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Minutes 03-24-25MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS ADVISORY BOARD HELD ON MONDAY, MARCH 24, 2025, AT 6:30 P.M., IN CITY HALL COMMISSION CHAMBERS 100 E. OCEAN AVENUE, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Julie Mondello, Chair Alison Pandev Bruce Robertson Barry Doctor ABSENT: Dr. Phyliss Pacilli Belinda Laskey Thomas Devlin Jasper Pastorius, Alt 1.Call To Order Fabien Desrouleaux, Assistant Director, Recreation and Cultural Services Justin Johnson, Marketing and Outreach Manager Chair Mondello called meeting to order at 6:33 P.M. II. Pledge of Allegiance The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. III. Roll Call Roll call was taken. A quorum was present. IV. Agenda Approval — March 24th, 2025 Chair Mondello asked to add Introduction of New Board Member after the Agenda Approval. Motion Ms. Pandev moved to approve the Agenda as amended. Mr. Robertson seconded the motion. Motion unanimously passed. Introduction of New Board Member. Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 24, 2025 Mr. Barry Doctor stated that he has lived in Boynton Beach for a year, and previously lived in Delray Beach for about seven years. He stated that he was very involved in youth sports while his son was growing up and that he was looking to get involved when he moved to Boynton. He said that he was happy to be on the Board. V. Approval of Minutes — January 27, 2025, and February 24, 2025 Motion Ms. Pandev moved to approve the January 27, 2025, minutes. Mr. Robertson seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. There was agreement to defer approval of the February 24, 2025, meeting minutes to the next meeting. VI. Presentations a. County Dredging Project of Boynton Inlet/Oyer Park Andy Studt, Coastal Resources Program for Palm Beach County, explained all the different projects and areas they are involved in. He said that this project took a number of years in the making. He spoke about the South Lake Worth Inlet Project as contained in the meeting materials and said that the last time it was dredged was in 2013. He mentioned that the last couple of times they dredged the channel, they also dredged the Oyer Park Boat Channel. He explained the dredging process and what will be affected. He said that there will be minimal impacts. He advised that they hope to start dredging the Oyer Park Channel around April 14th to the 21St and that dredging the main sand trap area will start the beginning of next week. He commented that the boat ramp will be closed for two weeks while dredging the Oyer Park Channel and there was brief discussion of turtle egg season and how early turtle laying occurrences will be handled. He announced that the Beach Operations and Disposal Project should have a minimal impact on Oceanfront Park. Elizabeth Roe, Boynton Beach resident, asked about the sandbar and location of the dredged sand. Mr. Studt replied that it will not be in front of the fishing pier area, and it will go straight out where the historic channel is located and that after the channel is dredged, it will be dredged on an as needed basis in the future, as they have a 15 -year permit to do so. b. Pence Park Redesign 2 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 24, 2025 Samuel Perez, West Architecture and Design, LLC, reviewed the park's design and amenities. He noted that some elements of the park will remain, such as a lift station and an easement by the railroad tracks. He said that they are working on different options for the multi-purpose fields. He noted that currently, there is no dedicated parking lot, as they only have street parking. He advised that there is a playground, pickle ball court, a multi-purpose field and a core building with restaurant facilities, a place for staff, and a multi-purpose room that can be rented. Mr. Desrouleaux explained that he anticipates the multi-purpose room will be used a lot and the hope was that the building would have several large windows. He pointed out that it is next to the playground and the field, so patrons will be able to see the children playing on the playground, and on the field, from the room. He pointed out that the room also provides additional meeting space for the City. Mr. Robertson inquired if the windows on the building will be sliding glass windows. Mr. Perez stated that he did not know, but did state that the roof on the building will have an overhang, providing cover for those wishing to sit outside. Chair Mondello inquired if there would be a splash pad included in the playground. Mr. Desrouleaux responded that the City was looking more at the west side of the City for splash or aquatic activities. He explained that the site is small, so they had to eliminate about half the amenities they hoped to include. He said that there will be a supervisor and a couple of part-time staff members on site initially. He expected that the facility will be completed in FY 26/27, and that additional staff will be needed. Mr. Doctor asked if, during a rain or storm event, patrons would be able to take cover in the multi-purpose room. Mr. Desrouleaux replied that patrons are encouraged to go to their vehicles or leave the site, instead of using the multi-purpose room, due to liability issues. Mr. Doctor asked about maintenance of the park. Mr. Desrouleaux explained that one of his priorities is to ensure that they adhere to their capital maintenance plans and it is just as, if not more, important than their Capital Improvement Plans. He advised that they did not want to roll anything out until they are sure they can adhere to all of the scheduled maintenance plans, and he noted the City has to maintain amenities to a certain level, in order not to void any warranties. Mr. Perez reviewed all of the field and regulation designs and noted that this park has 63 parking spaces. He said that if the City Commission approves the design, they will begin construction the next fiscal year. 3 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 24, 2025 VII. Unfinished Business ►= VIII. New Business a. Upcoming Recreation Programs & Events Justin Johnson, Marketing and Outreach Manager, commented that two weeks ago, Joe Evans, Athletic Coordinator with the City, attended the Palm Beach County Sports Commission Hall of Fame, and Corey Banks was inducted. He explained that Joe Evans was Mr. Banks Youth Football Coach on the Bulldogs Team and that Mr. Banks went to Mississippi State, and then played in Canada. He also said that last Friday, the Honduras Men's Soccer Team were in town, and through an unexpected flight cancellation, they wound up being able to fit in an additional practice at the Hester Center Field and posted it on their Instagram site. He advised that Doug Mosely, Executive Director of the Boca Bowl, also serves as Chairman of Board of Directors for the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, attended college with Mr. Evans and that Mr. Mosely is a huge proponent of the City's facilities and he invited him and Mr. Desrouleaux to present them to the entire Board of Directors and it was well received. He noted that Boynton Beach sports facilities would be appropriate for several satellite sports events. Mr. Johnson announced that: • On Saturday, April 5th, they will hold an adaptive Pickleball Clinic at 9 A.M. to 11 A.M., at the Hester Center. • The Teen Symposium for Youth ages 12 to 18 will be held at the Carolyn Sims Center, on Friday, April 18th, from 9 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., with speakers from throughout the City. Advance registration is requested. • The Egg-Stravaganza will be held on April 19th from 10 A.M. to Noon at Centennial Park and Raising Cane is a supporting sponsor. He noted that they will invite the Board of Directors from the PBC Sports Commission to the event, and even though it is not a sports event, it will provide them with knowledge about the type of events that they hold within the City. • On Thursday April 24th, there will be a Travis Hunter Draft Party at the Art and Cultural Center and that ESPN will be onsite, broadcasting it at 7 P.M., and there will be a pre -ceremony for the Bulldogs from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. He said that Mr. Hunter will be onsite. b. Update on Marketing 4 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 24, 2025 This was previously addressed. c. Departmental Updates - Staffing Mr. Desrouleaux said that the new Division Director will start April 21 st and that she has extensive experience in municipal government, recreation, and she is well connected in the community. He said that the feedback about her was amazing, and she will be a great addition to the team. He also advised that they needed a maintenance worker at the Tennis Center, and they had an employee accept the offer and will start soon. He commented that they are looking for a few people for seasonal hiring and that there is a shortage of lifeguards. d. Project Updates i. Hester Field Mr. Desrouleaux said that they obtained the Certificate of Occupancy for the Concession Stand and the field will be used this Saturday for the PAL Flag Football Championship. He explained that this is the first time that the championship will be hosted at the Center. He noted that there will be food giveaways for the players, instead of using the concession stand and that they are headed for construction of the shade structure ii. Little League Field Mr. Desrouleaux commented that the field is in Phase 2, and they are redoing fields two and three and some of the buildings. He said that they added two T -Ball fields, and the temporary parking lot will become permanent. iii. Galaxy Park Mr. Desrouleaux explained that the park his advanced to Phase 2 and they are adding pickleball courts, a bull pen and batting cages. He said that Phase 3 will be upgrading the playground iv. Oceanfront Park Mr. Desrouleaux reported that the Park is all set and that the City is in the process of getting the RFP together for a concessionaire, but Boardwalk Ice Cream is there for 90 days with an unlimited number of renewals. v. Pence Park Mr. Desrouleaux explained that the City is waiting to hear back from the FEC Railroad regarding how far away the from the railroad tracks the park/parking lot could be. 5 Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 24, 2025 e. BBHS Proposed Street Renaming Mr. Desrouleaux stated that this was slated to be addressed at the end of April, but it may be deferred to later in the future. He said that Heisman Trophy Winner, and two-time MVP, Lamar Jackson attended Boynton Beach High School. He commented that the City has been working with Mr. Lamar's charity, Forever Dreamers, for the LJ Fun Day at the Hester Center, which was a huge success. He advised that the high school realized they wanted to do something for him and the easiest thing to do was a street renaming. He explained that the street they were looking at was the main auxiliary street from Gateway Boulevard, and it would be changed to Lamar Jackson Way. He noted that the entrance is right by the football stadium. He said that the City would change the sign there, and put a sign on campus, which the City could make. He mentioned that staff would work with FDOT for the sign at the intersection and a speed limit sign. He said that he wanted the Board's feedback, and it was advertised for public input. IX. Public Audience Elizabeth Roe spoke about items discussed in the past that seem to have fallen by the wayside. She asked about funds that were approved and allocated five years ago for lifeguard stands at Ocean Front Park and that the funds were diverted to another project. She said that she thought with funds coming in during Covid, it would be good to have lifeguard stands. Mr. Desrouleaux said that Ocean Rescue was moved to Fire. He mentioned that staff double checked with them and Fire would address it between this October and next September. Ms. Roe said that the Senior Center, has three times the enrollment it did since it opened 25 years ago and did not think the building was ever painted. She noted that it had also been discussed that the City would add a walkthrough and/or a traffic light to allow access to the Woman's Club across the street. She recalled that the City conducted a survey asking where participants thought that they will be in 10 years, but noted that the Center is not keeping up with the growing senior population. She referenced the General Fund and commented that no one knows what goes into the General Fund. She said that she had inquired about the fishing pier because funds were slated for it and then did not materialize, and she questioned why fees collected for an item are not recycled back to the item because some funds are, and some are not. She said that she has heard at every City Commission Meeting that it is something they will discuss and 10 years later they are still discussing it. She thought perhaps there should be one huge fund or when funds come in, they should go to parks because the City is not maintaining the parks the way they should be, and they are building more parks than they can maintain. Mr. Desrouleaux said the Senior Center was a top initiative of a prior mayor, coupled with affordable senior housing. He explained the plan was to have senior center on the ground floor and senior housing above it. He said the new Mayor is passionate about making a X* Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 24, 2025 lot of improvements there and Senior Center staff said that they would urge the advisory board to lobby their elected officials to make it a high priority. He also said that he added that as a priority in the CIP for the next two years. He stated that they have outgrown the space and it is not the right venue for what the building is being used for. He said that as for equipment, they want to replace it as soon as possible, and they are pausing making any major renovations, they are addressing urgent issues now and discussing long-term plans. He noted that they own the street in front of the Senior Center, and the parcel across the street, so the Center can expand, and that these items will go before the City Commission when they get to budget and approve capital projects. He pointed out that the more support they have, the more likely they are to approve it Ms. Roe spoke about the Intracoastal Park Clubhouse and said that other activities and meetings should be able to take place there. Mr. Desrouleaux agreed and stated it was one of his goals. Chair Mondello suggested having more senior programs at other facilities as well. Mr. Desrouleaux announced that the City is undertaking a City -Wide sign evaluation and will use a consultant who can determine which type of sign to use. He said the sign for Little League Park will be digital, and the sign for the Fishing Pier is in the works and is beautiful. Ms. Roe said that she did not know who was maintaining the Pier, but it was lacking in the cabinets by the cleaning stations, and that the fishing line areas have not been cleaned in a few months. X. Items for The City Manager's Attention None XI. Future Agenda Items None XII. Next Meeting — April 28, 2025 Chair Mondello announced the next meeting. XIII. Adjournment Cody Bonano, Recreation Manager, said that as of Monday, the pool heaters were up and running at the pool, and that they used geothermal heaters. He also advised, regarding the gym equipment at the Senior Center, two pieces were shipped out for the Senior Center, which was a brand-new treadmill and elliptical. VA Meeting Minutes Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 24, 2025 Motion Chair Mondello moved to adjourn. Mr. Robertson seconded the motion The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 P.M. Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist E-13