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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-19-2025 PR MinutesPARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING MAY 19, 2025 I. Call to Order — Chair Drumheller called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. II. Pledge of Allegiance —was recited by all. III. Roll Call Present: Ms. Webster Ms. White (on Zoom) Chair Drumheller Mr. Mauro Ms. Sheldon (a) Not Present: Mr. Halleran -- excused Mr. Renzi -- excused Also Present: Richard Blankenship, Parks and Recreation Director Bridget Eakins, Recording Secretary IV. Announcement and Agenda Modifications — None V. Approval of Minutes: A motion accepting the minutes of the April 281h, 2025 meeting was made by Ms. Webster and seconded by Ms. Sheldon. The motion passed unanimously with a voice vote. VI. Public Input —None. VII. Unfinished Business: Item A: Current Proiect(s) Update a. Riverview Park Planning The Parks and Recreation Director said the Riverview Park planning continues. He stated they had a robust meeting last month, and will get the conceptual plan in order to bring to council for consideration and adoption. b. Main Street Boat Ramp The Parks and Recreation Director stated the planning for Main Street boat ramp and dredging continues. He then said they will have permits and everything in order by September 151h, and at that point, will go to bid. He informed once the dredging is completed, the boats will have a better access point in the ingress and egress. PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION/LOCAL PLANNING AGENCY PAGE 2 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING MAY 19, 2025 c. Law Enforcement Dryline — Contract to Council May 28, 2025 The Parks and Recreation Director stated the Law Enforcement Dryline contract will go to council on May 28t', and explained the dryline was a fire suppression system which will be located at twin piers docks, but would only be on the south dock. He then informed staff had just replaced the dryline and working waterfront, twin piers does not have a dry line, and this will be a brand-new installation. d. Swing and Bench Park The Parks and Recreation Director stated the Swing and Bench Park was in permitting currently for the shoreline stabilization. He said this had been submitted to St. Johns Water Management District, and he hoped to have some success in a permit within the next few months to begin work. Chair Drumheller inquired if there were any questions. Mr. Mauro asked the Parks and Recreation Director for clarification when the committee made a decision on the Riverview Park planning. The Parks and Recreation Director replied that the conceptual plan for the park was approved by this committee, and after, had the public meeting in where the design was criticized and later changed. He advised this topic was on last month's advisory board meeting, and Chair Drumheller said that the committee minutes reflect the vote for the conceptual plan moving forward to council. Item B: Committee Member Park Updates Chair Drumheller inquired if there were any committee park updates, and the committee members present each advised on the appearance on their parks and were happy with the appearances. Chair Drumheller informed she went to Garden Park and saw sandhill cranes. She presented each committee member present with a photographic copy of a memorial stone. She mentioned how the city now has a website to look for memorial benches and donate different types of memorials. She described a trip she went on to Alabama and noted a park similar to Garden Park which had a stone memorial cemented to the ground. She then described how the memorial stones could be securely placed, and asked if the committee could pursue adding it to the website for memorial donation. Chair Drumheller referred to the Parks and Recreation Director to see if this would be possible. The Parks and Recreation Director stated it would be possible, the vendors the city uses now for bricks and benches also sell the material that would be used for the stones. He voiced he believes it would be an easy addition. Due to being on Zoom, Ms. White was unable to see the hand out but said to Chair Drumheller that it was okay. Ms. White asked if the memorial was an edging or a type of brick. Chair Drumheller informed that it was not, and appears similar to a river rock and described the pictured example given to the in -person committee members. Ms. White commented the stones used would be for edging. Chair Drumheller said yes and stated it fits with the Garden Park look. Ms. White asked if a citizen wanted to order the memorial stones, would it be online like the benches. Chair Drumheller replied it would be something she would request the Parks and Recreation Director to research to add to the website for purchase. Chair Drumheller described her visit to Bryant Park and complemented the artificial grass; she stated it looked better than mulch. She urged the other committee members to go see the PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION/LOCAL PLANNING AGENCY PAGE 3 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING MAY 19, 2025 artificial grass, and asked the Parks and Recreation director if the park was our testing site for this type of ground. The Parks and Recreation Director replied yes, and informed that this was the first time they used an artificial turf. Chair Drumheller said she is not sure of the cost benefit or the longevity for the turf versus the mulch, but she was very impressed. Ms. White said she observed some months ago, under the park swings, the turf appeared matted down under the swings. Chair Drumheller believed the turfs appearance was due to the use of the swings, and noted she saw no substantial damage to the turf when she went to the park. Ms. White replied to keep the turf there and use it as example to observe how it wears over time. She then informed they were looking at using the artificial turf for the new park design, and asked if this material would be an option. The Parks and Recreation Director answered they would use the turf or another type of material that drains well, and offered the example of a poured in place material. Ms. White asked the Parks and Recreation Director to define the pour in place surface. The Parks and Recreation Director then explained that the poured in place material was a rubber which would be poured into the ground to create the artificial surface, and he offered the example of Creative Playground. Chair Drumheller said the committee will most likely have a year or two before this decision needs to be made. Ms. White stated she had a question in reference to Easy Street, and noted postings on Facebook in reference to a spoonbill bird sighting. Ms. Webster then asked if the sidewalk on East Street was repainted, and noted she was informed by a citizen it looked nice. The Parks and Recreation Director replied that they corrected some graffiti but it was not repainted. Item C: Uacomina Events at Riverview Park a) Memorial Day Celebration (Veterans Memorial) 11 a.m. The Parks and Recreation Director stated the Memorial Day Celebration will begin at 11 a.m. He noted it was one of the largest events of this type, and it should have a good turnout. VI 11. New Business: —None Item B: Recreation Program Calendar The Parks and Recreation Director informed the committee that staff wanted to keep them up to date on their programming, since summer camps do not occur, and it is not as busy as it is normally for most Parks and Recreation Departments. a. Summer Kickoff Concert Jun 6, 2025 6 p.m.-9 p.m. The Parks and Recreation Director said the band Hot Pink and a few food trucks will be present. The Parks and Recreation Director then said the intention of this was to have an event before it was too hot or further into hurricane season. Chair Drumheller described a concert which she went to with friends, and she stated it was really well attended. She asked the Parks and Recreation Director if they have commitment with the food trucks due the last concert in the park not having food trucks. The Parks and Recreation Director helped clarify that event was a chamber event, and not with Parks and Recreation. Ms. Sheldon asked if the chamber does the high school for Friday night's performance. The Parks and Recreation Director replied that it was. PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION/LOCAL PLANNING AGENCY PAGE 4 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING MAY 19, 2025 b. July 4 Parade 8:30am. Registration now open. The Parks and Recreation Director stated registration for the event is up on the website, and he believed the registration due date was June 26w. He told the committee they can get anywhere from eighty to one hundred entries, and if anyone was interested, they should go online and fill out the registration form. He stated after the parade Freedom Fest at Riverview Park begins, and then fireworks at night. IX. Items for the Next Agenda and date: June 23. 2025—None X. Adiourn There being no further business Chair Drumheller adjourned the meeting at 6:15 p.m.