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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-23-2025 PR MinutesPARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JUNE 239 2025 I. Call to Order -- Chairperson Drumheller called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. II. Pledge of Alleaiance was recited by all. Ill. Roll Call: Present: Ms. Drumheller Ms. Sheldon (a) Ms. Webster Mr. Halleran Mr. Mauro Mr. Moore (a) Not Present: Mr. Renzi -- Excused Ms. White -- Excused IV. Announcements and Agenda Modifications As an announcement, Mr. Blankenship stated that July is National Parks and Recreation Month, and the Committee traditionally does a resolution and makes its annual report to Council about the workings of the Advisory Committee over the past 12 months. That will be July 9t' at the City Council meeting here in the chambers at 6:00 p.m. He stated that he would send out a notice to all Committee members asking that they send him notes of the accomplishments -- things that may have occurred in the parks that you're overseeing or things that we did as a group. He will set a deadline to get those back to him. Ms. Drumheller encouraged the Committee members to get your comments to Mr. Blankenship by the end of this month so that he has time to try to put a short PowerPoint together. She added that it would be great if all Committee members could possibly plan to attend that meeting. Mr. Blankenship agreed. As Agenda Modifications, Ms. Drumheller would like to add two items to Unfinished Business: e. She would like to introduce the new Committee members. f. She would like to review the Adopt A -Park program so that the parks can be reallocated with the change in the Committee members. V. Aaaroval of Minutes PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 2 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JUNE 23, 2025 All members having indicated they had reviewed the Minutes of May 19, 2025, a motion was made by Ms. Webster approving the Minutes as presented, seconded by Mr. Halleran, and approved unanimously via voice vote. VI. Public Input Damien Gilliams, 1623 US Highway 1, Sebastian. He reviewed the Minutes of the last meeting with the testimony that went on the record and the property owners who appeared before this committee who provided very important Information pertaining to Riverview Park and closing down Harrison Street. He suggested the committee members go back and review the Minutes again. He opined that the information the property owners provided was very confusing, and this committee looked to staff for a recommendation and a motion. He felt that was very concerning, and he suggested that the committee members take another look at that and bring it back on the agenda for discussion so that the property owners could reappear and clear up any misinformation that he feels is in the Minutes from the last meeting. He added that he reviewed information from the communities to the north and south of Sebastian. He discussed what he discovered, and they are not shutting down roads as they are making additional improvements. They are leaving the roads open. He suggested that during special events Harrison Street could be shut down, and all the other days when there are no special events being held, it could remain open. He stated that the property owners involved have stated their objections. Thus, he is asking the committee to put the item back on the agenda and reconsider it. Ms. Drumheller stated that she thinks there is going to be another public workshop. She added that what was discussed at the prior meeting was just a rudimentary plan; it is not the final plan. There is still a lot more that needs to go before the committee before the plan is finalized. So it was not a final vote at the prior meeting. Mr. Gilliams requested that staff be instructed to send the property owners a certified letter so at least the property owners who have a vested interest on that street will be here with proper representation. He suggested the committee members go to Melbourne and look at their plan. Ms. Drumheller stated she thinks every situation is different. She does not like to compare things to Vero Beach, Palm Bay, or Melbourne. She thinks the issues need to be addressed as to what is going to meet the needs of our community, and that is not necessarily going to be the needs of any other municipality. She suggested that there is still time for the property owners to make their case for what they feel is most appropriate for them. Mr. Mauro asked if the only way people can get to the dry cleaner's is to go down Harrison PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 3 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JUNE 23, 2025 Street, is that correct? Mr. Gilliams stated that is correct. Mr. Gilliams stated he would take the committee members to Melbourne and show them what Melbourne is doing. There being no further public input, Chairperson Drumheller moved on to the next item on the agenda. VII. Unfinished Business A. Current Project(s) Update Mr. Blankenship stated staff are continuing with developing the master plan which will be brought back to City Council for adoption at some point. At this time, does know exactly when that will be. B. Main Street Boat Ramp Mr. Blankenship stated that it is in design and permitting right now. He stated that staff has had the FIND (Florida Inland Navigation District) grant reviews this past Saturday. Staff has put in for funding for dredging of the Main Street Boat Ramp, and we also have a grant application for Florida Boating Improvement, which their review is this Thursday. That is still in permitting now. He added that September 1 st is the goal for getting permits and design complete. If that goes well and we get funded, work can be started In the first quarter of the next fiscal year. C. Law Enforcement Dryline. Contract to Council May 28, 2025 Mr. Blankenship stated that the contract was passed, which is in permitting now as well. We have to add a fire hydrant, so that work will commence shortly. D. Swing and Bench Park Mr. Blankenship stated this project is in permitting as well. It has been designed as far as the shoreline stabilization goes. That is the critical aspect that we have to solve -- the shoreline stabilization. Then we can do the actual swing and bench locations, etc. E. New Committee Member Mr. Dale Moore introduced himself and his history of living in Sebastian. He stated that he is on the Board at the SORBA Society also. He described his background, and he is PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 4 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING J U N E 23, 2025 very much in tune with traffic flow of pedestrians, etc. He stated that is what he hopes he can bring to this community -- ideas on what plans are that are already going on. F. Chairperson Drumheller stated another subject she wanted to revisit is the Adopt -A -Park program. She stated that there are three parks which a former member had, which are Friendship Park, Riverview Park, and Stormwater Park to divvy out. She described for Mr. Moore what this program entails. Ms. Sheldon stated that she is the only member of this committee with small children, and she felt that her input would be best if she has a park that had a playground. After discussion, it was the consensus that Creative Playground, which is part of the Barber Street Sports Complex, be assigned to someone with young children. Thus, Ms. Webster keeps Barber Street Sports Complex, and Ms. Sheldon will assume Creative Playground as one of her parks Ms. Drumheller asked Mr. Moore if he would be interested in starting with two parks. He stated he would like to have Riverview Park and Friendship Park, and he agreed that he would take those two parks. Ms. Drumheller asked if anyone would take Stormwater Park. Mr. Halleran volunteered to monitor Stormwater Park. Mr. Blankenship reviewed some items that are being addressed in Tallahassee that are affecting Sebastian as well as communities all over the state regarding grants. He reviewed how the grant applications have been fled in the past. He stated that some of those grants were not funded. The Florida Recreation Development Assistance program was the funding source where we would get the $50,000.00 nonmatching grants, and they even had larger grants such as $200,000.00 grants. The cultural facilities, which is where the applications are in for the bandstand or the stage at Riverview, and the small matching grants -- those were the ones that were a one-to-one match. So those are not funded. Today, he estimated that the City has seven or eight applications in for projects through those sources. The good news Is that the Land and Water Conservation program from our original application for Riverview is funded. Florida Communities Trust was funded. Florida Boat Improvement program was funded, and we have some projects in from those. The news is not as good as we typically get on the grants from Tallahassee, but it is not dire. He just wanted the committee to know because we do have a lot of applications in for a lot of different projects. He added that there is potential that the new grant applications could re -fund what the City was looking for. That has happened before. He stated that the amount of funding that the City applied for and was not considered is over $1 million for Parks and Recreation. PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 5 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JUNE 23, 2025 B. Committee Member Park Updates Mr. Halleran stated he has Bryant Park and George Street. He went there recently and noticed that the turf looks very nice. He checked under the swings, and he did not see any problems there. He stated that he noted that both of his parks have one or two at each park that have abutting properties where people consistently park either their vehicles or their trailers on the grass on the opposite side of their house. Over the past couple of months he thinks he has gone to all or most of the parks, and he has not seen any other park that has the same issue that both Bryant and George Street have. He did note that at Blossom Park there is a sign on each of the bordering streets that has "NO PARKING ANY TIME" with arrows pointing in both directions. He would like to ask if we could have those signs installed at both Bryant and George Street. Mr. Blankenship stated he will ask the question of why one park and not all of our parks. Ms. Webster said Hardee Park looks really good. She has not been to the ball field yet this year. Mr. Mauro said the Blossom Street Park, Main Street Boat Ramp, and the Yacht Club are all looking pretty good. Pickleball courts are still missing the windscreen on the west end of the first set of courts. On the east side, they need to be tied down on the bottom. Ms. Sheldon said Kildare is wonderful. She saw lots of people walking there just yesterday. Ms. Drumheller said that at the Garden Club Park, the plants are doing great. She sees more people there now. There have been lots of butterflies, and she is really happy with what is going on at Garden Club Park. Mr. Blankenship said that, for that park, staff is trying to schedule another workday. Staff is partnering with the local Girl Scout troop. A date is being set for some weeding, etc., and staff will invite the advisory boards of both Parks and Recreation and Natural Resources if they would want to come out and assist. Ms. Drumheller said Periwinkle and Filbert are fine. Filbert has so many tortoises. In Riverview Park, the ORCA project for all the planting that they did is fabulous. Those plants are all taking hold nicely. Mr. Blankenship said he encourages people to go look at that, not for the planting, but look at the ORCA plants that were staged. He stated that he was out there today, and that part is working. There may not be any oysters, but the shoreline is building back up. Ms. Drumheller said that she walks the river a couple times a week. At Fishermen's Warf last week, she had the first sighting ever of a manatee with two babies. It is the first time she has seen them, and they were next to the old Crabby Bill's where they used to have PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 6 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING J U N E 231 2025 all the statues. She encouraged people to go to Riverview Park in the morning. The sunrise is beautiful. C. Upcoming Events at Riverview Park 1. July Parade starts at 8:30 a.m. 2. Freedom Fest starts at about 10:00 or 11:00 a.m. on the Fourth. That goes until about 8:30 p.m. 3. Fireworks at 9:00 p.m. VIII. New Business A. None B. Recreation Program Calendar 1. Summer Kickoff Concert June 6, 2025 at 6 p.m. -- follow-up Mr. Blankenship stated this was a very successful event. Staff have gotten several requests to do more of these. 2. Touch and Tour September 13, 2025 at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at City Hall Campus This is a program that was held last year. The museum will be open, Senior Center, and Art Center will have an open house; as well as large vehicles and equipment to view. So there will be a lot going on. 3. Kids Fest October 4, 2025 at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Riverview Park That will consist of various things to do, including poetry workshops and sidewalk chalk competitions. The wildlife organizations will be here for some educational information and demonstrations. Anglers for Conservancy will be here to present a fishing clinic and give out fishing poles and tackle boxes, etc. The age range that is being planned is for kids 15 and under. However, the poetry workshops can include older kids. Mr. Mauro asked to make a general comment. He wanted to know what the purpose would be of closing Harrison Street. Mr. Blankenship said the closure of Harrison Street is not new. It came up in 2023 when it actually went to City Council. He added that it has PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JUNE 23, 2025 PAGE 7 not yet been decided upon. Ms. Drumheller described the area and how Harrison Street will be addressed. She added that there are plans to have another input meeting about when there is more than what this committee agreed to move forward at the conceptual plan. Mr. Blankenship said he does not recall another public meeting being held, but it does have to go back to City Council, which is a public meeting but not a workshop. Ms. Drumheller asked if this item will come back to this Committee before it goes to City Council. Mr. Blankenship said he would imagine so. He added that he would like to get it to the elected officials and have their opinions on it. There was general discussion among the committee members regarding this matter. IX. Items for the Next Aaenda and Date: July 22, 2026 A. FY 2026 CIP review X. Adiourn There being no further business, Chairperson Drumheller called for a motion to adjourn. A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Ms. Webster, seconded by Mr. Halleran, and approved unanimously via voice vote. By: ovurV4 hairperson Drumheller A Date: CITY OF SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA FISCAL YEAR 2026-2031 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT REQUEST AND JUSTIFICATION FORM CEMETERY DIVISION (CONTINUED) Project Name: Ceme1er v FQWv, ant Project Deserindon: Funding Source: Cemetery Trust Fund 26-27 - Replace Dump Trailer S13,000. 27-28 • Replace Zeno Turn Mower S 16,000. Jnadtieadoa: Cemetery Dump Trailer will be replaced in FY 26-27, Zero Turn mower C409 will be replaced in FY 27 28 based on recommendations from Fleet Maintenance based on age and millallc Project Cast:» FY 25—.0 ELF FY 2940 FY 3" DW S $ 13M $ 16MO S S - s S 29,000 Project Pddng: JPricing based on current estimates for zero turn mowers and dump trailers thru multiple vendor quotes. I Project Name: Icernatery kdfation Pump Protect Deseriodon: Funding Source: lCemetery Trust Fund Additional Irrigation Pump. Justiiieadow. The Cemetery is setup with one irrigation pump that tuns for approximately 22.S ham per day to irrigate all S units within the canetery. Staff is requesting to purchase a second pump so that the two pumps can alternate and increase their lifespan. This also provides an immediate backup if the pump fails. Project Casts: p9qed k-Y 25-26 IFY 26-27 FY 27-28 j:Y 28-29 FY 29-30 FY 30-31 jQW S S 4000 S - S - S $ - S 40,000 Project ftking: lPricing is based on the curet pump purchase price PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT Project Name: Park Mahonarnce Equipment Project Description: Funding Source: General Fund Provkle Necessary Maintenance or Replacement of equipment: 26-27 S28K Replace (2) Zero Turn Mowers. 26-27 S90K Landscape dump body truck 27-28 S22K Replace Bush Hog 1 S' Mower. M29 SISK Replace Steel Green Sprayw Spreader. 28-29 $1 SK Replace Snapper Pro Zero Turn Mower. JusdfieW= lReplm parks maintenance equipment which will reach its cad of life cycle. Project Cast:: Project FY FY UaZ FY 27-28 EY.2&29 FC.29--M FY 30,31 1qW S - S 118.000 S 22,000 S 30,000 S - S - S 170,000 Project PdchW JPricing for equipment is based on current cost estimates received from various vendors. Projecting cost increases In iirtum years for other items. CITY OF SEBASTiAN, FLORIDA FISCAL YEAR 2026-2031 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT REQUEST AND JUSTIFICATION FORM PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT (CONTINUED) Project Name: Park imnr+ovanents Project Description: Funding Sources RProps ti n - Impact Foes Fund Provide An* to immediately address park improvements. Justification: These allocations enable the addressing of park expenditures brought to light by the public or Parks and Recreeation Advisory Committm so that concerns not budgeted can be addressed without delay. Project Costs: Project Fy 27-2ti FY 29-29 FY 29-30 FY 30-31 �� S 20,000 S 20.000 S 20,000 S 20,000 S 20.000 S 20,000 S 120.000 Project PdchW. INo cost esUmMa provided as these m s , ., .r ,d, : -.a1 park rmprOV9ernC[ItS. Project Name: Playground improvements Project Description: Funding Source: Recreation Impact Fees Fund 25-26 Hardee Park S80,000 27- 28 Schuman Park $50,000.00 Justification: Update and replace playgrounds ftaughout the city for safety and etjoyment. Project Coate Project FY2S-.26 FY 26-27 FY 27-2,$ JFY 29.29 FY 29 30 FY 3u l TW s 80,00 $ - S 50,000 S - S S S 130.000 Project Pricing: (Based on previous Playground Purchase ldcm Project Nance Parks & Trails Enulument Protect Description: � Funding Source: Discretionary Sales Tax S50,000 Tractor 75HP $77.000. 600 broom and attachment for tractor $9,000 , State Grant $1501000 Mini Skid Steer S35,000, Enclosed Trailer $9,000, Side by side ATV W,000, 60" mower $25,000,12' gang mower attachment S20.000 Ju:tiUcation:Equipment seeded for parks and trail maim Some is new and some is replument equipment. Project Costs: Project FY z6•z1 I, JFY 2&29 Fir1 Tit S 200,000 S - $ - S S - s - S 200,000 Project Pricing: JPricing is from manirafacturer/dealers in the area. We will apply for Trails-Clo grant to fund a large portion o the equipment need. 169 CITY OF SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA FISCAL YEAR 2026-2031 CAPITAL EMpRovEMENT PROJECT REQUEST AND JUSTIFICATION FORM PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT (CONTINUED) Project Nam: Schumann Park Courts Uppade Project Descriipdon Funding Source: Discretionary Saks Tax Resud= all of the tennis and basketball courts at Slu mann Park. Replace new and stantions, reline covets. Replace basketball rims and backboards. Replace all court and site lighting with LED. Jaa lacadoo: Courts are used regularly and are in need of new surfacing and components to remain safe. The lighting system is outdated and expensive to operate and maintain. Adding LED lighting results in reduction in electrical cost between 40% and 50% and depending on vendor up to a 25 year full tabor and material warranty. Project Cosa: Project EY.21-26 FY 26-27 27--28 F-Y 28-29 FY 29-30 p'Y 30-31 TAM $ $ 610.000 a 200.000 S - S - S S 810.000 Project Prfdolp !A proposal was received for baseline price to complete the court upgrades and lighting. Project Name: Friendship Park Tennis Court Uppades Project Description: Funding Source. Discretionary Was, Tax S70,000 Replace court lighting with LED, replace court fencing, reapply clay Grant S 245,000 and UnCL JusdRcalfoa: The lights need replacing, the fencing has been thru several storms and needs replacing. The day surface is in need of reconditioning with new lines. Project Cost:: Projed FY 25-.26 FY W7 FY 27-29 FY 29-29 FY 29-30 FY 3041 rod $ - $ 315.000 S - $ - S - S - $ 315,000 Project Pricing: lReeeived proposal for lighting, fencing at S40 a linter foot, and clay upgrades. Project Name: Garden Club Park Protect Description: Funding Source: Discretionary Saks Tax Completion of trail around Garden Club Park, new park amenities, (20%) S90,000 landscaping, lighting, flagpole. Re=estd l al Trails Program Grant (80%) S 360,000 Justification: C=ft Club Park for better public use. RTP grant S360,000 City Match $90,000.00. Mah"emi JUpgrade cost of facility would not be affected by upgrades. Project Costs: Project EX 7.%M IFY 26-27 FY 27-8 FY 2" FY 29-30 1 T43I S 00,000 S - S - $ - S - S - S 450,000 Project Pricing: JAll will be either competively bid or purchased from prebid contract. 170 CITY OF SESASTIAN, FLORIDA FISCAL YEAR 2026-2031 CAPITAL DIPPROVEMENT PROJECT REQUEST AND JUSTIFICATION FORM PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT (CONT11MMD) I Project Name: Main Street Ramp qmd i&, Proled Descrtatioo: Funding Source; Dbactionary Saks Tax S2SO,tiIIO Dredging of the area around Mein Street Boat Ramp to provide better Grant S 2S0,000 Wgress and egress for boaters Justlikadon: r1m boat ramp has not been dreddged in many years, if ever. Sedimatt has reduced the size of vessels that can ch and created dif3`rcutties in launching and retrieving vessels. Project Cots: Project FY 254A FY =. 8 JFY 28-21 FY 29-30 FY 30-3 t 191d $ Soo,= s - S - a - S - a - a 500,000 Project PdidzW JDmWag design and pdit is being perfomrod in FY2025. Project Name: Riverview Park Master Plan Protect Description: Funding Source: Discretionary Sales Tax imption of Riverview Master Plan Phasing JustN%adon: Design, construction domumtts, bidding and construction of Riverview Master plan by Phase. Project Cow: Project FY 25_26 FY 27-29 FY 30-31 ?OW! S - S 11000,000 S - a - a - $ - S 1,000,000 Project PrK* JEquipment win either be bid or purchased from a pre bid contract. Project Name: j!dnj and Bench Park Pro#ect Deserladoa: Funding Source: CRA S 200.000 Stabilize shoreline and add sidewalk, seating and ADA access Grant S 200,000 Jasdfleadm- Shordine stabilization receded due to erosion, sidewalk and seating added for Indian River Lagoon viewing and, ADA access to the water. Project Costs: Project FY 25-26 FY 26-27 PY 27-29 FY 29-29, FY 29 30 FY 30-3 ! T 1 S 400,000 S - $ S S - S • S 400.000 Project Pridag: IThis project will be conTedvely bid. Project Name: Parks Restroom Doors Prooect Description: Fandlag Source: General Fund Replace the doors and door jams at Hardee Park and Creative Playground, Yacht Club doors, Art Club door and window, Senior Center door and window, and associated restroom partitions. Jusdacatimm (Facility upgrades for safety and aesthetics at several city fau'tsties. Project Costs: ! Project FY 2-5-26 FY 26.27 FY 27-28EX 28--29 )FY 29-30 FY 30.31 cal S 15,000 $ 25.000 S - S - S - S S 40,000 Project PriebW JA11 will be either eompetively bid or purchased fi+om prebid contract.