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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-26-2018 PR MinutesCITY OF SEBASTIAN PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING MARCH 26, 2018 1. Call to Order -- Chairman Sims called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Pledae of Allegiance was recited by all. 3. Roll Call Present: Mr. Matthew Sims Ms. JoAnn Webster Ms. Nicole Kukstis (a) Mr. Jay McKinniss Ms. JoAnne White Mr. Jim Sunnycalb (a) Not Present: Mr. Greg Paschall — Excused Also Present: Ms. Margarita Hernandez, Parks Administrator Ms. Janet Graham, Technical Writer 4. Announcements and/or Aaenda Modifications Mr. Sims stated that Mr. Paschall would not be present this evening, and Mr. Sunnycalb would be voting in his place. Mr. Sims also welcomed Mr. McKinniss to his position on the Committee and said that it would be a pleasure to work with him. 5. Approval of Minutes -- Regular Meeting of February 26, 2018 A motion to approve the February 26, 2018 Minutes as written was made by Ms. White and seconded by Ms. Webster and passed unanimously by voice vote. 6. Unfinished Business A. Recreation and Open Space Element/Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 2 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 26, 2018 i. City of Fernandina Recreation and Open Space Element Objectives ii. City of Satellite Beach Recreation and Open Space Element Goals, Objectives and Policies Ms. White asked Ms. Hernandez for clarification as to what the Committee is to review. Ms. Hernandez stated that at the last meeting staff proposed to the Committee that they look into goals, objectives and policies of other cities and municipalities to use as a reference, and staff attached plans of some other municipalities. SEE ATTACHED. Staff would like the Committee to indicate which examples they do or do not like. Then the staff can make the pertinent modifications and incorporate them into the Open Space Element for Sebastian. Ms. White stated that overall she was very pleased with the information that was presented. She stated she liked both the plans for Fernandina and Satellite Beach regarding Open Space Element Objectives, and probably some aspects of each plan could be incorporated into the plan for Sebastian. She did want to suggest a provision being made for kayak launches on the canals and also on the river. Her other concern is acquiring property for the future. She suggested coordinating with the schools to use their fields and/or their gyms. She also asked if the City has a grant writer. Ms. Hernandez stated that technically each department is responsible for looking up grants that might apply to the department, and since the Community Development Director has been working with the City, staff has looked at possible grants and listing them on a spreadsheet in order to keep current on which grant is due, etc. Ms. White also stated that she would like to propose having a survey taken of Sebastian residents in order to get feedback on what they might want in the future in the way of parks and recreation areas. She pointed out that, since land in the City is getting scarce, she would encourage staff to focus on looking for lands for possible use in the future. Ms. Webster stated she prefers the Satellite Beach plan, as it appears to be geared more to a smaller community such as Sebastian. Mr. Sims stated he liked the plan for Satellite Beach, as it is geared more toward a smaller community. Ms. Hernandez stated the staff will take some aspects of both plans and apply to Sebastian's plan and then will finalize the document and present it to the Planning and Zoning Commission and then to City Council. PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 3 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 26, 2018 Mr. McKinniss stated his main interest is going to be in the area of maintaining the parks, providing high standards for the parks, getting more adults and their children involved in the community and using the parks, waterways and trails more frequently. 7. Public Input -- None 8. New Business -- None 9. Staff Matters Ms. Hernandez reminded the Committee and the public about the Easter Egg Hunt coming up Saturday, March 315t, at Riverview Park at 10:00 a.m. for elementary school children. No judges are needed for this event. 10. Board or Committee Member Matters Mr. Sunnycalb asked for an update on the boardwalk. Ms. Hernandez stated she has spoken with the County Conservation Lands Manager and informed her that the boardwalk needed cleaning, pressure washing and possibly some repairs. The Lands Manager stated that at the present time they are not planning to clean it, but she would send someone out to look into the necessary repairs. Mr. Sunnycalb suggested talking to someone with the County with more authority in order to get something done. He also mentioned that the boardwalk is somewhat hidden from public view, and he suggested posting some signage so more residents are aware that there is a very nice boardwalk there. He suggested the sign at the entrance to the Dog Park be changed to reflect the new hours, being dawn to dusk. He also welcomed Mr. McKinniss to the Committee and stated he will be a great asset. Ms. Webster mentioned that the walkover over 95 is up and is really nice. She also inquired whether there are new lights at the baseball field. Ms. Hernandez stated the lights are now on an automatic system, on a timer, and are monitored by a company whom the staff can contact and direct them on any changes in the times the lights are to be on in the different fields. Ms. White mentioned the Concerts in the Park and her concern with the vendors being parked in the public parking spaces, which takes away from the available parking spaces for the public, and she questioned why the vendors no longer park in the park PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 4 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 26, 2018 along the sidewalk. Ms. Hernandez stated that, because the City is trying to preserve the oak trees at the park, it was decided that the vendors would park in the parking spaces this year. Mr. McKinniss stated his concern with the drought damage along Sebastian Boulevard in the areas where the City had done landscaping several years ago, particularly where the three sets of flags are, and he questioned whether there is an irrigation problem there. Ms. Hernandez stated the City is responsible for some of the medians, and she will look into this matter and will report back at the next meeting. 11. Items for the Next Aoenda and Date -- April 23, 2018. 12. Adjourn Chairman Sims called for any further business. Hearing none, he adjourned the meeting at 6:26 p.m. By Matthew Sims, Chairman v Parks and Recreation Committee j9