MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS CITY HALL TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2025 6:00 P.M. Call to Order: Vice Chair Runnels Invocation: Vice Chair Runnels Pledge of Allegiance: Vice Chair Runnels Roll Call: Those in attendance were Vice Chair Sheilan Runnels, Board Member Dave Fawcett, Board Member Don Widener, and alternate Board Member Aaron Nangle. Also in attendance were Parks Director Emily Deal, Administrative Assistant Anaeli Quinones, and new Event Coordinator Jessica McGuire. Meeting began at 6:00pm. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 Board Member Widener made a motion to approve the minutes for September 17, 2024; seconded by Alternate Nangle and motion was approved by unanimous voice call vote. Vice Chair Runnels moved on to the next item on the agenda. NEW BUSINESS 1.) INTRODUCE NEW PARK BOARD MEMBERS. Parks Director Deal said that one of the new members was not present and we would reach out. Then she proceeded to introduce the new alternate board member, Aaron Nangle. She explained that Chair Rothberg had to move sO she is no longer on the board. She welcomed the new board members and then moved on to the next item on the agenda. 2.) NOMINATE AND APPOINT A CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON FOR 2025. Parks Director Deal explained the yearly vote on Chair and Vice Chair according to the code of ordinances. Alternate Board Member Nangle volunteered to be Chair but due to being an alternate, he is not eligible. He nominated Vice Chair Runnels for Chair, and Board Member Widener for Vice Chair. Board Member Fawcett seconded both nominations for Chair and Vice Chair. Vice Chair Runnels accepted the role of Chair for this year, and Board Member Widener accepted the role of Vice Chair for this year. Parks Director Deal moved on to the next item on the agenda. 3.) CHRISTMAS PARADE RECAP. Parks Director Deal talked about the Christmas event that we just had. There was an increase of attendees as well as more activities at the Gardner Park, and the tree lighting was also revamped. The purpose of added activities was to keep more people at the park instead of just leaving right after the parade finished. It was a great success and we are looking forward to next year with more food vendors as well. There was a positive discussion about the Christmas parade between the Board Members and Director Deal. Topic talked about was possible expansion/growtn at the current location as well as parade route. Parks Director Deal moved on to the next item on the agenda. 4.) CENTRAL PARK UPDATES. Parks Director Deal talked about the upcoming project coming to Central Park such as a pavilion that will be next to the basketball. We are just waiting on the materials to start installation. Along with that pavilion, a new playground will be going right next to it. Both projects have already been approved by the Commission and should be done this year. We are really excited for both those projects. The playground should be done sometime in March/April. Chair Runnels inquired about drawings for both projects and Director Deal showed the Board the ones she had on the playground as there are none for the pavilion since it is the same type of pavilion we have in all the other parks. There were questions about location on both projects from the Board Members and Director Deal. She showed on the pictures that she provided where they would be located. She also talked about the playground being ADA inclusive and being sports themed as it is customed to meet the needs for everyone. She also talked about the warranty on the playground equipment. Maintenance and shade was brought up with the trees over the equipment. There will also be an opening ceremony for the playground. Parks Director Deal moved on to the next item on the agenda. 5.) EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR 2025. Parks Director Deal went over the list that she had for the upcoming events in 2025. She explained there would be some new ones as well. She then introduced our new Parks and Recreation Events Coordinator Jessica McGuire to talk about the new events coming. Chair Runnels asked for a list of all the events. Parks Director Deal said we could email it to everyone on the Board. Events Coordinator McGuire spoke about her background, as well as joining the team and getting more events going in Lake Alfred. She talked about the pet event, Paws in the Park that is coming up on February 1, 2025 from 9am until 12pm. Parks Director Deal added that there will be a dog park coming in the Master Plan but until then we have a makeshift one. Parks Director Deal added another item on the agenda. 6.) SWITCHING BOARD MEETING DAYS. Parks Director Deal asked about possibly moving the meeting dates from Tuesday to a day that works for everyone. Discussion was held on which day works better, and voting was held on having it on the second Monday of the month. Motion was made by Alternate Board Member Nangle and seconded by Vice Chair Widener, and it was approved by unanimous voice call vote. Parks Director Deal asked if there were any other questions. Board Member Fawcett inquired about anything being done at Lions Park with the ballfields that are not being used. Parks Director Deal talked about the Master Plan that also includes Lions Park and said those fields are considered wetlands at the moment and will be removed and relocated. Discussion on this took place. Chair Runnels announced the recognition of citizens. Greg, a citizen, said that he wanted to talk about the children's park but got his answers during the course of the meeting. Chair Runnels made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Vice Chair Widener made the motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Alternate Board Member Nangle. Motion was approved by unanimous voice call vote. The meeting was adjourned at 6:34pm. Respectfully submitted, Aai -RA6 Anaeli Quinones Parks and Recreation Administrative Assistant