ms. Hagen to choose parks to secret shop. Ms. Hagen stated that Board members are welcome to secret shop any Broward County operated parks. Ms. Munson suggested that the Board also secret shop programs. Ms. Hendrickson said that a notation will be placed on Webtrac to alert parents to provideinsect repellant for their children, in response to Ms. Monson’s comment about no-see-ums.

Mr. West stated that the Division is working with the Cultural Division to showcase at least one “Music in the Parks” event. Parks is considering a partnership with Southeast Florida Symphony for these events.

New Business

None.

Adjournment:The meeting adjourned at 7:25p.m.

PublicForum:The Public Forum was opened at 7:25 p.m. Chair Mathison inquired if there were any members of the public who wished to speak on any Parks related topic.

Scott Sheckman stated that he is a member of the City of Hallandale Beach Advisory Board. He is also the president and co-founder of a non-profit group named Friends of Our Florida Reefs, and works closely with the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the reef conservation program. Mr. Sheckman stated he works closely with Ms. Southwick and applauds the work of the Division and the Board, especially the work done at Secret Woods and Fern Forest Nature Centers.

Mr. West stated that staff will contact Nova to arrange a Board meeting in one of their meeting rooms.

Adjournment: The public forum adjourned at 7:29 p.m.

Next Meeting: The next meeting will be held at Long Key Nature Center, Oak Hammock Hallat 7:30 a.m. on Friday, May 6, 2015.