7:30 A.M. Tradewinds Park Coconut Creek

Minutes ~Annual Meeting~ Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting of January 10, 2014 7:30 a.m. – Tradewinds Park – Coconut Creek

Board Members Present: County Staff: Christina Clifford Dan West, Parks Director Terry Danger Cyndy Baker, Parks Howard Nelson Cheryl Cayer, Parks Guy Roper Patrice Eichen, CAO Stephen Lawson Jim Federici, HCED Alex Lazowick Cathy Hagen, Parks Dana MacDonald Tim Waln, Parks Jack Mathison Sarah Perkins, Parks Stephanie Munson Lou Metz, Parks William Norkunas Gayle Preston, Parks Gary Remillet, Parks Board Members Absent: Vanessa Siedenburg, Parks Patrick Brochu Chester Pruitt, Parks David Flaherty Steve Patterson, OIAPS Tyson Jones Dori Horowitz, Parks Daniel Mulieri Members of the Public: Graph Carlson Christine Heft

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (Board) meeting was called to order by Chair Mathison at 7:34 a.m., after which all present recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll was called; a quorum was present.

Bi-Annual Elections: Ms. Munson nominated and motioned for Mr. Mathison to remain Chair. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lazowick and was passed by unanimous vote of the Board. Ms. Munson nominated and motioned for Mr. Nelson to be elected as Vice-Chair. The motion was seconded by Mr. Danger and was passed by unanimous vote of the Board. It was noted that as Vice-Chair Mr. Nelson will sit on the board of the Parks Foundation.

Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Ms. Munson to approve the minutes of the December 6, 2013, meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lazowick and was passed unanimously.

Park Managers Report: Tim Waln, Parks and Recreation Manager V, reported that Tradewinds Park’s new administration building is the first LEEDs certified building at a Broward County park. He thanked Jim Federici and his staff at Parks Planning and Design for helping Tradewinds achieve the award. Mr. Waln reported that a $98,000 grant from the State of Florida Office of Energy was awarded to improve park lighting. He thanked Gary Remillet, Superintendent of Parks Maintenance Group for his crew’s accomplishing the installation of 157 lights in less than 60 days. Mr. Waln stated that his staff is focusing on increasing revenue and attendance through increased marketing and programming. Staff has opened a gift shop and increased family-friendly activities. Mr. Waln also mentioned the recently amended agreement with Equine-Assisted Therapies, a non- profit group whose goal is to provide therapeutic horseback riding programs to 200 individuals with special needs. Equine-Assisted Therapies has been able to expand its operations through fundraising and donations. In closing, Mr. Waln reported that 23,000 cars went through the Holiday Fantasy of Lights event in December 2013. Mr. Nelson asked Mr. Waln about the long-term and short-term plans for the Vinkemulder property. Mr. Waln explained that, of the 28 horses at Tradewinds, 5 or 6 of them are more than 30 years old. Part of the trail system will be converted into retirement pasture and a non-profit group will care for the older horses. The park is expanding into the Vinkemulder property with the addition of new trails. Mr. Waln also talked about possible future plans for a green space that would be available for people to cultivate produce, and the possibility of Parks Advisory Board Minutes – January 10, 2014 Page 2 holding a farmer’s market on Saturdays or Sundays. Mr. Norkunas asked about self-operating versus leasing concessions. Mr. West explained the economies of scale associated with outsourcing services.

Public Comment: Mr. Nelson asked that the Public Comment portion of the agenda be moved up since a member of the public wanted to speak. Mr. Graph Carlson, founding member of Markham Park Bike Patrol and Trail Building Fund, stated that last year his group raised over $30,000, which was used to buy equipment and materials to maintain the mountain bike trails. The group has also developed an adaptive five mile trail for individuals with special needs who are mountain bikers. Mr. Carlson suggested staffing the gate from January through the second week of February on weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., and again on weekdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. He stated that he does not think staffing is needed from October through December. Mr. Carlson believes these changes will capture 85% of the possible annual revenue. Mr. West thanked Mr. Carlson and his group for their great work. He suggested the possibility of utilizing a volunteer ranger. After discussing this with staff, Mr. West will report back to the Board. Mr. Carlson introduced Christine Heft, who shared concerns about using airfield radio controlled model planes flying in the no-fly zone and causing injury to park goers and damaging their property. Mr. West stated that he will instruct staff to look at enforcement of current policies, a perimeter for jet turbine craft, and requirement of suitable insurance to protect the County and its patrons.

Bond Construction Update: Jim Federici, Parks Planning and Design, provided a brief update on current projects. Mr. Federici reported that three active projects are about 85-90% complete.  Everglades Holiday Park: The agreement for the two lane bridge is going to the Commission for approval.  Tradewinds Park: Letters of interest were requested from contractors. This project should be approved shortly; project to begin late January or early February.  Markham Park: The lead remediation project started last Monday and is expected to take three to four months.  CB Smith Park: The slide project is close to completion. Mr. Federici offered to bring photographs to the next meeting. Mr. Mathison asked about signage along the turnpike so people can see what is available at Tradewinds. Mr. Federici replied that with new development the view from the turnpike is opening. The design-build specifications call for a new sign on park property next to the turnpike instructing drivers to take the next exit.

Parks and Recreation Division Update Everglades Holiday Park: Director Dan West reported that Everglades Holiday Park was listed third in the top ten best Florida attractions. Its revenue and attendance have increased 25% over the previous year. Mr. West thanked the Board for its support of EHP. TY Park: The County’s first outdoor fitness par course has gotten a lot of media attention. Staff is working to expand installation of these fitness courses to other County parks. Seagrass Mitigation: The Division is opposed to the City of Fort Lauderdale’s proposal to use Deerfield Island as a seagrass mitigation site in the deepening of the Intracoastal Waterway as it would consume 13 acres of the island. Staff is working with the other party to look at alternative solutions. Annual Meeting: All the Board members are invited to attend the annual employee meeting for recognition of staff on February 20, 2014, at Anne Kolb Nature Center. Revenue Sustainability: The Division has done a lot of work to streamline its operations. In 2014, the Division will be focusing on enhancing revenue sustainability; increasing outreach and awareness of Parks and the value to the community, maintaining safe, quality recreation services, facilities and amenities, and advancing land management and stewardship, with an emphasis on environmental education (eco-tourism). These goals will be shared with staff at the annual meeting

Old Business Parks Policy for the Disabled: At the previous meeting, Board members Munson and Nelson offered to gather information about other organizations’ policies and bring back a recommendation to the Board. The Chair read aloud draft language that was provided by Mr. Nelson and the Town of Davie’s statement that was Parks Advisory Board Minutes – January 10, 2014 Page 3 provided by Ms. Munson. Chair Mathison asked Steve Patterson, ADA Administrator/HIPAA Privacy Officer, Broward County Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Professional Standards, to address the Board on this issue. Mr. Patterson stated that the transition plan that was put in place years ago included language requiring notice of ten days. That language was updated based on amendments and the ten-day notice was eliminated. Mr. Patterson noted that, after reviewing the language of various other agencies, five days’ notice may be the appropriate amount of time generally but it depends on the situation. For example, five to ten days’ notice for substance abuse detox/in-patient facilities is not enough time. With respect to Parks, using the Federal toolkit as a standard, staff may be able to make an accommodation within five days. The Division’s Special Populations Section manager Ms. Horowitz-Remillet read aloud ADA statements from several agencies outside of Broward County, all of which were brief and had similarities to each other. She noted that the statement being used by Parks is printed on all the Division’s promotional materials and sufficient space for a lengthy statement is not always possible. The TTY statement is included on every print item. Mr. Nelson stated that a short, direct statement should be sufficient and inquired as to the lead time that Parks staff requires. Ms. Horowitz-Remillet suggested that five business days’ notice is appropriate. She also noted that most requests can be accomplished immediately but there are some instances where staff needs more time and she provided examples. Mr. Norkunas stated that he would go to the County Attorney’s Office to have the ten-day statement changed. Chair Mathison noted that the key word in all these discussions appeared to by “preferably.” Mr. Nelson made a motion requesting staff to prepare for consideration a revised accessibility statement that is short and direct, and addresses auxiliary aid needs and has the appropriate time frame. The motion was seconded by Board member Danger and was passed with a unanimous vote of the Board. Mr. Norkunas reiterated that, unless auxiliary aids are needed, no notice is required. He then expressed his delight with the discussion. He further stated that he had met with his appointing commissioner and told him that he would resign from the Board and sue the County unless the statement was revised. Mr. Norkunas then stated he will support this motion. Staff noted that any changes to the statement would need to be reviewed by the County Attorney’s Office and the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Professional Standards. Mr. Norkunas asked if the ten day policy is still in place. Parks staff stated that the statement had been changed months previous to request notice of five days. Mr. West noted that staff will prepare a statement and address the issue with the appropriate offices. He may be able to present it at the next meeting but it will depend on how long it takes to be reviewed by Administration.

New Business Secret Shopper Program: The form for Secret Shopper Program has been revised. Board members were asked to review the form and select two or three parks to visit as secret shoppers. A signup sheet will be available at the next meeting. Goals and Objectives: Mr. Nelson made a motion to accept the previous year’s goals and objectives for 2014. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lazowick and passed by unanimous vote of the Board. Other Discussion: Mr. Patterson noted that in January 2012 the County’s first ADA symposium was held. The presenters were from a variety of disciplines and it was a full day event. Another symposium will be held on May 9, 2014, at the convention center. One module will be on Parks and Recreation. Anyone interested in attending should contact the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Professional Standards.

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 9:06 a.m.

Next Meeting: The next meeting will be held at Plantation Heritage Park beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2014, followed by a public forum at 7 p.m.