09-09-98 vCITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
Minutes of September 9, 1998
The Recreation Advisory Board held a special meeting Wednesday, September 9, 1998 in the
Adele Grage Community Center. Chairperson Phil Coalson called the meeting to order at 7:23
PM. Present were:
Barbara Hopson Phil Corps
Peter Coalson Scott Debuty
Ed Waters Patricia Goelz
Visitor Ms Gather
Mayor Suzanne Shaughnessy, Commission Liaison
Timmy Johnson, Staff Liaison
Patricia informed the Board that the budget will go before the Commission September 14 and 28.
Timmy informed them that an office person, maintenance and park ranger for Dutton Island, new
building in Russell Park and funds carried over for Bull Park. Because the Board did not submit
any budget betterments, there are no recommendations from the Board. Patricia informed the
Board that she submitted betterments to Timmy and Timmy informed the Board that he could not
submit them because they were not approved by the Board.
The Board discussed the following budget betterments:
Parks and Recreation Assistant to help with office and run Adele Grage programs at
5K
Aquire Donner and Jordan Park Property at $50K
Community Garden Program (fence, water, mailings)$3K
Development of Park linkage system and kiosk at Russell $5K
Barbara Hopson motioned to approve the betterment list. Seconded and the motion carried.
The Board discussed a letter submitted by Andrea Pennell from Aquatic Gardens Association
requesting to turn the Aquatic Gardens Pond into a Park. Peter recommend viewing the site
before the next meeting and placing it on the agenda for the next meeting.
Patricia recommends getting as many people from the community involved as possible. She
spoke with Barbara Daniels form the Cooperative Extension Agency, who came out and met with
George Worley and Timmy. They viewed three sites to get Barbara's recommendation. She
thought the site off Donner Rd. Was too small, the site off Francis is nice, but she was concerned
about what is in the ground, she liked Rose Park, but it needed to be graded. Her final
recommendation was the site off Francis Ave.
before the next meeting and placing it on the agenda for the next meeting.
Patricia recommends getting as many people from the community involved as possible. She
spoke with Barbara Daniels form the Cooperative Extension Agency, who came out and met with
George Worley and Timmy. They viewed three sites to get Barbara's recommendation. She
thought the site off Donner Rd. Was too small, the site off Francis is nice, but she was concerned
about what is in the ground, she liked Rose Park, but it needed to be graded. Her final
recommendation was the site off Francis Ave.
The Board reviewed the existing long term rental contract for public facilities. Timmy informed
the Board that the contracts are up for renewal and his only concern was shat happens when an
organization violate the contract. Peter motioned to recommend approval of contract with the
following amendment: Authorize the City Attorney to provide language to address penalties for
violation of contract provisions.
Patricia informed the Board that she was disappointed that the City Commission did not contact
the Board before approving the work at Mandalay Park. Patricia recommend that Mandalay Park
remain in its present nature state, i.e. nature ground cover can not be moved from the site. The
Board wish to voice its regret that it did not have a voice in the decision making process. We
realize that only a minimum amount of work was done to this Park, but since this park has come
before the Board, we are expressing our concern. We would like to say again that every Park
does not have to be an active park and these areas provide enjoyment to citizens. The Board
would like to see an ordinance that states that public Park must go through the Recreation
Advisory Board as do plans go through the Tree Board.
Timmy informed the Board that several terms are expiring at the end of the Month;therefore, the
Board need to think of Board Member recommendations.
Patricia motioned to form a Dutton Island Task Force Subcommittee prior to the selection of a
firm to develop. Phil seconded and the motion carried.