Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee

City of Marco Island Florida 51 Bald Eagle Drive Marco Island, Florida cityofmarcoisland.com Meeting Minutes - Final Tuesday, April 6, 2021 3:00 PM Budget Request Workshop Community Room Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Chair: Carlos Portu Vice-Chair: Allyson Richards Members: Adrian Conner, Doug Kelly, Dawn Kuhn, David Shagott, Dolores Siegel City Staff: Daniel Smith, Samantha Malloy, Heather Reed Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final April 6, 2021 Committee (1) CALL TO ORDER Chair Portu called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. (2) ROLL CALL Present: 7- Member Conner, Member Kelly, Member Kuhn, Vice-Chair Richards, Member Shagott, Member Siegel and Chair Portu ALSO PRESENT Daniel Smith, Community Affairs Director Samantha Malloy, Manager of Parks, Culture & Recreation Miguel Carballo, Fleet & Facilities Manager Martha Montgomery, Supervisor of Parks Facilities Natasha Paniccia, Recreation Program Supervisor Greg Folley, Marco Island City Councilor (3) FY22 BUDGET REQUEST MOTION by Member Siegel, Seconded by Member Shagott, to suspend traditional Advisory Committee procedures and allow Committee Members to proceed informally, be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOICE VOTE: Yes: 7- Member Conner, Member Kelly, Member Kuhn, Vice-Chair Richards, Member Shagott, Member Siegel and Chair Portu ID 21-1432 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee FY22 Park Initiatives Member Shagott presented his view of the Racquet Center challenges and opportunities surrounding pickleball. Within his presentation, Member Shagott suggested purchasing commercial land, adding supplemental courts at other parks, converting current clay courts, scheduling changes, and recommended improvements. Through extensive conversation, the Committee discussed issues present at the Racquet Center including the pros and cons of acquiring land for added pickleball courts, parking, court conversions, and improvements. Chair Portu called for Public Comment Constance Gaynor, Seahorse Ct., shared the procedure differences between pickleball and tennis at the Racquet Center and how these factors increase the parking issue during the day. She recommended pickleball players sign up in advance to assist with parking. Michael Gaynor, Seahorse Ct., opposing the idea of added pickleball courts, recommended advanced pickleball scheduling as a cost-free alternative to assist with parking at the Racquet Center. Marilyn Debbs, Collier Blvd., requested clarification from Member Shagott on his recommendation to change the location of the player sign-up queue at the Racquet Center. She further elaborated her perspective on how tennis can use court one. City of Marco Island Florida Page 1 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final April 6, 2021 Committee Carol Halaschack, Collier Blvd, spoke about her twelve-year experience at the Racquet Center and stated the parking issue would be worsened by adding pickleball courts. Marilyn Debbs, Collier Blvd., addressing the Committee again, questioned the number of parking spaces available at the Racquet Center. Marie Johnson, Edgewater Ct., thanked the Committee and staff for their efforts within the parks and stated she supported the idea of purchasing additional land to build another pickleball facility. She raised concern over the parking lot at the Racquet Center and described her experience navigating it. Greg Folley, Cape Marco Dr., provided his observations of the current demand for pickleball at the Racquet Center, and described two options to mediate: 1) more capacity and 2) reduce demand through a combination of only allowing permanent members and steering away guest passes during certain times or seasons. Samantha Malloy, Manager of Parks, Culture, & Recreation, stated guest passes need to be evaluated by City staff to determine their financial impact and received community feedback. Daniel Smith, Director of Community Affairs, reminded the Committee about the current discussions regarding the Open Space & Parks Comprehensive Plan and its ability to create a Parks Master Plan. A Master Plan would allow the community to participate in opinion surveys that may affect future programs. Sharing his insight, Chair Portu stated the goal is to provide a City asset to benefit the greatest amount of taxpayers with the resources available. He expressed his support in converting the Racquet Center court one to a permeant pickleball court. Chair Portu requested a rate-structure review for the Racquet Center to assist with future improvements or projects. The Committee unanimously agreed to convert the Racquet Center Court one into a permanent pickleball hard court. With different ideas for a new facility or a clay court conversion, the Committee agreed to wait for the development of the Comprehensive Plan. Additionally, Racquet Center court two resurfacing was discussed by various Committee Members, particularly citing the level of the concrete underneath. Martha Montgomery, Supervisor of Parks Facilities, stated a resurfacing estimate has been obtained and the City staff is reviewing the schedule. Calusa Park Committee discussion continued regarding the recommended hydration station, with Member Shagott suggesting a water fountain that contains the function to refill water bottles. Mrs. Malloy reminded the Committee a water fountain is available at Winterberry Park across from Calusa Park. Chair Portu recommended additional signs notifying the public of the water fountain at Winterberry Park. Noting the budget recommendation to install hydration stations at other parks, Chair Portu requested City staff obtain an estimate to determine the feasibility. Mr. Smith stated approval to plant additional citrus trees needs to be brought up to the City Council. Chair Portu affirmed plaques and fruit trees are acceptable to include within the budget request. Mrs. Malloy noted that a bench for Calusa Park can be donated. Leigh Plummer Park Chair Portu recommended using the Comprehensive Plan to advocate for a restroom at Leigh Plummer Park in the future. Daniel Smith, Director of Community Affairs, shared the estimates he obtained for a two-unit restroom facility and presented an update on repaving the parking lot. City of Marco Island Florida Page 2 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final April 6, 2021 Committee Member Connor outlined her idea of converting the turtle structure into a play sand area for children, similar to the play area ‘Dig-it’ located in North Naples. The idea of partnering with the Marco Island Museum was highlighted to create a Marco Artifact dig area for children, with Member Richards volunteering to coordinate with the Marco Island Museum. Chair Portu concluded by designating this item as a special project for the Committee. Jane Hitler Member Kelly recommended adding a park sign to highlight Jane Hitler's existence as a park. Member Kuhn noted various maintenance issues present at Jane Hitler Park. Chair Portu agreed with adding a park sign and durable trash receptacles for Jane Hitler. Mackle Park Within the Dog Park, Member Richards requested gravel around the water fountain and edging to provide aesthetics, convenience, and safety. If considering future restrooms at the dog park, Member Kuhn recommended it be installed away from resident homes on the east side of the maintenance building. Member Connor requested a climbing apparatus and benches in the shaded areas around the playground. The Committee agreed to add in a medium-sized soccer goal to replace the one that was vandalized. Daniel Smith, Director of Community Affairs, recommended the Committee develop a reoccurring amount each year to allow for an annual replacement of trees in the parks. Referring to the Racquet Center, Member Kelly questioned the procedure on how to implement new pickleball sign-up policies, with later agreeing to draft policies to present to the Committee. Winterberry Park City staff stated the repaving of the parking lot at Winterberry is under Capital, and the damaged fencing was evaluated by vendors and is scheduled for repair. Additional Land Purchase Member Kuhn briefly highlighted the advantage of purchasing 328 N. Collier Blvd. as additional land for future parks. Chair Portu advised that a visual representation is designed to advance the idea. (4) ADJOURNMENT At the conclusion of the public comments, the workshop, and the questions raised by members of the Committee, Chair Portu adjourned the Workshop at 4:59 p.m. PREPARED BY: ______________________________ Heather Reed, Administrative Assistant, Parks and Recreation City of Marco Island Florida Page 3