TOWN OF LOXAHATCHEE GROVES TOWN HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 155 F ROAD, LOXAHATCHEE GROVE, FLORIDA. 33470 ROADWAY, EQUESTRIAN TRAILS, AND GREENWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2025, 5:13 P.M. = 6:45 P.M. 4A TOLR Q a17 a ha GUEL Meeting Audio. Available Upon Request in the Office ofthe Town Clerk CALLT TO ORDER Committee Vice-Chairperson Darcy Dean Murray called the Roadway, Equestrian Trail, and Greenway Advisory Committee Meeting to order at 5:13 P.M. ROLL CALL Present: Committee Members Katie Lakeman, Darcy Dean Murray, Frank Schiola (left before the start of the RETGAC meeting due to a family emergency- excused), and Ashley Bruce. Town Manager Francine Ramaglia, Management Analyst Ennya Blaise (left at 5:30 P.M.), Town Clerk Assistant Sammie Brown (arrived at 5:30 P.M.), and Public Works Director/Committee Liaison Richard Gallant, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice Chairperson Darcy Dean Murray led the Committee and staff in the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES The minutes of the Roadway, Equestrian Trail, and Greenway Committee on February 27, 2025, were presented for review. MOTION: COMMITTEE MEMBER ASHLEY BRUCE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES. SECOND: THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER KATIE LAKEMAN. VOTE: THE. MOTION. PASSED UNANMOUSLY WITH A VOTE OF3-0. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC There were no comments provided by the public. Town ofl Loxahatchee Groves Thursday, April 03, 2025 RETGAC Page No. 2 REGULAR AGENDA Agenda Item: Rural Road Standards Improvement Public Works Director Richard Gallant led a discussion regarding the draft rural road standards. He clarified that the standards would serve as a guiding document for future roadwork and development and would not require existing roads to be retrofitted unless part of a specific reconstruction project. The committee acknowledged that separate documents would be created for drainage and greenway/multi- use trail standards. A consensus was reached that it is important to maintain the town's rural character and not align it with FDOT standards. MOTION: COMMITTEE VICE CHAIRPERSON DARCY DEAN MURRAY MOVED TO ACCEPT THE RURAL ROAD IMPROVEMENT STANDARDS AND RECOMMENDED THAT COMMITTEE MEMBERS DISCUSS THE STANDARDS WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNCILMEMBERS. SHE ALSO EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF INCORPORATING STRONG LANGUAGE FOR TREE PRESERVATION AND SIGNAGE. SECOND: COMMITTEE MEMBER ASHLEY BRUCE SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE: MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY, 3-0. Agenda Item: Trails master plan and Map Discussion The committee reviewed Public Works Director Richard Gallant's draft trail map. The discussion covered existing trails, proposed connections, and trail gaps. Committee members raised questions regarding the accuracy and usability of trails within parks and along certain roads. CONSENSUS: COMMITTEE MEMBERS AGREED THAT THE MAP SHOULD BE UPDATED AND DISTRIBUTED TO ALL MEMBERS. IT WAS ALSO AGREED THAT THE UPDATED TRAIL MAP SHOULD BE PUBLISHED ON THE TOWN WEBSITE. ACTION ITEMS: Staff were directed to investigate and report the status of gates locked on public easements, specifically those at Madison Green and Folsom. Staffwere tasked with determining property ownership and any agreements that may restrict public access. Agenda Item: Signage and Traffic Safety Committee members expressed concerns about increasing traffic near trail areas and the danger it poses to equestrian riders. Members requested installing flashing signage, variable message boards, and additional equestrian crossing signs. MOTION: COMMITTEE MEMBER KATIE LAKEMAN MADE A MOTION TO FORMALLY REQUESTTHE IMMEDIATE INSTALLATION OF EQUESTRIAN CROSSING SIGNS AND TO INITIATE A PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN. SECOND: COMMITTEE MEMBER DARCY DEAN MURRAY SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE: MOTION WAS APPROVED UNAN/MOUSLY,3-. Town ofLoxahatchee Groves Thursday, April 03, 2025 RETGAC Page No. 3 Additional Request: The committee specifically requested the placement ofhorse crossing signage at key intersections, including Okeechobee Boulevard and North Road, and F. Road at Collecting Canal. Agenda Item: Discussion on Park and Trail Expansion The committee discussed converting Loxahatchee Groves Park into a dedicated equestrian staging area. Committee members also proposed approaching the County to explore options for leasing or sharing underutilized parcels for recreational purposes. Committee Member Ashley Bruce specifically mentioned a drainage area near the hospital as a viable site for future equestrian or mixed-use recreational space. CONSENSUS: IT WAS AGREED THAT TOWN STAFF WOULD LOOK INTO THE FEASIBILITY OF USING THE HOSPITAL-ADJACENT PROPERTY AND GATHER DETAILS REGARDING PARK OWNERSHIP AND PAST PROPOSALS. Agenda Item: Locked Gates and Trail Access Committee members, including Committee Member Ashley Bruce, raised concerns about locked gates preventing access to public trails. Specific concerns focused on gates located at Madison Green. It was noted that historical usage and easement rights needed to be reviewed. MOTION: COMMITTEE MEMBER. ASHLEY BRUCE MADE. A MOTION REQUESTING THAT STAFF AND LEGAL COUNSEL INVESTIGATE THE STATUS OF THE LOCKED GATES AND EVALUATE OPTIONS TO RESTORE EQUESTRIAN ACCESS. SECOND: COMMITTEE MEMBER KATIE LAKEMAN SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE: MOTION PASSED UNANMOUSLY,3-. Agenda Items: Future Improvements and Budget Priorities The committee acknowledged that the limited budget and staff capacity presented challenges in progressing the trail development. Committee Members Darcy Dean Murray and Ashley Bruce expressed frustration over the state of some ofthe Town's trails remaining disconnected or inaccessible. However, Public Works Director Richard Gallant highlighted the success of the Hide Park canal clearing project as an example of recent improvement. Agenda Item: Upcoming Projects and Infrastructure Planning Public Works Director Richard Gallant provided several updates: Ongoing canal-side trail clearing efforts Planned culvert replacement at F Road and Collecting Canal, which will include a designated equestrian path FY26 FY27 plans to pave Upper and Lower North Road, with equestrian trail considerations pending easement acquisition COMMENTS FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS No Comments from Committee Members CONFIRM NEXT REGULAR MEETING DATE: Town ofl Loxahatchee Groves Thursday, April 03, 2025 RETGAC Page No. 4 The next Roadway, Equestrian Trails, and Greenway Advisory Committee is scheduled for 5:00 P.M. Wednesday, April 24, 2025. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: VICE CHAIRPERSON DARCY DEAN MURRAY MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. SECOND: THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER KATIE LAKEMAN. VOTE: THE MOTION WASAPPROVED UNANIMOUSLY, 3-0. THE MEETING WAS OFFICIALLY ADJOURNED AT APPROXIMATELY 6:30 P.M. ATTEST: TOWN OF LOXAHATCHEE GROVES, FLORIDA Sammie T. Brown, FRA-RP, MEDP Frank Schiola Town Clerk Assistant Roadway, Equestrian Trails, and Greenway Advisory Committee Chairperson