MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION AND THE PARKS, RECREATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ADVISORY BOARD OF JUNE 15, 2005, AT 3:00 P.M. PRESENT: Mayor Mary Anne Servian, presiding, Vice Mayor Fredd "Glossie" Atkins, Commissioners Danny Bilyeu (arrived at 3:04 p.m.), Lou Ann R. Palmer, and Ken Shelin, City Attorney Robert M. Fournier, City Manager Michael A. McNees, and City Auditor and Clerk Billy E. Robinson Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Advisory Board: Chair Robert Gorevan, Vice Chair Millie Small, Members Lauren Fineman, Edward Freeman, Katherine Kelly, Geraldine Ludwig, and Brie Willet ABSENT: None Mayor Servian called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. NVOCATIONPLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Deputy City Auditor and Clerk Karen McGowan 1. DISCUSSION RE: CREATING TWO ADVISORY BOARDS FROM THE EXISTING PARKS, RECREATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION BOARD, ONE BOARD TO ADVISE THE COMMISSION ON PARKS AND RECREATION ISSUES AND A SEPARATE BOARD TO ADVISE THE COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES A motion was made by Commissioner Palmer, seconded by Commissioner Bilyeu, and carried by a 5-0 vote to refer the issue to the Administration for a report back to the Commission concerning the budgetary and staffing impacts of establishing an additional board. (FTR 3:07) 2. DISCUSSION RE: ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LANDS The following person spoke: Tomara Kafka, representing the Bayou Oaks Neighborhood Association concerning the possible purchase of property in the Bayou Oaks neighborhood east of North Water Tower Park abutting Old Bradenton Road for development as a City park. A motion was made by Commissioner Palmer, seconded by Commissioner Shelin, and carried by a 4-1 vote, with Vice Mayor Atkins voting no, to accept the Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Advisory Board report of Potential Environmentally Sensitive Lands within the City of Sarasota and endorse the recommendations in the report. (FTR 3:28) 3. DISCUSSION RE: NORTH LIDO BEACH MANAGEMENT PLAN A motion was made by Commissioner Palmer, seconded by Vice Mayor Atkins, and carried by a 5-0 vote to receive the report and endorse the removal of exotic vegetation and the restoration of native habitats at North Lido Park. (FTR 3:34) 4. DISCUSSION RE: AD HOC TREE COMMITTEE TO RECOMMEND POLICIES TO ESTABLISH A 40 PERCENT TREE CANOPY IN THE CITY OF SARASOTA WITHIN TEN YEARS Mayor Servian noted Commission consensus to delay any action concerning the establishment of an ad hoc committee until consideration of the fiscal year 2005/06 budget. (FTR 3:43) BOOK 58 Page 29852 06/15/05 3:00 P.M. BOOK 58 Page 29853 06/15/05 3:00 P.M. 5. DISCUSSION RE: FRIENDS OF THE SKATE PARK Mayor Servian noted Commission consensus to endorse continuing the current fundraising activities for the Skate Park. (FTR 3:45) 6. DISCUSSION RE: SARASOTA SKATE PARK RULES In response to a request from Mayor Servian, Police Lieutenant William Wall III stated that information concerning skateboard violations in the Downtown area will be forwarded to the Commission and the Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Advisory Board. A motion was made by Commissioner Bilyeu, seconded by Commissioner Shelin, and carried by a 5-0 vote, to refer the proposed Skate Park rules to the Administration for risk assessment, City Attorney review, and a report back of recommendations to the Commission. (FTR 4:01) In response to a comment by Mayor Servian, Sports Facilities Manager Patrick Calhoon stated that the intent is to bring the issue of fees back to the Commission during the fiscal year 2005/06 budget workshops. A motion was made by Vice Chair Small and seconded by Member Ludwig to recommend to the Commission to charge an annual fee of $30 per skater for use of the Skate Park with scholarships available. Vice Chair Small, with the approval of the seconder, Member Ludwig, withdrew the motion. Chair Gorevan noted consensus of the Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Advisory Board to hold a special meeting regarding Skate Park fees prior to the first fiscal year 2005/06 budget workshop scheduled for July 8, 2005. Mayor Servian stated that she has a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Sarasota Housing Authority, passed the gavel to Vice Mayor Atkins, and left the Chambers at 4:12 p.m. 7. DISCUSSION RE: HOURS OF OPERATION FOR ALL CITY PARKS A motion was made by Commissioner Palmer, seconded by Commissioner Bilyeu, and carried by a 4-0 vote, to refer the issue of hours of operation for City parks back to the Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Advisory Board for further discussion and recommendations. (FTR 4:20) 8. DISCUSSION RE: SMOKING ON THE BEACH Following a report by the Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Advisory Board indicating that Keep Sarasota Beautiful reported to the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners that cigarette butts are a major litter component on local beaches, community workshops were held in the County to gather further information, the community is divided on the issue, and the Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Advisory Board failed to take action on the issue, a motion was made by Commissioner Palmer, seconded by Commissioner Bilyeu, and carried by a 4-0 vote, to receive the Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Advisory Board report concerning a possible ban on smoking on beaches. (FTR 4:23) 9. DISCUSSION RE: EAST SARASOTA PARK In response to a question from Commissioner Shelin, Capital Projects Manager Duane Mountain stated that boring samples have been taken of the Executive Golf Course site at Bobby Jones Golf Course and the samples indicate the site is not a brownfield. In response to a question from Vice Mayor Atkins, Commissioner Bilyeu stated that the Parks + Connectivity Master Plan indicates a 35-acre park should be developed in east Sarasota, east of Tuttle Avenue. In response to a question from Vice Mayor Atkins, Chair Gorevan stated that the Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Advisory Board ranked four sites as a potential site for a park in east Sarasota, with the site of the Executive Course at Bobby Jones Golf Course ranked first, as the City already owns the property, the site is a park-like setting requiring little reconstruction, and is easily accessible to all City residents. In response to a question from Commissioner Palmer concerning the site on 17th Street east of the Paw Park and the Meadowood Utilities Company property, Member Freeman stated that much of the approximately 100-acre site is County owned, a portion of the site is owned by the School Board of Sarasota County (School Board), a portion of the site is privately owned and could be considered as environmentally sensitive lands and discussions with the County and the School Board concerning a joint facility were positive. Vice Mayor Atkins noted Commission consensus to further consider the site on 17th Street east of the Paw Park and the Meadowood Utilities Company property with the participation of the County and the School Board. In response to a question from Vice Mayor Atkins, Capital Projects Manager Mountain stated that the $1 million dedicated in the Local Options Sales Tax (L.O.S.T.) extension, also called the penny sales tax, for parks in east Sarasota is not intended for the development of the 35-acre park in east Sarasota referenced in the Parks + Connectivity Master Plan. Vice Mayor Atkins noted Commission consensus to use the $1 million allocated in the L.O.S.T. extension for rehabilitation of existing parks and purchase of small pocket parks in east Sarasota. Vice Mayor Atkins noted Commission consensus to refer to the Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Advisory Board the options to use the $1 million for parks in east Sarasota and to investigate the needs and size requirements for a major park in east Sarasota as referenced in the Parks + Connectivity Master Plan. (FTR 4:48) In response to a question from Commissioner Bilyeu, Capital Projects Manager Mountain stated that Staff will begin reviewing the options for rehabilitation of existing parks and purchase of small pocket parks with the Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Advisory Board and bring back a report to the Commission in approximately three to six months. In response to a request by Commissioner Bilyeu, Capital Projects Manager Mountain stated that a site on Fruitville Road in the vicinity of Davis Boulevard will be reviewed as a possible park site for a pocket park. City Manager McNees stated that possible funding sources will be reviewed during a consideration of the options for the East Sarasota Park referenced in the Parks + Connectivity Master Plan. BOOK 58 Page 29854 06/15/05 3:00 P.M. BOOK 58 Page 29855 06/15/05 3:00 P.M. 10. DISCUSSION RE: SARASOTA AVENUE RIGHT OF WAY Following a recommendation by the Parks, Recreation and Environmental Advisory Board, a motion was made by Commissioner Palmer, seconded by Commissioner Bilyeu, to approve the designation of the right-of-way of Sarasota Avenue from 45th Street north to 47th Street as a park contingent on written agreements from all abutting property owners and City Attorney review. (FTR 4:50) In response to a comment by Commissioner Shelin concerning a possible street vacation and rezoning, Capital Projects Manager Duane Mountain stated that the street vacation and the rezoning are included in the recommendation of the Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Advisory Board and Commissioner Palmer stated that the issues of the street vacation and the rezoning are included in the City Attorney's review. Motion carried 4-0. In response to a call for a Point of Order by Commissioner Bilyeu, Vice Mayor Atkins stated that the Commission is still in the portion of the meeting involving discussion with the Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Advisory Board. 11. DISCUSSION RE: OTHER MATTERS CONCERNING THE PARKS, RECREATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ADVISORY BOARD A. In response to an earlier request by Mayor Servian and a question from Commissioner Palmer, Vice Mayor Atkins noted Commission consensus to direct the Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Advisory Board to address water access, a proposed rock climbing facility in Payne Park, and a Sarasota County Ordinance to extend the slow speed zones in Sarasota Bay north and south of the Siesta Key bridge. B. In response to a request by Commissioner Palmer, Vice Mayor Atkins noted Commission consensus to direct the Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Advisory Board to address rules concerning dogs in City parks. (FTR 4:55) C. In response to a comment from Member Freeman, Vice Mayor Atkins noted Commission consensus for the City Administration to discuss with the County Administration environmentally sensitive management of the Verna Well Field (FTR 4:59) 12. CITIZENS' INPUT CONCERNING CITY TOPICS The following people spoke: Lisa Wilson concerning management of environmental protection challenges. (FTR 5:05) John LeBlanc, Sarasota Police Department Lieutenant, and William Wall III, Sarasota Police Department Lieutenant, regarding uniform closing times for City parks. (FTR 5:14) 13. OTHER MATTERS A. Following a comment by Commissioner Bilyeu concerning signage in City parks, Vice Mayor Atkins noted Commission consensus for the City's representative to raise the issue of identification of City-owned parks with the County Parks and Recreation Advisory Council. (FTR 5:18) 14. ADJOURN There being no further business, Vice Mayor Atkins adjourned the Joint meeting of the Commission and the Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Advisory Board of June 15, 2005, at 5:18 p.m. - FREDD "GLOSSIE" ATKINS, VICE MAYOR - e d LLX RGBIN6 ONCITY AUDITOR AND CLERK BOOK 58 Page 29856 06/15/05 3:00 P.M.