Parks and Recreation Board

222 West Main Street City of Pensacola Pensacola, FL 32502 Meeting Minutes 3 - Final Parks and Recreation Board Thursday, December 17, 2020 8:00 AM Hagler Mason Auditorium Members of the public may attend the meeting in person; however, there will be limited seating capacity. Consistent with CDC guidelines, attendees will be required to sit at least 6 feet apart and wear face coverings that cover their nose and mouth. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 8:05. ROLL CALL Chairperson Hicks read the statement about how the general public can view and participate in the meeting. Present 6- Chairperson Rand Hicks, Vice Chair Maranda Sword, Antonio Bruni, David Del Gallo, Gabriela Garza, and Michael Wolf Absent 3- Alejandra Escobar-Ryan, Leah Harrison, and Jarah Jacquay APPROVAL OF MINUTES Member Bruni asked for clarification on the Minutes for the November 19, 2020 meeting pertaining to his question about speaking with Director Cooper, the Mayor, and City Council. The minutes were unclear and confusing. Discussions with all three are generally not subject to public records. [The minutes were passed with the correction.] Approved as Amended Yes: 6- Chairperson Hicks, Vice Chair Sword, Bruni, Del Gallo, Garza, and Wolf Absent: 3- Escobar-Ryan, Harrison, and Jacquay 1. Minutes for the November 19, 2020 meeting Attachments: November 19, 2020 Minutes Parks and Recreation Board Unapproved Value of Trees Presentation DIRECTOR'S REPORT Director Cooper brought the following reports: * Bayview Resource Center was punch-listed. He would love to open to the public and have a ribbon cutting, but the Mayor is still concerned about COVID. Hoping to do something in January. City of Pensacola Page 1 Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes 3 - Final December 17, 2020 * Hitzman Park construction is underway, the fields should be complete by March, and the rest of the project by early April. * Kiwanis Park is coming along, but due to the Federal grant, the process is taking longer than anticipated. * Four or five new playgrounds will be installed soon. Woodcliff Park, Vickrey, and others. * Hunter Pool will be torn down and the pool house will be rebuilt. Based on budget, it will be functional, not necessarily beautiful, although it will look nice. * "Trips to Discover" website mentioned that Bayview Dog Park is one of the 10 best pet friendly beaches in Florida. * Deja Dowdell has been selected as a Rising Star in Pensacola. * Discussion followed re: Hurricane Sally damage, and the pro-shop at Roger Scott Tennis Center. STAFF REPORTS NEW BUSINESS 2. Dedication Request - Frank Cutrone Attachments: Park Amenity Dedication Proposal Form - Frank Cutrone Gena Buchanan, President of the Scenic Highway Foundation, brought a brief presentation. Frank Cutrone was the Treasurer of the organization for nearly 20 years. He passed away on October 1, 2020. He loved volunteering and headed up several projects including Park and Ride. He was well-liked, and loving. The Foundation would like permission to plant a tree at Mallory Heights #3. They will pay for the tree and the plaque. Approved Yes: 6- Chairperson Hicks, Vice Chair Sword, Bruni, Del Gallo, Garza, and Wolf Absent: 3- Escobar-Ryan, Harrison, and Jacquay 3. Park Regulations re: people in the parks after hours Director Cooper mentioned that he will discuss the issue from the Parks and Recreation perspective. Homelessness is growing; they gather under I-110, the people need compassion. There is a team that is trying to formulate a plan to address and fund the issue. PPD was invited to the Parks and Recreation Board meeting, but they were unable to attend. Discussion by the Board followed. General consensus was that the Board City of Pensacola Page 2 Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes 3 - Final December 17, 2020 cannot do anything about the homeless, but parks should be there for the citizens to enjoy while they are open. After hours nobody should be in parks, and there should be no alcohol, drugs or indecency allowed at any time. 4. Bicycle Advisory Committee Chairperson Hicks mentioned that the Emerald Coast Resource Council wondered about the status of the Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC). Chairperson Hicks gave a brief history of the BAC. Technically the committee still exists, it is just suspended from meeting. The initial purpose for the committee was to apply for the League of American Bicyclists Bicycle Friendly Community award. The Committee submitted the application, and attained an Honorable Mention. Steps have been taken on reducing the major weaknesses that were identified. Chairperson Hicks thinks that the City will be successful in achieving the Bicycle Friendly Community status, and that the Administration would be receptive to the Parks and Recreation council-appointed board's collaboration. The BAC will be responsible for recreational bicycling, with input from other bicycling groups. Postponed OLD BUSINESS OPEN FORUM Member Bruni wanted to thank Parks and Recreation staff for moving the playground equipment from the old YMCA on Langley to the park at Scenic Heights Elementary School. ADJOURNMENT The City of Pensacola adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act and will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities. Please call 435-1606 (or TDD 435-1666) for further information. Request must be made at least 48 hours in advance of the event in order to allow the City time to provide the requested services. City of Pensacola Page 3