CITY OF SARASOTA MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARKS, RECREATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ADVISORY BOARD September 15, 2011 at 3:30 p.m. in the Sarasota City Commission Chambers Board Members Present: Kathryn Marquis Millie Small Susan Hagglund Board Members Absent: Elsie Souza Jennifer Tucker Thomas Waters City Staff Present: Linda Needs Donna Payton Call to Order: Chair Marquis called the regular monthly meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Advisory Board to order. Roll Call of Board Members: Chair Marquis requested a verbal roll call of the members present. Three members were present for Roll Call and three were absent. Introduction of new staff member- Linda Needs - Chair Marquis introduced Linda Needs. She works at Bobby Jones golf course and will replace Donna Payton as one of the City support staff for the PREP Board. Approval of Minutes: This item was tabled since there was not a quorum present. Citizens Input: None. Unfinished Business: North Water Tower Parkland Acquisition Carolyn Brown, General Manager, Parks and Recreation, Sarasota County and Chair Marquis led the discussion. At a recent Sarasota County Parks and Recreation Council (PARC) meeting a request was made for Chair Marquis to clarify this issue at the upcoming PREP Board meeting. According to worksite plans, the County may be moving forward on this property soon. Before doing SO though, the County would like to know what the City Commission feels and if the PREP Board is still interested in having this site as a park and continue it as a priority nomination. One of the PARC Board member's expressed concern because of the North Trail Re-Vitalization group efforts. The member did not know whether the Revitalization group is, or would be, interested in the site being a parkland acquisition. It is not known if the City has any additional information about this. Mr. Kucharski, Public Works, General Manager of Parks, Landscape and Environmental Services may be able to provide additional information, but was unable to attend today's meeting. Therefore, Manager Brown stated she wouid get in touch with him before the next County PARC Board meeting. A consensus was reached by the PREP Board members in attendance today to keep this property on its priority list. Manager Brown stated she would advise Mr. Kucharski of the PREP Board's position today. Staff and Committee Reports: (a) County Parks and Recreation Department = Carolyn Brown, General Manager of Parks and Recreation, Sarasota County presented a short but substantive report. She stated County staff will be installing signs on playgrounds designating the tobacco-free zones. The County also hopes to have signs in place at Siesta Beach showing its ranking as the Number One beach in the nation. The County is moving forward on concept plans for Siesta Beach and Benderson Park. Siesta Beach improvements include re-doing the parking and concession areas. Benderson Park enhancements are continuing and the County hopes for a good 2012 Regatta season. County staff is continuing to meet with City staff to transition operation and maintenance of City neighborhood parks and Bayfront Community Center to the City. Plans for a 9-11 memorial at Patriot's Park are moving forward. (b) Recreational Facilities - Sue Martin, Public Services, Manager of Golf and Recreation introduced Sk8skool Founder and Operator, Dan Giguere. He has been operating the skate park since last November 15 as a non- profit organization. She stated after her brief report, he would update the Board of some of the skate park's accomplishments and goals. Bobby Jones Golf course - Junior Tournament for ages 11-18 to be held October 8-9 and Men's Better Ball tournament slated for October 29-30. Children's Fountain = Winter hours are back in place. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. -5 p.m. Skate Park - Mr. Giguere gave an overview of what's been taking place at the skate park. A summer camp program was held for skaters. There have been several professional team demonstrations held at the park as well as concerts by nationally recognized music artists. These events were held with no problems. Mr. Giguere started an after school program at the end of the last school year. A nationally recognized muralist did a mural for the skate park. There is a pro-shop and snack bar on site. Future plans for the park include trying to establish a skate team and getting community support to set up an audio/visual program, possibly enlisting help from Ringling School of Art. He hopes to be able to acquire the vacant building on-site to use to step up the after school program and an audio/visual lab. Board members present expressed agreement to support Mr. Giguere's Sk8skool initiatives. (c) Robert L. Taylor Community Complex -Jerry Fogle, Manager of Robert L. Taylor Community Complex. Mr. Fogle began by introducing Nicole Olsen, Supervisor of the Robert L. Taylor complex. She accompanied Mr. Fogle to the table. He then gave a report on the new complex. The grand opening was held September 2 with an estimated 500-700 people in attendance. He gave the hours of operation and fees for a variety of memberships as well as the status of staffing to date. The 590 pass holders signed up SO far have exceeded expectations. There are scholarships in place for those who cannot afford the very reasonable membership fee. Fundraisers are also planned to raise more money for scholarships. A lot of P.R. work is slated. In addition to the many amenities, an after. school tutoring program is now in place. Mr. Fogle closed his presentation by handing out an amenities brochure, a membership fee list and applications for membership. (e) Sustainability - Alison Albee, Environmental Specialist began her report with the latest figures on the Get Energy Smart program which is part of the EECBG (Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant) The D.I.Y. kits are almost all gone. Appliance replacement is the most popular of the energy rebates. The old appliance must be recycled and an individual must apply to the program before purchasing the new appliance. Another piece of the EECBG is retrofitting. Retrofitting of tree lights at St. Armand's Circle has been completed. Ringling Bridge and Saprito Pier lights will be done soon. A total of ninety eight street lights on the Bridge will be replaced. Albee continued and reported on ongoing projects and upcoming events: International Coastal Cleanup is scheduled for September 24. Individuals may call Sarasota County call center (PH: 861-5000) or visit the County website for more information regarding numerous cleanup sites. Sustainability Communities Workshop to be held October 6 from 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Girl Scout Facility on Cattleman Rd. The focus this year is Green Jobs - the Economy. Volunteers are still needed to help with registration on the morning of October 6. FPL's HEMI (Home Energy Makeover Initiatives) is scheduled for November 18, 2011. FPL will have volunteer teams to assist homeowners. Contractors provided by FPL will also be available and ready to do duct work when needed. Ms. Albee will attend the Amaryilis Neighborhood meeting next week to give a presentation on HEMI. Steering Committee for a Watershed Symposium- To meet February 15-17 at New College. The last one was held over 25 years ago. (d) City Public Works Department = Todd Kucharski, Public Works, General Manager of Parks, Landscape and Environmental Services was unable to attend. His report was read by Chair Marquis. Some of the items covered are: City staff will meet one last time next week with County staff to review the transition plans before the City takes over operation and maintenance of City parks on October 1. US 301 project is almost finished. However, slight modification is needed to meet FDOT requirements and Crime Prevention through Environmental Design standards for monument signs that are to be located at the northwest and southwest corners of US 301 and Dr. Martin Luther Jr. Way. Therefore, City staff will make a presentation on this aspect of the design to the Community. The presentation is to be held Thursday, October 13 at 6 p.m. at the Crossroads Church; 4726 N. Tamiami Trail. Lido Key M.U.R.T. - City staff are working on the final details for completion ofthis project. The City will be responsible for all maintenance from this project except the restoration work in the dunes. The County will continue to maintain that area. St. Armand's Circle Landscape Median Enhancement project - Waiting for permit approval from the State but City hopes to have project completely finished by December 16. Many improvements and enhancements are included in this project. Adopt-a-Park Program - Currently under review by City staff, including City Attorney's office. City staff plans to make a presentation at the November PREP Board meeting. (f) County Parks and Recreation Council - Chair Marquis. Chair Marquis verbally covered one of the items she had previously listed in her written report. She stated a previously nominated property site on Beneva Road is under consideration for acquisition by the County. Another lot in that same area has been added in conjunction with the original nomination. If acquired, it would allow access to Phillipi Creek. Board business, comments and questions = None. Next meeting: November 17, 2011 Adjourn: Chair Marquis moved to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 4:28 p.m. Minutes prepared by Donna Payton, Public' Works, Office Assistant