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07-10-1999 NOV Nlave RECREATION /CULTURAL SERVICES BOARD JULY 10, 1999 8:00 AM SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES ROLL CALL /CALL TO ORDER The Special Meeting of the Recreation/Cultural Services Board was called to order by the Chairman, Tom Tipton at 8:00 AM at the Prime Time Restaurant. Members present were: Shirley Pittman, James McGinnis, Mike Visconti, Mike Tanksley and Tom Tipton. Also present was Adelaide Carter, liaison from the Economic Development Board, Bill Jackson, Recreation Supervisor and Jack Corder, Director of Parks and Recreation/Maintenance. NEW BUSINESS July Beautification Award Choices The sole agenda item for the Special Meeting was to vote on the choices for the July Beautification Award. After tally of the votes, the winning residence address was 318 N. Riverside Drive. The winner for the business award was Dr. Lester's office at 104 E. Park Avenue. The Board decided to present these awards to the winners before the next scheduled meeting on July 15 at 6:30 PM. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business for the Special Meeting, Mr. McGinnis moved to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Pittman. RECREATION CULTURAL SERVICES BOARD JULY 10, 1999 8:20 AM WORKSHOP/TOUR MINUTES The Board proceeded on their tour of the Edgewater Parks and Facilities after adjournment of the Special Meeting. All people present at the Special Meeting were present for the tour. Mr. Corder explained to the Board, the people who make up the Recreation Dept: 6 Maintenance workers who mow and maintain the parks and medians ; 3 buildings and maintenance people who maintain and repair all the city buildings; 1 Parks Foreman; and 1 Recreation Supervisor. Mr. Corder proceeded up North U.S. 1, noting the medians and side right of ways are mowed and weedeated as needed and litter picked up twice weekly. The highway acreage alone mowed by the Dept. is around 100 adres, he said. He pointed out the area ter" Nov on North U.S. 1 where the new beautification project will be getting underway at the end of this month. Mr. McGinnis questioned whether or not the State mandates what can and can't be done with the median areas, and Mr. Corder said they certainly do, as there are several regulations and rules which must be followed. The tour then proceeded to Riverside Drive. Mr. Corder explained that the Dept. maintains the 3.3 miles of the Riverwalk and landscaping around the gazebo by mowing weedeating, trimming trees, and filling holes. He added New Smyrna Beach will soon be connecting their sidewalk with ours. Mr. Tanksley stated there are still some areas along the Riverwalk that could be beautified and it would be nice if it were lighted. Mr. Corder stated lighting was in the original plan, but was cut out, due to the expense. At the City Hall complex, Mr. Corder stated his department maintains those buildings and grounds and the Police and Detective Departments as well. Driving through Kennedy Park, he noted that all the parks are cleaned and checked daily, mowing, weedeating and cleaning of the restrooms, and monthly inspections are done of all playground equipment, docks, tables, etc. He added that a new dock had just been put in and sometime in the future, he hoped to be able to renovate this whole park. The Board then drove by the historical Old Flow Well, which Mr.Corder stated had just been redone about five years ago. The tour proceeded to Menard -May Park, which Mr. Corder stated is one of the most heavily used parks. He pointed out the island of xeriscaping plants which was done two years ago with grant funds, and the historical marker, denoting the old Steam Boat Wharf. The Board then drove by the historic Hawks Park Club on Fernald Street, which was built in 1925. Mr. Corder said this was coming up on the next agenda, on what the future might hold for this building. Mr. Tanksley said it would be a good site for a museum. The Board discussed the importance of getting a historical ordinance for Edgewater to preserve buildings such as this. The next stop of the tour was Veterans Memorial Park where the city's Memorial Day and Veterans' Day Services are held. Heading back north on U.S. 1, Mr. Corder pointed out the Mama's Deli shop, which will be the new location of the Parks and Recreation offices, once it is renovated. Turning on Turgot Avenue, the tour proceeded to the new maintenance building and the 26 acres where the new recreation complex will be located. Mr. Corder felt we would be breaking ground on this complex in September and it is going out for bids the 19 of July. Next on the tour was the Elementary School ballfields. Mr. McGinnis asked if the new complex would be having new ballfields and Mr. Corder said it would eventually have 2 Little League fields and 2 adult size fields and when that happens he hopes to turn the old ballfields into permanent soccer fields if a joint -use agreement can be worked out with the school. The next park to be seen was the small neighborhood park on the corner of Lake and Alice Streets, which Mr. Corder noted was very small, but serves its purpose. The tour then went on to Mango Lake which was previously an old shell pit acquired from the vow 411•0 county. He noted this was a very deep lake, about 26 feet, and will be used as a storage area for re -use water. Due to the depth and the quickness that it drops off, this is not a good lake for development into a park, due to the liability. At Rotary Park, Mr. Corder said that Councilman Roberts was working on plans for beautifying the front of this park. He noted the summer Concerts in the Park will be starting up again here soon. Mr. Visconti commented that the beautification project suggested by Councilman Roberts at the Fire Station turned out beautifully and really enhances U.S. 1 . Proceeding to Indian River Boulevard, Mr. Corder noted his department mows, weedeats and trims trees on this stretch of road, all the way to the end of Florida Shores. He said they will be negotiating with D.O.T. for funds to beautify S.R. 442 all the way to 1 -95 when widening starts . Mr. Tanksley said it would be nice if they could relocate some of the 36 palm trees which will have to be removed during this project of widening and Mr. Corder felt that some of them could be saved. The tour drove by the new Fire Station on Hibiscus Drive which the Recreation Dept. now also mows and maintains, and then proceeded on to the 30 St. Bikepath which is mowed, weedeated, and checked for safety hazards from Silver Palm Drive, all the way to U.S. 1. At Whistle Stop Park Mr. Corder noted this is the biggest park, having 4 racquetball courts, 4 tennis courts, basketball court, 2 pavilions, 3 ballfields, restrooms and concession stand/office. He also said this park has a lot of problems with vandalism. He then drove by the medians on U.S. 1 just south of Roberts Road, where he hopes to get a beautification project going next. Mr. Tipton asked what the total acreage is that the Recreation Dept. maintains by mowing, weedeating, tree trimming etc. and Mr. Corder replied approximately 100 acres of parks and 100 acres of highways and that does not include the Riverwalk. The last stop on the tour was the Edgewater Library. Mr. Corder stated we presently maintain this building and the grounds, but in October, the County will be taking that over. He stopped the van and pointed out the area in front of the library which will be lost when the widening project begins. We will lose about 25 feet of grass area and about 9 parking spaces in the front of the Library by Indian River Boulevard. It had previously been suggested that the Library may be a good location to put the fountain in a few years when it has to be moved. Mr. Corder stated with the loss of this grass in front, and the County taking over the maintenance, it may not be a viable option. The tour concluded at the Library. The next regular scheduled meeting for the Board will be July 15 at 6:30 PM at the City Hall conference room. Minutes submitted by Barb Kowall