05-21-2012 Minutes MINUTES OF THE OCOEE
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
REGULAR MEETING HELD ON May 21 2012
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting came to order at 6:09 pm. in the meeting room at the Parks &
Recreation Administrative Office, 125 North Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee, FL 34761.
The roll was called.
PRESENT: Members Barber, Gleason, McKey, Epps, Parks and Recreation
Director Jeff Hayes, Ex- Officio Member Rosemary Wilsen and Sr. Administrative
Assistant Dottie Godek.
Member Rainer arrived at 6:16 pm.
ABSENT: Chairman Heard (excused), Vice -Chair Baxter ( unexcused), Member
Applegate (excused), and Member Watring (unexcused).
GUESTS: None
Member Mckey asked if anyone had Member Applegate's address. Member
Barber responded that she had brought a sympathy card if anyone would like to
sign it. Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Hayes mentioned that in case
anyone didn't know Member Applegate's son had passed away. Sr.
Administrative Assistant Dottie Godek said that if anyone wanted to do
anything further to please see Cathy Sills at the Utility Counter.
As neither the chairman nor the vice Chairman was present, Member Barber
conducted the meeting.
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Member Mckey made a motion to accept the minutes from the 1/23/12
meeting and Member Barber seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
B. PARKS INVENTORY PRESENTATION
Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Hayes handed out copies of his
presentation on the parks in the Park System. He also had a slide presentation
for the board members. He pointed out the city borders, and then the board
had a general discussion regarding the various parks and the equipment they
contain.
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Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Hayes went over the proposed plan for
the renovation and addition of an additional softball field at the Vignetti
property. He said that $300,000 had been allocated for the first phase however
the costs came in considerably higher (approximately $500,000) so the project
is being reevaluated. There will be a city workshop for several projects on June
19 2012 at 5:00 pm. Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Hayes listed
several projects that may be discussed at the workshop.
Member Gleason asked about the restrooms at Vignetti Park and Parks and
Recreation Director Jeff Hayes said that they are open only during field use
because of the vandalism. Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Hayes said
that the other park restrooms are open during park hours and that the park
ranger goes around and locks the restrooms every evening.
Member Mckey asked if a private vendor could have a permit to sell
refreshments at the parks. Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Hayes said
that some of the parks have concession areas already. Member Rainer said
that people are encouraged to bring their own food as there are grills available.
Ex Officio Member Rosemary Wilsen said that they are neighborhood parks
and perhaps the vendors wouldn't find it profitable. Member Mckey said that it
would be up to the vendors. It was noted that any vendor would have to have
City Commission approval to sell.
C. WITHERS - MAGUIRE HOUSE
Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Hayes said that the city commission has
directed the Parks & Recreation department to manage the house, and we are
going to look at developing a program plan for the house. It was previously a
museum however we are exploring alternative uses. The commission's purpose
is to have more community access to the house and to generate revenue. Three
rooms are going to be repurposed as rentals for wedding preparations. We are
looking at tying the house into the community center and gazebo activities and
will start to promote it as a wedding venue. Member Rainer asked about
alcohol use - Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Hayes said that you can
always approach the commission to issue a waver for alcohol since the city does
not normally allow alcohol. There are no fees set at this time. Member Rainer
asked if the museum was going to be done away with & Parks and Recreation
Director Jeff Hayes said that it wasn't clearly defined yet but said he was
going to be meeting with the City Commission in the coming weeks. Member
Mckey mentioned that perhaps Valencia or UCF history students could be asked
if they would be docents, dress in period costume and explain the house to
visitors. Member Mckey said he hates to see that aspect of the house be lost.
Ex Officio Member Rosemary Wilsen asked if at one meeting the P & R
board could have a tour. Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Hayes said that
definitely it could be done, but that right now the house is being painted so it
isn't in viewing order.
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D. SPRING FLING
The next spring fling is tentatively set for March 9th 2013. Member Rainer
asked when Founders Day was, and it was stated that the Founder's Day event
will be November 2 & 3 rd of 2012. It is planned for the first weekend in
November.
E. EGGSTRAVAGANZA
Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Hayes said it went very well, there were
a lot of kids, and next years event will be the same weekend as it traditionally is
- the Saturday before East
F. PARK LIGHT AND CLOSING TIMES
Member Gleason said that Vignetti Park closes at 11 PM but the lights go off at
10 PM. Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Hayes said that he thought the
lights go off at 10:30 PM but he would check to be sure. Member Gleason said
that she thought the signs said that the lights went out at 10:00 PM. Parks
and Recreation Director Jeff Hayes said that the signs should say that the
lights go out at 10:30 PM. Ex- Officio Member Rosemary Wilsen said that the
signs and the timer should be synchronized. Parks and Recreation Director
Jeff Hayes will verify.
G. UPDATE FROM LITTLE LEAGUE & BULLDOGS REGARDING
SECURITY CAMERA PURCHASE
H. PARKS SECURITY CAMERAS
Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Hayes said that they are looking to
include in the budget request for this year some security cameras primarily for
the Beech Center. The cost is very expensive. There are a variety of cameras
out there, and the ones they are looking at are about $6000.00 per camera.
Member Barber asked about the feed /monitoring. Parks and Recreation
Director Jeff Hayes said there is a wireless feature to download the still
pictures. Member Barber asked if Parks & Recreation department would be
involved in the monitoring, Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Hayes said
they would. Member Gleason asked if there were any security cameras, Parks
and Recreation Director Jeff Hayes said 'no not at present'.
I. PARK ORDINANCE UPDATE
Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Hayes said that he doesn't have any
updates at present. He is taking it back to the city attorney for review and
placement on the review agenda. Member Barber asked if that's the one
where the city manager would have the authority to grant permission to have
alcohol at the facilities. Parks & Recreation Director Jeff Hayes said that yes
it was and added that any larger events will need permission from the city
commission.
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SET NEXT AGENDA
The advisory board set the following agenda for the July 16 2012 meeting:
A. Approval of Minutes
B. Withers- Maguire House Update
C. Park Light Times / Signs Update
D. Park Ordinance Update
E. Founder's Day Update
F. Ideas for replacement of Art Booth at Founder's Day.
QUESTIONS /COMMENTS:
Member Gleason asked about trash pick up on lakes - does Public Works pick
up trash? Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Hayes said that Parks will pick
up in parks that have water but Public Works does some cleanup as well. Parks
and Recreation Director Jeff Hayes said that he thought Public Works also
does some cleanup on Starke Lake but that the Parks Department also does
cleanup. Member McKey said the mayor in the past has had a Lakeshore clean
up day.
Member Barber mentioned that Member Brett Epps has handed in his
resignation and said that he is moving to Savannah, Georgia. The board gave
their congratulations & best wishes to him.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 pm.
Agaa-X—_ \ d
Acting it Barber Sr. Administrative Asst. Dottie Godek
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