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2011-11-29 Regular MeetingCITY OF OKEECHOBEE PARK COMMITTEE OFFICIAL MINUTES NOVEMBER 29, 2011 I. CALL TO ORDER - Chairperson Nelson. In the absence of Chairperson Nelson, Vice -Chair Gamiotea called the November 29, 2011, meeting to order at 6:30p.m. ATTENDANCE - Committee Secretary. Chairperson Steve Nelson Absent Vice -Chair Jamie Gamiotea Present Committee Member Phil Baughman Present Committee Member Jim Causier Present Committee Member John Creasman Present Committee Member Frank DeCarlo Present Committee Member Toni Doyle Present Committee Member Pattie Mullins Present Committee Member Daryl Roehm Present City Administrator Brian Whitehall Present Committee Secretary Melisa Jahner Present III. MINUTES - Committee Secretary. A. Committee Member Creasman moved to dispense with the reading and approve the minutes from the November 15, 2011, City Park Committee Meeting; seconded by Committee Member Baughman. Member Baughman - Yea Member DeCarlo - Yea Member Mulllins - Yea Motion Carried. Member Causier - Yea Member Doyle - Yea Chairperson Nelson - Absent Member Creasman - Yea Vice -Chair Gamiotea - Yea Member Roehm - Yea IV. AGENDA - Chairperson. A. Vice -Chair Gamiotea asked for any requests for the addition, deferral or withdrawal of items on today's agenda. There were none. V. NEW BUSINESS - Chairperson. A. Public comments and suggestions for proposed park. Notices were sent out November 9, 2011, to the surrounding property owners who lived within a 1000 feet radius of the proposed park to solicit information and opinions as to the park amenities and any concerns. They were advised to appear at this meeting or to submit their opinion in writing. Page 1 of 3 V. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED. Mr. Chris DeCarlo, was the only member of the community to be present and address the Committee. He has been a resident of Okeechobee for 13 years and spoke in favor of the park, and added there is a need for a place for families to gather. This is a great opportunity to get involved and support the community. Administrator Whitehall reported that 120 notices were sent out to surrounding property owners, 23 of the notices were received back undeliverable. Five letters were received in opposition from residents stating their concerns. Administrator Whitehall will be sending courtesy notices to the residents who replied and let them know the outcome for the park after Council's final decision. B. Update from Chairperson Nelson regarding the meeting with Administrator Whitehall for detailed clarification from the City Council of their expectations for the committee. Vice -Chair Gamiotea asked Administrator Whitehall to elaborate on the meeting he and Chairperson Nelson had regarding clarification of the Committee's duties. Administrator Whitehall explained that this Committee was set as an advisory board, and the City Council will utilize an engineering group to professionally design the park. The Committee noted that in addition to their recommendation they would like to be an active part of designing and estimate guidelines for the park. Member Creasman moved to recommend to City Council to construction of a residential park at Southeast _6`h Avenue and 7�' Street; seconded by Committee Member Baughman. The Committee discussed whether to specifically use the term "passive park" within their recommendation. Upon further consideration and a consensus not being able to be reached the Committee determined that the definition of passive and active be explained before suggesting specific use and limitations of the proposed park. Member Baughman - Yea Member DeCarlo - Yea Member Mulllins - Yea Motion Carried. Member Causier - Yea Member Doyle - Yea Chairperson Nelson - Absent Member Creasman - Yea Vice -Chair Gamiotea - Yea Member Roehm - Yea Committee Member Baughman moved to recommend the City Council utilize this Committee for further advisory of design and guidelines for the proposed park; seconded by Committee Member Caiiciar Vice -Chair Gamiotea asked whether there were any members not willing to continue through fruition of the park. All were in favor. Page 2 of 3 V. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED. Member Baughman - Yea Member Causier - Yea Member Creasman - Yea Member DeCarlo - Yea Member Doyle - Yea Vice -Chair Gamiotea - Yea Member Mulllins - Yea Chairperson Nelson - Absent Member Roehm - Yea Motion Carried. C. Discuss upcoming meeting dates The Committee had originally scheduled a meeting for December 12, 2011. The responses to the eight questions of the task list and the Committee's recommendations will be presented to the City Council at their December 6ch meeting. Should the Council authorize additional duties for this Committee, the December 121h meeting will be held. Should City Council decide the Committee's duties are complete and disband the Committee, the meeting will not be held. The Committee Secretary will advise the members of the City Council's decision and whether or not there will be a December 12'h meeting. V. ADJOURNMENT — Chairperson. Vice -Chair Gamiotea adjourned the meeting at 7:11 p.m. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE AND BE ADVISED that any person desiring to appeal any decision made by the City Park Committee with respect to any matter considered at this proceeding, such interested person will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose may need to ensure a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. City Clerk media are for the sole purpose of backup for official records of the Clerk. Submitted by Committee Secretary Melisa Jahner, Deputy City Clerk Page 3 of 3 E CITY OF OKEECHOBEE PARK COMMITTEE OFFICIAL AGENDA NOVEMBER 29, 2011 �=-=!' Minutes taken at meeting by Committee Secretary Jahner I. CALL TO ORDER - Vice -Chairperson Gamiotea called to order the November 29, 2011, City Park Committee, at 6:30p.m. ATTENDANCE - Committee Secretary. Chairperson Steve Nelson Absent Vice -Chair Jamie Gamiotea Present Committee Member Phil Baughman Present Committee Member Jim Causier Present Committee Member John Creasman Present Committee Member Frank DeCarlo Present Committee Member Toni Doyle Present Committee Member Pattie Mullins Present Committee Member Daryl Roehm Present City Administrator Brian Whitehall Present Committee Secretary Melisa Jahner Present III. MINUTES - Committee Secretary. A. Committee Member Creasman moved to dispense with the reading and approve the minutes from the November 15, 2011, City Park Committee Meeting; seconded by Committee Member Baughman. VOTE Member Baughman - Yea Member Causier - Present Member Creasman - Yea Member DeCarlo - Yea Member Doyle - Present Vice -Chair Gamiotea - Yea Member Mulllins - Yea Chairperson Nelson - Absent Member Roehm - Yea Motion Carried. IV. AGENDA - Chairperson. A. Vice -Chair Gamiotea asked for any requests for the addition, deferral or withdrawal of items on today's agenda. There were none. V. NEW BUSINESS - Chairperson. A. Public comments and suggestions for proposed park. • Chris DeCarlo, Okeechobee resident for 13 years, spoke in favor of the park, feels there is a need for areas for youth and families to gather, great idea, totally support. Brian, 120 sent out originally, 23 received back undeliverable, 5 letters of comment received. Toni, all letters show same concern - Phil, feel majority are in favor - Brian, upon conclusion, would like to send notice to those who wrote letters to let them know what is proposed. Daryl, it is evident that there is a lack of education of what a residential park is, they are meant to be in neighborhoods. B. Update from Chairperson Nelson regarding the meeting with Administrator Whitehall for detailed clarification from the City Council of their expectations for the committee. Jamie asked Brian if there was a meeting - Brian explained broad scope, unanimously city council does not want to damper enthusiasm, nelson suggested development and design of park, city would welcome input, city has engineering group to design as in -kind. What kind of clarification are you looking for? admin, recommendation committee is to be active, nelson wanted to solicit from council, would be compromised to meet w/each council member, phil, proceed at this point of what our recommendation is. Jamie, never seen where committee was designing park, just listing suggestions - Jamie, never seen where PC was designing the park, feel we are making suggestions of things we would like to see - Phil, like to see professionally done, but would like to be a part of the vision, will we still be together? - Pattie, the committee will stay as long as needed - Brian, council went through the motions to set up the committee, we don't want to undermine their efforts, will keep you posted on councils action. Toni, wouldn't mind being part of the park design input - Jamie, come up w/recommendations, not too detailed to send to Council, recommend to stay on and see through the end - Toni - do we need to make a motion, proceed phil, make a recommendation for city council to pursue construction of residential park at set address 2nd recommendation, limit dawn to dusk and other suggestions. John moved that the finding of this committee is for the city council to proceed with a residential park; phil second Brian, need clarification John amend motion to read passive park; second Phil Daryl, define passive - Jamie, passive is picturesque park, swing, jungle gym, hot dog cooking, fishing, sitting area, no basketball courts or ball fields, no splash fountains or sports - Daryl, but a jungle gym is involved - Jamie - might be just swing sets, frank, couple of tikki, benches by water - Phil, we should leave it as park and go into suggestion mode, passive can be limiting for design - Frank we are limiting, barbeque, walking trail, benches, the most noisy thing would be swing set - Jamie, passive gives jest of what we are saying, not a busy park, and is still going for professional design - Phil, I don't like to not allow for volleyball - Frank, neighborhood is concerned w/noise, this is the first park in the city need to do right - Toni, need to show them we are geared for family park - Frank, they can go to sports complex - Pattie, not anything for teens to do - Phil, is this park for more mature residents? - Frank, family - Phil, this is a family park but can't do family activities - Jamie, when we were designing, it was put out that the vision was a passive type of park, we can take passive out, like idea, if I lived north of area, would really love it - Phil, the dawn to dusk makes it passive, don't want it too limited - Jamie, all we are doing is looking for concensus - Toni, volleyball Page 2 of 3 is passive - Jim, need to get a clear definition of passive - Jamie, leave motion as a residential park - John, go back to original motion; second Phil motion carried. Daryl, need an official definition of passive. Phil, move for recommendation that the city council continue to use this committee for further advisory of design and guidelines of this park; second jim - Jamie asked if anyone would not want to stay on committee? No reply. Phil, make sure we can follow through with suggestions, if city council feels we have done a good job then we will be available to continue - Daryl, scope of this committee includes recommendation of park, believe professional design is important. Motion carried. Daryl, is the third recommendation going to be what is in the park? Toni - we can't move any further until city council gives us their approval. Daryl, it's just a recommendation, and then we've met 3 times for just a recommendation to have a park. • Toni until city council gives us further direction - Phil, yes, we were commissioned to find out if we should have a park C. Discuss upcoming meeting dates. Phil, recommend we cancel our December 12" mtg. John leave as pending, concensus agreed - Jamie, let's hold on to that date and wait for input from staff. Need marching orders from Brian D. ADJOURN MEETING - 7:11 p.m. 0 Page 3 of 3 INDEPENDENT__ NEWSPAPERS OKEECHOBEE NEWS 107 S.W. 17th Street, Suite D, Okeechobee, FL 34974 (863) 763-3134 0 1 _j STATE OF FLORIDA COUNTY OF OKEECH. OBEE Before the undersigned authority personally appeared Tom Byrd, who on oath says he is Publisher of the Okeechobee News, a three times a week Newspaper published at Okeechobee, in Okeechobee County, Flo ida, that the attached copy of advertisement being a in the matter of t. a in the 19th Judicial District of the Circuit Court of Okeechobee County, Florida, was published in said newspaper in the issues of _ Affiant further says that the said Okeechobee News Oa newspaper published at Okeechobee, in said keechobee County, Florida, and that said newspaper has heretofore been published continuously in said. Okeechobee County, Florida each week and has been entered as second class mail matter at the post office in Okeechobee, in said Okeechobee County, Florida, for a period of one year next preceding the first publication of the attached copy of advertisement, and affiant fur- ther says that she has neither paid nor promised any person, firm or corporation any discount, rebate, com- mission or refund for the purpose of securing this advertisement fo,T-puhlication in the said newspaper. .Sworn to and subscribed before me this day of 1 L_ r t , t+' —_ AD Notary Public, State of Florida at Large NOTARY PUBLIC -STATE OF FLORI V Angie Bridge :Commission #DD779718 Expires: APR. 20, 2012 BONDED THRU ATLANTIC BONDING Co., INC DTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Okeechobee Park Commith be meeting on Tuesday November 29; "I' at 6:30 pp.,m. or m thereafter,{ny Hall, Ss SSE 3M Ave, Rm 200, Okeechobee, flon TI tlk is invited andd encouraged to attend. 'LEASE TAKE NOTICE AND BE ADVISED that no stenographic record by :ified court reporter will be .made of the foregoing meetlng. According) person who may seek to appeal any tlecisbn involving the matters m d herein will be responsible for making a verbatim record of the testime and evidence at said meetlng upon which any appeal is to be bash se contact the Ctty Clerk's Office at 863-763-3372, or wetote H citvof__ 4aPdr obc,S^m- to obtain a copy of the agenda. i accordance with the Americans with DisaMlides Act (ADD) of 1990 pei s needing special accommodation to participate in this proceeding shoul act the City Clerk's Office at 863-763-3372 for assistance. James E. Kirk, Mayor one Gamwtea, CMC, City Clerk :7 CITY OF OKEECHOBEE PARK COMMITTEE OFFICIAL AGENDA NOVEMBER 29, 2011 CALL TO ORDER - Chairperson: November 29, 2011, City Park Committee, 6:30 p.m. ATTENDANCE - Committee Secretary. Chairperson Steve Nelson Vice Chair Jamie Gamiotea Committee Member Phil Baughman Committee Member Jim Causier Committee Member John Creasman Committee Member Frank DeCarlo Committee Member Toni Doyle Committee Member Pattie Mullins Committee Member Daryl Roehm City Administrator Brian Whitehall Committee Secretary Melisa Jahner • III. MINUTES - Committee Secretary. A. Motion to dispense with the reading and approve the minutes from the November 15, 2011, City Park Committee Meeting. IV. AGENDA - Chairperson. A. Requests for the addition, deferral or withdrawal of items on today's agenda. V. NEW BUSINESS - Chairperson. A. Public comments and suggestions for proposed park. B. Update from Chairperson Nelson regarding the meeting with Administrator Whitehall for detailed clarification from the City Council of their expectations for the committee. C. Discuss upcoming meeting dates. VI. ADJOURN MEETING - Chairperson. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE AND BE ADVISED that any person desiring to appeal any decision made by the City Park Committee with respect to any matter considered at this proceeding, such interested person will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose may need to ensure a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. City Clerk media are for the sole purpose of backup for official records of the Clerk 40 -T:,-n - e 3e-I-e- --"c le- 4-6 jev opi'-., 3 Gt Fckc K o o v S Y P_ ct a* Q Ck 1 W 0-7� C 'Q I V r 'e -kri I ,L 1 d ayi S s 4 v a� �j h II e_ a C C a —rn 0. c; cc 4 h -'>i-7 el YL ta 5 4- C3L �) el- I Glee e �.�v fee � Fl D d F /L.P6eP ("2-e,1S r � �fi' `�C?�.f Jti .S ._.� e� � � I /� • ✓i. �C ��l r -S e `S r"t � C3���'( —{-p( �>e� -T k`, s tS vto,'2 Q-Upr (y /J Ivad 2 J'f. c park �,J c,./ StecYr q4ZrU 'c)re •t 1 `t Ure S -r `�'p l`�� •v2: (� ��5 �'��--=F �Q�_, e �,� l e � t N L"Cz c s is �� 3 T° �' P<-� r ta 11..✓ c a r-) at of fo / P C ti C-S % Gr kad ca L) e- @- -5 41'e k P-� ce) C1ro,( S� we,,, ce.��h `flee �le11 t sec',1 r 14L/ c�r �e4 to m N � v £ ,S `i �t �. � r 8 ram ( /r) �p� ��i cc r� o`f Iti e � !p � G `tO �a r t C+ � � � to i-c , - ,-� (� � � x i ra �cyn� T i-U�' r c c. c> (Q( Le, l 7 n `'� bti�-�L-� `C � (� l) U r W �' M b ` � C'G ,-nM. � � ,�/ 1/N� I E' e:.S .� v` � • � '"� f `�� i� (� U��l1it • OF ' Ok" 0 m O ' 1915 11, City of Okeechobee November 9, 2011 TO: Residents in the area of the proposed park at SE 6th Av and SE 7th St FR: City of Okeechobee Citizens Park Committee RE: SE 6th Av and SE 7th St Park At the last City Council meeting a Citizens Committee was formed to make recommendations to the Council on developing a park at the end of SE 71h Street at SE 6th Avenue, adjoining Taylor Creek. The Committee discussed a variety of issues at their initial November 8th meeting, including assurance that the park would not be disruptive to neighboring residents. A focus on a secured park with no activity from dusk to dawn, incorporating a family atmosphere was, of course, unanimously agreed upon. With an eye on financial constraints, the Committee is also bent on affording an attractive facility that you can enjoy. • As part of a fact finding process, the Park Committee feels that it is imperative to solicit your valuable opinion as to the park amenities or concerns that you may have. The Committee will have a November 29th 6:30PM meeting to hear input at: Okeechobee City Hall, 2"d Floor Council Chambers 55 SE 3rd Avenue If you can't attend the meeting, or feel it is better for you to reduce your ideas to writing, please forward same to City Hall prior to November 291h so the Committee can have the advantage of your input: City of Okeechobee 55 SE 3rd Avenue Okeechobee, FL 34974 Again, the Park Committee members believe it's vitally important to gather information from the immediate area residents as a starting point to mold their report to the City Council. City of Okeechobee Park Committee In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 persons needing special • accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact the City Clerk's Office at 863-763-3372 for assistance. 55 S.E. Third Avenue • Okeechobee, Florida 34974-2903 • (863) 763-3372 • Fax: (863) 763-1686 "K,d-s 3 L( RESIDENT 4 i 6 SE 6`h Street Okeechobee, FL 34974 Rena Plants 416 SE 6th St. _ Okeechobee. FL 34, 74 m USA FOREVER ..::!^�'":!�;'"'�'"!••d.'~. �r � < 1!{#1!{11S�F11ti�ii111 ii i1111111{1iti 1litfili{i �l�ti�tlf�klll! Janice Fehrman • 612 SE 8`h Ave. Okeechobee, FL 34974 City of Okeechobee 55 SE 3`d Ave. Okeechobee, FL 34974 November 13, 2011 • 0 Dear City: Ii am not in favor of the proposed park at SE 6th Ave. And SE 71h Street. A park with a marina in a residential area will add traffic, noise, and congestion to the area. Also the park would need night time supervision to make sure it doesn't become a drug hangout and be a potentially dangerous spot for neighborhood families. I would think parking would be a problem. It's not that big an area. Will people start paring in neighboring yards? Also Taylor Creek and its wildlife do not need additional boat traffic. We have a large area for recreational use at the sports complex. Perhaps this could be improved upon. I am against the park in this area mainly because it's a residential area that can not safely deal with much traffic and coming and going. Yes, cities do have parks but not right next door literally to where people are living. Thank y ou. Sincerely, - Fehhrman Nov 29 11 01:03p Toni's Chic Boutique • TO: City of Okeechobee Citizens Park Committee E 0 FROM: Marilyn McCuller, 214 SE 6a' St, Okeechobee RE: Proposed park 863-357-4665 p.1 I am unable to attend the meeting but would like to voice my objections to the proposed park. My objections are as follows: 1. NEED — We have parks already that receive little use. The OCRA park is about a mile away and I never see anyone there. Do we really need another park? 2. EXPENSE — We keep hearing that there is not enough money for necessary items. Why spend money on a park when there are other more pressing needs? 3. LIABILITY -- This park will be on water that is not usable to the people using the park. The water is an attractive nuisance. You may put up "No Swimming" signs, but that will not keep people out of the water. When someone gets chomped by an alligator there will be a law suit. 4. UPKEEP — There is not just the expense of building the park, but the expense of mowing, fixing items, etc. 5. TRAFFIC — My street, 0 street, already gets a lot of traffic. The next two streets, 7a' and 80', do not go through to Parrott Avenue. People going to those streets either cut behind the bank or go on 6`h street. Add to that the people who cut off the corner up town by going down 6`h street to 6`h avenue. Then there's the private school. At the time the school starts in the morning there's heavy traffic. It's even worse at pick up time. The cars are lined up down 2Rd avenue to 6`h street and all the way to Parrott Avenue. 6. SECURITY — A fence around the park may keep families out, but not teenagers. I retired from a high school that put fences across campus to contain students in certain areas. I watched the students go over the fence with ease while the adults after them had to stop and unlock the gates. Unless it's prison high and with razor wire, it will not keep teens out. Also being in a residential area, it will not be seen as much as a park in a more central area. 7. ALCOHOL — There is a liquor store on the corner. People walk down the street with their beer and throw the cans anywhere. I am constantly picking up beer cans from my yard. People drink in the church field behind my house and throw their beer cans over my fence. This will be a very convenient drinking place. I do not need or want the problems in my neighborhood that I think this park would bring. I hope you reconsider this idea.