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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-27-2025 PR MinutesPARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 27, 2025 Call to Order -- Chairperson Drumheller called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Pledae of Alleaiance was recited by all. Roll Call: Present: Ms. White Ms. Drumheller Mr. Mauro Not Present: Ms. Webster -- Excused Mr. Renzi -- Excused Mr. Halleran (alternate) Ms. Sheldon (alternate) IV. Announcements and Aaenda Modifications A. Mr. Blankenship stated that under New Business, we are adding Item F, the Recreational Trails Grant for Garden Club Park. B. Ms. Drumheller stated that under New Business, she would like to add Item G, Assignments of Advisory Members to Park Oversite since there is a new alternate member. C. Introduction of Ms. Sheldon as a new committee alternate member Ms. Sheldon introduced herself and described her history of living in Sebastian. She added that this is the first time being a member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. D. Introduction of Lisa Phillips, Recreation Coordinator Mr. Blankenship introduced Ms. Phillips as the Recreation Coordinator. He reviewed her experience with Parks and Recreation and stated that she brings a thorough knowledge in this department within the City of Sebastian. He further stated that her role will be creating special events and programming for all ages. There was discussion among some of the members and Mr. Blankenship relating to when committee members will interact with Ms. Phillips. V. Aooroval of Minutes PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 2 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 27. 2025 All having indicated they had reviewed the Minutes of December 16, 2024, a motion to approve the Minutes of December 16, 2024 as presented was made by Ms. White, seconded by Mr. Halleran, and approved unanimously via voice vote. VI. Public Inout -- None VII. Unfinished Business A. Current Project(s) Update 1. Riverview Park Planning Mr. Blankenship reviewed the updates on the park. Planning is moving forward, and staff should be able in the next couple of months to roll out some conceptual plan for everyone to see. As staff plans, they continue to seek funding for what is going to be addressed, like the splash pad, etc. 2. Bryant Court playground update Mr. Blankenship stated the new playground has been erected with turf around it, and there is evidence of people swinging on it. It is not quite finished yet. There is some detail work needed to be done, but the playground itself is probably 85% complete. 3. Barber Street backstops Mr. Blankenship stated the netting started going up today. He stated that this is a unique situation where the backstops needed to be replaced; they were old and rusty. Staff got creative and they are able to do it in-house with some fencing material and netting. 4. Main Street boat ramp Mr. Blankenship reviewed that the design kickoff meeting was held this afternoon. There is a consultant who will be designing the dredging. Staff got a grant to design the improvements. Although it is called "improvements," it is actually dredging. He stated there is no evidence that any dredging has been done since the boat ramp was installed. The design and permits, etc. have to be completed by September. He stated that the reason for the dredging is so that more people will be able to use it. 5. Dry Lines Mr. Blankenship explained this item. This will be implemented at Riverview Park Twin PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 27, 2025 PAGE 3 Piers. The southern pier has been referred to as the Law Enforcement Dock where all the Law Enforcement vessels and First Responder vessels will go. The Working Waterfront is where the fishing activity occurs. There needs to be a dry line for protection. The one at Working Waterfront had failed inspection. There was none at the Law Enforcement Dock, so that needed to be installed. There were two grants obtained for this work. Those will be done in the next 90 days or so. 6. Swing -and -Bench Park Mr. Blankenship described that staff has the final shoreline stabilization plan, and there is no permit needed because we are on the land side of the mean high-water line. Once we get the letter of approval, we can go out to bid and get that back to a non -erosive situation. There was extended discussion among Mr. Blankenship and members of the committee regarding this matter. B. Committee Member Park Updates Mr. Halleran discussed the Bryant Court Park. He was by there today and found it to be open. He did note palm fronds, etc. lying around. Mr. Blankenship said there is a lot of fill dirt to be removed as well as roots, etc. which will be removed. He added that there is a handicapped parking spot and a sidewalk that need to be installed before the official opening. Mr. Blankenship said the picnic tables are being repaired. Mr. Halleran added that the fencing has mold on the sides, and he asked if it can be cleaned. Mr. Blankenship stated he will have staff look at that to see what can be done. Mr. Halleran spoke regarding George Street Park, and he stated it is always looking nice. Ms. White addressed Easy Street Park. She noted that the trees are being trimmed, and there are piles of branches there. She stated that the water looks pretty good, and there are lots of new baby ducks, which are the speed limit "controllers." Mr. Mauro had nothing new to report on his parks. Ms. Drumheller noted that there is a lot more activity at Filbert Park. The trail has been cleaned out, so it's more enjoyable to use that trail. Regarding Periwinkle Park, at lunchtime she sees a lot of people there. Garden Park is also doing pretty well. C. Upcoming Events at Riverview Park February 3, 2025, Four Chaplains Memorial at 11:00 a.m. 2. February 7, 2025, Concert in the Park at 5:30 p.m. PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 4 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 27, 2025 3. February 8, 2025, Craft Club at 10:00 a.m. 4. February 14, 2025, Finally Friday at 6:00 p.m. (This event is held across the street from the Park.) 5. February 15, 2025, Art Club at 8:00 a.m. 6. February 21, 2025, Concert in the Park at 5:30 p.m. VIII. New Business A. Sebastian See My Legacy Program Mr. Blankenship spoke on this program and mounted photos on the screen which depicted many aspects of the program. He explained the several aspects of the program, and there was extended discussion among the committee members and Mr. Blankenship about the program, and Mr. Blankenship answered their questions. Following the discussion, a motion sending a recommendation to City Council that the "My Legacy" program be implemented and approved by City Council was made by Ms. Drumheller. Ms. White seconded the motion, and the motion was approved unanimously via voice vote. B. Impact fee report Mr. Blankenship included the ordinance regarding the impact fee in the agenda packet. He explained in depth what comprises the impact fee. He stated that the impact fee for Sebastian Highlands residents is $650.00, and residents of the other areas of Sebastian pay $975.00, and he explained why there is a difference between the two areas of the City. There was also discussion about how the zones use the monies received. Mr. Blankenship said he would get answers to some of the questions that were asked tonight. C. 2025 meeting calendar Mr. Blankenship said he attached that for the committee members' convenience. Ms. Drumheller asked if there could be discussion about changing the December 22nd meeting. Mr. Blankenship said yes. After discussion, it was decided to change the December meeting date to December 15w unless there was nothing to discuss. Then the December meeting could be canceled. Also, the November meeting date was changed to November 171. After discussion, Ms. Drumheller called for a motion. A motion to move the November meeting to the 17t' and the December meeting to the 15'h was made by Mr. Halleran, seconded by Mr. Mauro, and passed unanimously via voice vote. PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 5 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 27. 2025 D. Recreation Program calendar Mr. Blankenship explained that this section of the agenda will increase each month, and he wanted to review what is coming up as follows: 1. Nutrition Seminar February 7, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., Community Center 2. Valentine's Day bingo February 14, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. — noon at the Senior Center 3. Star Gaze on March 8, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Riverview Park Twin Piers Mr. Blankenship explained that the Treasure Coast Astrological Society will be bringing their large telescopes to look at the stars. Ms. Sheldon asked if school -age children will be able to attend. Mr. Blankenship said yes, and he said there will be food trucks and a dessert truck. He said that the events have a fee, and people can either bring cash, credit cards, or debit cards. 4. Parks and Recreation logo Mr. Blankenship said he wanted to create a logo containing Parks and Recreation's identity. He said staff wanted to create a more readily recognizable logo for the Parks and Recreation Department. The Committee members liked the new logo. 5. Recreation grant Mr. Blankenship said staff had the opportunity to apply for a recreational trails grant. Those grants are funds to build, complete, and outfit trails in parks. Staff is partnering with the Natural Resources Board in this regard. There will be a major planting at Garden Park. While this will come much later because the funding for this is not available until January of 2026, we need to apply now. That will give us the opportunity to finish the trail around the park, upgrade whatever is there, just an overall completion of the trail in that park. The planting will be various native materials -- butterfly pollinators, etc. This will begin on March 10". There was discussion about this project among the committee members and Mr. Blankenship. 6. Assignment of Parks to the new committee member, Ms. Sheldon. Ms. Drumheller said Schumann Park and Kildare Park are unassigned at this time. Ms. Sheldon agreed to monitor those two parks. PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 6 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 27, 2025 IX. Items for the Next Agenda and Date: February 24, 2025 A. Chairperson and Vice Chairperson election B. Adjourn There being no further business, Ms. Drumheller adjourned the meeting at 6:56 p.m. By: k�fltic�2 ki Drumhehai ller, Crperson 19 Date: