PR05-02-06Min MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATPON ADVISORY BOARD
175 WEST WARREN AVENUE
LONGWOOIr~, FLORIDA
May 2, 2006
COMMISSION CHAMBERS 7:00 PM
Present: Abigail Shoemaker, Chair
Bob Driver, Vice Chair
Gino Gavoni, Member
James Ilunter, Member
Elsie Richardson, Member
Fran Meli, Recreation Progra m Manager
Chris Capizzi, Recreation Program Coordinator
Linda Goff, Recording Secret:~ry
Absent: Mary Volkening, Member
Kitty White, Member
1. Call to Order. Chair Shoemaker called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. She
welcomed Member Hunter and introduced the other Board Members.
2. Approval of Minutes Apri14, 2;006 Regular Meeting.
Member Gavoni moved to approve the minutes of April 4, 2006 as
presented. Seconded by Member Richardson and carried by a unanimous roll
call vote.
3. - Public Participation. None.
4. OId Business.
A. Recreation Program Manager's Report.
Ms. Meli reported on the events for last month to include Blue Grass, Senior -
Matinee, Seniorcise, and an AARP Driving Class. She stated the Tennis Clinics
were ongoing. She reported the Co-ed Softball League would end in two weeks.
Ms. Meli reported a grant has been applied for Smallworld Park. They do not have
the outcome of the grant, but they are requesting $175,000. She said the climbing
structure that will be in Smallworld Parlc was currently on display at Epcot during
the Plant and Garden Fair. She reported the St. John's Water Management. Permit
for Reiter Park would be applied for by May 15, 2006. She advised they would be
ready to move forward once this permit was obtained. She stated a pavilion was
going in at Sandlewood Park and Magnolia Park.
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Ms. Meli reported they were partnering with a group on an "escape movie" and
~ "how to" if someone grabs you. She said this was geared towards children and
teaching them how to fight back. She advised this would be held on May 16, 2006 at
the Community Building for parents and children. She reported Senior Matinee
would be on May 17, 2006 and the movie would be "In Her Shoes and Blue Grass
Pickin' will be held on May 20, 2006.
Ms. Meli reported that Rock the Park S:katewave Demo Tour '06 would be held on
May 23, 2006, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., in Reiter Park. She said there would be a rock.
climbing wall and a bounce house for smaller children. She advised all children
under the age of 18 that would be skating must have a waiver signed by a parent or
guardian. She said all riders must wear a helmet in order to participate. There will
be two professional skateboarders attending the event. She stated in the afternoon,
leading up to the event, there would be a class held in the Community Building on
having a skate park in your community.. They will be inviting elected officials and
professionals from other cities to this class. She affirmed a D.J. would be at Rock
the Park and would be playing appropriate music that teens enjoy listening to. She
said there would be prizes raffled to include one or two skateboards.
Ms. Meli reported Family Movie Night would begin June 8, 2006 and would
continue on Thursday evenings for six t:o seven weeks. She said the movies have not
been selected at this time, but they would alternate from G and PG rated movies.
They will have popcorn and sodas available for purchase. She advised this was a
family event.
Member Gavoni inquired if ice cream would be sold at Rock the Park.
Ms. Meli said there was a vendor interested in selling Tropical Ice Cream.
Discussion'was held regarding Rock thy; Park.
Ms. Meli said another HARP Driving Class would be offered in July. She stated
National Night Out would be held on August 1, 2006 at Candyland Park.
Mr. Capizzi reported Summer Camp sil;n ups have been going well. He stated there
were only fifteen (15) spots open for the elementary age group. He said the middle
school age group was expected to be full by next week. He stated the field trips have
been booked. He said they were trying ;something new this year by having Kids
Stage come on Fridays to the camp to add a drama phase. He stated it helped
children learn to overcome any fear of ;;peaking in public. He said athletics would
be a main factor at camp. They will be working with Winter Springs on some of the
field trips. He advised they initiated Early Bird sign-up this year which has gone
very well. He said several parents. have already paid in full.
1VIs. Meli said there was a $15.00 per week saving incentive to pay ahead. She stated
they were allowed to pay on a weekly basis which gave them the same amount of
time to pay the fees.
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Mr. Capizzi said this was alee-way into next year to offer some subsidization in the
~ fees based on free and reduced school lutnches..
Ms. Meli said this would only be offered to city residents.
Mr. Capizzi said all the counselors have; been hired and were going through the
background check. He stated Carl Broom would be returning as the camp director.
Ms. Meli said they were looking at new programs to add throughout the year. She
said one program Mr. Capizzi has looked into was a golf program for toddlers and
their parents. Another golf program they are considering was "Hook a Kid on Golfl'.
She said they wanted to promote lifetirr~e sports.
Mr. Capizzi said he would like to promote various sports clinics in the future.
Discussion was held regarding the East>r Egg Hunt and various ways to achieve
improvement.
Member Gavoni said the baseball season for the Travel League just finished this
past Sunday. He stated it was a big hurdle in the City introducing Travel Baseball.
Ms. Meli said there were four AAU teams that used the pity fields once or twice
every week. Also several softball teams rented the fields. She stated they have
conquered an obstacle by providing field space and times for citizens. She said Babe
Ruth also benefited as they had the opportunity to run the concession stand the
entire time AAU was utilizing the field~c.
Member Richardson said Commissioner Bundy brought up the subject of the
Monument at the City Commission meeting last evening. She stated he suggested
the City pay for the completion and it was decided to place it on the agenda for the
next meeting.
Chair Shoemaker requested the Board 1\~embers give some thought. to ideas fo:r the
Fall .Festival for the June meeting since there would not be a. meeting in July and
National Night Out would be in August..
5. New Business. None.
6. Adjournment. Chair Shoemaker adjourned the meeting at 7:47 p.m.
J t
Abi 1 Shoemaker, Chair
ATTEST:
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Linda F. Goff,`Rec~ ding Secretary
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