HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-29-2025 PR MinutesPARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 29, 2025
Call to Order -- Chairperson Drumheller called the meeting to order at 6:00
p.m.
11. Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
Ill. Roll Call:
Present:
Ms. White Mr. Halleran
Ms. Drumheller Mr. Moore (a)
Ms. Webster Ms. Sheldon (Zoom)
1V. Announcements and Agenda Modifications -- None
V. Approval of Minutes -- Meeting of August 25, 2025 meeting.
All having indicated they had had a chance to read the Minutes of August 25, 2025, Ms.
Drumheller called for a Motion. Ms. Webster had a question regarding the Roll Call. Mr.
Renzi should not be on the Unexcused list. Ms. Drumheller said that Ms. Sheldon was
on Zoom; she just did not have audio. So she should be listed as Present on Zoom. A
motion to approve the Minutes of August 25, 2025 with the amendments stated above
was made by Ms. Webster, seconded by Ms. Sheldon, and approved unanimously via
voice vote.
Vl. Public Input -- None
VII. Unfinished Business
A. Current Project(s) Update
1. Riverview Park Planning
Mr. Blankenship stated there is nothing new to report on this project.
2. Main Street Boat Ramp -- Awarded FBIP grant for construction
Mr. Blankenship stated the City was awarded the Florida Boating Improvement Grant,
and last week we were awarded the Florida Inland Navigational District Grant for Main
Street. Staff already has the plans and permits, so they will be able to move forward on
this project, hopefully in the first quarter of the fiscal year. Ms. Drumheller said she saw
a sign that the boat ramp is going to be closed. Mr. Blankenship said that pertains only
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to the Homecoming Parade next Tuesday. Ms. Drumheller asked if that grant is for
dredging. Mr. Blankenship said it is for dredging of the Main Street Boat Ramp.
3. Swing and Bench Park -- Received Permit
Mr. Blankenship stated that the City was notified last week that we are getting funding
from FIND to do the shoreline stabilization. Because those projects are right next to each
other, there is going to be some spillover from one project to the other. Our goals are to
get the boat ramp dredged and get the shoreline stabilized at the Swing and Bench Park.
There was some discussion between Mr. Blankenship and Ms. Drumheller pertaining to
this situation wherein Ms. Drumheller asked if the Committee could begin looking at
equipment for the Swing & Bench Park over the next few months so that the Committee
had at least looked at some things and could decide what they thought would work best
there. Mr. Blankenship said yes.
4. Urban Forestry Grant Awards
Mr. Blankenship said both those grants have been executed, so the City can go to work.
Now is the time for the Filbert Street exotic removal. Staff will get quotes for this project.
For the tree canopy survey, the City will do a formal bid, as that project is over $25,000.00.
Those two projects are probably more of a second -quarter -type undertaking. There was
some discussion regarding this project between Mr. Blankenship and some of the
Committee members.
5. Hurricane Harbor
a. Design concepts
b. Renderings
c. Demo
Mr. Blankenship reviewed that the Committee members have been working on this item
for several meetings. He attached a sheet reiterating what was gone over at the last
meeting. He added that staff and the Committee members need to get to a level of design
and renderings so that the Committee, City Council, and the public can see what we are
talking about. There was a protracted discussion regarding this project.
B. Committee Member Park Updates
Ms. Sheldon said that Barber Street looks great, and that park is used more and more
every day. Regarding Kildare, she said that park is in a nice area tucked away in a
neighborhood. She is curious about the potential for a park or a playground there. She
contacted the School District Transportation, and there are two bus stops that are used
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within that neighborhood. That tells her that there are children there, and a park might be
something for a future endeavor. She also feels that the area has the potential for
landscaping. She had various suggestions regarding the use of that space.
Ms. Webster stated that Hardee Park is in good shape. Regarding the ballfield, she noted
that fall ball has started, and that area is used a lot. She suggested that the building
needs to be pressure washed.
Ms. White stated that there are lots of ducks at the Easy Street Park, and it is a very active
park. She suggested some areas need to be pressure washed, and Mr. Blankenship said
that is on the schedule.
Mr. Halleran addressed the Stormwater Park. He noticed that there is one depression
where there is a hidden drain. He does not want someone to get hurt on that, so he will
talk to Mr. Blankenship about this. His other two parks are Bryant Street and George
Street. They have new signage that says "No Parking" on all the side streets. He thanked
Mr. Blankenship for following through on that.
Mr. Moore said Riverview Park looks good. He said the City is pretty quick about picking
up palm fronds, etc. after storms. He continued to take pictures of a couple things that
need to be addressed. He photographed those, and he gave the photos to Mr.
Blankenship.
Ms. Drumheller said the Garden Club Park needs to have the weeds pulled. Mr.
Blankenship said October 111h is the workday for that. He added that the Girl Scouts go
there the last week of every month and do some work. He said the Girl Scouts contacted
him today stating they wanted to pressure wash the bench and the gazebo.
Ms. Webster asked who has the Dog Park. After some discussion it was discovered that
Ms. White has the Dog Park. Ms. White said she will take on the Dog Park.
C. Upcoming Events at Riverview Park
1. Kids Fest October 4, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Mr. Blankenship said that the Kids Fest is this Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It
will be at Riverview and Twin Piers. There are approximately 26 exhibitors, a fishing
clinic, and a kids' boating safety clinic from the Coastguard Flotilla. There will be food
trucks and the interactive bounce houses, games and an obstacle course. There will also
be a sidewalk chalk contest, and he explained how that works.
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2. Trunk or Treat and Movie Night are October 241h beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Mr. Blankenship reminded the Committee members that they will be the judges for that
event, and he asked them to be there at approximately 5:30 p.m. He said the Jeep group
will be there with candy. Some of the other sponsors will also be there giving out candy.
Vlll. New Business -- None
B. Recreation Program Calendar Review
Touch and Tour September 13, 2025, 10:00 a.m., City Campus --
Review
Mr. Blankenship reviewed the Touch and Tour event that was held on September 13'h
He said it went exceptionally well. Last year, there was so much going on in the courtyard.
This year, we only had two or three city vendors, and the Indian River Lagoon group was
in the courtyard also. Everything else was spread out. All of the City parking was used
as well as the County parking, and those lots were full. So there was a really good turnout.
He opined that, as well, all the City facilities such as the Historical Society, Art Club,
Senior Center, and Craft Club would agree that it was a good turnout.
2. Kids Fest, October 4, 2025, 10:00 a.m. at Riverview Park
3. Trunk or Treat October 24, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
Both of these events were also discussed.
IX. Items for the Next Aaenda and Date: October 27, 2025
1. Mr. Blankenship said the Committee will be preparing for the Holiday
events at this meeting.
2. Ms. Sheldon said she would like to continue the conversation about Kildare
Park and exploring options for that park.
X. Adjourn
There being no further business, Ms. Drumheller called for a motion. A motion was made
to adjourn y Ms. Webster econded by Mr. Halleran. The meeting was adjourned at
6:27 p.m+
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BY: Date. 6 /
Chairperson Drumheller