P&R10-07-08Min MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
175 WEST WARREN AVENUE
LONGWOOD, FLORIDA
October 7, 2008
COMMISSION CHAMBERS 7:00 PM
Present: Abigail Shoemaker, Chair
Nancy Kubec, Member
Van Olvey, Member
David Putz, Member
Lori Rice, Member
Fran Meli, Recreation Program Manager
Linda K. Jacobs, Recording Secretary
Absent: Bob Driver, Vice Chair
1. Call to Order. Chair Shoemaker called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes September 2, 2008 Regular Meeting.
Member Rice moved to approve the miizutes. Seconded by Member Kubec
and carried by a unanimous voice vote with Vice Chair Driver absent.
3. Public Participation. None.
4. Old Business.
A. Recreation Manager's Report.
Ms. Meli said she distributed to the Board Members the Florida Recreation and
Park Association (FRPA) Journal. She also included some National Night Out
pictures that were a combination of Lake Mary and Longwood. She reported there
was a contractor for Reiter Park and they were waiting for him to sign his
contract. She stated it would probably take two to three months of work prior to
groundbreaking. The project has been submitted to the St. John's Water
Management District for re-permitting since the City purchased the property next
to the Park and would be moving the retention area.
Ms. Meli reported they have been working hard on the Farmers Market. She said
they have approximately five more spots for vendors until the Park is done and
they can relocate. She stated the vendors were thrilled and the residents seemed to
be pleased.
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Chair Shoemaker said she believed the Board should do a memo to all of the
Commissioners to thank them. She stated the Board asked for the Farnzers Market
months back. She said the Board makes the suggestions and the Cormnission has
to do all of the work, as well as City staff.
Chair Shoemaker moved for the Board to draft a memo to thank the City
Corrunission, Sherry Allred, City staff, and all who were instrumental in
the Farmers Market. Seconded by Member Rice.
Chair Shoemaker said the memo would not be distributed until the entire Board
has reviewed and approved it.
Motion carried by a unanimous voice vote with Vice Chair Driver absent.
Ms. Meli reported Blue Grass would be held on October 18th, and Florida Folk
Music on October 17th at the Community Building. She said there was an
Alzheimer's Awareness Seminar on Monday, October 20th in the Community
Building from 11,:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with a light lunch being served. Senior
Matinee will be held on Wednesday, October 15th. She stated the sports programs
were going. strong. Basketball Clinics have started and they have included the 5-7
year olds. Terulis Clinics are doing well and they are trying to get an adult group
started. She reported Futsal was going well. She said the Arts and Craft Festival
is the 22°d aild 23`d of November. She reminded the Board there would not be a
~ meeting in November because of the Election. She stated there would be a
meeting in December and she would discuss Celebrate the Seasons at that time.
Ms. Meli reported aone-night family event would be held for Halloween on
October 315tfrom 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. This will be geared primarily for younger
children. She said the radio station 107.7 would be at the event. They will be
holding a costume contest that will begin at 6:00 p.m. with sign-ups between 5:00
to 5:45 p.m. She stated they will be holding Boo Village in lieu of Booville. This
will exist of inflatable haunted houses with a path for children to follow. She said
she would like to have some volunteers in costume. She stated they would be
handing out items as the children go through Boo Village. She said there would
be carnival games and the National Honor Society will run the games as one of
their projects. She stated the tickets will be twenty five cents ($0.25) for each
game or they will. be selling bracelets.
Chair Shoemaker suggested Ms. Meli contact Vice Chair Driver to inform him
she was looking for volunteers.
Ms. Meli reported Beef O Brady's will be the food vendor with very reasonable
pricing. She said there will also be a Folk-Blue Grass band and there would be
line dancing. Story telling will be held on the stage after the costume contest. She
stated the event will be held at the Police Department. She reiterated that she
~o.. could use volunteers for Boo Village.
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~ Member Putz said he saw an advertisement on television for Lake Mary's
Halloween celebration and they called it a Ghost Walk.
Ms. Meli said she would try to find out more about how they are holding their
event. She stated; Celebrate the Season will be much like it has been in the past.
Member Rice thanked Ms. Meli for the FRPA Journal and said she enjoys the
articles. She stated she did have occasion to speak with some of her neighbors that
attended the Fanners Market. She said she also attended and noted that she did
see a dog at the Market. She inquired if the rules prohibited dogs.
Ms. Meli said they were looking into tweaking the rules. She stated they would be
reviewing the event in three to four months with the Commission. She said in the
policies dogs are not allowed, but they chose not to ask the person to leave since
there was not a problem.
Member Rice said she noticed the banners and they looked good. She stated the
feedback she received from her neighbors was that the Market was small. She said
having just one fruit and vegetable vendor did not allow for any competitive
pricing.
Ms. Meli advised that they modeled the Farniers Market after Winter Park's and
Lake Mary's Fanners Markets. She said they tried not to have a lot of
competitiveness. She stated the produce vendor has purchased four booths.
Member Rice said she loved the idea and wanted to see the Market succeed. She
stated the comments were feedback from some of her neighbors.
Chair Shoemaker said while she was talking to one of the food vendors at the end,
a lady took one of the corn cakes without paying for it. She stated she spoke with
Mayor Sackett over the weekend and suggested a temporary sign for the
Longwood's Farmers Market that would only be there on Saturdays.
Member Rice inquired about the space for the Cub Scouts being donated.
Ms. Meli advised, they would be making that booth available every week to some
not-for-profit organization.
Member Olvey said he heard a lot of positive comments about the Farmers
Market from his neighbors.
Member Putz said it was a social event for him. He stated he saw a lot of people
he had not seen for some time.
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Ms. Meli said the Market was about community and having a meeting place or
destination. She stated they were hoping all of the merchants start to have more
customers that normally would not come in their shops.
Ms. Meli stated the next Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting would be
on December 2nd
New Business. None.
6. Adjournment. Chair Shoemaker adjourned the meeting at 7:43 p.m.
< ~ ~
Abiga~ Shoemaker, Chair
ATTEST:
v
Linda K. Jacobs, ecording Secretary
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