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DRAFT 2021.07.19 FPDRAC Minutes FPDRAC DRAFT MINUTES, JULY 19, 2021, PAGE 1 OF 3 CITY OF OKEECHOBEE FLAGLER PARK DESIGN REVIEW ADVISORY COMMITTEE JULY 19, 2021 DRAFT MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Robbie Chartier called the Flagler Park Design Review Advisory Committee (FPDRAC) meeting to order on Monday, July 19, 2021, at 3:30 P.M. in the City Council Chambers, located at 55 Southeast 3 rd Avenue, Room 200, Okeechobee, Florida. ATTENDANCE City Clerk Gamiotea called the roll. Chair Chartier, Regular Members Susanne Clemons (exited at 5:21 P.M.), Regina Hamrick (exited at 4:37 P.M.), Kathy Scott, Jennifer Tewksbury, Denise Whitehead, and Alternates Bob Burdge and Greg Maynard were present. Vice-Chair Bert Culbreth was absent with consent. AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS A. Motion by Member Tewksbury, seconded by Member Hamrick to approve the agenda as presented. Motion Carried Unanimously. B. There were no comment cards submitted for public participation . NEW BUSINESS A. Mr. Gianno Feoli, Director of Landscape Urbanism and Design for Calvin, Giordano, and Associates (CGA), provided an overview of the previous presentations and/or directives. A 32-page presentation was included within Exhibit 1 providing 3D renderings of today’s focus which is to finalize decisions and costs for the Cattlemen’s Square [Block L of FLAGLER PARK/Park No. 5]. The sculpture bases will be thinned out to resemble a cow path. He discussed with Mrs. Bridgette Waldau, Director for the Okeechobee Main Street Arts & Cultural Alliance (OKMS-ACA), possible grant funding for a kiosk as they are expensive, averaging $7,500.00 to $8,000.00 each. They have evaluated different types, as weatherproofing presents a problem in Florida’s climate. CGA recommended to move forward with Interactive Kiosk Experience based on quality, sturdiness, and warranty. The kiosks are fully interactive and extremely customizable, and can be updated by a City employee, or the company offers this as a paid service. Member Clemons suggested contacting the Florida Cattlemen’s Foundation and the Florida Beef Council to assist with funding opportunities since the kiosks’ purpose is to provide education and history for the agriculture industry within Okeechobee. Mr. Feoli referenced previous discussions concerning benches. They have contacted Anova, who produce high quality furniture at reasonable prices. The bench estimates are $2,200.00 to $2,300.00 each, have a ten-year warranty on the finish, and are made of United States sourced hardwood, which will naturally gray over time and have easily replaceable slats. FPDRAC DRAFT MINUTES, JULY 19, 2021, PAGE 2 OF 3 NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED A. CONTINUED: The FPDRAC Members questioned whether these would retain heat and how the changing color of the wood would affect the aesthetic from a design standpoint should the slats need to be replaced. Mr. Feoli explained the materials and crafting of the bench are done to prevent heat retention, and suggested buying additional slats up front and allowing them to gray should the color of the replacement slat present a problem. CGA has engaged two different manufacturers about fabricating donor markers and has a few options that could be pursued. Once Mrs. Waldau meets with the donors to obtain their approval, a decision can be made. Page No. 31 of Exhibit 1 provided an estimated cost breakdown. Demolition and Site Preparation $35,418.75; Hardscape and Walkways $241,962.50; Plantings and Irrigation $233,385.00; Furnishings $77,550.00; Lighting and Electrical $277,900.00; General Conditions (15-percent) $129,932.44; and Contingency (20-percent) $173,243.25 for a total of $1,169,391.94. FPDRAC discussion followed concerning the costs and realistic expectations for what the City would be able to afford to do. Multiple Members expressed that while the designs were excellent, they did not want the costs to be so great that the project is never able to be completed. Mr. Feoli confirmed that costs could be brought down, or completed in phases as grants or other funding was obtained. Interim Administrator Ritter requested that CGA re-summarize the presentation and costs to present the information to the Council to obtain a clearer directive regarding a budget from the City. Due to the proposed costs, funding from other sources will be required. The consensus of the FPDRAC was to hold off on going any further in the process until the designs and cost summary could be presented to the City Council. B. Mr. Feoli explained that the next part of the design development and conceptual phase for the Master Plan would be to address obtaining a sense of direction from the Committee concerning the setup and flow of South Park Street. A 17- page presentation with 3D renderings was provided with four options that could be pursued to help transform the corridor from a focus on cars to pedestrians. Option one is a two-way street that provides 13-feet of pedestrian space, angled and parallel parking, and allows bicycles and cars to use the same lanes. Option two is a one-way street that provides 17-feet of pedestrian space, angled and parallel parking, and dedicated bicycle lanes. Option three is a two-way street that provides 22.5-feet of pedestrian space, angled parking, and allows bicycles and cars to use the same lanes. Option four is a one-way street that provides 28- feet of pedestrian space, angled parking, and dedicated bicycle lanes. Options one and two represent a twenty percent parking reduction while options three and four represent a fifty percent parking reduction. The discussion highlighted possible issues with reducing parking in an area already perceived as problematic. Mr. Feoli asked about the future vision for zoning in the business district and whether the City was moving towards mixed use in the area. Interim Administrator Ritter responded that this discussion had already come up at a recent City Council meeting and that the current opinion of the Council is to preserve the commercial corridor as much as possible. No definitive direction was made at this time. FPDRAC DRAFT MINUTES, JULY 19, 2021, PAGE 3 OF 3 NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED C. After discussion concerning the meeting schedule and time, the consensus was to set the next meeting date for August 16, 2021, at 9:00 A.M. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS Member Tewksbury asked whether Members would consider recommending that a green park be created on the vacant triangle-shaped property located at the West City Limits on North and South Park Streets (1105 South Park Street, Lots 1 through 7, SOUTHWEST ADDITION, Plat Book 2, Page 7, Okeechobee County public records ). Interim Administrator Ritter replied that ideas have been considered to lease part of the property to place a welcome sign, but there were no official plans at this time. Additionally, he confirmed Code Enforcement would ensure the property stays in compliance from overgrown vegetation. There being no further items for discussion, Chair Chartier adjourned the meeting at 5:31 P.M. Submitted by: City Clerk Approved on: _______________ Please take notice and be advised that when a person decides to appeal any decision made by the FPDRAC with respect to any matter considered at this meeting, s/he may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceeding 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.