Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee

City of Marco Island Florida 51 Bald Eagle Drive Marco Island, Florida cityofmarcoisland.com Meeting Minutes - Final Tuesday, November 16, 2021 3:30 PM 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, Miguel Carballo, Heather Reed Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final November 16, 2021 Committee (1) CALL TO ORDER Chair Portu called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. (2) ROLL CALL Present: 5- Member Conner, Member Kelly, Member Kuhn, Member Siegel and Chair Portu Absent: 1- Vice-Chair Richards ALSO PRESENT Daniel Smith, Community Affairs Director Samantha Malloy, Parks, Culture & Recreation Manager Miguel Carballo, Fleet & Facilities Manager Martha Montgomery, Facilities Supervisor (3) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Led by Chair Portu. (4) APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA MOTION by Member Siegel, seconded by Member Kuhn, that the Agenda be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOICE VOTE: Yes: 5- Member Conner, Member Kelly, Member Kuhn, Member Siegel and Chair Portu (5) APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES a. PRAC Draft Minutes October 19, 2021 ID 21-1977 PRAC Draft Minutes October 19, 2021 MOTION by Member Siegel, seconded by Member Kuhn, that the Meeting Minutes of October 19, 2021 be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOICE VOTE: Yes: 5- Member Conner, Member Kelly, Member Kuhn, Member Siegel and Chair Portu (6) STAFF COMMUNICATIONS a. November 2021 Staff Report ID 21-1976 November 2021 Staff Report Parks, Culture & Recreation Manager Samantha Malloy gave a brief overview of the upcoming events at Mackle Park, including the start of the Farmers Market and the Annual Tree Lighting. In addition, she reminded the public of additional parking for the Farmers Market at the Marco Island Museum. Chair Portu relayed the construction on Heathwood Dr. and proposed different options on City of Marco Island Florida Page 1 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final November 16, 2021 Committee accessing Mackle Park during road closures. b. Racquet Center Court Seven and Eight Discussion Mrs. Malloy provided a point of information stating one of the goals given to the City Manager, from the City Council, is to develop a comprehensive plan. Community Affairs Director Daniel Smith reiterated the comprehensive plan would include parks, programming, and the Racquet Center. Fleet and Facilities Manager Miguel Carballo presented a plan to resurface court eight, lasting for one to two years, to keep the court playable and allow more planning and budget preparations. Member Kelly questioned the mold presence on court eight, of which Mrs. Montgomery stated that the inoperable irrigation developed the issues. Chair Portu called for Public Comment Charles Langhorn, Crother Hills Rd., provided his experience as a long-term member of the Racquet Center and as a new member of the Marco Island Y.M.C.A, explicitly citing the differences between each location and their management of access to the courts. Dennis Baker, Henderson Ct., supported the idea of a Racquet Center master plan and suggested the Racquet Center be demolished and rebuilt. In addition, Mr. Baker raised concern about the court's maintenance and cited various reasons for the drop in attendance for tennis. Constance Gaynor, Seahorse Ct., expressed disappointment in the Racquet Center court conditions. Additionally, she pointed out the management of the Racquet Center, expressing her concern that there is no stability due to the turnover with maintenance personnel. Gary LaMotte, S. Heathwood Dr., noted the hardship of all members trying to get on and off the Pickleball courts, stating the limited space between the fence and the courts causes members to walk between games. Mr. LaMotte developed and presented an expansion of the fences to eliminate the access issue. Marie Johnson, Edgewater Ct., detailed her parking experience at the Racquet Center, stating the facility has limited parking. She presented photos of the parking lot at the Racquet Center. Carol Halaschak, S. Collier Blvd., briefly spoke about the limited parking at the Racquet Center and expressed how the tennis courts have seasonal members that pay full memberships that deserve tennis courts to play on. Margo Folley, Cape Marco Dr., questioned the change in direction for court eight from the previous P.R.A.C. meeting and requested the timeline for the park's master plan. She stated all the courts need maintenance and are in bad shape. Chair Portu stated the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee could only provide recommendations and noted that a master plan is long-range. Antonio Waring, S. Collier Blvd., deferred his public comment. City of Marco Island Florida Page 2 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final November 16, 2021 Committee Jeff Saline, Holleyhock Ct., spoke about the cost to maintain the tennis and pickleball courts. He noted the increase in the popularity of the pickleball sport nationwide. Kim Houghton, Delbrook Way, specified that the Racquet Center is a recreation facility that should not be driven solely by revenue. She supports the idea of the master plan to provide a compromise between tennis and pickleball. Mrs. Houghton questioned the driving mission for the Racquet Center, stating that tennis is still available. She noted the decrease in social amenities and requested that those amenities be back to allow all Racquet Center members to come together. Patty LaMotte, S. Heathwood Dr., questioned the availability of funds to resurface the courts and requested city staff take Mr.Gary LaMotte's suggestion to move the fencing to allow more space between the fences. Chair Portu reiterated that the Committee is advisory that does not approve budgets. Community Affairs Director Daniel Smith emphasized the master plan assisting the Racquet Center with future developments. Grace Cheng, Seaview Ct., stated that courts seven and eight have the same irrigation system currently experiencing problems. She recommended that if court seven is converted, it become a Pickleball court as it is close to the other pickleball courts. Therefore, keeping court eight as a tennis court. Chair Portu closed public comment The Committee continued to discuss the issues raised and provided their comments regarding the various topics. Member Kuhn requested painting the gold lines on court one to prevent the current distraction while playing pickleball. Member Kelly requested moving the fences on each court to allow more space to get on and off the courts. Chair Portu provided his thoughts on the issues discussed, stating the Racquet Center is an amenity to reach as many members of the Marco Island Community as possible. Chair Portu thanked all that attended and participated in the meeting. (7) PUBLIC COMMENT None. (8) PRESENTATIONS None. (9) OLD BUSINESS None. (10) NEW BUSINESS Samantha Malloy reminded the Committee of the December 21st P.R.A.C. meeting, questioning if they City of Marco Island Florida Page 3 Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting Minutes - Final November 16, 2021 Committee want to continue with the date. The Committee came to a consensus to cancel the December meeting. Member Siegel inquired on the status of Veterans' Community Park, of which Community Affairs Director Daniel Smith stated Veterans' Community Park construction is on schedule. Member Kuhn questioned the status of acquiring additional green space. Mr. Smith answered the comprehensive plan would assist with providing a budget and schedule for the future of parks. In addition, the comprehensive plan will include resident and P.R.A.C. input. (11) COMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS Chair Portu briefly presented the approvals from the Marco Island Parks Foundation, explicitly citing the marketing plan, Veterans' Community Park improvements, and the viewing of new renderings for a future boardwalk connecting Veterans' Community Park to the Esplanade. He stated fundraising opportunities would be available. Member Connor publically thanked City Staff for the recently installed Shade Structure at the Mackle Park Playground. (12) ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:46 p.m. PREPARED BY: _______________________________________________ Heather Reed, Administrative Assistant, Parks and Recreation City of Marco Island Florida Page 4