Minutes 04-28-25 MINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS ADVISORY BOARD
HELD ON MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2025, AT 6:30 P.M.,
IN CITY HALL COMMISSION CHAMBERS
100 E. OCEAN AVENUE, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
PRESENT:
Julie Mondello, Chair Fabien Desrouleaux, Assistant Director,
Alison Pandev Recreation and Cultural Services
Bruce Robertson Marvelous Washington, Division Director,
Barry Doctor Recreation and Parks
Thomas Devlin (arrived at 6:56 P.M.) Justin Johnson, Marketing and
Jay Pastorius, Alt Outreach Manager
ABSENT:
Dr. Phyliss Pacilli
Belinda Laskey
I. Call To Order
Chair Mondello called the meeting to order at 6:46 P.M.
II. Pledge of Allegiance
The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Ill. Roll Call
Roll call was taken. A quorum was present.
IV. Agenda Approval
Ms. Pandev requested to add a discussion about Board Attendance.
There was agreement to add Board Attendance to New Business, as item E.
Motion
Ms. Pandev moved to approve the agenda, as amended. Mr. Robertson seconded the
motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Chair Mondello appointed Jay Pastorius, Alternate, to sit as a regular member for the
meeting.
Meeting Minutes
Recreation and Parks Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida April 28, 2025
V. Approval of Minutes — February 24, 2025
Chair Mondello stated that she reviewed the minutes.
Motion
Ms. Pandev moved to approve the minutes. Mr. Robertson seconded the motion. The
motion passed unanimously.
VI. Presentations
Fabien Desrouleaux, Assistant Director Recreation and Cultural Services, introduced
Marvelous Washington, the new Division Director.
Ms. Washington stated that she worked for the City of West Palm Beach for 17 years,
and prior to that, she was the Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Palm Beach County.
She commented that she was introduced to aftercare, and kids and youth, early on after
high school. She said that she is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, has a
Bachelor's from Nova Southeastern University, and that she had attended school on an
athletic basketball scholarship.
Jay Pastorius stated that he has been in Boynton Beach since 1998 and has been a
general contractor since 2004. He advised that he is a licensed boat captain since 2008,
he lives at Waters Edge, and except for the last few years, they have traveled the inlet
250 times fishing and diving each year. He said that he is very interested in ecology and
when he is not in Boynton Beach, he is at his house in the Keys doing the same. He
announced that currently, he is a construction consultant and that he is taking a break.
The members welcomed the new members.
VII. Unfinished Business
None.
VIII. New Business
A. Upcoming Recreation Programs & Events
Justin Johnson, Marketing and Outreach Manager, spoke about the Recreation and Parks
summer season and announced the following upcoming events:
• There will be a Mother's Day Luncheon on May 3rd, from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. at the
Intracoastal Park Clubhouse.
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Meeting Minutes
Recreation and Parks Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida April 28, 2025
• The department is dedicating a Suicide Awareness Bench on Saturday, May 31st
at Sara Sims at 9:30 A.M.
• Mr. Johnson noted that May is Mental Health Awareness Month and said that the
members will receive an invitation to the unveiling of the bench.
• Juneteenth will be celebrated on Saturday, June 14th at Sara Sims Park, which
includes educational exhibits, live entertainment on stage, expanded play features,
choirs from nearby faith-based organizations, children's activities, and a BBQ Cook
Off..
(Mr. Devlin arrived)
• The summer edition of Boynton Connect will go to print this week. Summer
registration is tentatively scheduled for May 13th
• The department is bringing back Teen Camp for 13 and 15 year olds, and are
taking a holistic approach, as there are not a lot of recreational activities for that
age group. There will be two, four-week sessions at the Art and Cultural Center,
and staff has reached out to local middle schools, the Principals, and the East
Boynton Little League to help get the word out.
Ms. Pandev inquired if staff reached out to older high school students that need
community service hours, to serve as counselors for the younger camps.
Mr. Desrouleaux responded that they have recruited counselors through the schools and
next year, they will have a Jr. Counselor program for counselors in training, like they did
with the Lifeguards this year. He said that they are also looking for water safety
instructors. He explained the different activities the camps will offer.
Chair Mondello recalled that the City used to have afterschool programs at the Hester
and Sims Centers, and students could take the bus from school to the Hester Center
which was a huge help, because parents did not have to pick their children up from school
and take them to the Center. She noted that the cost was reasonable and that people
were upset when the camps were discontinued.
B. Update on Marketing
C. Departmental Updates
Mr. Desrouleaux announced that the Easter Egg-Stravangaza attracted over 1,000
people. He advised that they will continue to grow the event each year and that it had
children's activities and vendors. He praised staff for the event.
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Meeting Minutes
Recreation and Parks Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida April 28, 2025
Mr. Johnson recognized Raising Canes as a sponsor and stated that the sponsors made
a big difference in the event.
Mr. Desrouleaux spoke about the Travis Hunter Draft Party, which had 200 to 300
attendees. He stated that ESPN was live onsite and that once he was drafted, they took
a live shot of the celebration. He said that the event was impressive and was all over
social media. He explained that Travis Hunter played youth football with the Bulldogs and
much of his family lives in Boynton. He commented that the Police Athletic League and
Recreation and Parks Department put the event together, and that Travis was the second
overall pick and will play in Jacksonville. He announced that the department wants to
maintain the relationship with him.
D. Project Updates
1. Hester Field
Mr. Desrouleaux commented that they are working on the shade structure and it should
be done soon, as the piece is a custom piece. He announced that they are working on
including the netting as a CIP project, and starting to look at Phase II at Hester Center
to make it a complete complex. He said that the concession stand is finished, and it will
be used when the facility is rented. He advised that there is open green space, in the
corner on the backside of Hester Center, and they will put a storage shed there for
equipment and recreational events.
2. Little League Field
Mr. Desrouleaux mentioned that the park is still in Phase II, they are sprucing up Fields
2 and 3, and working on the press box and concession stand. He said that they have
resodded parts of the fields, but the hope is to turf them completely and staff is waiting
for the funding to be determined, so they can then decide on what to do with the entire
site.
3. Galaxy Park
Mr. Desrouleaux reported that the pickleball courts are being installed, as are the batting
cages, pitchers bull pen, and some landscaping. He said that Phase III will address the
playground portion of the park and that he will have an update before the next meeting.
4. Oceanfront Park
Mr. Desrouleaux stated that staff is still awaiting the RFP for Oceanfront Park, that the
RFP for the Tennis Center will soon close, and the next RFP is for the Bait and Tackle
Shop at Harvey Oyer Boat Park. He noted that there is a temporary food vendor at
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Meeting Minutes
Recreation and Parks Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida April 28, 2025
Oceanfront Park and staff has received great feedback about the vendor. He said that
when the RFPs are posted, it is open to anyone.
5. Pence Park
Mr. Desrouleaux commented that staff had previously brought the design for Pence Park
to the Board for discussion and input, and it went well. He stated that the community
loves the plan, and the City selected West Construction to build the project. He said that
this year is the design phase, and next fiscal year is the construction phase, which will be
financed in conjunction with the CRA. He mentioned that staff believes that this park will
be the most popular.
Mr. Desrouleaux announced that dredging at Oyer Park, as of yesterday, was completed,
the barricades have been removed, and staff will conduct messaging to the community
that the Park is open again. He announced that the next project is the beach restoration.
He praised the County's team for a seamless project execution, noting that they were
extremely accommodating, and they were great to work with. He pointed out that the
project took eight days.
b. Attendance Policy.
Mr. Desrouleaux stated that the policy is if a member misses three meetings, a warning
letter is sent advising that a fourth absence will result in removal from the Board. It was
noted that the absences counted were unexcused absences.
Mr. Devlin had a question about the pond by Mangrove Park and the lack of seating.
Mr. Desrouleaux explained that the Police Department has concerns with loitering and
undesirable activities there, especially in the evenings, but staff was looking into a few
things to help with that.
IX. Public Audience
None.
X. Items For The City Manager's Attention
None.
XI. Future Agenda Items
There were no Future Agenda Items, but Chair Mondello stated that receiving the updates
are great.
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Meeting Minutes
Recreation and Parks Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida April 28, 2025
Mr. Pastorius stated that the Bocce Ball courts at Jaycee Park were in need.
Mr. Desrouleaux commented that he ran into the players at the park, took all their
feedback, and was putting it in motion. He said that the City was refreshing all of the
material and media that makes up the bocce ball courts, and luckily, they have extra Hard
True surface material to use. He said that they are addressing the shade structure, and
storage.
Mr. Pastorius clarified that the players were requesting the bridge, having electric fans
underneath the shade structures, and water be addressed.
Mr. Desrouleaux noted that it was put in the scope of services, and that whichever fits
into the parameters of the budget will be done. He said that the City is looking at adding
an additional 12 or 14 parking spots and adding lights in the parking lot.
Mr. Pastorius said that Delray Beach has a Bocce Ball League and he suggested intercity
leagues could form.
XII. Next Meeting —TBD (next regularly scheduled meeting May 26 is Memorial Day).
Chair Mondello announced the next meeting will be held June 23rd
XIII. Adjournment
Motion
Ms. Pandev moved to adjourn. Mr. Roberson seconded the motion. The motion passed
unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 P.M.
Catherine Cherry
Minutes Specialist
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