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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 02-21-2007 ~â4h~ ST. LUCIE COUNTY RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING February 21, 2007 Roger Poitras Building, Conference Room 3 2300 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, FL 7\/} )\? The meeting was called to order by Acting Chair, Brad Keen, at 5:42 p.m. Roll Call: Members Present: Brad Keen, Erik Martin, Albert Scoggins, and Chester W oulard Members Absent: Kurt Holden (excused) Staff Present: Debra Brisson, Linda Barton, Patti Raffensberger, and Summer Ivey-Platt. Brad said he would like the BOCC to pursue filling the District 5 and At-Large vacant positions as soon as possible. He added that he would welcome a woman being appointed to serve on the RAE. Adoption of Minutes: Brad asked for a motion to approve the minutes of January 17, 2007. Albie made a motion to approve the minutes, Erik seconded the motion, all in favor, motion carried. Debra asked the Board's permission to go out of agenda order and discuss the Savannas Recreation Area Rate Increases under New Business. There were no objections. New Business Savannas Recreation Area Rate Increases - Patti RafJensberzer and Summer Ivev-Platt Patti presented each member with a chart showing current and proposed fees. She said the rates had not increased since 1998. The new proposal also eliminates non-resident rates, and includes off- season discounts, and an increase in key deposits. A discussion followed. The board reviewed the rules and discussed payment policies. Brad called for a motion. Albie made a motion that the RAB approve the fee proposal and regulation amendments for Savannas Recreation Area as recommended by staff. Eric seconded the motion, all in favor, motion carried. Patti said she plans to take their recommendation to the BOCC and make this effective May 1, 2007. Old Business Baseball Debra said that according to the agreement, Elks Park is designated for Little League from February 1 st through July 31 st. It does not have fall dates in it. She said she asked the American League if they would allow a fall league that is different from Little League and was told they had reservations about it. Debra asked if they might be more agreeable to the idea if Parks & Recreation oversaw the fall program. Parks & Recreation would then change the field dimensions for the fall season only, to accommodate USSSA or agreed upon affiliation for travel baseball. Debra will follow up to see if this would be acceptable. If the Elks Park leagues are in agreement, we would then have to go to the BOCC to ask them to change the travel baseball age groups. 7Y"i(:~' r ,,~ r-~ n \\ f7"" ,Iì, ,', I~i ,,',,' ¡ \',' ':""\~i .~ M^Q n '1 ,,?non P: r" '" --.J'" CO. f\~"ìlN. OFFICE There was a discussion about the history of the Elks Park facility. Debra said P&R would be willing to step forward and work with the 2 Little Leagues and the travel league representatives to try and put together a good quality fall league. The RAB would then have to decide whether or not to make a recommendation to the BOCC with regard to travel baseball and how it should be done. On the other hand, RAB may decide to leave it as is, and travel baseball would have to pay for field usage. Brad endorsed the County offering a fall program but feels efforts should be made to accommodate travel baseball in some way whenever there is field availability. Debra asked how we determine who should be recognized as the provider. Albie explained how they worked it out in the City of Stuart and other agencies along the Treasure Coast. Albie said the burden of field usage and dimension modifications are spread throughout the Treasure Coast so we would not be overrun by it. He wanted to state for the record that he tries to be careful not to have a conflict of interest with his professional responsibilities and personal pursuits. Debra clarified that what she means by the County sponsoring a program is not one that would bring teams in. Rather, the County would sponsor a program that would have open registration and be open to all who want to participate. However, the dimensions would be such that they can accommodate travel baseball. She feels that it is possible to develop a program whereby recreation games and travel games may be played on the same fields. Debra was quite certain that there would be field availability for travel teams on Sundays and perhaps a night during the week. Albie said that most sports have recreation and competitive teams and thinks the County can offer both. A discussion followed about competitive selection and team placement practices in organized youth sports. Erik had to leave the meeting at 6:33 p.m. so a quorum no longer existed. Debra said the agreement in place for Elks Park hinders accommodating travel ball February through July. Field availability and dimensions are at issue, and there is also the double mound objection by the leagues. Debra said there is a potential to make things work after July and she thinks Mr. Gosser is interested in such a proposal. Albie said softball fields, such as those at Lawnwood, are easy to convert for travel baseball. Albie said no one is trying to replace Little League; travel ball wants to co-exist with them. Debra said the RAB would need to make a recommendation that staff come up with a proposal to present to the BOCC that does nt violate current policy. Travel baseball groups either need to become a recognized provider, which is the easiest way, or come up with some other policy. Debra said she is not adverse to travel ball but we need to get over the hurdles. If softball fields work and a portable mound works, that may be the way to go, possibly imposing an established fee, i.e., $500 per team for a 6 or 8 week program. Staff is also open to County-sponsored fall season if the leagues agree to it. Debra said that the struggle for fields is universal, that other agencies face these issues as well, and the lack of fields is the main problem for us. There was a discussion about 2 proposed softball fields, irrigation, and infrastructure issues at Lawnwood. Debra and Linda reviewed some of the improvements that have been made at Lawnwood Recreation Area, as well as projects still to be done. Debra said a report is being prepared for the BOCC showing all the MSTU money, how it has been allocated, and what the improvements are, and where we expect to receive more money. Right now, $2.3 million ofMSTU money is budgeted for the Special Needs Shelter/Gymnasium, and it is possible that we may get it back because sufficient funding has been identified to pay for the project. Debra said if that money is returned to us, she sees a need for improved restroom facilities to service the soccer fields. Brad said for next month's meeting he would like to see the baseball issue resolved. Debra gave a brief capital projects review: Bids for the Special Needs Shelter or Auditorium/Gymnasium were opened and we hope to be under construction on May 1 st. $16.7 million has been identified in grants and insurance, plus $2.3 from MSTU. Elks Park renovations are moving forward. Lakewood Park is progressing and we are trying to resolve the de-cellane issues for the entrance. Mr. Woulard asked about a facility being built near the Hurston Library. Debra told him it's a CRA, City of Ft. Pierce project. She said her understanding is that it will be a Boy's Club/Girl's Club. Debra mentioned that the County is trying to acquire land across from LPCC to build a new center. The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, /1 j l ' / 'I -tv ~./L---- Barbara Heck