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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-09-2025 WKSP MinutesCITY OF Sf]3ASTLAN HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND SEBASTIAN CITY COUNCIL RIVERVIEW PARK MASTER PLAN MINUTES WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 202S — 5:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA The City Manager called the workshop to order at 5:00 p.m. and explained that multiple meetings were held about 8-10 months ago on many elements of the plan. He said the consultant would provide two conceptual plans to obtain comments and feedback on, then the meeting would be open to a question - and -answer period. Based on the feedback received, the plan will then go back to City Council for approval. He introduced himself and said Mayor McPartlan, Vice Mayor Jones, Council Member Dixon and Council Member Dodd were in attendance, with Council Member Nunn was participating on Zoom. He started off to say that staff is supportive of Concept B which does not move the veterans memorials but he could not say this might not happen based on public input. Kyler Durham, Landscape Architect with Kimley-Horn & Assoc., Inc., presented two plans to receive feedback in terms of programmatic uses and layout. Mr. Durham described how Concept A would relocate the veterans memorials, playground and volleyball area. It would also provide for a pavilion, bandstand and incorporate additional parking as well as a space for tents and kiosks during special events. The cascading waterfall would help to screen the backside of U.S. Highway 1 and tone down any traffic or sounds coming from the road itself. By redesigning the splash pad, he was hoping to incorporate more elements to make it more enjoyable for kids and their parents. The playground would be adjacent to the current location so that the City doesn't have to run pipes further down the road or across the street. All the plumbing and, electrical, capabilities are already there. With the closure of Harrison Street, Mr. Durham said it would provide a safer connection to the event spaces, from the main park. A bus stop drop-off area would also be proposed for those who would like to enjoy the park but don't want to drive. By relocating the pavilion to the northeast, it would open the space to provide a nice backdrop to the river during performances and people could sit under the existing shade trees. Concept B keeps the veterans memorials where they are at, enlarging the paving area and configuring it differently so it feels more unified as a space itself. Adjacent to it, the he is proposing a flexible, stabilized gravel space that could be used for a food truck event, beer garden space, tent vendors or additional parking if needed. The closure of Harrison Street would provide for a safer connection from the main body of the park to the parking, the veterans memorials and etcetera to the south. Riverview Park Master Plan Workshop April 9, 2025 Page 2 Mr. Durham said the other element to Concept B was locating the splash pad and the playground just north of the Harrison Street closure so it's still within that active use space area, utilizing some of the shade canopy coverage for the playground with a little bit more sun for the for the splash pad. The City Manager explained the two key factors of this project are that the splash pad has to be replaced and the portable stage is reaching its end of life. Staff determined that if grant funding was used, they could look at enhancing the entire park for the total project cost somewhere in the range of $3,000,000. He said the City has received three grants so far for the project: a Federal Land, Water and Conservation Grant for $1,500,000; a Florida Inland Navigational District Water Assistance Program Grant for $50,000 for the design concept; a Florida Inland Navigational District Grant for $40,000 for the docks; and there are pending a Division of Arts and Cultural Facilities Grant for $25,000; a Riverview Park Grant for $500,000 and a Florida Inland Navigational District Grant for $1,000,000 to start the construction. He assured the audience that the City won't commit the $3,000,000 if the majority of the grants don't happen but the splash pad will still be replaced. Questions and Answers Pearl suggested using a fence to separate the toddlers from the older kids in the water area. She also asked if Harrison Street and CR512 could be shut down so it can be paved for kids to practice riding their bikes, skateboards and scooters. A veteran and retired law enforcement officer said he spent two hours at the veterans memorial today and everyone he spoke to was opposed to moving the memorials. He also mentioned the view of the river over the memorials is the most beautiful view. With regard to the docks, the railings, lights and billboards need to be replaced. He also suggested cabanas and seating by the docks; as well as planting more trees for shade. He was passionately opposed moving the memorials. Steve _?� American Legion Post 189 and Sebastian Honor Guard, said he supports Concept B and is also against moving the memorials. He asked if there was a provision for pads for the rifle bearers as there is now. The City Manager said in Concept B, the main layout won't change and staff does plan to receive additional input from the veterans. Berny Vance said he liked Concept B and asked if it was going to be more expensive to move the splash pad noting if the splash pad is right next to the dry park, the kids will move back and forth gravitating to the splash pad. He suggested leaving the splash pad where it is. An unidentified woman said she was against moving the splash pad and veterans memorials. She asked if sails could be installed by the veterans memorials to provide shade. She also asked if that was a kayak launch by the finger piers. The City Manager responded that additional shade will be considered along with the possibility of a kayak launch but the wave activity might prohibit the development of a launching site. John Danise said the waterfront has always attracted people and suggested using staffs talents in other ways. He said in all of the people that he has talked to, not one person has mentioned that the park needs to be upgraded. Damien Lee Gilliams said the veterans memorials shouldn't be moved; he was excited about the amphitheater and hoped that audio engineers will help with the design. He suggested keeping the Riverview Park Master Plan Workshop April 9, 2025 Page 3 parking spaces close to the memorials since there are so many disabled veterans. He said he feels strongly against the closure of Harrison Street since two businesses on Harrison operate 365 days a year, seven days a week there unlike the events. He asked for other solutions so that the main artery to Indian River Drive isn't closed such as laying cobblestone on the street to slow traffic. He also suggested increasing the bathroom plans as there isn't a port -a -potty corral noted on the design and he said some grills would be nice. Damien H. Gilliams said he would fight the closure of Harrison Street as it would directly affect his business and create a safety hazard because the traffic would be directed from a main road on US Highway 1 down to Harrison Street, then make a right into a parking lot where people are coming and going for the shopping plaza next door; it's asking for liability. Mr. Gilliams relayed his wife's concern that the volleyball courts wouldn't be the highest and best use for waterfront property; there would be hazards to the vehicles, pedestrians and traffic which might pollute the waterway. Mrs. Gilliams' message also included a suggestion to locate the children's park to a nonvehicle location off the river, maybe behind City Hall or elsewhere so that a pet friendly water spray station could be there. The children's park could include an environmental education walking trail with edible, landscape to serve the homeless and also to teach self -growers. Mr. Gilliams closed his remarks by noting more parking is needed and maybe there could be a trolley service from the north end to the south. Andrea Ring asked if it was easier to renovate the splash pad or move it. She said moving it would be a better choice than trying to renovate a piece of equipment that is not, usable right now. She also objected to moving the veterans memorials. Terry McGinn suggested a little trolley or a few golf carts to move people into the main area from the far reaches of the parking lot because many residents aren't youngsters anymore. Christy Lenz said she was opposed to moving the veteran's memorial. She asked if there would still be vehicle access to the offload kayak site at the finger piers; and if there would be new, additional parking and trailer parking on the south side. The City Manager explained that on a typical weekend where the diagonal spaces over grass is indicated, that would be trailer parking. Pete said he didn't think a floating dock would work for kayak launch site. He asked for more shade at the park. Roshan Desai, owner of Ar-Pat's Dry Cleaning, said he too has reservations and safety concerns about the closing of Harrison Street. Michelle Hennessey, owner of the Italian Cousins Restaurant, said she has 24 employees and there are 8 to 10 businesses frequently affected by the parking issues. Now there are 10,000 people coming to the clambake and other events, she asked where they are supposed to park. She noted that she hires four people to patrol her parking lot for patrons during these events. She suggested there be a private meeting with the business owners about this project. Joe Cataldo, owner of Riverpark Plaza, said if Harrison Street is closed, people will come up from the south along the river and if they miss the gravel driveway, they will have to cut through his parking lot. Riverview Park Master Plan Workshop April 9, 2025 Page 4 Krystal Murdoch asked if any trees would be removed from the center of the park. The City Manager responded they would not in the center might but might be in the playground area. She also expressed concern with children going back and forth between the wet and dry playgrounds and asked for a playground section for 3 to 5-year old's; then one for 5 to 12-year-olds. The City Manager explained these items could be addressed during the construction phase of the park. Laura Dunn asked what was the overall purpose of the project. The City Manager explained the splash pad and playground equipment needs to be replaced so the grant funding would help to pay for those as well as other elements in the park including the overflow parking lot. Jack Thomas asked if the memorial bricks around the clock tower would be moved and if so, would they be put back in the same location. The City Manager said they would be placed back in the same location. The City Manager closed the workshop by thanking everyone for coming out with their valuable input and invited anyone with additional questions or comments to contact him or the Parks and Recreation Director, Richard Blankenship. Approved at the May 14, 2025 Regular CI Council meeting. Mayor Bob McPartlan ATTEST - - - - - anette Williams, City Clerk