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Minutes 12-23-24MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS ADVISORY BOARD HELD ON MONDAY; DECEMBER 23, 2024, AT 6:30 P.M., IN CITY HALL COMMISSION CHAMBERS 100 E. OCEAN AVENUE, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Julie Mondello, Chair Bruce Robertson Thomas Devlin Alison Pandev ABSENT: Belinda Laskey Matthew McCallum Dr. Phyllis Pacilli I. Call To Order Justin Johnson, Recreation Manager, Marketing and Outreach Chair Mondello called the meeting to order at 6:34 P.M. II. Pledge of Allegiance The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. III. Roll Call The Minutes Specialist called the Roll. A quorum was present. IV. Agenda Approval — December 23, 2024 Motion Chair Mondello moved to approve the agenda. Ms. Pandev seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. V. Approval of Minutes — August 26, 2024 Motion Chair Mondello moved to approve the minutes. Ms. Pandev seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida December 23, 2024 VI. Unfinished Business None VII. New Business a. Upcoming Recreation Programs & Events Justin Johnson, Recreation Manager, Marketing and Outreach, reviewed the upcoming events and said that the MLK Day of Service will be held on Monday, January 20, 2025. Participants will meet at the Carolyn Sims Center and conduct a clean up for the Heart of Boynton (HOB) Neighborhood, leading into the MLK Day Celebration held by the City. He commented that there are a number of upcoming programs and that the basketball leagues will start in late January. He mentioned that there will be tennis leagues starting early January as well, and a variety of other events throughout the month, including kickball and soccer, which will take advantage of new field at Hester. b. Update on Marketing Mr. Johnson advised that the Department has rebranded and renamed it's Funfare Magazine to Boynton Connect, and that this started immediately after the Fall Funfare issue. He said that this was in collaboration with various departments in the City and Recreation and Parks staff members. He commented that this issue was the latest evolution of the magazine, and that this is an ongoing process, so the summer Boynton Connect issue will look slightly different. He said that there were no major changes, but it will have a new look for certain sections between now and the summer edition. c. Departmental Updates Mr. Johnson announced that they have been having meetings with staff at the individual centers regarding new programming. He noted that most programs are child centered, and that teens and adults are left in a lurch, because as children age out of the children's programs, there is not much for them to do. He pointed out that Fabien Desrouleaux, the Department Director, intends to address that need. He spoke about options that they currently offer and ones they are looking at, to keep kids busy and out of trouble. i. Branding Mr. Johnson mentioned that recently, the Department has begun rolling out a new Recreation and Parks logo, which is on staff shirts and is being used in Boynton Connect. He commented that staff would like to see the logo incorporated into signage and that they will continue to use the slogan, "We Make Life Fun" but they went to a more streamlined logo overall, to compliment the City's branding. 2 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida December 23, 2024 ii. Strategic Plan Mr. Johnson reported that updating the Strategic Plan to be more aligned with the City's overall Strategic Plan, and that it will evolve in the future. He noted that the current Strategic Plan is a five-year plan extending to 2029 and that the Board will review the Plan. d. Project Updates i. Hester Field Mr. Johnson said that the Department is still awaiting a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) to run the concession stand at the Hester Center. He clarified that the concession stand belongs to the City, and the Bulldogs will be the primary user of it, but he would confirm with Mr. Desrouleaux that outside entities can use the concession stand when they rent the field. He announced that the field was used as a practice site for the James Madison University Division I Football Team, in preparation of the Boca Bowl. He advised that staff has already been having discussions for a team to use it next year, which increases visibility of the facility, and helps when they search for sponsorships. Mr. Johnson reported that the Five -Year Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) was submitted about a week ago, containing all the planned improvements for each recreational site. He explained that they wanted to look at each recreation site holistically, and develop a Master Plan, which would utilize a proactive maintenance approach,as opposed to a reactive maintenance approach. ii. Little League Field Mr. Johnson announced that the Ribbon Cutting for field one at Little Leage Field was held in late August and that the City will turf fields two and three, including revamping the press box, concession stand and restrooms. He also commented that they added two temporary T -ball fields and a temporary parking lot. He said that a Special Project Manager is looking for funds for those projects, but he did not know when funds would be received and when the upgrades would commence. Mr. Devlin asked how the Board can review the Plan information. Mr. Johnson responded that the Five -Year CIP plan came around quickly, and that staff was notified about it shortly after Thanksgiving. Chair Mondello recalled that the Board would review it after the first of the year and could make suggestions to the City Manager. Mr. Johnson explained that staff is not withholding information about the plan, but pointed out that the Board had not met since August and there was no time for Board input. He 3 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida December 23, 2024 advised that the Plan was just completed, and it is a living document. He agreed to send the members the information for review and comment. iii. Galaxy Park Mr. Johnson reported that the baseball field at Galaxy E3 Elementary School is complete and that they used a mix of turf, baseball clay, and natural grass on the field. He said that the next phase of the project is the bull pens, pitcher's mound, and that they will add six pickleball courts, as well as some kickball courts. He commented that the Special Project Manager is looking to secure funds for those improvements, and part of the issue was settling the paperwork and ensuring all was signed before they could fully implement any improvements. iv. Oceanfront Park Mr. Johnson stated that the renovation of the snack stand has been completed and that the City has issued RFPs for a concessionaire in January, a bait shop at Oyer Park, and will issue an RFP for transport services to and from the Senior Center. He advised that there is a City-wide initiative RFP for healthier City vending machine options. Mr. Robertson asked what the best way was to obtain the information that was discussed earlier. Mr. Johnson responded that he would email the documents in PDF form to the members, so they would keep current. Mr. Robertson noted that they missed three meetings and two were due to the holidays. He inquired if they could not meet on Mondays or during the last week of the month. Mr. Johnson commented that meeting date changes would have to be approved by the City Commission, and a decision was made to discuss this at the next meeting, when all the members are present. He believed that Mr. Desrouleaux would be amenable to discussing it. Mr. Devlin mentioned that he did not think there was a vending machine at the Senior Center. Mr. Johnson commented that the City could review placing a vending machine there. VIII. Public Audience None. IX. Items For the City Manager's Attention n Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida December 23, 2024 Mr. Devlin commented that the mission of the Board is to make comments before actions or plans are adopted. Chair Mondello stated that normally presentations are made to the Board. Mr. Johnson explained that the Strategic Plan is already in place and had already been presented to the Board, but since it is a living document, he thought this was a good time for the Board to comment on it. He agreed to email a copy to the members when it is ready, and he mentioned that he would speak with Mr. Desrouleaux about making a presentation. X. Future Agenda Items a. Presentation and Q&A on Restoration Project Chair Mondello commented that, at the next meeting, they will receive an update on the Strategic Plan and Restoration Project about the Mangroves. Ms. Pandev inquired if they would discuss a meeting schedule. Mr. Johnson responded that he would speak with Mr. Desrouleaux. Mr. Devlin announced that he would not be at the next meeting. XI. Next Meeting — January 27, 2025 Chair Mondello announced the next meeting date. Motion Chair Mondello moved to adjourn. Mr. Devlin seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:18 P.M. Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 5