Parks and Recreation Board

222 West Main Street City of Pensacola Pensacola, FL 32502 Meeting Minutes 3 - Final Parks and Recreation Board Thursday, February 17, 2022 8:00 AM Hagler-Mason Conference Room Members of the public may attend the meeting in person. City Council encourages those not fully vaccinated to wear face covering that covers their nose and mouth. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL Present 5- Chairperson Rand Hicks, Renee Borden, Antonio Bruni, David Del Gallo, and Leah Harrison Absent 2- Alejandra Escobar-Ryan, and Michael Wolf APPROVAL OF MINUTES MINUTES OF JANUARY 20, 2022 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING Attachments: 22-1-20 Minutes Unapproved A motion was made by Bruni, seconded by Del Gallo, that this Minutes be Approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Chairperson Hicks, Sword, Borden, Bruni, Del Gallo, Harrison, and O'Donovan DIRECTOR'S REPORT Deputy City Administrator David Forte began director's report with the announcement that Mr. Cooper is no longer employed with the City of Pensacola and he will be filling in until the City finds a replacement. Management staff from Parks and Recreation is attending today's board meeting with the exception of Parks Superintendent, Kimball to answer any questions that the board may have. Also in attendance with Public Works, Engineering Division is City Engineer, Hinote, Engineering Project Manager, Mauldin and City Arborist Stultz. Deputy City Administrator Forte brought the following updates: Recreation Updates: *Alpha Elite Youth Basketball league kicked off the season at the end of January at Fricker Resource Center. *Bayview Senior Center to host annual Party Gras celebration February 25 noon to 2 PM. City of Pensacola Page 1 Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes 3 - Final February 17, 2022 *Multi Part-Time and Seasonal positions open at each center for Summer Camps Counselors, Bus Drivers, Building Attendance, and Front Desk Receptionist. *Summer Camp Registration begins Monday, April 4th on-line and also in person. Summer Camp dates are May 31th thru August 9th. Parks Updates: Rapidly completing clean-up of Hollis T Williams Park under I-10 Interstate Overpass shout out to park staff March 16th will be complete. *Maritime Community Park work is underway at the southwest corner completion scheduled late spring early summer. *Hunter Pool construction started yesterday anticipate completion fall of this year swimming will continue. *Plaza De Luna repairs began yesterday as well completion scheduled end of June *Roger Scott Tennis Center Project is out to bid. Bids due February 24th. *Hollis T Williams Blake Doyle Skate Park is out to bid. Bids due March 14th. *Bruce Beach Phase 1 preparing to go to bid March for construction. *Garden Street Beautification Landscaping Project from Alcaniz to A Street begins this month with anticipated completion summer of 2022. *Parks is gearing up for its annual Mowing and Maintenance Season between March and November. * East Hill Neighborhood Association has a project working on Basketball Courts at Zamora Square this Saturday. Special Projects Updates: *Mallory Heights playground scheduled for install in March. *Long Hollow Park playground scheduled for install in March. *Bayview Park playground approved at Council February 10th install in November. *Fricker Center Resource Center currently working with consultant finalizing scope of work for renovation. *Kiwanis Dog Park finishing up fountain will open early to mid-March. *Magee Field working on electrical installs anticipate completion at end of month. *Osceola Pole Barn is in process and will be completed in fall. *Roger Scott Pool Restrooms are currently being evaluated by consultants for structural and environmental integrity. *Bartram Park art installation to be installed in end of March early April. *Hitzman Park old restroom renovation is out for quotes located at playground. *Miraflores Boy Scout Building renovation is out for quotes. Marketing Updates: City of Pensacola Page 2 Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes 3 - Final February 17, 2022 *January through March Activity Guide is now out. An electronic version along with QR code cards and window clings to promote activities. *May through July Activity Guide being drafted to be finished mid-April. Athletics Updates: *Vickrey Center Youth Basketball is finishing up with 250 participates. *Vickrey Center is currently registering for Youths Girls Volleyball. *Exchange Park is currently registering for Adult Kickball, Co-Ed Softball, and Men's Softball. *Bill Bond Park is currently registering for Youth T-Ball and Baseball. *Pensacola Youth Soccer is currently registering for Youth Soccer. Discussion followed: *Member Borden asked if the awning at Hunter Pool will be removed. Deputy City Administrator Forte stated the awning will be removed. *Member Bruni requested to have the Directors Report report before meeting. Deputy City Administrator Forte stated beginning next month staff will send the report with the agenda packet. *Chairperson Hicks stated he would like to discuss the following topics: Lacrosse, Disc Golf, and when will Bruce Beach Park be assessible to the public on the other side of Phase 1. Deputy City Administrator Forte asked Athletics Superintendent, Fox to respond to Chairman Hicks question about Lacrosse. Athletics Superintendent Fox stated Lacrosse will need to be taken place on an athletic field and continued to say Disc Golf is played at Hitzman Park and is well used. *Chairman Hicks commented that he would like to introduce staff to Professional Disc Golfer, Eric Oakley who had expressed an interest in helping the City regarding with how to expand the program in Pensacola. *Chairman Hicks spoke regarding the continued growth of soccer that is taken place in Pensacola. How do we take it further and expand the program to the west side of Pensacola. It could be started and introduced at Legion Field or Morris Court there may be interest to expand to Mallory Heights area. Athletics Superintendent Fox stated City held a Summer Camp at Bill Gregory last summer and was well attended. She had spoken to Phil Nickinson about expanding the program also about looking for facilities and fields to play. *Deputy City Administrator responded to the Bruce Beach question. The intent is to have Phase 1 finish construction as Phase 2 starts. The two phases would overlap and appear as if it's one project. Phase 2 area of project site will be open until Phase 2 construction starts and then the entire City of Pensacola Page 3 Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes 3 - Final February 17, 2022 site will be closed and re-open with a grand ribbon cutting. *Chairman Hicks asked Deputy Administrator Forte to speak concerning the Summit Blvd feasibility study that will impact recreational bicycling in Pensacola. District Councilman Moore had contacted himself and staff about the desire to consider a road diet for Summit Blvd. Transportation Planner, Caitlin Cerame is in process of scoping out feasibility study and will proceed to solicite a consultant. *Member Bruni spoke regarding expanding soccer to the west side. He would like to see more opportunity and availability of expanding city soccer to the west side and would like to discuss further. Chairman Hicks suggested adding Mr. Nickinson to present at a board meeting to hear what is going on and to get the big picture. STAFF REPORTS City Engineer Hinote introduced himself and stated that the community of Pensacola had concerns for tree protection and also concerns of what species of trees should be planted. To address the concerns, the City hired an Arborist who will be responsible for managing the city's tree ordinance, advising planting and removal, and maintenance of trees within the city. City Engineer Hinote turned to the new City Arborist to speak. City Arborist Stultz introduced himself and stated he is very grateful to be working at the City of Pensacola to help with the sustainability of the urban forest as a resource to the city government, public, and private associations within the city who are looking for the preservation of trees. City Arborist Stultz stated he is a Professional Arborist with over 45 years of experience who is a Board Certified Master Arborist of which he is 1 of 40 in the State of Florida it is the highest credential available as a Arborist. He is also a Registered Consulting Arborist specializing in tree bio mechanics which is how trees stand up and fall down. He has seen that Pensacola has had a lot of damage from hurricanes and a lot can be done to preserve the city's forest. Discussion followed with the board suggesting educational links and seminars on permitting of pruning and cutting trees to the community. City Arborist Stultz has taught multiple occasions and is looking forward to doing this with the city. City Arborist Stultz stated the University of Florida has done extensive research on trees and wind, proper pruning, and right tree right place that information is available on their website and he suggested that the city provide a link to University of Florida Horticultural Department on the City's website. Deputy City Administrator Forte asked Osceola Golf Course Manager City of Pensacola Page 4 Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes 3 - Final February 17, 2022 Stills to give an update on the happenings at the golf course. Golf Course Manager, Stills reported the golf course was fortunate to have received grass that was placed around the facility. They have a lot of junior activities scheduled for the Spring and Summer. Golf Tournaments are coming back the pandemic has been fantastic for the game of golf as people are engaging in outdoor activities. Our product will increase in value and the services of golf with the community. We are in the process of lighting up the driving range. Very excited about the future and thanked the board for their time and support. Deputy City Administrator Forte asked about the 42 year straight golf tournament. Osceola Golf Course Manager, Stills reported that a group of golfers called the Bill Jones Brigade meet every Thursday morning rain or shine at 7:00AM and tee off at 8:00AM. The group is very loyal and very appreciative of the improvements that have been done. NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION REGARDING THE GIFT MADE TO THE SOUTHERN YOUTH SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND ITS IMPACT ON EXPANSION OF THE THEOPHILIS MAY COMMUNITY CENTER. Deputy City Administrator Forte reported that the City of Pensacola was fortunate to receive a sizable donation from the local law firm of Levin Papantonio Rafferty to expand the footprint of the Theophilis May Community Center to provide for a basketball gym and classrooms. Program Manager Carmody reported that the City has signed a 25 year lease with Southern Youth Sports Association Inc., (SYSA) for the use of the Theophilis May Community Center which will now allow for grant funding for the building. The expansion project is in the planning stage and we anticipate construction to start in the fall. SYSA also has a MOU for exclusive use of Legion Field. SYSA is in talks with a group currently in Perdido to come in and offer soccer program. Discussion followed in reference to who received the donation, how the donation will be used for capital investments, is the city obligated to expend any revenue to build, the policy to name the building, and does the board have review power over agreements. OLD BUSINESS PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD REQUEST FOR A MASTER PLAN Chairman Hicks reported that he understands from Council President Hill that the request for a Master Plan will be added to the agenda. Discussion followed in reference to cost and what direction is necessary to accomplish task. OPEN FORUM City of Pensacola Page 5 Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes 3 - Final February 17, 2022 Member Bruni shared with the board that he would like to begin a process of having an organization who is renewing a MOU come speak before the board to give a run down of the organization for board to see who is receiving an MOU and of those that are not going to council. Member O'Donovan questioned did the board send a formal request to council for a Master Plan. Chairman Hicks responded that a Resolution was passed and sent to Council Executive Kraher to pass it forward to council. Member O'Donovan asked with the resolution did the board include any type of mission statement or direction in terms of our opinions as to what should be included e.g. ADA. Chairman Hicks stated yes of course. Member O'Donovan suggested sending again the resolution with more of the scope as to what should be included in Master Plan. Deputy City Administrator Forte suggested it would be beneficial for the board to outline a handful of bullet points of what board anticipates to see in the Master Plan e.g. ADA. If council were to appropriate the funds, staff would then develop a scoping of the Master Plan contingent upon the funds that was appropriated at that time. The board would be allowed to review the scope before it is sent out to solicit to consultants. Discussion followed. Chairman Hicks suggested to the board to consider asking Council to pull the request for the Master Plan from the agenda so they may have further discussion and put together their ideas. Chairman Hicks asked for a motion to approve to ask the council to pause so we may better formulate our request for Master Plan. A motion to approve was made by Member Borden, seconded by Member Harrison. Upon conclusion of discussion the vote was called. The motion to approve carried the following vote: Yes - Chairman Hicks, Vice Chair Sword, Borden, Bruni, Del Gallo, Harrison, and O'Donovan No - None Member Bruni asked if the individuals that have MOU are they ever audited? Are the audits internal? if external what is the cost? Program Manager, Carmody explained MOU are renewed annual leases and land agreements are 3 years or more. Kim stated she does check that correct funds were received along with by-laws and insurance. Member Bruni asked if financials required to be give to City. Kim stated it can be requested. Deputy City Administrator stated the City has a relatively new employee Property Lease Manager, Deana Stallworth who oversees all MOU's and leases. Chairman Hicks suggested having her at the April board meeting. City of Pensacola Page 6 Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes 3 - Final February 17, 2022 Chairman Hicks brought to the boards attention that there are some conflicts with the March meeting and Spring Break. He continued to say, to maximize participation what would the board think about moving the March meeting from March 17th back to March 10th and asked is there anybody who has a conflict with their schedule? Chairman Hicks asked for a motion to approve to change the meeting date. A motion to approve was made by Member Bruni, seconded by Member O'Donovan. There being no discussion, the vote on the motion was called. The motion to approve carried the following vote: Yes - Chairman Hicks, Vice Chair Sword, Borden, Bruni, Del Gallo, Harrison, and O'Donovan No - None Member Borden would like to have the Parks and Recreation staff who handles the budget to begin giving a quarterly presentation as done in the past. Chairman Hicks shared that Ciclovia is going to roll Saturday, March 26th for 10 to 3. Vendor space is available. 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 7