Parks Advisory Board Minutes – June 5, 2015Page 1

Minutes

Parks and Recreation Advisory BoardMeeting of June5, 2015

7:30 a.m. – Carpenter House– Hollywood

Board Members Present

Alex Lazowick / Howard Nelson / Terry Danger
Arthur McNeil / Jack Mathison / Tyson Jones
Dana MacDonald / Kristen Reineke / William Norkunas
Daniel Mulieri / Patrick Brochu
Guy Roper / Stephen Lawson

Board Members Absent

Alicia Howard / Ronald Goff / Stephanie Munson
Christina Clifford

County Staff

Ashley Nascimento / Daphnee Sainvil / Nunzio Girdano
Brian McLaughlin / Gary Remillet / Patrice Eichen
Cathy Hagen / Gayle Preston / Racquel Henry
Cheryl Cayer / Jay Sanford / Sarah Perkins
Chester Pruitt / Jim Federici / Selina Ponder
Cyndy Baker / Kristin McLaughlin / Shawn Davis
Dan West / Lou Metz

Guests

Dr. Derek Burkholder / Richard E. Dodge, PhD / Steven Arsenault

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (Board) meeting was called to order by JackMathison, Chair,at 7:35a.m., after which all present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.Roll was called; a quorum was present.

ChairMathison announced the reappointment of Board members Dana MacDonald, representing Commissioner Chip LaMarca, District 4;Christina Clifford, representing Commissioner Chip LaMarca, District 4; Arthur McNeil, representing Commissioner Barbara Sharief, District8; and Guy Roper, representing Commissioner Beam Furr, District 6.

Public Comment:Chair Mathison inquired if there were any members of the public who wished to speak on any Parks-related topic. There were none.

Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Terry Danger, to approve the minutes of the March 5, 2015, meeting. The motion was seconded by Stephen Lawson and was passed unanimously.

Employees of the Quarter: Each Employee of the Quarter was introduced and presented with a framed certificate to commemorate the award, a tote bag, a personalized logo shirt, and a Division “Find it All” mug.

Employees for the 1stQuarter 2015 were: Selina Ponder, Park Aide II, C.B. Smith Park; Ashley Nascimento, Student Seasonal Lifeguard, T.Y. Park; andKristin McLaughlin, Senior Information Technology Specialist, Administrative Offices.

Advisory Board Update: Daphnee Sainvil, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs & Professional Standards

Ms. Sainvil, Boards Administrator, stated that the Board members are subject to the attendance requirements of the Broward County Code of Ordinances. Members absent from four (4) meetings in a calendar year or three (3) consecutive meetings will receive a letter of removal, but can be reappointed by the appointing Commissioner. A member would be able to join a meeting via telephone and marked present only if there is a physical quorum. Ms. Sainvilreminded the Board that their contact information is considered public record and can be requested by the public through a public records request. If a member of the Board has an exemption, then the home address will not be released. Patrice Eichen, Assistant County Attorney, advised that it is each member’s responsibility to advise the Boards Administrator of any exemption.Regarding a Board member’s conflict of interest with a matter being discussed, Ms. Eichen stated that once a member declares a conflict, they should abstain from discussing the topic and voting. Ms. Sainvil encouraged members to contact staff if they have any questions.

Park Manager’s Report:Laurel Person, Park Manager V

Ms. Personstated that she oversees the operations of Anne Kolb Nature Center, West Lake Park, Hollywood North Beach Park, and Carpenter House.The Carpenter House, built in 1940, is a 0.54 acre site and a coastal addition to the 62 acre state-owned Hollywood North Beach Park, which is managed by Broward County Parks and Recreation staff. The Carpenter house was originally built as a residential property by Henry Carpenter, who lived in the home with his second wife June until his death in 1981.June Carpenter died in 2002 and subsequently the property was purchased by the County in 2004 with funds from the 2000 Safe Parks and Land Preservation Bond program and partial funding from the Florida Communities Trust.

The Carpenter House is rented for small weddings, events, and meetings, as well as being used for the turtle release area for the County’s Sea Turtles and their Babies program. This popular turtle educational program runs from June through September, and tickets are almost always sold out in advance. Last summer over 900 people attended this fascinating nature program.The turtle release is held right behind the house directly on the beach.This year’s Sea Turtle and their Babies program will begin July 1, and will take place on Wednesday and Friday nights through August 28, and patrons can register through the new online registration system, which initiated just a few weeks ago.Broward County has entered into a collaborative agreement with Nova Southeastern University for a Marine Environment Education Center.

Ms. Person introduced Dr. Derrick Burkholder from Nova Southeastern Universitywho gave a tour of the facilities, described the turtle pool that was recently renovated and described future plans for the Carpenter House.

Bond Construction Update:Jim Federici, P.E., Manager, Parks Planning and Design

  • Roosevelt Gardens Park–Contractor has commenced work, the site underground and grading work has been completed. Paving, striping and landscaping to be completed by July 2015.
  • Deerfield Island Park–The existing boardwalk is being renovated with aluminum and wood. Staff is reviewing bids for design and permitting of the new six (6) inch fire main.
  • Everglades Holiday Park (EHP) – The entrance bridge work is going through permitting review. The expansion of the work area is progressing.
  • Hollywood North Beach/West Lake Park – Working on the design of the tower.
  • Miramar Pineland Park–Working on the design of a park services building to include a new office and nature center.
  • Quiet Waters Park – Site improvements and rental cabins design has commenced. The dog park project is progressing.
  • Tradewinds Park North – Project includes developing a new multi-use park services center, new sanitary sewer system to replace septic systems, and redeveloping the farm area to include a new barn, corral/pen, and associated support facilities.Seven (7) proposals were received; two (2) were rejected. The selection committee will convene in mid-June to approve a short list of firms for presentations and set a presentation date.

Parks Foundation Update: The updated website is Parks Public Communications Group is currently working on a brochure.Everyone is welcome to attend the foundation meetings.

Parks and Recreation Division Update: Mr. West suggested that the November 6thmeeting be held at the Urban League of Broward County. Staff met with County Administration regarding the operating capital for 2016. Parks attendance has increased to over 10 million per year. Mr. West stated that requests were made to County Administration for $710,000 supplemental increase for security, as the security of park visitors is paramount; more operating funds; 6 additional staff;staff in charge of asset management; building renovation funds and new administrative building for EHP;north compartment at Vista View Park; administrative gate house and slide maintenance for C.B. Smith Park; office complex at Quiet Waters Park; Sunview playground replacement; new pocket park at Broadview Park community; and a new service center at Miramar Pineland Regional Park. Mr. West stated that there is a budget workshop on the calendar.

Mr. Tyson stated that if Parks had its own planning and design department improvement projects would be expedited.

A motion was made by Howard Nelson thattheBoard recommends to County Administrationand the Board of County Commissioners the passage of additional funding, including potential additional funding for in-house planning and design money,for the next budget year. The motion was seconded by Terry Danger.Before a vote was taken,Mr. West stated that Parks has a good working relationship with the Highway Construction and Engineering Division, Planning and Design Section, and it would take some deliberation to acquire a planning and design section at Parks. Discussion ensued,and the motion was amended to state the Board transmits to the County Administration and the Board of County Commissioners its supportfor the additional capital and operating budget request from Parks Division. The motion was seconded by Terry Dangerand was passed unanimously.

A second motion was made by Howard Nelson that the Board asks the County Administration and the Board of County Commissioners to inquire further as to reestablishing a level of planning and design function within the Parks Division as part of the budget process. The motion was seconded by Terry Danger. Mr. Lazowick recused himself from voting on this motion.A quorum was still present.The motion was passed unanimously.

Mr. Brochu asked if Mr. West’s earlier statement on security was referring to park rangers. Mr. West stated that it would be for contract security, one reason being that it is less costly than hiring staff at this time.

Old Business

None

New Business

None

Adjournment:The meeting adjourned at 9:15a.m.

Next Meeting: The next meeting will be held at Markham Park and Target Range, Shotgun Hall,at 7:30a.m.on Friday, September4, 2015. Chair Mathison will not be at the next meeting. Vice Chair Nelson will chair the next meeting.