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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-25-2024 PR MinutesIV. PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTESOF REGULAR MEETING MARCH 25, 2024 Call to Order -- Chairperson Drumheller called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Pledge of Alleqiance was recited by all. Roll Call Present Mr. Renzi Ms. Drumheller Mr. Danise (Zoom) Not Present Mr. Renzi - W a� Ai Tttc Mc1 ffr-J 4 Ms. Webster -- Absent Mr. Mauro -- Excuse Ms. White Mr. Allen (alternate) Also Present Richard Blankenship, Parks & Recreation Director Antoine VanMeir, Parks Superintendent Joseph Perez, AV Technical Assistant Janet Graham, Technical Writer Announcements and Agenda Modifications Ms. Drumheller proposed adding an agenda modification regarding last month's meeting when the Board talked about getting more information on memorial benches. She would like to add that to this agenda just to see if there is more information regarding memorial benches. V. Approval of Minutes -- Meeting Minutes from February 26, 2024 Everyone indicating they had reviewed the Minutes, Ms. Drumheller called for a motion. A motion approving the Minutes from February 26, 2024 as presented was made by Mr. Renzi, seconded by Mr. Allen, and approved unanimously via voice vote. VI. Public Input -- None VII. Unfinished Business PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 2 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING MARCH 25, 2024 A. Current Project(s) Updates Mr. Blankenship gave an update on current projects as follows: Creative Playground -- This project is proceeding as planned, and there will be a ground -breaking ceremony on April 12, 2024. He has set the time as being 4:30 p.m. He is not certain if that is going to be the time or not, but the Committee members will be getting a formal invitation for the time that is actually set. It will, however, be April 12th He encouraged everyone to go by there and look at it. He stated that Mr. VanMeir has done a fantastic job of directing this project. The project was begun on February 51h, and we are going to open on April 12'h. That is quite an accomplishment. Mr. Blankenship stated that is all he has for current projects. B. Committee Member Park Updates Mr. Renzi -- stated that the Riverview Park is in perfect shape all the time. It is kept clean, and he is glad that the people enjoy it. The Stormwater Park is in good shape. The Freedom Park is also in good shape. He asked Mr. VanMeir if there is anything being planned to repave the parking spaces on the north and south sides of the park. Mr. VanMeir said Mr. Blankenship has more information than he has on that item. Mr. Blankenship stated he can address that under New Business on the agenda. Ms. White -- stated that the playground is busy a lot at the Easy Street Park. It is a very active park, and some of the lights that were missing or burned out have been addressed. The tables and benches have been cleaned on a regular basis also. Ms. White stated she walked over to the playground at Bryant Court Park. She stated that there is a plastic ramp or something that is on the ground going into the mulch area, and it is buckled. She suggested addressing that, as it may not be safe. Mr. Blankenship said that will be taken care of tomorrow morning. Ms. White added that as to Bryant Park, she was there recently, and the clean -out around the trees was done very thoroughly. Mr. Allen -- stated that his only update is on Bryant Court. He understands that it is being completed for swapping out some pieces of the equipment. He asked for information on the life span of the playground equipment on this park, and if we have an expected timeline for replacement, or if that can be looked at. Also, as to the benches at this park, the frame is made of steel, and the frame has considerable rust on it. He would like the staff to go over there and give a full audit. Mr. Blankenship addressed life span. He stated that in Florida playgrounds do not hold up very well. If they last more than 10 PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 3 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING MARCH 25, 2024 years, you're getting your money's worth. He described that end -of -safe -life use is typically 12 years, and he opined that Bryant Court is almost there. Ms. Drumheller added that the staff has a rotational grid on which parks are coming up next. She asked if this Committee could get the information as to where some of the parks are in the rotation. Ms. Drumheller asked Mr. Danise if he had anything to report. There was no response, as he was on Zoom. Ms. Drumheller told Mr. Danise that he cannot be heard at this time, but if he has anything to report, he can email that to Mr. VanMeir or Ron Paul. Ms. Drumheller -- stated her parks are doing well. She does not have any comments to make on any of her parks. C. Upcoming Events at Riverview Park Mr. Blankenship reported as follows: This Friday night is the Easter Egg Hunt and Movie Night beginning at 5:30 p.m. The egg hunt is approximately at 6:45 p.m. The movie will start around 7:45 p.m. Mr. Allen asked how is this information being disseminated to the community. Mr. Blankenship stated on the website, flyers on message boards, etc., and a lot of social media. He added that Avery Jones is now with the City, and she posts constantly online about events/happenings going on in the City. There is a large Earth Day celebration scheduled for April 20tn. Ms. Drumheller added that Ms. Jones is doing a wonderful job on social media. She's been highlighting the parks and doing updates on other things. Ms. Drumheller asked if they are still having the Easter morning service at Riverview Park. Mr. Blankenship said they are, at 6:30 a.m. Ms. Drumheller stated that there is also the event for the Sebastian River High School band being held at the Concert in the Park on April 5, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. She said that is always well attended. Ms. Drumheller reviewed the shredding event at Riverview Park. Mr. Blankenship stated there is also a bike collection at Barber Street. Ms. White stated that is going to be on April 20tn PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 4 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING MARCH 25, 2024 Mr. Blankenship added that the Art Club event that was supposed to be this past Saturday has been rescheduled to April 6. Mr. Allen returned to something this Committee talked about last month where the County and the different communities all have different boards and different events being advertised to the same basic population. He asked if Sebastian is currently in contact with the other groups for making sure that everyone is getting a wide view of what is happening here. Mr. Blankenship asked if he is referring to a master schedule, and Mr. Allen said yes. Mr. Blankenship said that has not been gotten yet. That is going to be quite a task, but that is on the list of things that staff is going to attempt to accomplish. Mr. Allen asked if Sebastian's social media person is in contact with the person with the same position with Indian River County and Vero Beach. Mr. Blankenship said he does know that at this point. D. Mangroves at Riverview Park Mr. Blankenship updated this item. Staff gets questions from the boards and the public as to why we cannot trim the mangroves at Riverview Park. People park there and cannot see the river. He explained that those are protected. There are three different varieties of mangroves in that area. Staff has had an expert verify what we already thought, and yes, they are all mangroves. There are also a few sea grapes, which are also protected. He stated that Mr. VanMeir and his crew will remove what they can, but it is not going to improve what people are complaining about. If Sebastian were to attempt to get a permit to trim, the most we can trim is to six feet. So if someone is sitting in his/her vehicle, the tree/bush is still going to be at least six feet tall. There was more general discussion regarding mangroves and sight areas of the river. E. Volunteer of the Year -- Draft Mr. Blankenship reviewed that the draft was updated somewhat, and the name was also changed a little bit. He added that this does not need to be addressed tonight, but he wants the Committee members to look at it and think about it, and at the next meeting have some suggestions. We have plenty of time to create the program. Ms. Drumheller suggested that, if someone chooses to do a paper form versus going online, an email or other address be shown where those paper forms can be sent. She said that we need to make sure that this item is on the agenda for next month's meeting. Mr. Allen suggested that, even if a person does not win, they should still be listed as a nominee and who made that nomination. He also suggested making some changes to PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 5 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING MARCH 25, 2024 the page layout. There was general discussion regarding making changes/additions to this item so that they can be addressed at the next meeting. VIII. New Business A. Find Grants applied for April 1, 2024 Mr. Blankenship advised that staff will be applying for these grants. He added that the only one that is not on this list is the Police Department which is applying for a grant for a new boat. He described the process for applying for these grants. He explained the grants listed on the agenda, and there was general discussion regarding this item. At this point, Ms. Drumheller recognized someone who wanted to speak as to public input. Paul Halleran, Sebastian, FL. He said he and his wife have lived in Sebastian for approximately 10 years. Recently, he retired, and he has an interest in Parks and Recreation, and he decided to attend a few meetings and maybe become helpful or maybe become more active. He spoke about a condition on US1 at the very end of Main Street. He stated that there is a blessing box there from the United Methodist Church on Roseland Road (similar to a library box), and there are food supplies in it. Next to it is a bench, and he described the condition of the bench as being dangerous. He does not know who takes care of that bench. Mr. Blankenship said he will take a look at the bench tomorrow and talk to Public Works to see if it is their responsibility. Ms. Drumheller asked if there is any information on memorial benches. Mr. Blankenship said it is on the list. His recommendation is going to be that, instead of having a memorial bench there, the City institute a memorial bench/tree program. He is putting that program together now. IX. Items for the Next Agenda and Date: April 22, 2024 Ms. White spoke regarding the vacant lot on Indian River Drive where the old hotel was. She thinks it is a nice area for the Parks and Recreation Department to hold on to. Mr. Blankenship recommended bringing that up to City Council. He does not have any information on that property. He recommended Ms. White talking to Community PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING MARCH 25, 2024 PAGE 6 Developmental Services to see if there is any interest from another party to do something there. X. Adjourn There being no further business, Ms. Drumheller adjourned the meeting at 6:41 p.m. A Az�-�" l i"'"" Ms. Drumheller, Chairperson * J,PPQWOd 0.s A-rnir\vlaz. Date: &v/ O L% • Mr. Danise was listed as being on Zoom, but the audio was poor, and he could not be heard during the majority of the meeting. O1YOF SE�ISASTLAN HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 32958 TELEPHONE (772) 228-7054 FAX (772) 228-7077 AGENDA CITY OF SEBASTIAN PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MONDAY, March 25, 2024 6:00 PM 1) CALL TO ORDER 2) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3) ROLL CALL 4) ANNOUNCEMENTS AND AGENDA MODIFICATIONS Modifications and additions require unanimous vote of members. Deletions do not apply. 5) APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Meeting Minutes from February 26, 2024 6) PUBLIC INPUT 7) UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Item A: Current Project(s) Update Creative Playground Ribbon Cutting April 12, 2024 @ 430 pm Item B: Committee Member Park Updates Item C: Upcoming Events at Riverview Park Egg Hunt and Movie Night March 29, 2024 545pm Field of Flags April 1- April15, 2024 (Display) Concert in the Park April 5, 2024 530pm- 8 pm (SRHS Performing) Sebastian Art Club April 6, 2024 8am-4pm Craft Club Event April 13, 202410am-3pm Earth Day April 20, 2024 9am-4pm (Flyer attached for Shred Event and Recycling Events) Item D: Mangroves at Riverview Park Item E: Volunteer of the Year - Draft 8) NEW BUSINESS: ITEM A: FIND Grants applied for April 1, 2024: Riverview Park design $100,000 Crabby Bills engineering and design $100,000 Shoreline Stabilization $100,000 Working Waterfront dry line $40,000 Law Enforcement docks dry line $80,000 ITEM B: Riverview Park Public Planning update 9) ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA AND DATE: April 22,2024 10) ADJOURN ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER CONSIDERED AT THIS MEETING (OR HEARING) WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE HEARD. (286.0105 F.S.) IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA), ANYONE WHO NEEDS A SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION FOR THIS MEETING SHOULD CONTACT THE CLAYS ADA COORDINATOR AT 589-5330 AT LEAST 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THIS MEETING. HOWEVER, THE PUBLIC IS ADVISED TO CHECK THE CITY wEBSITE FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON ANY CHANGES TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THE MEETING WILL BE HELD AND THE LOCATION.