Loading...
05-20-2013 Minutes MINUTES OF THE OCOEE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING HELD ON May 20, 2013 CALL TO ORDER The meeting came to order at 6:13 PM in the Withers- Maguire House, 16 E. Oakland, Ocoee FL 34761. The roll was called and a quorum was declared at that time. PRESENT: Vice Chair Lewis , Members Applegate, Barber, Gleason, Rainer, Rhodes & McKey, Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Hayes (Director Hayes) Sr. Administrative Assistant Dottie Godek and Ex-Officio Member Rosemary Wilsen. ABSENT: Chairman Baxter (unexcused) and Member Heard (excused). GUESTS: Judy Rhodes was introduced as the newest board member. A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Member McKey seconded by Member App legate moved to accept the regular meeting minutes from March 18t 2013 with two corrections (addition of Member Gleason as present and correction of spelling of Member Rainer 's name). The motion passed unanimously. B UPDATE ON PARK ORDINANCE Director Hayes handed out copies of the revised ordinance that the City Commission approved at the March 5 2013 meeting. He continued by saying the ordinance has been worked on for quite a while. It was adopted by the City Commission and has remained pretty much intact except for the wording that the City Attorney had to change regarding the word "firearms ". Director Hayes briefly went over the Park Ordinance for the benefit of Member Rhodes, the newest board member. Changes to the ordinance include new park hours, and bike riding and skate boarding through spectator areas such as Central Park and on tennis courts is prohibited. Member Barber asked if the use of alcohol had been approved. Director Hayes said that the use of alcohol at the facilities only, not the park pavilions, has been approved as well. C. ADVISORY BOARD SHIRTS Sr. Administrative Assistant Dottie Godek brought a selection of shirts for the board members to look at and Ex- Officio Member Rosemary Wilsen brought a selection of shirts as well. There was a general discussion by the board regarding the various types of shirts. Two of the shirts were selected and Sr. Administrative Assistant Dottie Godek said that she would check with the vendor as to the exact sizing and prices. Ex- Officio Member Rosemary Wilsen mentioned that the new City logo was going to be brought up again at the May 21s City Commission meeting and Sr. Administrative Assistant Dottie Godek said that new nametags were on hold as well until the final decision on the logo was made. Ex- Officio Member Rosemary Wilsen mentioned that old shirts with the city logo should not be given to charity or thrift shops, they should be destroyed. D. UPDATE ON EGGSTRAVAGANZA Director Hayes said it was held March 29 and the event was another big success. He continued by saying that he does not have an exact count of participants but it was equivalent to the past year's attendance. Everything went well, there were a few glitches such as some kids did not get eggs; however Staff holds back some eggs to give out to the children that do not get any. Member Barber asked if all the eggs were put out at once and Jeff said that the eggs were put out at different times. Director Hayes said the coloring contest judging will be done a little differently next year. Member Rainer asked why and Director Hayes said that it didn't work very well this year as there was only one board member to do the judging and something different needs to be done for next year. 1 Director Hayes said that next year the drawings will be scanned as they come in. Member Rainer said it would be nice to have pictures of the winners and Director Hayes said that there were no authorizations signed to be able to use the pictures this year but that will be done for next year's event. E. UPDATE ON SPRING FLING Ex- Officio Member Rosemary Wilsen said it was a wonderful event with a very nice turnout and great participation from the community. She said that any support was greatly appreciated. There were different attractions and games this year and Member Barber said that a number of families came through the Withers- Maguire house and expressed interest in possibly renting it when it becomes available. Ex- Officio Member Rosemary Wilsen said that she was very happy that people were taking the opportunity to come and see the house. F. UPDATE ON BIG ORANGE GAMES Director Hayes said the games were held April 20 at Ocoee High School. It was a successful event with over 40 kids participating. Event is open to children and young adults with disabilities and autism. This year the City reached out to "Special Olympics" but he didn't believe that they participated or had any individuals sign up. Director Hayes said that it is a worthwhile event started years ago by former Parks & Recreation Director Jim Beech. We are looking to expand the event and have more participation. In past years there have been groups from Gainesville, Tampa and Miami; however they no longer send representatives for whatever reason, be it funding or other reasons. The board then had a discussion on the ways that the number of participants might be increased and word spread about the event. G. UPDATE ON ADVISORY BOARD BUDGET Sr. Administrative Assistant Dottie Godek handed the board members a copy of the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board budget for Fiscal Year 12/13. It was noted that there was an outstanding invoice for the Christmas Light Judging plaques so the total shown was not finalized. It was also noted that any monies left in the budget must be used before the end of the fiscal year, September 2013. H. PARKS & RECREATION MONTH PROCLAMATION Director Hayes said every year a proclamation declaring July as National Parks and Recreation month is presented at the commission meeting in July. He asked that members of the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board be present at the meeting so they could be recognized in front of the commission. Director Hayes said the proclamation would be presented at the July 2 meeting unless the meeting was cancelled by the commission in which case he would ask that it be presented at the July 16 meeting. Member Barber asked that an email be sent out regarding the exact date of the meeting that the proclamation will be presented. OTHER BUSINESS Member Gleason mentioned that she played volleyball on the sand volleyball court at Central Park and there was a large amount of glass and a huge piece of iron in the sand. Director Hayes said that Central Park gets a lot of use and mis -use, but it is maintained as best as possible. Director Hayes said that the City is starting to get cameras up in the parks and that he is trying to get in contact with the police liaison. He also asked if anyone had seen the article in the Orlando Sentinel regarding cameras in Ocoee. Director Hayes said that there is a camera in Prairie Lake Park, and Public Works, Police and Fire have cameras around their facilities and he is looking into cameras for some of our other park systems. Member Barber asked if there was a disclaimer at the parks saying something like "you can use the parks but the city is not responsible for things that may occur ". Director Hayes explained that the City does not have anything like that and that he was not sure how that would hold up in court. Director Hayes asked that if something is seen to please contact the Parks and Recreation Department immediately so it can be addressed. 2 Member Rainer asked if the Parks & Recreation sponsored Kickball league was considered "family" oriented. Director Hayes said it is technically an adult league. Member Rainer said that several of the teams had "inappropriate" names on their shirts. Director Hayes says it is a "freedom of speech" issue. Director Hayes said that if you can get him the specifics he will talk to the City Manager to see if it could be added to the Attorney Day agenda. Member Rainer also suggested that instead of the first place team getting a huge trophy, perhaps the money could be used to give the winning team free entrance into the next season. Director Hayes gave a brief description of the upcoming Parks and Recreation event that is being planned for December 6 2013 and said that the December date will incorporate the Food Truck event for that month. I. SET NEXT AGENDA 1) Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Shirts 2) Founder's Day Craft Event 3) Haunted House 4) Update on Cameras 5) Update on Big Orange Games for 2014 ADJOURNMENT T f eting was adjourned at 7 :35 pm. Vice Chair L -wis Sr. Administrative Asst. Dottie Godek • 3