01-21-2016 City of Edgewater too e Ater,F de Drive
Edgewater,FL 32132
C1 of
-EUGEWATER Meeting Minutes
ecreation & Cultural Services Board
Thursday,January 21,2016 4:45 PM Council Chambers
SPECIAL MEETING
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
Also present was Jack Corder, Director of Leisure Services.
Present 4- Walt Zakaluzny,Debra Sopko,Kadie Mullins and Tiffany Evers
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. AR-2016-1487 Special Meeting December 10,2015
A motion was made by Mrs. Evers, second by Mrs. Sopko, to approve the Minutes of the
December 10,2015 meeting.The MOTION was APPROVED unanimously.
Yes: 4- Walt Zakaluzny,Debra Sopko,Kadie Mullins,and Tiffany Evers
4. OLD BUSINESS
AR-2016-1491 Holiday Light Decorating Contest Winners
Mrs. Mullins reported that two of the three winners of the holiday light decorating contest were
recognized and presented with gift baskets and award certificates at this month's Council meeting.
Mr. Zakaluzny delivered the award to the third winner, who was excited to win but was unable to
attend the Council meeting. Mrs. Mullins also stated that she received some feedback that people
wanted to hear about the contest sooner. This year the contest was promoted via social media
beginning about four weeks ahead of the contest deadline. For the coming year's contest, Mrs.
Mullins suggested we begin promoting the event earlier.
5. NEW BUSINESS
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a. AR-2016-1488 Review Recreation&Cultural Services Board Bylaws
The Board discussed Board Bylaw Article 6A, Subsection 3, regarding historical preservation. The
Board has not worked on historical preservation in the past several years and current Board
Members are not qualified or experienced to do so. Mrs. Mullins suggested that if the Board decides
to remove historical preservation from the bylaws, that the Board could recommend to City Council
that they encourage the city work more closely with the Southeast Volusia Historical Society or other
organizations in the area that are actively working with historical preservation and are more
experienced and qualified.
Mr. Corder suggested the Board contact sister cities to see how they structure their historical
preservation efforts and include that suggestion to Council as well. He also mentioned that most
other cities have a separate board for historical preservation.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sopko, second by Mr. Zakaluzny, to recommend to City
Council that Article 6A, Subsection 3 of the Board's bylaws, regarding historical
preservation,be removed in its entirety. The MOTION was APPROVED unanimously.
Yes: 4- Walt Zakaluzny,Debra Sopko,Kadie Mullins,and Tiffany Evers
b. AR-2016-1493 Review Advisory Board Applications
C. AR-2016-1490 Select New Board Member to Recommend to Council
Mrs. Mullins recommended to the Board that with the vacancy on the board, they should, if possible,
make a decision at this meeting so the Board's recommendation can go to Council at the next City
Council meeting. Mrs. Evers suggested that Laura Bernstein would be a good fit for the Board and
was her first choice. Her second choice was Rose Hoffman. Mr. Zakaluzny stated that Mrs.
Bernstein is at the top of his list also. Mrs. Sopko and Mrs. Mullins also agreed that Mrs. Bernstein
was the applicant they preferred.
A motion was made by Mr. Zakaluzny, second by Mrs. Sopko, to recommend Laura
Bernstein to City Council for appointment to the Recreation and Cultural Services Board.
The MOTION was APPROVED unanimously.
Yes: 4- Walt Zakaluzny,Debra Sopko,Kadie Mullins,and Tiffany Evers
7. DISCUSSION ITEMS
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a. AR-2016-1492 Whistle Stop Park Improvement Plan
Mr. Corder stated that Council is looking to the Board for recommendations on the overall concept.
Previously the Board discussed wanting an all-inclusive design with shade suitable for all ages. Mr.
Corder suggested that with the park plan being dependent on the upcoming vote in March, the Board
should focus discussion on the desired theme and perhaps certain components to incorporate into the
design. Then if the referendum passes, the Board can begin to focus on more specifics of the park
design elements.
Mrs. Mullins reminded the Board that they had previously discussed having a Whistle Stop train
theme. Mrs. Evers agreed that she thinks that is a perfect fit and Mrs. Sopko stated she thinks it is
an excellent idea.
Mr. Corder asked the Board if they want to incorporate this theme in to all areas of the park
including the playground and the splash park. Mrs. Mullins said yes and reminded the Board that
they discussed using murals in the skate park area and perhaps theme related equipment in the
splash park and playground areas to feature the theme wherever possible at a reasonable cost. She
suggested that whatever the board's decision on theme, it should be ADA accessible with inclusion in
mind, that it is safe and easy to maintain and will be a good bang for our buck.
Mrs. Evers stated she would like to see full coverage of the playground for shade including the play
area and the surrounding seating areas. She noted that River Breeze Park in Oak Hill is a good
example of this. She also shared her concern about any closed areas that provide hiding spots for
undesirable activities. She suggested an open concept with an emphasis on safety that will be easy for
police to patrol and will also deter people from finding hiding spots such as covered/enclosed slides.
Mrs. Evers reviewed the promotion materials provided by Playmore and found items that she thinks
kids in different age ranges will like. She suggested other Board Members take a look at this. Mrs.
Mullins has also identified elements she feels would be good in the park and stated that those sort of
specific selections will be their first step once the bond referendum passes.
Mrs. Evers suggested using red and blue colored items as well at the earth tones originally suggested
by Council as a way to bring in the train feel without specific train items. Mr. Corder suggested
using different color schemes in the different areas of the park.
The Board agreed that the key points they want to share with Council are that they like the
railroad/train theme but want to use it with consideration to cost where possible, and that full
coverage for shade and all-inclusiveness are also important along with safety issues.
Mr. Zakaluzny voiced a concern about how to inform voters in order to get the bond referendum
passed. Mrs. Mullins informed the Board that there is already some information about the proposed
park on social media. She is planning on attending a Kiwanis Club meeting, a Rotary Club meeting
and an Edgewater Lakes HOA meeting with the Mayor.
Mr. Corder mentioned to the Board that EdgeFest is coming up on February 6th and that there will
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be a booth set up for the proposed park improvements. He invited Board members to come speak to
people at the booth regarding the bond referendum and suggested that they invite the Council to join.
Mr. Corder stated that brochures and park improvement concept boards are available for Board
members and Council members. He mentioned that Councilman Conroy has been setting up outside
Winn Dixie and Publix in order to communicate with the public. He also suggested that in February
we need to make the push to get information out there.
Mrs. Evers stated that there will be a story in the February edition of The Current focused on what
the GO bond will do, the cost of it and what it can bring to the community and citizens. She will also
feature it on The Current's Facebook page.
Mr. Corder offered to share with the Board an information sheet highlighting the value of parks.
Mrs. Mullins plans to reach out to some local Mom's groups and also suggested speaking at PTA
meetings. Mr. Zakaluzny suggested distributing information to local schools.
Mr. Evers suggested putting together a press release and sending it to the media.
& ADJOURN
A motion was made by Mrs. Sopko, seconded by Mrs. Evers, to adjourn. The motion
was APPROVED unanimously.
Yes: 4- Walt Zakaluzny,Debra Sopko,Kadie Mullins,and Tiffany Evers
Pursuant to Chapter 286, F.S., if an individual decides to appeal any decision made with respect to any
matter considered at a meeting or hearing, that individual will need a record of the proceedings and
will need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made. The City does not prepare or
provide such record.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act,persons needing assistance to participate in
any of these proceedings should contact City Clerk Bonnie Brown, 104 N. Riverside Drive, Edgewater,
Florida, telephone number 386-424-2400 x 1101, S days prior to the meeting date. If you are hearing or
voice impaired, contact the relay operator at 1-800-955-8771
One or more members of City Council or other advisory boards may be present.
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