Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Advisory Board Regular Meeting

? ? ? >> I think you now. Yeah, because know. ? ? ? >> Your call has been forwarded to voice. Now the person you're trying to reach is not available at the tone. Please record your message when you have finished recording, you may hang up. >> out and this is what it ? ? ? But I use this. >> I'd like to this meeting to order the Parks, Recreation, Environmental Protection Board, a regular meeting. Thursday, September 18th. I would like ask you join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. ? ? >> Like to remind everyone of our Pledge of conduct. We may disagree, but we will be respectful of one another. We will direct all comments to the issues. We will not engage in any personal attacks. It's time to call the roll. We start down with you, Sir. Chris Nace from wants. Carl Show saw Jimmy go over Brodsky and I'm Leah Fitzgerald. We have minutes from our August 21st If you like me to read them, I entertain a motion that they be accepted as written. I make motion. We accept him as friend can motion by Mister Shaath Style. Second by Mister Watts on favor I passes unanimously. Thank you very much. Mister Do we have any input are a public officer. >> call Mister Shaath Stall. give us a report on the Lido Beach Renourishment project. >> We've been talking Alyssa. >> I guess he's going to be in our emergency is going to be engineer city engineer we're having a a presentation October and I was hoping we're going to have at the Lido Key residents association are coming out and explain what's going on. It's supposed to start sometime Norton toward the end of the year. And we finished up by the time. April comes around. And I was hoping that we would have I talked to about this and she said that she was going to try and get with you mark to a turnaround. Give all of this am an update. And as I said, our meetings are starting up in October for the Lido Key residents association and they're going to come out and give us a presentation out there. But it's pretty nice eyes. We're taking a sand at a new pass and it's going to start at the public beach and run all the way down to the end of the island. They're going to be adding some dooms or what was there before. The 2 hurricanes are 3 storms that came through and hopefully it'll it's going to replenish our beach is holding a pretty good from the end. The big one that we did a few years ago. But it's a not a were hooked up with the government far as Army Corps of Engineers we turn around where on a 15 year permit 50 year. Deal with them and save the buildings out there. If we do get a storm. Knock on this year, we're going to miss it. And that's basically what we've got. questions. >> Park Review, Mister Watts, who's up? >> Look, Chris, Go first with Arlington. >> Can we get the slide? Some for Arlington? Normally it should. I there. >> Your if you want something in >> On like to face my my neighbors. That's okay. have kind of the personal, I so. satisfaction of being able to talk a little bit in depth of Arlington Park being a resident of the neighborhood. Arlington Park is unique. Some degree. It's similar to pain in the sense that it has both the facilities that serve the community kind of at large with us. The aspect and the that the courts and so on. And then a lot local people neighbors who use the park for its trails and the dog area and the fitness center and so on. So it's it's a really special park in the city. So just the the agenda here talk to, you know, the general features of the park, some of the improvements that have taken place over the past a few years. There are some environmental in the park that I'm going to speak to. And you know, make a few suggestions for some considerations for 2 to address some of those concerns. So the back half of it is going to be more environmental. I'm not going to be talking about improvements to facilities. So okay. So some quick as a said that it's got quite a bit to to offer the community. It 2 pools, a 50 meter lap pool. A 25 yard instructional pool. There's drop-in basketball and in the in the gym. But you can sign up for there's there's under pickup pickleball which is fantastic when it's hot out. There are door tennis courts, an outdoor basketball courts as well. Of course, there's a dog park that an area for large and small dogs. There's a half mile walking trail. This is a children's playground. There's an outdoor fitness center right by the playground. Obviously a water feature these the pond. That's there. 23 Acres. It's it's a fair science. And it ranks 3rd in terms of prioritization in the master plan. So it's an important park and you can see where it is. It's total. 41 essentially did this done. Weber, it's kind of where it's situated. Okay. Just some of the Top left is is the gym. That's also where, you Park Association holds its meetings, which is convenient for us. This other shot right below that on the left is kind of long shot of the dog park. Which has that's that the large dog park there. And there's some new a concrete that's at the bottom. That's a new part of the drainage system that they've been that they've worked on in the past few months. And it's also an area where people is the dogs off. Low. That's the outdoor fitness center, which I just noticed. Got some repairs and the last little while, but that's a great outdoor amenity. Lot of people there in Brighton early in the morning. An image of the the pool, the renovated tennis courts and also recently resurfaced basketball court. But outside. It's also a place that has a lot of that serves as a place for events and a lot of park district programs PNA the they are in the Park Neighbors Association holds a couple of key events there. But the picnic, the annual picnic that you see there and one image of under Live Oaks and we have some a great music that that takes place as well that the association sponsors that there's a lot of programming that the Park district, the Parks department does summer and holiday kids camps, the swim lessons. There's Aqua Fitness and you see a lot of teams, swim teams train there in the pool as well. And then here's some images of some Halloween. There was a Halloween event that we have. There's that just your dog up the bottom, right? And then there was a really scary person. I came across their monster, but I got a picture of. Recent improvements. A number of things have been the the park wide Wi-Fi that we've we've benefit from a variety of our parks in town. There's been a recent refurbishment of someone, even walkway sections. Now, that's a tid bit safer than it was the all the lamp standards have been have been repainted. They look quite good most. I think all of the lamps now are led mentioned the the dog Park Pa Park drainage improvements and dog lost wash stations, I so far. So good with with how it's how it's all working. I mention the resurfacing of the outdoor basketball and tennis courts there was a cup, but I guess it's a couple years ago, the locker rooms were were updated with. And I'm just really beautiful. There is a last week flow the art mural. That's coming to lifeguard building. That's going to look great. There's been some replanting which was fantastic to see where some store and storm damage took place. They took out some trees that blown over. Also took out rezoning peppers while they're at it. Now there's probably a dozen new plants that have been placed in that that that hole that was created. And I know there's some investigations underway to modernize the pool lights to reduce glare and energies. And there certainly are some environmental I can this. This created a bit of a hubbub here in the last There was there were some quite a bit of plant action going around the pond. They they became quite high and the county who runs the pond, ice. That's what you can say because part of the stormwater system came in apply. around it. And you can see that's just before they cut the plants down. Did create some concerns for residents as too what that might do. The water quality in and the turtles and things living in the pond. You know, I had a chance to be in St. Petersburg 2 weeks ago. And if you if you know the historic sort of downtown area, there's a there's a park called historic Round Lake. It to me is a model of what in Rubin storm water pond can be. And if you get a chance to to go to St. Petersburg, take a look at this place and I counted 9 different types of birds that we're happy to be there. The moment I was there, a lot of really well managed shoreline. Good aeration of the water. And I'm just a really you environment there. And so it can be You know, it's challenging when you've got a storm water situation. You know, it's it's not a spring fed bond. So it that that in and of itself create some issues. So, you know, there's a few things that can be looked at. And, you know, it's again, it's new science. It's just really looking at the zone. The shoreline. Aerate the water properly, which evidently we don't really have the right here. A ration. There's most likely a pond muck problem. It's probably really full of debris over the years because all the stuff off the streets flows into this point that the the challenge is it's a dilemma with county versus city. So there's that that dynamic going on. And so the other issue we have, of course, are invasive A lot of Brazilian pepper plants, which are really Tory us to get rid of you've really got to dig them out with the roots or burn them. And burning likely not something we want to do. There. And unfortunately now we have a bunch of More than one. And those are also destructive. Not only of the invasive, but they do damage to 2 physical property. And so on. And then we've also had repeated damage to the landscape and the canopy trees that are in the park due to the sort of the storm starting probably with Irma and going forward. The picture on the right the area I mention that had been cleared out and it's hard to see it in in may be in these pictures, but they're they've got the new variety of installed there. I haven't had a chance to hear what what all those are and why they were chosen. I was great. It was great to see that that that that attempt was made to rejuvenate that area. Next. Please. And so at some future one of the things that I'd like to suggest is, you know, looking working with University of Florida's extension office, they have a pond, best practices. Emmanuel, if you will, for neighborhoods Suncoast Water Keepers is also a great resource to understand how to manage water bodies. And then I think it's really an issue of collaborating with the county and the in our parks department, our parks landscape Department, too, to work work on these issues. The next one is is challenging the invasive species management, you know, continue to remove the Brazilian pepper is where we get the opportunity to do so. You know how to deal go on I think that's going to be a problem throughout Florida. It is already a problem in southwest Florida and down in Miami The question would be, you know, how far do we take removal? And you know, that's that's a question. I think I'd like to. Discuss. And then the landscape, Landon, talking long term, the canopy Tree replacement to deal or even get ahead of future losses, which is good practice to start planting in anticipation of trees that that would go. There's a number of trees that are pretty rough shape now that are still standing that likely will have to be removed at some point and then continue to work on providing the central green space in the park. Okay. Thank any questions. Me switch over moving because park's, OK, Carl, you want to talk about we do. >> Or you >> Now you can talk about it, but I want to South Toledo Park. That's 10 spring you're I think the agenda is often a couple of these >> so it is not really ours. I think mentioned in the >> one of my question for you, we do follow up on the e-mail comments we get in. Yes, like the person, the liked everything on that lead to that didn't like what's going on in South We let them know who's in charge of that. >> When you're done all comment on that because we've met with the city attorney on this couple of this. And there's people down. >> Some people some written near the park, but now, OK, you go and do your thing. Let's see if I can. >> Issues that arose. >> The other parks, we've couple in your parks and we do. We'll talk about second with Lee to swell and start saying arms. Do want to take seconds. Thanks, >> Within marketing of the park, she from the signs to love these pictures. We skip over Arlington cause. Chris did an excellent job covering that. We're going to school and >> short alone, walkway, if you between Siesta and Weber, a believe about a mile long. Had some updates recently. The Scotsman parks. >> I'm basically a trail through the neighborhood with some street sending that have access to it. So it's a nice. Neighborhood we've done some good jobs, updating it. There's some. But stations as Recent updates on some of the damage pavement is appreciated. Some of even shorter basically running spree over to ovals a nice access over to business, Syria, from the neighborhood. Not much to speak to on that. Leaders. I've been here a couple years have not been out there before. Another swirl, impressive win out some of the afternoon with my wife obviously we need the beach was the draw. just the other facilities. Poole was active that afternoon. It's a seasonal pools. I understand it's and based on the weather will shut down early shortly. Probably Sunday concessions were open summer drinks. And gentleman was out playing music lovely atmosphere and and actually quite a lot of people out. This is part of what Carl's talking about on the beach or an basically from this area, south of guests will be covered in that project. North roughly 70 acres little bit the billion picked late 70's as I recall Grant. It's basically natural has been there's obviously showers Little bit of stops, but it's mainly beach access with some as well. So people can need to go to the beach. They can put a kayak and if they would that. ? Offering for those that don't live at the beach. We're briefly before the meeting saying arms hasn't looked this good in the long, long Unfortunately, it took 2 washouts over the last 2 Before hopefully we stay away from that for a few years we've paid our dues, but do know this is a wonderful community gathering spot festivals and other activities during the course of the year. I think are 2 out there this weekend. This probably one through 4 times a year. A car shows. That center and around the ring. Some of the folks who have been involved in the industry over time. Compliments to those that were involved with that project over the last couple months. it for this month. So one of things I think. All of us on the board is just I'm going to get out the updated schedule for the monthly and the goal here obviously is for all of us to get learn about the parks that we don't already know Have some comments are not only does someone present all the park. If you have comments after do it, please bring them up. The schedule is going to have each of us assigned to a different month. And so that goes for you, too. Take the presentation responsibility for that Stacey will continue going put out the signs trying to solicit public notice. Also take some pictures. She typically will share those pictures 2 or 3 days prior to our board Just say you have a sense of which is kind of a If you've got a specific. Point you want to make on a go ahead and contact or you through Mark, I were earlier in the week so that you can get time to make it happen. Questions on park's comments on >> Be one question. I concerns the pools, Arlington n and we do. I know it's a sensitive thing about the Bulls being closed on Sundays. Is there any? Any discussion or any budget or any any consideration for opening those pools on Sundays. >> can consider. I think we did is up on some of leaders of on Arlington takes rentals on Sundays. So there's access. But as far as public use, we can certainly discuss that. Nothing we do is close on Mondays, except for like you stating whether you know, when the weather drops and stuff like >> Okay. Do we have any emails for from the >> certain palm of a sense. I'm going something Yeah. Full month. If you want to go through. I think summer going only 5 or >> one North believe suggestion move. Trying to blow out the shower the daily basis since the once or twice week. They're also the Couple things on the park and slapped us for the picnic tables moving around that South >> And how and and was too low. >> The one of parks to the requests for informations you know, that. Recognize it. But it's tough to please everybody in that regard, I guess. otherwise, they're just general comments that they thought the work doing well, appreciate the great and the couple. The parks. >> With on on on South Toledo, 10 sprawling park. That is a county on park. And it's it's a very for us. It's a unique situation because of the fact that it's patrolled by the Sarasota Police Department and they have only certain. They can only go in there with certain too. I say rest people, but if it gets out of hand and everything like that, where is the county? Is it owns the property. although it is inside the jurors, the action of the city. And right now we have met with the city attorney. some will. Several people from down on the south toward thing that it does get very they've had some serious problems out there with noise and environmental. Part of it is they have the jet skis and the boats beach. And it's dangerous for the swimmers and so we're working with the city attorney and he's trying to work with the county to rewrite the park rules to turn around and have us as a city police department be able to go on air and enforced things a little bit more. As far as when we had the hurricanes and stuff at one time, the picnic tables and grills are all throughout the park. It got washed out and they they clean out a lot of the trees. They made it pretty much. They made it a parking lot and so they put picnic tables, lay line them up with the grills in the center. And there's a lot of people that are unhappy with that. So, but again, it's a county thing and we don't as a parks department anything have anything to do with it. So. I don't know. You know, we're working with the city attorney and see what he can do with the county and on October, that County Commission is slated to talk about it at at the meeting on the 21st here in town and on First Street. I think its first reader and they and the county building. So I'm going to have a little bit more on that because, like I say, we just we've met now 2 with the group. And the Lido Key residents association with the attorney and we're trying to help them see what we can do out there. To get this a little bit under control. it has been a problem. In the past with it. It is a the park itself is overused. I mean, and it's beautiful, but we have a lot of people come out there on Sundays and it gets it gets that full that they have to turn the cars away and they were not one time. A neighbor stacking up all the way back up, Ben Franklin. But the county has been a little bit better of a managing that where they don't let the car sit in line because it was basically 1, one car came out. One car went in. And you know, if there for any kind of like the time that that gets to be a parking lot on Ben Franklin. So it is an issue I would love. I said many, many years ago honors a commissioner here and I said many years ago, why don't we take that part back or see if we can get it back? I don't know if Mark Wood like The amount of stuff that goes on with that. But again, I think that that it's something that it would be the best if we can get that back. But again, that's that's pie in the sky, I guess. But still, but it is a it is a heavily heavily used park. and the same way with North Lido Park is also run by the county you know, it's it's it's a tough situation when you have that the property is owned by the county and the city is it's in the jurisdiction of the city as far as enforcement and stuff. So. Keep everybody updated on that as we go forward with with what we're trying to do with the the the city's attorney's that's pretty my for anybody has any questions on turn around trying to answer what sounds the town is doing their usual thing of the wait until it gets to a critical mass and then. >> Then handed off to the city and say, you tell you guys, take care of this. But I had a We'll the storm damage. And I know just 2 weeks ago the commission took the decision to take monies from other projects to kind of move along to fix the various parks like Bird Key, I guess, is one. >> And nor Patterson's. I think another do we understand? So with with that diversion of funds is very new. timeline and priorities is is that has that been do you wear Mark? Yeah, it's it's estimated, of course. next year now instead of 2 or 3 years 2026. it was that they would use this money in the hopes that it would be reimbursed at some point through FEMA applications. So we will get that back into some of these projects. >> That's the >> I have a question to jump in. >> For the Saint Armands it does. It looks absolutely beautiful. And I know we're coming back into season. >> And there are so many events and it would be great to get sentiments revitalized again, I'm not sure if this to direct this question too. Assuming there's lots of events. That's the whole point of using it. There's obviously a fee for reimbursing for landscaping re doing landscaping every so often, not just from hurricane perspective, but also from the general use ability. >> There's not so we're working adding that. To future rentals. >> In that middle section is deaf, his Is there a? An option to look into maybe a more? Sustainable water, permeating harder surface so that you can hold events there is that. I mean, probably talking out of turn, but just thinking in terms of use ability of that space and there basically that is the Saint >> Homeowners and Merchants Association thing there's talk right now that they're looking to. Go up with the buildings and put hotels out there. most of the people out there on islands >> are not in favor that just with the traffic and everything that basically is a circle. It is not true. Park. So to speak up and they were at one time talking about putting an ampitheater and everything in there. But that is that's basically a catch basin for lack of a better term for storm water runoff and everything and when we do have a lot of rain and everything that does flood in the middle and at a circle and like I say, that's a traffic circle. Let's not a true. But again, they have rules and regulations that there's only basically for 5 events they want that are allowed out there per year. And it basically are the arts festival and the car shows are the big things out there. So they they've talked about trying to do many other things, that he's have a jazz festival out there on, you know, one or 2 times a year. But the Saint Armands, residents association at the time. Baca that they had set that up years ago that there was only 4 or 5 events during season and they have stuff in the summertime. But it's so hot. Yeah, it's it's a little tough, but that's an ongoing thing, too. So I'm sure it is unknown and out there, there is the merchant association and then there's the landlords association and those 2. >> That just can't seem to do it. And, you know, then throw in the residence. And now you've got in everybody's at daggers drawn in. It's not good for anybody. Any other questions. One question that I have is the plantings in Arlington Park. You mentioned that that the zones that's done by the county, those other plantings are those that's the city. I do need to find. I do need to look at what were the plants chose and why with just because to be interesting to know >> Understand that through through the landscape Department of the Parks Department. reached him yet about that. The tour really is. It's just they just When it grows. There's no management really haven't. It's just that's all they And, you know, the comments. >> If had a good news for Arlington, that Jim was phone, sir. Innovative was updated painted a new scoreboards, a new plea jurors and stuff that looks really pretty. And if you're chance, stopped by check it out. We'll see you at the next meeting. And then the heater and chiller project is underway. So should completely controlled water temperature there and the next few weeks. >> They won't have the arched the water street that night all night long water down. I guess not It's not OK, thank you. >> Board agenda reports parks. just throw in a little quick comment on Bobby Jones a time. I have the most recent financial report that I have from them is do was July they're not real quick with getting out financial results, which in the I don't quite understand, it's beyond my grade. for July, we had the moment stand-alone made a profit of $5,000 the projected loss of budgeted loss. and for the July it shows that we were you had a great profit going year to date. And then the 1.4 million dollar Bond. Payment shows up. So when the good news is that one that is paid 1.4 million right now. Bobby Jones is operating at about $55,000 loss for the for the Year to date. But we still the the, you know, the the financial year go so September, 30th. So, you know, I think it's pretty clear Bobby Jones will again show a profit after its bond payment. And after all, the other payments. Just as one of us and always thought they would. there are projects on the horizon. Some improvements that the management company would like to do. I we still those still need to be hammered out and and in a coherent fashion. Right now, they're not quite coherent. So. Pass on any new plans. but the future looks very exciting for Bobby Jones. Just a question. I know we had some people come in who used a golf course in what a couple complaints. As far as I guess water. The Lexus water in just the distance bathroom, stuff like that. Have some of those concerns taking care of or what's the status of some of the complaints that >> been from returns. >> are you were many complaints coming in? Thank you wasn't here for it's a lawn. Mowing long bone may be. >> Bol and there's there's a we're working through a plan to take care of one So that's going to be something worse. More on site for them versus haven't a trucker cross. Clubhouse. Fisher is satisfied. They should be Any other questions, any comments? Recreation? Environmental protection on on the on environmental a part of this. The islands of Lido little Shores and Saint Armands have gotten together. And we have a group that is working with FPL we're looking to underground all utilities out there. On on, you know, get rid of the polls and everything that we if we do have storms Longboat Key has just done it and they did not lose power for any length of time on any year since they got theirs done. So we are working with the city and FPL about doing all undergrounding out there and we're actually going to everybody. We have taken surveys between the 3 we'll Shores Lido Beach and Saint Arms that we are going to actually write a bond and looks like we're going to pay for it. But we're going to get underground utilities for states sustainability that we don't lose power out there. So. That's working on that. We've got lots going on right there. And like I said, the beach renourishment, I hope we're going to have a presentation from them. A letter. Let everybody know about that for next month. And that's from park. We talked about. Basically that's meant for sustainability. Anyone else? >> The question was follow-up from the Orange Park. Gardeners side of things just to make sure we do get something scheduled with the group. >> And one last thing for me, is Mark and I've been talking to a breonna harms beyond harms from overrun. The Boca Beach. This trick for Park District and they've got a lot of stuff going on right there right now in their budget cycle. And there they're actually paying off of a large bond that they have taken out and they're doing a lot renovation in the downtown area and she's involved with that because I guess the wind sounded in emails that they're they've taken park space and they're in the process of working back and forth on what they're going to get back for what they're. Giving up. And she said that, you know, she really wanted to come over this for this meeting here. But they got 2 staff members with her and they had to get through this budget process and with the renovation or revitalization of downtown this has to go. We have the commissioners that I think we can get this done. Now. And I you know, it's I'm not a patient person by nature. And I really want to get this thing schedule for her to come I held off inviting that commissioners, at least to come here and I know they can talk about anything, but they could sit here and listen to what this they have done out there over the years with this park district. And again, what everybody's talking about here. With the parks that we have and we can get this part this set up and get a certain amount of funding Mets in to it. It's going to make Mark's life easier and the parks and 2 people, the department a lot easier, though. They always have some money to be able to pass around and fix up and maintain parks. So my concern is with this. If we ask her to come over and we're not going to be able have her in November. December is our Our part meeting here is close to Christmas. I don't know if it's such a good idea to have an December. And now now we're looking at January we need to get this done. I mean, I'm looking at you, too, Mark. I mean, we really got to get these gone. I want I want this here, how we can do this and it is feasible to do. We just got this. This person that's over there has a lot of knowledge that it would be very insightful for everybody to pick her brain about it. could she just do it on on a zoom? You know, I know it's not the same, but just to do not to the way it for months and ever. Come on. I know I've thought about that. That's that just just to do it. >> You want to reach out or the water. All right. Let's let's talk about it. Hate to see it pushed into the new year. that's what I'm concerned about, too. You know, the comment. >> All right, I believe we have someone that wants to. Some citizens input. ? MS enter. You state your name and if you my name is flowing with 36 year city resident and the president, into Park Neighborhood Association. >> I want to thank Chris for his presentation. I thought it was a good overview of our park. And something that column on said triggered something in my brain about the park. There is an entrance and an exit that one side. Close to the title, is it just an exit? The sign is so small that most people don't see it and they use that as an entrance. And with that being regional park in so many kids doing, you know, meets their and different things. I'm afraid that something's going to happen in that because a lot of people go in the exit. So I just think the bigger sign maybe do the job. And that's it. I just want to thank you guys offer volunteering your time for protecting our parks. And yes, we need to get that funding going. So keep pushing for Kyle. Thank you very much. Thank. Thank you. >> Right. Does want to bring up anything under general discussions? Speak now or forever hold your peace? ? Okay. Any agenda topics other than what has already been raised. I can kind of go through with what I have. >> This ocean ramber movie great and beach renourishment would be too. Hopefully to get a little sun here and 3rd would the think we discuss potentially have Saint Armands Circle further presentation maybe for landscape team? And if you have some questions want and I can make them. So they're prepared for the team. So the 3 and a number her curvy, of course. Whose turn is in next. We will get that out of room. Have that actually your time if you're ready for. >> Will be gone for 2 going to Maine. Thank And he and so I mean, I it when I get back. I can do something if looks not that you covered. >> We'll give to curl. >> Hopefully show some patients. Something main take their time and things going to be nice and cold, if there's nothing else remind everyone that our next meeting is set for Thursday, October 16th at 04:00PM here at City Hall. And we are adjourned. Thank you.