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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-24-2024 PR MinutesIV PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JUNE 24, 2024 Call to Order -- Chairperson Drumheller called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Pledoe of Allegiance was recited by all. Roll Call: Present Ms. Drumheller Ms. Webster Mr. Halloran Absent Mr. Renzi -- Excused Mr. Abrahao -- Unexcused Mr. Mauro Ms. White (Zoom) Also Present: Richard Blankenship, Parks and Recreation Director Joseph Perez, AV Technical Assistant Janet Graham, Technical Writer Announcements and Aoenda Modifications Ms. Drumheller stated she had two items that she would like to address under New Business. First is the Whisper Glide Wheelchair access. The next item she would like to address is that she had a community member contact her about some benches that are out in front of Crabby Bill's, that they could possibly be relocated. Mr. Blankenship stated he had two items he wished to add to the agenda as new items. First is an update on the bike maps that are around the City. The second item is an update on the Born Learning Trail. A. Introduction of New Members Ms. Drumheller introduced Mr. Paul Halloran as a new alternate member, and he is voting tonight in place of Mr. Renzi. She asked Mr. Halloran to tell the Committee about himself. Mr. Halloran said he and his wife moved to Sebastian about 10 years ago. They love the size of the City. He is a retired Navy reservist. After that, he was in nursing. He recently retired, so he thought he would give back to this community. PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 2 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JUNE 24, 2024 V. Approval of Minutes All having indicated they had had a chance to read the Minutes of May 20, 2024, a motion approving the Minutes of May 20, 2024 as presented was made by Ms. Webster, seconded by Mr. Mauro, and approved unanimously via voice vote. Vi. Public Input -- None VII. Unfinished Business: A. Current Project(s) Update Riverview Park Planning Mr. Blankenship stated that the Riverview Park planning continues. He estimates the next milestone would be sometime this fall, to bring forth an onset plan for review and approval/comments. There will be no more meetings on this item until next fall. Mr. Mauro asked about the park memorial program. Mr. Blankenship stated that is still being reviewed. ii. Bryant Court Playground replacement planning As to Bryant Court Playground, Mr. Blankenship stated staff has received some designs that staff will bring to this Committee, probably at the next meeting, to get input from this Committee. iii. Backstops at Barber Street Mr. Blankenship stated that the City has a contract with a design firm to design them and permit them. The next step is when the design is done, when we can go out to bid, and we can fit it in hopefully before their next spring season, which would start in January. iv. Special Event Policy Discussion Mr. Blankenship reviewed that at the last City Council meeting there was some discussion about amendments to the special events policies that relates to third -party, and for -profit events. Staff is going back and making sure whatever language that is put in meets code and meets constitutionally what is necessary in order to get clear direction to those producers who at some point will want to come to Sebastian and produce an event for profit. He emphasized that the City needs to think about the language thoroughly. PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 3 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JUNE 24. 2024 Ms. White said she did watch that City Council meeting, and they had mentioned something about this Committee being involved in that, and she asked how that would be handled. Mr. Blankenship stated that would be brought back to this Committee to review. The reason why there was no action at that meeting is because Council wants to make sure that legally we are in line and they want to have the language correct. After that, it would be brought back here for this Committee's review. Ms. Drumheller stated that she also watched the City Council meeting, and her impression was that the Parks and Recreation staff in conjunction with the City Attorney are going to put together a document that will then come back to this Committee. It will then go to City Council. Mr. Blankenship said it will be an amendment to the Code, and he believes that it will have to be a public hearing. Ms. Webster asked if that pertains just to Riverview Park. Mr. Blankenship said it will pertain to all of the City's parks. Ms. White asked what the timeline is on this. Mr. Blankenship said they will meet this Thursday. Ms. Drumheller suggested that everyone try to look at that meeting of City Council. It is on the You Tube channel and it was discussed towards the end of the meeting. Ms. White added that there has been discussion of how much use the Park is getting. Mr. Blankenship stated that he listed all the not -for -profit and City events that go on at that park. It is a very busy facility. B. Committee Member Park Updates Ms. Drumheller said that Mr. Allen was given a position on another City board, so he is no longer an alternate on this Committee. Mr. Danise did not renew his position. She stated there are some parks to assign to the new members. She suggested waiting until Mr. Abrahao is at the next meeting to address this item and asked that this item be put on the next agenda for Parks and Recreation. There were no updates from the Committee members on park updates. C. Upcoming Events at Riverview Park i. July 4th Parade PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 4 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JUNE 24, 2024 Mr. Blankenship stated that the parade starts at 9:00 a.m. on the Fourth. Immediately following the parade, we go right into the Freedom Fest. At around 9:00 p.m. there will the fireworks display. The fireworks will be set off between the two piers. VIII. New Business A. PRAB report to Council July 10, 2024 Mr. Blankenship described that City Council has an expectation of reports from their advisory boards. The Parks and Recreation Board's report is due July 10th. There was extended discussion regarding this item. B. July is Parks and Recreation Month. Mr. Blankenship would like to have this Board prepare a report of what's been done over the last 12 months. He will get some specifics for the Board. That report will be presented at the City Council meeting on the 101h, at the same time we celebrate Parks and Recreation Month. C. Friendship Park Playground Mr. Blankenship advised that the City has closed that playground, as the equipment was not safe. It is scheduled to be replaced in 2026. There was general discussion regarding this matter. D. Whisper Glide Wheelchairs Ms. Drumheller said the City has one of these at the Creative Playground. Mr. Blankenship said it is just a little different from the photo Ms. Drumheller showed. There was general discussion among the Board members about this item. E. Cement Benches in front of Crabby Bill's Ms. Drumheller discussed the other item she had asked to add to this agenda, that being the cement benches that are in front of Crabby Bill's. She asked if they could be moved to where the new restrooms are, because there is nowhere for people to sit down around that bathroom while they are waiting. F. Maps for bike/pedestrian maps for the City Mr. Blankenship said the Public Works sign shop was able to reproduce those maps. The old ones have all been replaced. It was the consensus of the Board that these were badly needed, and they are a great improvement. Mr. Blankenship described the material that PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD PAGE 5 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JUNE 24, 2024 these new signs are made of. G. Request from Indian River County United Way. Mr. Blankenship stated that Sebastian has been approached by the United Way of Indian River County to partner with them for a program called "Born Learning Trail." There are two of these in Vero Beach and one in Fellsmere. This one will be at Easy Street Park, and he described this item as a learning program. That will be going in on October 26th. He thinks FPL is partnering with United Way to develop this. There was discussion among the Board members regarding how the activities work in this program. Mr. Blankenship said he could email the Board members a video of one of these. Ms. White suggested the Board members get information on what is going in the parks prior to the actual installation. Ms. Drumheller agreed, and she suggested it be put on the July agenda. Ms. White had a few more questions, those being information on the new Board members, and she suggested having a review of the Sunshine Law and an explanation on how the Parks and Recreation budget works. Ms. Drumheller said that at this Board's next meeting, the budget review should be made an agenda item. Mr. Blankenship said that might not be available until the August meeting. Ms. White also spoke on how the impact fees on all the new construction have an effect on Parks and Recreation's budget. There were some comments about the Volunteer of the Year Award. IX. Items for the Next Aaenda and Date: Julv 22. 2024 X. Adjourn There being no further business, Ms. Drumheller adjourned the meeting at 6:40 p.m. By: A" Date: Vicki Drumhel erI Con p jg