Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

City of Coral Gables 405 Biltmore Way Coral Gables, FL 33134 www.coralgables.com Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 11, 2024 8:00 AM https://coralgables.zoom.us/j/89943974263 Youth Center - Conference Room Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes January 11, 2024 Board CALL TO ORDER A MOTION TO CALL TO ORDER AT 8:05 A.M. WAS MADE BY MAITE HALLEY AND SECOND BY ELLEN CHASENS. ALL IN FAVOR; PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. ROLL CALL a. Roll Call and Excusal of Absences Present: 8- Chair Carlos Hernandez, Board member Aaron Aizenstat, Board member Ellen Chasens, Board member Jennifer Marquez,Board Member Antonio Gonzalez, Board member Maite Halley, Board member Yamilet Rodriguez and Board member Erik Rodriguez. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES a. Approval of December Meeting Minutes A MOTION TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER MEETING MINUTES WAS MADE BY MAITE HALLEY AND SECOND BY ANTONIO GONZALEZ. ALL IN FAVOR; PASSED UNANIMOUSLY DIRECTOR'S REPORT City of Coral Gables Page 1 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes January 11, 2024 Board a. General Updates Director Couceyro began the report by notifying the board that Deputy Director Carolina will preside over most of the current meeting. Holiday decorations will be the subject of deliberation by the city commission, he added to the administrative report. It was primarily about embellishments along the way. No items were present in the park. Since he had none, he inquired of the city manager whether he had any park-related feedback. It appears that everyone is satisfied with the park, so it may not be necessary to make any modifications. We shall continue and observe the outcome the following year. Whether we consider a new park or remain in the same one, we will obtain preliminary estimates and costs. Thus, we will be aware of the factors to consider during the budgeting process. He investigates potential courses of action with city administration. As per his sources, the removal of trees is scheduled for today. The return of farmers markets is anticipated for this weekend. He believes he mentioned that Norma, our previous coordinator of special events, was relocating. She is now the supervisor of the Adult Activity Center. Susan will assume responsibilities for special events. She's working hard on the farmers market right now. Having spent years working with Norma, Susan is familiar with these events. She performed them for some time. Director Couceyro noticed that our technician inspected the lights yesterday. We discussed when they would send someone from the lighting company. The lights were no longer under warranty; therefore, they were not serviced, but they did not notify us that they had made an error. We eventually got them here. They arrived yesterday and fixed the lights. Operations reports resumed for Director Couceyro. Along with Norma, the adult activity center started quickly. We have good golf operations. Pro Shop feedback is positive, and we've decided on lockers and other operational golf matters at the country club advisory board. We started winter programming at the youth center and are doing well with our new soccer director of coaching. We have a couple additional city events and outside organizer events in the coming months. b. Special Events Director Couceyro proceeded to update the board on the forthcoming events for the month of January, including The Coral Gables Farmers Market - Saturday, Jan 13 - Mar 30 at 8 a.m., Movies Under the Gables Moonlight - Featuring Parent Trap – Jan 19 at 6 p.m. and Daddy Daughter Dance – Saturday, Feb 10 at 6:30p.m. c. CIP Updates Deputy Director Carolina describes phase three of the dog park's building as exciting. Construction will move quickly. Neighbors have been informed via social media for the past two weeks that the two Ponce parking spaces next to the passport office will be permanently closed to make room for the dog park. It is commendable that work will resume quickly after a lengthy wait. Board members will be kept City of Coral Gables Page 2 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes January 11, 2024 Board updated during the construction process. Regarding the diner, the deputy director continued with the disclosure made by Director Couceyro. We are quite excited about the contractor's extension of the deadline. An effective timeline is currently being created. July numbers show a substantial level of completion. It thrills us to see our rapid progress. It was challenging because of the building's antiquity and the necessity for modifications. Each grease trap was redone. Concerns with electricity, concrete, and strain arose. The original internal scope was later adjusted. Destroyed the structure. The timeline for the Venetian Pool excites us. Again, a temporary paint repair was made to the pool bottom. We would renovate the wells, pumps, and drainage. The final price was four times higher than the original concept. We've decided to build the pool substructure the following year. We want a quote from a larger contractor that is reasonably priced. The Deputy Director announced Phillips Park construction. Conceptual master plan was first. The contractor was reengaging, and the architect began preliminary and conceptual plans for the playground splash pad while we waited for finance at the start of the new fiscal year. We gave the community the master plan concept, but they wanted the full project. After receiving that from the architects, we will have a follow-up community meeting for Phillips Park, hopefully in February, where we can significantly push the timeline since we have a grant for that project, which was projected to take two years if you watched the budget meetings. It should arrive in two to three years, allowing us to finish the project. The Deputy Director then discussed the history of the Toledo and Alava & Blue Road neighborhood parks, which were both established in August as community-oriented initiatives. We made several modifications. One of these endeavors underwent an architectural transformation. Several delays have occurred. Those who have contributed to the community will be provided with these updates. Proceeding, the Deputy Director stated: Cooper Park remains the final one to be finished. At the outset, our intention was to construct Cooper and the adjacent park right in front of Carver. However, because of financial limitations, we have opted to implement the first park in a phased manner, with the second following through. Consequently, we are working with an architect and designer at Cooper Park. Details on the January recnews were provided by Deputy Director Carolina. Registration information for spring programs, summer registration, and special events is disclosed. To allow parents sufficient time to organize summer activities, summer registration typically commences in early March. We endeavor to maintain all facility hours, including those of the Country Club, Le Parc café, Youth Center, Adult Activity Center, and Tennis Center. NEW BUSINESS OLD BUSINESS City of Coral Gables Page 3 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes January 11, 2024 Board a. Park naming As the presentation on park naming progressed, Deputy Director Carolina elaborated on the naming procedures, signage, criteria, and guidelines, and intended process of the park naming. Mrs. Everett, a Coral Gables resident, provided a brief information on Sallye Jude. The family wishes to propose naming Sunrise Harbor Park (25 E Sunrise Avenue) after the Sallye and James Jude Family Park. The City Commission is the requested party under Resolution No. 2023-265. A MOTION TO NAME SUNRISE HARBOR PARK AFTER SALLYE AND JAMES JUDE WAS MADE BY MAITE HALLEY AND WAS SECONDED BY ANTONIO GONZALEZ. ALL IN FAVOR; PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Deputy Director provided brief information on Mayor Dorthy Thompson. The family wishes to propose naming Toledo & Alava Park located at Toledo Street and Alava Avenue after Dorthy Thompson and husband Family Park. The City Commission is the requested party under Resolution No. 2023-265. A MOTION TO NAME A PARK AFTER MAYOR DORTHY THOMPSON AND HER HUSBAND WAS MADE BY JENNIFER MARQUES AND WAS SECONDED BY ELLEN CHASENS ALL IN FAVOR; PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Deputy Director provided brief information on Leona Cooper. The family wishes to propose naming William A. Cooper Park, located at 4920 Washington Dr., after William A. and Leona Cooper Park. The City Commission is the requested party. A MOTION ADD LEONA TO WILLIAM A. COOPER PARK WAS MADE BY ELLEN CHASENS AND WAS SECONDED BY MAITE HALLEY IN FAVOR; PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Deputy Director provided brief information on Staff Sargent Carl Enis. The family wishes to propose naming Tiziano Park located at 7700 Old Cutler Rd. after Staff Sargent Carl Enis Park. The City Commission is the requested party. A MOTION TO SUGGEST THE PARK NAMING OF STAFF SARGENT ENIS AND VETEREANS PARK WITH THE ABILITY TO ADD FUTURE VETERANS TO THAT LIST MADE BY JENNIFER MARQUES AND WAS SECONDED BY ELLEN CHASENS ALL IN FAVOR; PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. b. Selection of Vice-Chair A MOTION TO ELECT JENNIFER MARQUES AS THE VICE-CHAIR OF THE CORAL GABLES PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD WAS MADE BY ELLEN CHASENS AND WAS SECONDED BY ELLEN CHASENS. ALL IN FAVOR; PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. City of Coral Gables Page 4 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes January 11, 2024 Board DISCUSSION ITEMS ITEMS FROM THE SECRETARY Next meeting date February 8, 2023 at 8 a.m. A MOTION TO CHANGE THE PARKS MEETING TO FEBRUARY 7. WAS MADE BY JENNIFER MARQUEZ AND WAS SECONDED BY ELLEN CHASENS. ALL IN FAVOR; PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. A MOTION TO CHANGE THE PARKS MEETING TIME TO 8:15 A.M. IN SUBSEQUENT'S MEETINGS WAS MADE BY JENNIFER MARQUEZ AND WAS SECONDED BY ELLEN CHASENS. ALL IN FAVOR; PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. ADJOURNMENT A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 9:09 A.M. WAS MADE BY JENNIFER MARQUEZ AND WAS SECONDED BY ELLEN CHASENS. ALL IN FAVOR; PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. NOTE City of Coral Gables Page 5