Loading...
10-10-1984 ~n .. l .....> '-J o CITY OF EDGEWATER Parks and Recreation Board October 10, 1984 Mi:nutes Chairman Jones called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. in the Community \ Center. ROLL CALL Members present: Mrs. Begel, Messrs. Jones, Sheridan, and Montgomery. Absent: Mr. Richards. Also present: Mr. David Garrett, Recreational Director and Mrs. Taylor, Secretary. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Sheridan motioned to approve the minutes of the September 12, 1984 meeting. Mrs. Begel seconded the motion and they were approved 4-0. OLD BUSINESS Bike Paths - Mr. Garrett reported that the plans for the bike path have been submitted to the County and have received County approval. The power company and the telephone company will need to move poles and lines. After the poles and lines are moved permits must be obtained from the County. Land for City Parks - The members discussed the City owned property on Umbrella Tree Drive between 15th and 16th Streets. Mrs. Begel felt the the City should use this property for the half-basketball court which the Rotary Club offered to put in. Chairman Jones pointed out that there is a lot of growth in that area and suggested that the land be cleared and put in the half-basketball court. Mr. Sheridan said that he had recommended that a survey be made and get grades run on that property. They pointed out that the DAV is interested in this piece of land. Mr. Sheridan said that he had talked to some of the council people and told them that the Board was interested in using this piece of land and they said they did not know this. Mr. Jones said that he felt that the Board should make their recom- mendation to Council at this time that this property be used for recreation. Mrs. Begel moved that Mr. Garrett check with the Council to see if they could use the land for recreation. Mr. Garrett recommended that the Board send a letter to the Council. The motion died for lack of a second. Mr. Jones pointed out that this is an advisory board, and they should discuss what they want to do with the land and then make their recommendation to the Council. He mentioned that the Rotary Club has offered to build a half- basketball court free of charge. He said that perhaps they could put in some equipment there, but it would not need to be costly. Mr. Sheridan asked if the property would need to be surveyed if the City agreed to let them use the property. This question could not be answered but it was felt that this would not need to be done before the Board's recommendation to Ci ty Council. Mr.. Jones recommended that one of the Board members be present to explain the request to Council when it is discussed. The members also discussed the possibility of using the two small sites located on Sabal Palm between 15th and 16th Streets, and on the corner of Queen Palm Drive and 15th Street for recreational areas. Mr. Sheridan pointed out that there are approximately 254 children in that area, according to the school survey. Mr. Sheridan noted that it is recommended that there be five acres of land for each 1,000 population, which would be 45 acres for the City of Edgewater. It was determined that at this time the City has about 16 acres being used for recreation. Mrs. Begel commented that we should use what we have and to recommend, as suggested by the Chairman, that the land on Umbrella Tree be used for recreation. Mr. Sheridan agreed with this suggestion, but recommended that the Board also be working on obtaining land for the future. Mr. Sheridan brought out that the recreational impact fee is not structured for the welfare of the City. He stated that the ordinance is contradictorYi one section says that the money will be used for acquiring proper~y and another section says that it can be used for acquiring property and to improve property. He is very concerned about the wording of the Ordinance. ~ ..... (J o He questions who makes the determination of whether the City accepts land or a fee. He felt it to be the Council'.s responsibility. He pointed out that it also states that the Planning and Zoning Board works with the City Council on making this determinatiori. Mr. Sheiidan stated that in his opinion the money should be in a separate interest-bearing account to get the benefit of the money to take care of the difference between what he paid for the land and when the City goes out to buy land. Mr. Garrett advised that the money is invested and the recreation department will get the interest from it. The interest earned from all monies will be divided and the recreation department will get their share. Mr. Garrett noted that the bike path will take a big share of the funds budgeted for this year from the impact fee. Mr. Sheridan expressed concern that the bike path is being built with the recreational impact funds/ noting that it is not a park~ or open space~ or a recreation area. Mrs. Begel pointed out that it was explained at an earlier meeting of the Council that it must be considered a bike path or the County won't approve it~ even though it is more for a safety factor than recreational. Mr. Sheridan said that he would like to see the City Attorney research this ordinance. Mr. Sheridan said that he has stopped at Donnie Williams' office in Florida Shores regarding property for recreation. Mr. Williams advised that there is some property which is hard to dispose of~ but none were of large size. Mr. Jones asked the Board members ~o decide what is needed in Florida Shores, noting that it is a neglected area. People in that area are asking for some action from the Board and the City Council. Mr. Sheridan commented that Florida Shores is the "tail that is wagging the dog". ~. Jones suggested a meeting with the Florida Shores of Volusia County people to discuss obtaining land which is difficult for them to market. The members again discussed the property owned by the City on Umbrella Tree Drive between 15th and 16th Streets. Tennis courts were mentioned as a use but final determination was that the property is not large enough. The members agreed that the property should be cleared and a half-basketball court built. Mr. Garrett mentioned that the property will need some fill. Two other pieces in the same vicinity are owned by the City, he noted, and these would make nice tot lots and area parks. One is on Sabal Palm between 15th and 16th Streets and the other is on the corner of Queen Palm and 15th Street. Mr. Montgomery motioned to write a letter to the Council advising that the Board wants the four lots on Umbrella Tree Drive, and the other two sites on Sabal Palm and on the corner of Queen Palm and 15th Street for recrea- tional purposes. The four lots will be used for a half-basketball court to be donated by the Rotary Club, and will require clearing and filling. The two smaller sites will be used for future projects. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Begel and CARRIED 4-0. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Garrett spoke to the members about the ball park improvements, advising that they ran out of time to get the new concession stand and upgrading of the ballfield, due to the new engineer, School Board, etc., so the Council will hold a meeting to amend the budget and carry over $38~OOO from last year to next year so that the ball field can be completed. Mr. Garrett brought the Board up to date on the Grant for the City Park and Pier~ advising that Phase I is completed, which included two new ramps; there is more work which needs to be done on the east wall. This will be done this year. Paving will also be done in the parking lot. The original proposal called for a fishing pier on the south wall. Mr. Garrett said that adding this pier as indicated on the plans would put it into the deepest part of the channel and around it would be a sandbar~ which defeats the purpose of the pier. Therefore, this proposal has been scrapped. He intends to pursue putting in a fishing pier, instead, south on Riverside Drive and Rt. 442. This idea met with a favorable response from the Board members. Mr. Sheridan motioned that the City start putting in a fishing pier .at the park area on the east end of Rt. 442. Mrs. Begel seconded the motion. There was uiscussion as to whether the funds from the City Park and Pier grant would be used for this project~ or if there is to be a new grant application submitted for this pier. Mr. Garrett said that he would like to see the pier put in with funds left over from the City Park and pier Parks and Recreation Board Or.t. 10. 1 9 84 - 2 - r . ~ r ~ o grant. Mr. Sheridan withdrew his original motion and Mrs. Begel withdrew the second. Mr. Sheridan motioned that if funds are available from the Port Authority grant for City Park and pier, the City should start putting in a fishing pier at the east end of Rt. 442. Mrs. Begel seconded the motion. The motion CARRIED 4-0. Mr. Garrett said that in case there is not enough money to put in that fishing pier, they should apply for a grant for this and other water- related projects. The members discussed the property along the river at Hardin Place, and Mr. Garrett agreed to check to see if the property is for sale. Mr. Garrett suggested completing the wall at City Park and Pier, which will cost approximately $12,000 to $15,000, and not pave, as originally proposed. This would leave ample funds for the fishing pier on Rt. 442 and Riverside. He. agreed to get costs for the seawall, the paving and the fishing pier. The members discussed other ideas for recreation in the City, such as a shooting range, driving range, etc. Mrs. Begel asked if anything has been done on the piece of property which was formerly a dumping area. Mr. Garrett responded that a driving range is being put in at that location. Mrs. Begel asked the Board to consider a youth center for the City. Mr. Jones said that he has been approached about this idea also. Mr. Garrett explained that the Community Center is booked most of the time. Mrs. Begel pointed out that there may be another building which the City could lease for dances. Mr. Jones said that he felt certain that the firefighters would be agreeable to chaperoning the dances. Mr. Garrett also pointed out that the Ohio Buckeye Club is very active and is a community minded organization, and could be contacted to help. Mr. Jones said that at one time the City of New Smyrna Beach held youth dances. He agreed to talk with Mr. Owen Davidson to get information about setting up the dances, and to find out if the dances were successful there. MISCELLANEOUS Mr. Sheridan asked the Board members for their thoughts about having the Recreational Impact Fee ordinance reviewed by the City Attorney. He said that it leaves it up to the developer whether he wants to pay the fee or donate land. He reiterated that the ordinance states that this decision is the responsibility of the City Council. It was agreed that any questions the members had regarding the ordinance should be brought to the next regular meeting of the board for discussion. Mr. Jones invited the Board members to participate in the preparations for the Halloween House party planned for October 31, and advised that anyone interested should be at the Community Center on Tuesday, wednesday and Thursday of that week to assist. Mr. Garrett invited the members to stop by his office at any time if they had questions pertaining to parks and recreation. The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m. Minutes submitted by Joan Taylor Parks and Recreation Board October 10, 1984 - 3 -