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11-14-1984 -. o o '\ ~> CITY OF EDGEWATER Parks and Recreation Board November 14, 1984 Minutes Mr. Jones called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. in the Community Center. ROLL CALL Members present: Messrs. Jones, Sheridan and Montgomery*. Excused: Mrs. Begel. Absent: Mr. Richards. Also present: Mr. Garrett, Recreational Director, and Joan Taylor, Secretary. (Mr. Montgomery arrived at 7:20 p.m.) APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the October 10, 1984 meeting were unanimously approved as submitted. OLD BUSINESS Report on request for City owned land for park use Mr. Jones explained that this request was tabled by Council, noting that Mr. Wargo had suggested getting opinions from adjacent property owners and Mrs. Bennington said they had suggested a joint meeting between the Board and the DAV representative regarding these properties. Mr. Sheridan referred the members to the opinion of Mr. Alvarez concerning this matter. Mr. Jones read the comments of Mr. Alvarez into the record. Mr. Alvarez had recommended from the point of view of zoning and the Comprehensive Plan that either Planning and Zoning or Parks and Recreation look at the matter and report to Council. Mr. Sheridan said that that was the Parks and Recreation Board's intent when they sent the letter to Council requesting to use the property and he cannot understand why the Council would table this. Mr. Jones asked how they could get it back off the table and open it up' for ~ussion again. Mr. Sheridan was concerned that during the interim the Board may lose the use of the property. He questioned why the City Council would give a desirable piece of land which could be used by a great number of people to a group of about 65 people. It was agreed to review this subject again at the next meeting of the Board. Mr. Garrett suggested that perhaps the neighbors could be contacted. He pointed out that there will be a half-court basketball court there which can be built in anyone's driveway or backyard now. Mr. Jones expressed the hope that some of these people will come to the meeting and voice their opinion on the matter. Mr. Montgomery moved to send a letter to the surrounding property owners explaining the proposal for the park and asking for their input. Mr. Sheridan seconded the motion which CARRIED 3-0. Request to use Port Authority Grant for fishing pier at 442 and Riverside Drive. The Chairman informed the members that the Council unanimously approved the use of Port Authority Grant funds for the construction of a fishing pier at the east end of Rt. 442,at their November 8th meeting. Mr. Garrett said they may need to put in a seawall there. He would like to see a small restroom put in and cars will be restricted to a certain area, he noted. The restriction of the cars was of concern to Mr. Sheridan and he suggested a ranch-type fence. Possible sites for future parks Mr. Sheridan produced a map and pointed out a triangular piece of county land at the end of Florida Shores between Orange Tree Drive and Umbrella Tree Drive. Mr. Garrett provided additional lnformation on this parcel and said that it is 2.46 acre and they are asking $11/500. Some filling may be required. The members felt this would bean ideal site and easily annexed into the City. Mr. Garrett also pointed out a piece of property between Vista and Unity saying that there are six blocks there; the asking o o ')0",,-;... price is $16,200. Mr. Garrett indicated that across the railroad tracks on Roberts Road there exists fourteen and a half acres which are available. This site would have good access from U. S. 1 and could easily be annexed into the City. The members agreed to meet with Mr. Garrett at 10 a.m. on Friday morning, November 16th to make an on-site inspection of the properties under discussion. The secretary was asked to contact Mrs. Begel and Mr. Richards to advise them of the planned meeting. If a special meeting is necessary to take action on the matter Mr. Jones suggested this could be done. Mr. Garrett said that Council only put $60,000 in the non-reverting land fund for this year from the impact fee. Mr. Sheridan questioned why the full sum wouldn't ~vailable, and Mr. Garrett said that he would have to check into this. He said he had been advised by one of the councilmen that that money would be available at any time. Bike Path Mr. Sheridan said that he has reviewed the Recreational Impact Fee ordinance and in his_opinion there is nothing there which would justify spending that money for a bike path. He said that the bike path has been in the works for the past two or three years and he doesn't know how the City intended to fund it before the impact fee came into effect. The ordinance specifically states what that money should be spent for. The prime thing Council kept talking about on the bike path is the safety factor. He stated that he is 100% in favor of the bike path but does not believe that they can justify taking the money from the recreational impact fee fund. He felt it would be a mis- appropriation of funds. Because the Board members have been sworn in and are responsible to the Council it is his feeling that this matter should be brought to the Council for review. Mr. Sheridan moved that a letter be sent to the City Council requesting the City Attorney research Ordinance 83-0-20 to clarify specffically Section 4(a} and 5(a} which address the manner in which the impact fee monies are to be spent. The motion died for lack of a second. This subject was discussed further. Mr. Jones said he felt that there is a good possibility that they may lose the impact fees if the City misuses the funds. Mr. Montgomery said that he feels the City owes them (Wildwood residents) the bike path. He said for the safety of the children they need the bike path, but it would be a form of recreation. There was some discussion as to whether it could be considered open space. Mr. Sheridan emphasized that the funds should be used for land which the City acquired and they did not acquire this land. It is his opinion that the ordinance should be researched. He noted that there are 60 to 70 new homes every month and the tax base is being increased, and stated that he could not see why the City. could not pay for the bike paths. Mr. Montgomery concurred with the recommendation that this ordinance be reviewed. Mr. Jones asked how close the bike path is to being a reality. Mr. Garrett said that it is getting very close; the F.P. & L. has said it can move its poles back at no charge to the City. He said that the new curb will cost quite a lot of money, and Mr. Sheridan asked why the curb should not come out of the public works money instead of recreation funds. Mr. Garrett responded that it is a County Road and they are donating the right of way. Mr. Sheridan said that he felt if th~take this money for a bike path they are depriving the City as a whole of recreational facilities. After further talk Mr. Montgomery agreed that a letter should be sent to Council to clear up the ordinance. Mr. Sheridan moved that a letter be sent to the City Council requesting the City Attorney research Ordinance 83-0-20 to clarify specifically Section 4(a} and 5(a) which address the manner in which the impact fee monies are to be spent. Mr. Montgomery seconded the motion, which CARRIED 3-0. Halloween House Mr. Garrett thanked the Board for their participation in the Halloween House. Mr. Jones pointed out that Mr. Garrett put a lot of time into making it a success. He also asked that a letter be sent to the Ohio Buckeye Club thanking them for their help. Mr. Garrett said that it brought a lot of people together and pointed out how successfully his crew worked together to make for a successful event. It was also felt that a personal letter of thanks should go to Mrs. Kay Bennington for bringing it to the Board Parks and Recreation Board November 14, 1984 - 2 - o o ..._-~ and letting it be a part of the-program. I-lr. Montgomery moved that a letter of thanks be sent to the Buckeye Club, Mrs. Kay Bennington and a notice of thanks in the newspaper thanking all volunteers and partici- pants. Mr. Sheridan seconded the motion which CARRIED 3-0. Christmas tree lighting ceremony Mr. Montgomery said that he was approached by a resident of Wildwood who has made a number of tree ornaments for the live Christmas tree. He asked how this is handled. Mr. Garrett said that in the past the City provided the electric lights and the youth groups brought in the ornaments. Mr. Garrett said that this year there was talk of inviting the grade school children to make ornaments. Christmas decorations Mr. Garrett said there are 15 additional pole ornaments for this year and asked for the Board's recommendation for the placement of these lights. The members agreed that the new lights should be put at the north end of the City on U. S. 1, at the light at Park Avenue and on U. S. 1 and the Indian River Boulevard and asked Mr. Garrett to use his discretion as to how they should be divided. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Sheridan brought up for discussion the idea of licensing bikes in the City of Edgewater to help create revenue to help out with bike paths. He also suggested contacting insurance companies in the area and find out exactly how many accidents they have had involving bicycles. He said that if they are paying out large sums of money because of accidents involving bicycles it might to be to their advantage to accept a tax on insurance policy premiums which they collect. The amount of money they would be paying in tax would be far below what they are paying out in awards if there are bike paths to get people off the streets. It will not create a whole lot of money, but it will be a beginning. It was his feeling that if Council sees this happening they will appropriate money to go along with it. It was felt that this would help the Police Department to identify stolen bikes as well as generate revenue for bike paths. Mr. Jones said that he would like to have more discussion on this when there is a full Board and after the opiniornof the City Attorney and the Police Chief have been received. Mr. Sheridan agreed to talk to the City Clerk and the Police Chief on the matter and report back at the next meet- ing. He emphasized that this would be an alternate form of funding for the bike paths. On another matter, Mr. Sheridan proposed that a brochure be made up listing every recreation area and park that the City has to~ether with the facilities. These brochures could be distributed to new residents when they came into City Hall. Mr. Garrett suggested that they could get together with the Chamber of Commerce and when they make up new maps this information could be added. Mrs. Taylor advised that the former Planning Board secretary was asked to prepare a brochure entitled "All About Edgewater" and there is a copy of this in the Planning office file. Nothing ever came of this effort and the brochure was never reproduced. Mr. Sheridan suggested that the Board be provided with a copy of this and it could be updated. Mr. Jones mentioned that the new citizens could be asked for their suggestions for improvements to the area. Mr. Sheridan said the important thing is community involvement. It was also noted that there is a lot of good information in the new Chamber of Commerce brochure about Edgewater. The secretary agreed to bring a copy of both booklets to the next meeting. Mr. Jones commented that he is concerned about the one board member who has been unable to attend the regular ',meetings. Hr. Montgomery pointed out that three unexcused absences is an automatic resignation from the Board. It was suggested that Mr. Jones talk to Mr. Richards to see if he has lost interest in the Board. Mr. Sheridan said that this is an active Board and one of the most necessary Boards the City has and they need full participation of the members. Mr. Jones agreed to talk to Mr. Richards. Parks and Recreation Board November 14, 1984 - 3 - (.) '-I , -. Mr. Jones said that he has talked to Mr. Owen Davidson of the New Smyrna Beach Recreation Department concerning Teen Dances. Mr. Davidson said that they just had a Teen Dance for junior high age children and there were 45 in attendance. He felt it was successful and they plan to hold another dance. They also plan to hold dances on the senior high age level. Mr. Jones said he would follow up on this and come back with more informa- tion at the next meeting. MISCELLANEOUS Mr. Montgomery asked how the plans for the building at the ballfield ar.e coming along. Mr. Garrett said they are waiting on the School Board. On the following Monday night they should accept a bid and work can begin. Regarding the fishing pier at 442 Mr. Garrett said work will begin when they have received all the permits and the funds from the Port Authority. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Minutes submitted by Joan Taylor Parks and Recreation Board November 14, 1984 - 4 -