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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-27-2025 PR Minutes!V. V. PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 27, 2025 Call to Order -- Chairperson Drumheller called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Pledge of Allealance was recited by all. Roll Call: Present: Ms. White (Zoom) Ms. Drumheller Ms. Webster Not Present: Mr. Halloran (Excused) Mr. Mauro Mr. Moore (a) Ms. Sheldon (a) Announcements and Agenda Modifications -- None ADDroval of Minutes -- Meeting of September 29, 2025 meeting. All having indicated they had had a chance to read the Minutes of September 29, 2025, Ms. Drumheller called for a Motion. A motion was made approving the Minutes of September. 29, 2025, as presented, was made by Ms. Webster, seconded by Ms. Sheldon, and approved unanimously via voice vote. V1. Public Input -- None V11. Current Proiect(s) Update A. Riverview Park Planning 1. Concept review and selection Mr. Blankenship stated that this evening the Committee will be reviewing the Conceptual Plans for Riverview Park. He reviewed that sometime ago there was a .public meeting held, and staff brought some concepts to the Committee. At that time, they selected a concept, and at that time there was some further public input and input from businesses. So, this evening staff is bringing to them what staff is calling Concept A and Concept C. The main difference between the two concepts is the closure of Harrison Street. There is now shown a concept that does not close Harrison Street. The goal is to slow down traffic on Harrison Street. That would include an extended speed table so that vehicles PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 2 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 27, 2025 either going east or west would encounter a speed table and, theoretically, slow down until they get off the speed table. That would get them past the crosswalk. The intent was to make the crosswalk safer. He explained that the main difference between the two plans is that with Concept C, Harriston Street is not closed. Everything else is the same. He reminded the Committee that this is a 50,000-foot view. We are not into details. We are at a starting point. Hopefully, we will get a recommendation tonight, and we will take it to Council for final approval of selection of a concept. Then, we go to work with getting into design, permitting, and other details. He reviewed that at last week's Council meeting, they did approve the Land and Water Conservation Award of $1.5 million with a $1.5 million match. We also have another grant to do design and permitting. We are now positioned well once a concept is selected. Mr. Blankenship showed on the projector several drawings which showed the original concept, which is referred to as Master Plan, that shows the closure of Harrison Street. Concept C shows no closure of Harrison Street. Ms. Drumheller called for Public Input. Michael Bustell, 931 Gardenia Street, Sebastian. He stated that he hopes -the City never changes the logo at Riverview Park, as the Park is the centerpiece of the City. He asked if there has been a traffic study that deals with the amount of traffic that comes out of that parking lot. He feels that the traffic coming out of that parking lot and trying to get onto US is going to be very congested if there is only going to be one way out of that lot.' Ms. Drumheller stated that she is confused. Mr. Bustell said he may be confused, but no matter, there is going to be a lot of congestion coming out of that lot. He is in favor of Concept C Damien Giliams, Sebastian. He thanked Mr. Blankenship and Mr. Benton who worked with him and the businesses along Harrison Street. He stated that his group has concerns about the closing of Harrison Street. Their concerns are the economic impact from the closure of Harrison Street. He asked, if the Committee decides tonight to go with the closure of Harrison Street, that the Committee puts in its motion this evening to ask that City Council set aside funds to do an impact economic study. He opined that the estimated combined weekly impact is approximately 20-25% revenue reduction for two businesses, and that is a lot of money. He stated that it Is his understanding that a vehicle count was done. It is important that it is done at the right time. He and his business partners found out that a study was done, but it was done during the wrong time of the year. It needs to be done when there is a lot of traffic, when it is busy. He said that first and foremost is public safety. Fire, police, ambulance services can be negatively impacted due to restricted access. He thanked the Committee for their consideration. PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 3 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 27, 2025 Monica Bustell, Sebastian. She opined that, if you close one road, people will drive faster on the other road. That is not going to help slow traffic down. If anything, she opined that it is going to make people frustrated because now they are late. Most accidents happen In parking lots. She opined that you cannot route traffic through a parking lot when you have a road. If you close the road, who is going to pay to reopen it? The taxpayers. Damien Gilliams, Jr., Sebastian. He thanked everyone for taking the time to look at the plans, and he thanked City staff for coming up with another option. He hopes that you all look at Concept C very seriously. He think it is a good move. Closing down the street is a bad idea, he thought, because of having to route traffic through the parking lot. There being no more Public Input, Ms. Drumheller closed Public Input and called on the Committee members for questions/comments. Ms. Sheldon stated she recalled going to a public meeting a year ago and brought up the Idea of speed bumps on both Sebastian Boulevard Eastbound and Harrison Street. She asked if that is also an option that can be used. Mr. Blankenship said that is what is in Concept C. There is an elevated speed table, which is more than a speed bump. It is designed to slow vehicles down. Mr. Blankenship stated that, as part of the planning and permitting, he cannot guarantee that a traffic study will be required, but he is pretty sure a traffic study will be required. Mr. Mauro said he does not see an entrance into the parking lot from Indian River Drive. It was pointed out to him as being down at the southern end of the parking lot. He thinks it will cause a nightmare during events if Harrison Street is closed off. He is in favor of keeping Harrison Street open. His other question was regarding whether there are police there directing traffic when there are events. Mr. Blankenship said there are. Mr. Mauro said he thinks it should be left up to the Police Department. Ms. Webster said, as a person who has parked in the parking lot during events, it is a cluster every time, and the police do not patrol inside the parking lot. During events, she thinks that Harrison Street should be one-way into the parking lot and then get out by the last exit on Indian River Boulevard -- just during events. Mr. Moore said he agrees with keeping Harrison Street open. He has not seen anything that would be a reason to not do it, because it seems to be handled pretty well during events and such. PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 4 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 27, 2025 Ms. Drumheller has spoken with some of the business people about this matter. She thinks this gives us some opportunities for even more family rental options. She mentioned some additions to the Park that she likes have been planned for the Park. She commended everyone who was involved in working this out, because there was a lot of concern about the closure of Harrison Street. There being no further questions or comments from the Committee members, Ms. Drumheller called for a motion. A motion that the Committee recommends going with Concept C, Master Plan was made by Ms. Webster, seconded by Mr. Mauro, and was approved unanimously via voice vote. Ms. Drumheller stated that the Committee should make sure that there is some type of traffic study. Ms. Sheldon asked whether a traffic study would tell us where speed bumps should go. Mr. Blankenship said yes, and that is anywhere where we put a crosswalk, and there is a certain type of signage we have to have. We have to have either a study or a vehicle count done -- something that provides data that proves that it needs to be done. 2. Main St. Boat Ramp -- Awarded FBIP grant for construction Mr. Blankenship stated that staff was notified this morning that we have received our third grant for Main Street Boat Ramp -- land -to -water conservation. We now have the design for the dredging. He emphasized that the Main Street Boat Ramp and Swing and Bench are right next to each other. Now, staff has to make sure that what we do to one benefits the other. He stated that, hopefully, this will go out to bid soon as well as the shoreline stabilization of Swing and Bench, because that is funded now as well. He estimates this project will be under construction in about six months. 3. Swing -and -Bench Park -- received permit and grant for construction 4. Urban Forestry Grant Awards a. Tree canopy survey, which will close about November 6 b. Filbert Street Park exotic plant removal and revegetation grant. We will start that, hopefully, next week. 5. Hurricane Harbor a. Design concepts PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 5 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 27, 2025 i. Review Renderings Mr. Blankenship mounted the renderings on the screen and described each one (SEE ATTACHED). He added that Mr. Moore created these renderings on a volunteer basis, as that has been his profession for quite a while. Therefore, he will recuse himself tonight from any vote on Hurricane Harbor designs. what we need to do tonight is come up with a starting point. He and Committee members visited the site, and there was a lot of discussion of whether this would be one story or two stories, and how big it would be. We are not into specifics such as design of the windows, the type of audiovisual system, etc. What he hopes to achieve this evening is a recommendation on the concept, whether it be one story or two stories. He asked Mr. Moore to explain the thought process of how this matches the history of the facility, etc. Mr. Moore stated that these renderings are all based on the history of the building itself. He had no intention of altering what people are used to, what people want to see. He explained each drawing and the history of the building. He said that what he did was to attempt to take it back to its more original state, rather than what people remember from the last couple dozen years. He said that some of the City Council members wanted to see a rendering of a two-story building, and some others wanted to keep it at one story. He described the drawings in detail that were on the screen. Mr. Blankenship pointed out with this facility there are a lot of FEMA issues that we need to take Into consideration as well as insurance issues. Ms. Drumheller pointed out that the discussion tonight should be about whether we are going to recommend a one-story or a two-story building. Mr. Blankenship pointed out that we could also discuss the design concepts regarding a historic look versgs a modem look. There was an extended discussion regarding design, cost, etc. among the Committee members. Including Ms. White, who was on Zoom, and Mr. Blankenship regarding the building. There being no public input, Ms. Drumheller called for a motion. A motion was made by Ms. Webster and seconded by Mr. Mauro recommending the building be two stories and keeping in mind to incorporate the historic aspect in the design. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote. B. Committee Member Park Updates PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE AGENDA PAGE 6 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 27, 2025 Ms. Webster said that someone talked to her about activities at night in Hardee Park, and she recommended cameras being installed. Mr. Blankenship stated there are cameras present. Mr. Mauro spoke regarding the Main Street boat ramp. He said that the pavement markings that say "Boat Trailer Parking Only" need to be redone with fresh paint. Also, at the pickleball courts some of the windscreens are down in different places. He recommended plastic ties to put the screens up. Mr. Blankenship said the only issue with plastic ties is, with the increased strength of the plastic ties, the whole fence comes down. Vlll. New Business A. Hardee Park Playground 1. Review replacement design Mr. Blankenship described the photograph of the proposed design of the new playground. He said the new playground will be under the trees for some natural shade, and it will double in size. It will not have the artificial surface that Bryant Court has, but it will have the engineered mulch, so it is still ADA accessible. There will be an ADA-accessible swing. There was extended discussion among the Committee members and Mr. Blankenship regarding this playground. Ms. Drumheller called for a motion. A motion approving the playground equipment that is proposed was made by Ms. Webster, seconded by Ms. Sheldon, and approved unanimously via voice vote. B. Recreation Program Calendar 1. Kids Fest October 4, 2025 10 a.m. Riverview -- Overview Mr. Blankenship noted the event participation was way above the staffs expectations. There were a lot of families there, and it will be an annual event going forward. 2. Trunk or Treat October 24, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. Mr. Blankenship said this event was also very well attended, and he thanked the Treasure Coast Jeep Club for everything they do for that event. There were 70 individual costume entrants and 16 groups, which was very good. Ms. Drumheller stated that she would like to see more Committee members at next year's event. 1X. Items for the Next Aqenda and Date: November 17, 2026 -- Change of Date PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 27, 2025 PAGE 7 Mr. Blankenship stated that the Committee voted on this change, as the original date was during the week of Thanksgiving. X. Adiournment There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Ms. Webster, seconded by Mr. Mauro, and passed unanimously via voice vote. By: , Chairperson Drumheller is Date: //-, 1 P"