2012-01-23 Regular MeetingCITY OF OKEECHOBEE
PARK COMMITTEE OFFICIAL MINUTES
January 23, 2012
CALL TO ORDER - Chairperson Nelson.
In the absence of Chairperson Nelson, Vice -Chair Gamiotea called the January 23, 2012, meeting to order at
6:35 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
Absent (entered Chambers at 6:47 p.m.)
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Absent
Absent
Present
Absent
Present
III. MINUTES - Committee Secretary.
A. Member Baughman moved to dispense with the reading and approve the minutes from the November
29, 2011, City Park Committee Meeting; seconded by Member Causier.
VOTE
Member Baughman - Yea Member Causier - Yea Member Creasman - Yea
Member DeCarlo - Yea Member Doyle - Absent Vice -Chair Gamiotea - Yea
Member Mulllins - Absent 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. Consider the proposed park conceptual plan and forward recommendations to the City Council (Exhibit
1).
At the December 6, 2011 City Council meeting, Council instructed Administrator Whitehall to meet with the
company who had offered to prepare the conceptual plan at no charge and relay to him the vision for this park.
Once the conceptual drawing/site plan is complete, the Park Committee needs to meet to review it for their
recommendations. The revised conceptual site plan was distributed to the committee on January 13, 2012 with
their agenda packet.
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Vice -Chair Gamiotea asked for input from each member.
Member Creasman began the discussion by stating that this plan looked like just the first one with just a few
amenities eliminated. He questioned whether this plan was drawn by the company who offered services for the
design of the park.
Member Roehm did not like the idea that restrooms were eliminated. Member DeCarlo recalled the City Council
had spoken of concerns at previous City Council meetings of the restroom attracting the homeless and
maintenance issues. Chair Nelson along with Members Baughman, Creasman and Causier were in favor of
restrooms. The layout of the park suggests people will utilize the facilities for long periods of time, such as
cookout areas and the playground, a restroom would be necessary. Vice -Chair Gamiotea remarked that most
parks restrooms are not sanitarily sufficient for use or there are none available and it will have to be handicap
accessible. It was also suggested that water fountains be accessible near the restrooms.
Member Baughman suggested fencing or some thing similar should be constucted around the perimeter as well
as the playground area to keep the younger children separate from the older ones. Member DeCarlo suggested
the playground equipment be low key in consideration of the surrounding residents who bought their homes with
no intention of a park being constructed. Vice -Chair Gamiotea suggested that a shaded area and benches should
be placed inside the playground area for the guardians of the children. More trees throughout the park for shade
should be considered as well.
The discussion then turned to the slope of the water bank to allow the boats or people to fish or just enjoy the
water. It was suggested that fencing before the step terrace would be necessary as a boundary to the waters
edge as well as a fence at the south end to block off use. Member Causier added, that a floating dock would be
best since the water levels are sporadic.
Chairperson Nelson stated that "Rules and Regulations" postings would be necessary to help maintain the park
and for safety issues. Vice -Chair Gamiotea suggested no fish cleaning and no feeding alligators should be
enforced. Also discussed was low impact lighting for visibility and safety precautions.
Member Baughman stated that those who are willing to contribute monetary donations or services to the park
should be recognized by placing their names somewhere inside the park.
Member Baughman moved to forward the following recommendations to the City Council for
consideration; seconded by Member Creasman.
1. Bathrooms and water fountains be added to the site plan;
2. Step terracing vs. rip rap along the water bank;
3. Low impact lighting (strategically placed) added to the site plan;
4. Perimeter, playground and step terrace fencing be added;
5. Benches with shade be added throughout and especially within the playground area;
6. Add rules and regulations sign with graphics;
7. In -Kind recognition sign within park.
Member Baughman - Yea
Member DeCarlo - Yea
Member Mulllins - Absent
Motion Carried.
VOTE
Member Causier - Yea
Member Doyle - Absent
Chairperson Nelson - Present
Member Creasman - Yea
Vice -Chair Gamiotea - Yea
Member Roehm - Yea
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V. ADJOURNMENT — Chairperson.
Chairperson Nelson adjourned the meeting at 8:23 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
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