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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-25-2025 PR Agenda 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 32958 CITY OF SEBASTIAN PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE AGENDA MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2025 6:00 PM 1) CALL TO ORDER 2) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3) ROLL CALL 4) ANNOUNCEMENTS AND AGENDA MODIFICATIONS: Modifications and additions require unanimous vote of members. Deletions do not apply. 5) APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Item A: Meeting Minutes from July 22, 2025 6) PUBLIC INPUT 7) UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Item A: Current Project(s) Update a. Riverview Park Planning b. Main St. boat ramp- Awarded FBIP grant for construction c. Law Enforcement Dryline -complete d. Swing and Bench Park- received permit e. Urban Forestry Grant Awards Item B: Committee Member Park Updates Item C: Upcoming Events at Riverview Park a. Patriots Day- September 11, 2025 Veterans Memorial 8:30 a.m. b. POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony- September 19, 2025 11 a.m. c. Gold Star Families Service- September 28, 2025 11 a.m. 8) NEW BUSINESS: Item A: Hurricane Harbor a. Present conditions b. Grant requirements c. Present funding d. Possible design elements for further development ITEM B: Recreation Program Calendar a. Touch and Tour September 13, 2025 10 a.m. City Hall Campus b. Kids Fest October 4, 2025 10 a.m. Riverview 9) ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA AND DATE: September 22, 2025 10) ADJOURN ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER CONSIDERED AT THIS MEETING (OR HEARING) WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE HEARD. (286.0105 F.S.) IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA), ANYONE WHO NEEDS A SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION FOR THIS MEETING SHOULD CONTACT THE CITY’S ADA COORDINATOR AT 589-5330 AT LEAST 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THIS MEETING. HOWEVER, THE PUBLIC IS ADVISED TO CHECK THE CITY WEBSITE FOR UP-TO- DATE INFORMATION ON ANY CHANGES TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THE MEETING WILL BE HELD AND THE LOCATION. PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JULY 22, 2025 I. Call to Order -- Chairperson Drumheller called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. II. Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all. III. Roll Call: Present: Mr. Mauro Ms. Sheldon Ms. Webster Mr. Halleran Ms. Drumheller Mr. Moore Ms. White -- (Zoom -- Late Arrival) IV. Announcements and Agenda Modifications -- None V. Approval of Minutes A. Meeting Minutes from June 23, 2025 All members having indicated they had reviewed the Minutes of June 23, 2025, a motion was made by Ms. Webster approving the Minutes as presented, seconded by Ms. Sheldon, and approved unanimously via voice vote. VI. Public Input Damien Gilliams, 6025 US 1, Sebastian. He introduced himself and asked if any of the board members or City staff had investigated the band shell proposed in Melbourne. No one indicated they had. He also asked if anyone had reached out to the business owners that may be interested in the proposed changes to Riverview Park and Harrison Street. No one indicated they had. He reiterated his position on this matter. Ms. Webster asked where in Melbourne a project such as the one in Sebastian is being proposed. There was general discussion as to where the project is being proposed in Melbourne. Mr. Mauro reviewed the information that was discussed at the last meeting, and it was clarified that Harrison Street was not going to be closed in its entirety, and he explained the proposal regarding Harrison Street. Mr. Blankenship reviewed the Riverview Park planning. He said City staff are hoping to get the contracts for the grant soon. Staff are looking at a Plan B to bring back to this board showing the overall concept before anything else is done with it. PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 2 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JULY 22, 2025 VII. Unfinished Business A. Current Project(s) Update 1. Riverview Park Planning Mr. Blankenship reviewed the Riverview Park planning. He said City staff are hoping to get the contracts for the grant soon. Staff are looking at a Plan B to bring back to this board showing the overall concept before anything else is done with it. 2. Main Street boat ramp -- Awarded FBIP grant for construction Mr. Blankenship stated that the City has been awarded the Florida Boat Improvement grant for that. That is in design and permitting right now. There was a grant awarded last year to do that. He said the City is supposed to have the permits by the first of September. We have gotten the $240,000.00 from FBIP. We have another $200,000.00 grant in with FIND as long as we have our permits before they award it. He estimated that by the end of September the City would have the grants so that we can go to work on improving that boat ramp. Ms. Drumheller asked if that would put the boat ramp out of commission during this period. Mr. Blankenship said no. The City would try to do it so that at least one side is still open if that is feasible. If it did have to be shut down completely, it would not be a year or so, but we have to dredge it. It is getting dangerous to launch a boat and to retrieve it. He emphasized that the City will do whatever it can to keep at least one lane open during dredging. 3. Law Enforcement Dryline -- under way Mr. Blankenship stated that the law enforcement dryline installation is under way. This is the fire suppression system for the southern dock at Twin Piers. That should be completed by the end of next week. That will be the second project that we have been able to complete this year. 4. Swing and Bench Park Mr. Blankenship stated that we have a design, and we are in for permitting. We have a couple of construction grants in the works, and he is pretty confident that we will come out with at least one of those. So, we will be able to move forward with Swing and Bench shoreline stabilization and whatever we do on the uplands with swings and benches. 5. Urban Forestry Grant Awards PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 3 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JULY 22, 2025 Mr. Blankenship stated that we were awarded two Urban Forestry grants last week, one for a tree canopy survey. He explained tree surveys. Ms. Drumheller asked Ms. White, who is now present on Zoom, if she had any questions or comments. Ms. White asked if the canopy is grant is for public areas. Mr. Blankenship said yes, it will be for public areas. Ms. White asked if it addresses the invasive species that are on the trees along the walkways. Mr. Blankenship said that we got a second grant to address those. B. Committee Member Park Updates Ms. Sheldon said she has been at Barber Street a few times this week with her children. They are very grateful for the cool water in the water fountains and their ability to refill their water bottles, not just from the spout. She added that Kildare looked beautiful as always. Mr. Mauro thanked Mr. Blankenship for getting the windscreen up at the pickleball courts. Ms. Webster said her parks are good. Mr. Halleran said he was given Stormwater Park last month, but he has not had a chance to visit it. The other two parks are both looking good except for those abutters that are still parking on the grass. He asked if he could have an update on putting no parking signs at those areas. Mr. Blankenship said he has not addressed that with the Police Department or Mr. Benton on whether we can do that or not. He will speak with Mr. Benton and see if that is allowable for us to put them up. Mr. Halleran said it’s a problem both at George Street and Bryant Street. Mr. Moore said he went to Riverview Park on Monday after the Fourth of July in order to see what condition the park was in, and it was spotless. There was hardly any trash at all. He took pictures of things that he noted that he would be concerned about and gave them to the director. Ms. Drumheller said at Garden Park the plants are really making the park look good. She inquired about scheduling a date for the public to work on weeds , etc. Mr. Blankenship said that staff were hoping to do a workday this summer, but together with the heat and the girl scouts not really functioning in the summer, we are not able to do that. When the girl scouts come back, a workday will be set with the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, the Natural Resources Board, and the girl scout group to go out there and do some weeding etc. PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 4 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JULY 22, 2025 Mr. Mauro asked regarding Stormwater Park what the procedure is that is done when the grass is cut there. He noted that up on the high side where you can walk around, the grass is cut. But on the banks, it’s all tall. Mr. Blankenship stated that it may be because of an equipment issue over the past couple of months. The batwing, which is used on elevated spaces, has not been functioning. Ms. Webster asked if members of this committee should be going out and talking to businesses about their feelings on proposed projects like Riverview Park. She feels like the committee members are not equipped for that. Mr. Benton said there is a line that you cannot cross as a board member. Obviously, you are a representative of the committee. It is also your responsibility to do due diligence if that is what you so choose to do when you are making a decision to a question that comes before the committee. So you cannot represent your position when you go out to speak to businesses. However, if you are in the area and you happen to want to stop at a business and identify yourself as a member of the advisory committee and you’ve got this discussion coming up , you can ask what their thoughts are. It would be the same way you would approach the general public on your site visits to parks when you’re having those discussion s with the public. He stated that, as long as you’re representing the position as a volunteer board member who is not making a decision, you are just making a recommendation, and that is within your abilities as a board member to have those discussions with a member of the public. C. Upcoming Events at Riverview Park Mr. Blankenship stated that, since this is the slow time of the year, there is really not anything major coming up in the next couple of months. VIII. New Business A. FY2026 Capital Improvement Plan Mr. Blankenship reviewed the draft of the Capital Improvement Plan for FY 2025-26 and five years out which is attached to the agenda for tonight’s meeting (SEE ATTACHED). The items listed are Cemetery Equipment, Park Maintenance Equipment, Park Improvements, Playground Improvements, Parks and Trails Equipment, Schumann Park Courts Upgrade, Friendship Park Tennis Court Upgrades, Garden Club Park Upgrades, Main Street Ramp Dredging, Riverview Park Master Plan, Swing and Bench Park . Restroom Doors was taken out. He stated that staff will be coming back to this committee at a later date to discuss which playground we will do. There was extended discussion regarding the capital improvements for fiscal year 2026 among Mr. Benton, Mr. Blankenship and the committee members. Mr. Blankenship asked for a vote approving the CIP as presented. A motion approving the Capital Improvement Plan for fiscal year PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 5 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JULY 22, 2025 2026 as presented was made by Ms. Webster, seconded by Mr. Mauro, and approved unanimously via voice vote. B. Hurricane Harbor Tour and Assignment Mr. Blankenship stated he had forwarded a copy to the committee members of the discussion at the last City Council meeting regarding the council’s desire to redo Hurricane Harbor. He stated that he thinks it is important for this committee’s members to go out and physically see it and do a walk-through, get a feel for the shoreline and where the parking is, etc. Council asked that we come back to them in late August with a list of recommendations such as number of square feet, this type catering situation, etc. Assuming council is in agreement, we then go to a consultant to put together a draft plan. This facility will be used as a public facility. He proposed that he and the committee members meet Monday, July 28th at 5:30 p.m., and a notice will be posted. Everyone agreed on this date and time. Ms. Drumheller asked for which council meeting this committee will need to have all of this information compiled. Mr. Benton suggested that this committee will probably need to go to council the first meeting in September. He advised the committee members to keep an open mind as to what you recommend for use of this facility. He added that council will not decide at that first meeting in September because they are going to then want to workshop it with the public. He would like to give them an update at that first meeting in September as to what your recommendations are. That identifies the short list and sees if council wants to add anything else to the short list, and then we go to the public. There was a general discussion on this item among Mr. Benton, Mr. Blankenship, and the committee members. IX. Recreation Program Calendar A. Touch and Tour September 13, 2025, 10 a.m. City Hall Campus B. Kids Fest October 4, 2025, 10 a.m. Riverview Mr. Blankenship said the Touch and Tour is a combination of the Touch a Truck and a tour of the City’s facilities, the museum, the art club, the senior center, and we will have large vehicles in the parking lot. The kids and adults would admire those, if they like. There will also be food and drink. Mr. Blankenship also stated that on October 4 is the Kids Fest, which will be at Riverview Park in Vero Beach. That will be a special event solely focused on youth activities. Ms. Webster added that the Rotary Club in Vero Beach is having a kids triath lon on December 6th. She is really an interesting event at the Aquatic Center. It is for 6 year- PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 6 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING JULY 22, 2025 olds up to either 9 or 13 years of age. It costs $25.00, and they do a whole triathlon. X. Items for the Next Agenda and Date: August 25, 2025 Ms. Drumheller asked if anyone has anything they would like see on the agenda for the next meeting on August 25, 2025. There were none. XI. Adjourn There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m. By:___________________________ Date:__________________________ Chairperson Drumheller jg PARKS AND RECREATION ADVIOSRY BOARD COMMENTS FROM July 28 tour: • Open(covered) concept that could host art, photography, birding, nature and other types of programs. • Large windows • Two story concepts • Design for one event at a time • Use as much of the existing wood/amenities as possible. • Small museum area • Architecture dissolves into the natural surroundings. • Large deck space on back. • Stage GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS: • Outdoor cooking area with community garden. • “Ballroom” with stage and catering kitchen. • Venue for special events and weddings. • Two story • Museum focused on the 12 old fish houses. • Covered patio. • Do not consume the water view. • No two story. • Place for artist to display their craft. • A restaurant with water access. • Event space that could accommodate indoor farmers market and pop-up restaurant. • Large event space with movable walls. • Fishing History Museum. • Outdoor connectivity. • Creative parking. STAFF COMMENTS: • Minimum 4000 sq. ft. under air • Flexible interior and exterior space • Ample storage for tables and chairs • Catering kitchen • Preserve/reuse elements presently in the building such as the bar, wooden counter top, highwaymen painting, etc.… • Allow for flexible museum displays • Large open space – use of transitioning doors/partitions to keep the space multifunctional for small or large events • Create a large outdoor deck that connects to existing dock to the North • Utilize fans and/or misters to make exterior space more pleasant • All hurricane rated windows Hurricane rated slider doors facing the lagoon • If second story/loft is included weigh options between interior elevator or exterior lift • Hurricane rated windows need to open • Speaker/audio visual system