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12-12-1984 ,~;:., ~..-.--. --.... o u CITY OF EDGEWATER Parks and Recreation Board Minutes December 12, 1984 Vice Chairman Sheridan called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Community Center. ROLL CALL Members present: Messrs. Sheridan, Montgomery and Mrs. Begel. Excused: Mr. Jones; Absent: Mr. Richards. Also present: Mr. Garrett, Recreational Director and Joan Taylor, Secretary. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the November 14, 1984, meeting were unanimously approved as submitted. OLD BUSINESS Clarification of City Ordinance 83-0-20 -' Recreational Impact Fee The Vice Chairman explained that the letter to Council recommended at the last meeting did go out. Mr. Sheridan referred to the letter and noted that the Board is concerned that the use of funds from the impact fee for a bike path may be a misappropriation of funds. The Council minutes of December 3 dealing with this werereviewed. Mrs. Begel asked to see a copy of the ordinance and reviewed the copy provided by Mr. Sheridan. She wondered if the question of whether the funds should be used for Park Avenue is just an issue for that street, or if it would be for all bike paths. This subject was discussed at length. Mr. Sheridan remarked that he is tired of seeing the impact fee being used for a political football and strongly objects to this. He noted that the ordinance is being amended to include other items such as playground equipment. Mr. Garrett said that the ordinance first talks about the shortage of land and from this he intreprets it to mean that the ordinance is to take land or money in lieu thereof. So it is basically to acquire land. The Vice Chairman discussed the need for the monies from the impact fee to be in an interest bearing account earmarked for recreation- al land, so that even five years from now there will be money for the purchase of land. It was noted that the ordinance as amended will provide that the funds may also be used to provide tennis courts and swimming pools. Report from Port Authority on Grants for Park and Pier, Riverside Drive and Rt. 442. Mr. Garrett reported that he applied to the Port Authority for funds for the park at Riverside Drive and Rt. 442. He noted that the Board had recommended there be a fishing pier, restrooms, seawall and parking area. Mr. O'Brien with the Port Authority was unable to give definite approval until the middle of January. Mr. O'Brien saw no problem with the City completing the parking lot and the seawall at the City Park and Pier. There is the possibility of getting sufficient funds to do all the work this year. Mr. Garrett pointed out that the last Council had recommended that the park at Rt. 442 and River- side Drive be called the Veteran's Memorial Park, and that the grant be applied for in that name. Mr. Sheridan expressed his dissatisfaction with the manner in which this was handled by the Council, saying that he feels that the Parks and Recreation Board was compromised. He noted that the Board sits for a reason and they were bypassed; this matter was never brought to the Board. He said that if they are to function as a Board they should be given the courtesy of having a say of what is done with the parks. That is the Board's function, Mr. Sheridan stated. If the Council sees fit to bypass the Board on one item, then they could bypass them on all. Mr. Montgomery pointed out that the recommendation for the park at Rt. 442 and Riverside Drive came from the Board, and they should be consulted on matters pertaining to it. Possible sites for future parks Mr. Garrett reported on the possibility of using additional school property near the Edgewater Elementary School. A new lease could be drawn to include the additional 25 acre plot of ground or there is the possibility that the land can be purchased. .".;;;. -- -- o o Another parcel of land near Roberts Road was discussed as a possible piece of land which would be suitable for recreational purposes. Mr. Garrett reported on his findings concerning this land, pointing out that it is about 14 acres. Discussing the school board property, Mr. Garrett said he would like to see that parcel added to the existing lease. Mr. Montgomery moved that a letter be sent to the School Board to see if the lease could be extended and that it include the 25 acre parcel previously discussed. Mrs. Begel seconded the motion, but asked if the letter should go to Council instead of directly to the school. Mr. Garrett said he would check into this. The motion CARRIED 3-0. The members again brought up the 14 acre property on Roberts Road for discussion. Mrs. Begel asked what amount of land the City needed and if this would be large enough. Mr. Garrett responded that this size would be sufficient for that area but the City needed additional land in other areas. Mr. Montgomery moved that a letter be sent to City Council asking for approval to purchase the approximately 14 acre parcel located on Roberts Road east of the Florida East Coast Railroad. Mrs. Begel seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED 3-0. Mr. Garrett suggested that the Council be advised of the specific uses planned for the property. Mr. Sheridan said that it is to be developed into a recreational complex, a section at a time as required. If the Council will authorize the pur- chase of it the Board will then provide ground plans of the layout. He mentioned that if the D.A.V. wanted to have memorial services, there would be room enough there to provide parking, etc. The Board members went on to discuss again the property on Umbrella Tree Drive between 15th and 16th Streets. This is the site which had been recommended be used for the half-basketball court, which the Rotary Club would put in. The members referred to the November 8, 1984 minutes of the City Council meeting in which Council tabled this recommendation for the next Council. Mr. Montgomery moved to send a letter to the City Council requesting that this matter be removed from the table and put on the agenda of the next Council meeting for discussion. Mr. Sheridan said that the letter should state that the property should be made available to the Parks and Recreation Bo~rd: for a facility and also request that the Public Works Department of the City clear it. Mrs. Begel suggested that they just ask for the land first, but Mr. Sheridan wanted this additional request included in the letter. The need for a survey of surrounding residents as to their opinion about turning this site into a recreational area was discussed, and it was pointed out that there is no one close to the property. Mrs. Begel seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED 3-0. Seasonal decorations and tree lighting ceremony The members expressed pleasure with the City's pole lights. Mr. Garrett said that those lights were purchased with Federal Revenue Sharing money but there is none available for this purpose this year. Mr. Garrett recommended that a letter be sent to the gentleman who acted as Santa Claus during the tree lighting ceremony. Licensing of b~cycles Mr. Sheridan said that he has contacted both Connie Kinsey and the Police Department and Mrs. Kinsey secured for him five ordinances from other cities from the Florida League of Cities. He said that in 1984 there were 30 stolen bikes reported and there were 8 bicycle accidents investigated. Approximately 30 hours were used to investigate the thefts and 16 hours for the accidents. Mr. Sheridan commented that possibly the number of police hours charged for investigation could be reduced if the bicycles are licensed and registered. Mr. Sheridan also intends to talk to the insurance agencies in the area. He said that his intend is to find alter- nate sources for bike path construction, noting that it is important to convince the insurance companies that if they donate money for bike paths it will reduce their payout for insurance benefits. While discussing the installation of bike paths, Mr. Sheridan mentioned that when building the bike paths he felt the cost could be reduced by using metal forms instead of using wooden forms, as they can be used over again and will last longer. He also felt that possibly Lone Star and Parks and Recreation Board December 12, 1984 - 2 - ) .' -- .......... o o Rinker would donate a few yards of concrete. Teen dances in Community Center Mr. Garrett reported on his conversations with the young people in this area regarding teen dances, and learned that he is "out of touch" with what is going on in this field. He said he has discussed with the City Clerk the possibility of forming a Junior Recreation Committee. Mr. Garrett said he would like to have some type of social activity planned for the young people during the Christmas holiday season. He said he will get in touch with the Board members for help when he has his plans firmed up, and would welcome any suggestions. NEW BUSINESS Fitness Trail - Mr. Garrett had correspondence from a company which offered to set up a fitness trail free of charge to the City, but they reserve the right to have sponsor's signs throughout the trail. The City would need to pay the shipping costs which would be from $350 to $500. He pointed out that the school property would be an ideal location for such a trail. The members reviewed the material and suggested that the City Attorney look it over before proceeding. Mr. Garrett asked the Board members their recommendation regarding a Junior Recreation Committee and they agreed that it was a good idea and asked Mr. Garrett to contact them for assistance if it is needed. It was felt that this could be a separate group but they may wish to sit in on the regular Board meetings. COM.r1UN I CAT IONS The members reviewed the letters concerning the grant application for the Rt. 422 and Riverside Drive park. Mrs. Begel moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Montgomery. The meeting was adjourned at 9:02 p.m. Minutes submitted by Joan Taylor