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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-14-2024 CCWS MinutesSEBASTIAN QNQMNI�1 TIRIIION OII-HN SEBASTIAN CITY COUNCIL RIVERVIEW PARK MASTER PLAN PUBLIC INPUT WORKSHOP TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2024 — 3:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA MINUTES The Community Development Director welcomed everyone to the workshop. Present included: Council Member Fred Jones, Council Member Bob McPartlan, City Manager Brian Benton, City Clerk Jeanette Williams, Community Development Director Alix Bernard, Parks and Recreation Director Richard Blankenship, City Engineer/Public Works Director Karen Miller, Human Resources Director Cindy Watson, Community Development Planner Michelle Faulkner, and Records Specials Cathy Testa. Also present were Kyler Durham and Sara Battles from Kimley-Horn. Ms. Battles said the purpose of the workshop was to gather feedback from everyone present to help drive the master plan they are working on to enhance Riverview Park. Mr. Durham said he has extensive development experience and noted that being a part of the park's master plan was extra special to him since he has been coming to the park for over a decade and is now a resident of Sebastian. He displayed a PowerPoint presentation that he said would help lead them into a discussion of potential uses. (See attached) He said the important topics of the park are a "sense of arrival," "improving upon the pedestrian circulation of the site," and "uses that can be programed into the park space." He said the amenities of the park should be considered to enhance the space. The City Manager said the money would be coming from various grants that staff has been applying for with the matches coming from the FY25 budget utilizing discretionary sales tax. Ms. Battles said certain elements will have to be incorporated to be in line for the grants the City has applied for. In response to the question as to whether property taxes would increase, the Parks Director explained that newer facilities will be less expensive to operate. The City Manager advised that nothing in set in stone at this point but staff plans to present a timeline to Council for the Centennial Celebration of the park. Riverview Park Master Plan Workshop Page 2 May 14, 2024 It was asked if there was proposed commercial development coming along the lagoon that they aren't aware of that will affect what they are trying to plan. The City Manager said the only thing the City is aware of is the hotel just south of Indian River Drive. The speaker asked for walkable areas scattered throughout the park and noted the continued problem is the parking. She noted more parking was needed. A speaker noted that the residents are grateful to have the park, even if they don't develop it any further. She asked that native shrubbery be planted on the US 1 side to deaden the noise of the traffic and seclude the park so it feels like it is in a forest. Mr. Durham asked the audience to write their suggestions on forms available in the room. He also asked that people place green and red stickers on the pictures stationed in the room. Speaker Ben Hocker noted that nothing has changed for the last 16 years in the park. In past he said he has asked for a boat launch to be built but was told it wouldn't be permitted. In response to a woman who asked if there were any further proposals on the table, the City Manager responded that the workshop was strictly for possible constraints and opportunities; there weren't any proposals on the table. A woman said she would like to see shade, walkways and more bleachers by the Veterans Memorial area. Ms. Battles asked if they felt the memorial area was in the right location or should it be more under the oak trees. It was mentioned that more people walk around under the oaks than by the memorial area. Donna Ware said she was from the art club and in talking with a lot of people she has found a lack of understanding for those that are handicapped and older. There isn't a way for them to park in the overflow and get to the booths. The walkways are two inches higher than the ground so they are a hazard for the elderly. She asked for a way to get people from a parking lot to the park. Richard Gillmor said the beauty of the park is that people can walk it. If some things are changed, the whole consistency of the park will be changed. He would hate to see the park become commercial by frequently leased vendors who don't live here. He like the idea of changing the access points with native landscaping. Ms. Battles said both she and Mr. Durham would like to enhance the park and make is safe. Mrs. Danise asked how much it would be to relocate the veterans' memorials. Mr. Durham said in the process of re -envisioning they will be able to upkeep of the existing elements such as the pier and sidewalks. Celebrating Our 100th Anniversary Riverview Park Master Plan Workshop Page 3 May 14, 2024 The City Manager said the connectivity of the overflow parking lot to the main area is a priority concern to connect people on a daily basis. Ms. Battles said the overflow lot might be more of a permanent parking area. She noted that many times Harrison Street is closed for events and maybe it should be permanently closed to provide a walkway between the parking lot and the park. She asked the audience to place their stickers with green being what they liked and red being what they would like to see less of. At 3:47 p.m. the room broke out into individual discussions and the audience members placed their stickers on the display boards. Celebrating Our 100th Anniversary SEBASTIAN C1111RATION 1914-= SEBASTIAN CITY COUNCIL RIVERVIEW PARK MASTER PLAN PUBLIC INPUT WORKSHOP TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2024 — 6:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA MINUTES The Community Development Director welcomed everyone to the 2"d workshop for the Riverview Park Master Plan. Present included: Vice Mayor Kelly Dixon, Council Member Chris Nunn, Council Member Fred Jones, City Manager Brian Benton, City Clerk Jeanette Williams, Community Development Director Alix Bernard, and Parks and Recreation Director Richard Blankenship. Also present were Kyler Durham and Sara Battles from Kinley-Horn. Ms. Battles said the purpose of the workshop was to gather feedback from everyone present to help drive the master plan they are working on to enhance Riverview Park. Mr. Durham said he has extensive landscape architect development experience. He said they would like to receive ideas on programs uses, things that work for the park and things that could work better for the park. He displayed a PowerPoint presentation that he said would help lead them into a discussion of potential uses. (See attached) He went over the current amenities and constraints of the park. He asked the audience to consider the location of the amenities, enhancing the vegetation, pedestrian pathways, public sculptures or whatever the audience would like to see in the park. Ms. Drumheller suggested that for those who have strollers and wheelchairs that there might be concrete seating on the walkway so that groups could stay to together. She also asked for more shade where the seating is; an area for food trucks during non-event times for those that walk the river; enhanced seating with side arms so that getting up would be for easier for the elderly. A gentleman asked that the Sebastian logo be replaced at the kayak launch. Another resident advised that it was taken out because it was worn out. Ms. Hermann said handicapped parking is really needed. She suggested buying some temporary ADA parking markers to save the first six boat trailer parking spaces for handicapped parking during the events. Riverview Park Master Plan Workshop Page 2 May 14, 2024 A gentleman said he would like to see the park expanded in size and he asked if a community pool was considered. A parent said she like the idea of having the splash pad closer to the playground to keep the kids centralized. She suggested having speed bumps in the area. The City Manager said a plan hasn't been put together and he advised that they are just gathering ideas at this point to present ideas to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and then Council. Ms. Battles advised there is talk of closing Harrison Drive that will provide parking closer to the playground. Mr. Osborne suggested solar powered canopies to cover the cars and generate electricity. Mr. Gilliams said the City should keep the property where the old Public Works Compound is to provide parking for the CRA district. He also suggested having grills throughout the park. A gentleman said the north pier is not boat friendly at all. If the City doesn't want to use it for boats, he suggested the City look at artificial reefs or sea grass restoration programs to attract fish. The City Manager advised the workshop was being filmed and there would be pictures of the display boards with the stickers. The boards shouldn't be considered a master plan, only where opportunities and constraints currently exist in the park. He invited the public to place their green stickers on things they would like to see and red stickers on things that they wouldn't like to see. Council Member Nunn asked if any of the elements include the elements discussed in the CRA Master plan. The City Manager said those are incorporated into the opportunities and constraints. Audience members then marked the boards at 6:39 p.m. Celebrating Our 100th Anniversary