01-14-1999PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
JANUARY 14, 1999 7:00 PM
EDGEWATER CITY HALL
MINUTES
ROLL CALL /CALL TO ORDER
The Chairman, Tom Tipton called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM. Members present
were: Shirley Pittman, Tom Tipton, Maurice Remillard and Glen Murphey. Also present
was Jack Corder, Director of Parks and Recreation/Maintenance, Mike Visconte,
Chairman of the Beautification Committee, and Ken Winter, an Edgewater citizen.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Murphey moved to approve the minutes of the November 12, 1998 meeting and Mr.
Remillard seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 4 -0.
MISCELLANEOUS
Mr. Corder introduced Mr. Visconte, the Chairman of the Beautification Committee and
stated they may have read in the newspaper that the Council is proposing to combine the
Parks and Recreation Board and Beautification Committee, into one board. He said they
would be looking to expand the duties of the board to include parks, recreation,
beautification and historical issues. He stated it was proposed and discussed at the last
Council meeting, and the first reading would be at next month's Council meeting, if it
passes. Upon passing, the two boards would have to review and amend the bylaws to
include all the areas. Mr. Visconte stated he hoped if the boards combine, that some of
the past ideas of the Beautification Committee could be implemented. Mr. Corder said a
workshop would need to be held between the two boards to discuss what each of the
board's previous plans and ideas have been and what future direction this new board will
want to take.
Mr. Visconte stated that Mr. Tanksley, the Vice - Chairman of the Beautification
Committee is very interested in the historical issues and Mr. Corder replied that
Edgewater does indeed have a lot of historical value, and maybe Joann Sikes could be
Included in some discussions as well.
Mr. Visconte asked, budgeting wise, if the boards combine, would the budget increase
and line item budget for certain categories like beautification. Mr. Tipton noted it may be
beneficial to the Parks budget as increases would be needed for projects which need
continued maintenance and many of our projects are ongoing. Mr. Visconte stated there
has been some conflicts between these two boards in the past, and Mr. Corder stated he
felt a lot of that was due to lack of communication. After much discussion, the Park
Board members agreed that the combining of these two boards could be very beneficial to
the City.
The Board discussed in length, the proposed plans for the U.S. 1 medians, and the costs
for jack and bore and getting water to them. Presently, the plans are in the works for two
medians on north U.S. 1 to be landscaped.
While still under the Miscellaneous topic, Mr. Corder informed the board that we are
starting a Men's Baseball league this year and have expanded the big field at Whistle
Stop to accommodate the adult league and Babe Ruth league, to include 15 year olds. He
stated coaches meetings have already been held for this year's Little League, and the turn
out has been outstanding.
Mr. Tipton at this time complimented the Recreation Department for a fine job on this
year's Christmas Parade.
OLD BUSINESS
Update on Park Complex
Mr. Corder showed the board the Preliminary Design of the park complex and said the
final play layout should be done by February I". He stated the plan includes everything
that we wanted and although we don't have the money to begin this part yet, the final
plan will allow us to apply for grants now and use the land as our part of matching funds.
The drawing showed the scrub jay habitat area, the fitness trail, basketball court, tot lot,
ballfields and amphitheater. He noted that once this park is completed and the ballfields
done, we can then upgrade the ballfields at the school and make them into soccer fields,
which are badly needed as our soccer program continues to grow yearly.
Mrs. Pittman asked about the drawing and the location of the basketball court, and tot lot,
in reference to parents who would be watching baseball games and trying to watch
smaller children in the tot lot. She felt switching the two may be better for the parents
and a better eye could be kept on the smaller children. Mr. Corder stated that could be
evaluated later, and none of the drawing is set in stone.
Update on Gymnasium Complex
Mr. Corder stated the plans with the YMCA have slowed down somewhat, due to the
lock of funds on their part. What we are proposing is to go ahead with our plans, with the
money we have budgeted. The building size would be cut down some, and if the YMCA
comes on board, they can pay for additional engineering and expansion at that time. He
noted there is a meeting in the morning with the engineer architect to commence with the
design of the building.
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January 14, 1999
Mr. Murphey asked how close the YMCA came to their goal, and Mr. Corder stated they
had a considerable amount of money to still raise.
Mr. Tipton asked if the Y does not come up with the money, are they totally out of the
picture and Mr. Corder replied that door is not totally shut yet; and it may still be
beneficial to have the YMCA operate the facility even if it was city owned.
Mr. Tipton asked the time schedule for possible starting of construction and Mr. Corder
replied possibly by end of summer to be breaking ground, with completion time to be
about 12 months from then.
Mr. Visconte asked if it might be a good idea to invite one of our state representatives
when we present the park plan for a possible grant. Mr. Corder and Mr. Tipton suggested
Jim Ward or Susan Kosmas and the board agreed this may be helpful.
Mrs. Pittman asked if we are still going to have the pool, if the YMCA doesn't join forces
with us, and Mr. Corder replied the pool may get put on the back burner if that happens.
Mr. Tipton asked if the landscaping around the facility was going to be kept mostly
natural or are we going to add plants and trees and such. Mr. Corder stated some
landscaping would be added around the gymnasium and possibly the parking lot area, but
most of it will be left in a natural state.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mrs. Pittman moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr.
Murphey. The meeting ended at 8:30 PM.
Minutes submitted by
Barb Kowall
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January 14, 1999