2017-11-6 RAC Minutes
Minutes of the Recreation Advisory Committee on November 6, 2017.
Members present: Anna Blackman Jeff Geimer
Manny Hadad Alise Henry
Jacqueline O'Donnell Michael O'Hara
Karen Smith-Gulaskey Steven Weber
Members absent: Michelle Saporiti
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.
At this time self-introductions of the Committee members were made.
Nominations of Chair and Vice Chair were made. Mr. Weber nominated Mr. Hadad as
Chair. Nomination was seconded by Ms. Henry and unanimously approved. Mr. Hadad
nominated Mr. Weber as Vice Chair. Nomination was seconded by Ms. Henry and
unanimously approved.
Correction to the minutes of the October 2, 2017 meeting. Page one; paragraph four; line one;
change ‘Commission’s’ to ‘Committee’s’ and page one; paragraph five; line four; change
‘Commission’ to ‘Committee’ and ‘educate’ to ‘refresh’. Ms. Gulaskey made a motion to
approve the October 2 minutes with corrections. Motion seconded by Mr. Weber and
unanimously approved.
It was suggested adding tot lot equipment to future agendas under 'old business'. Ms. Dorney
is acquiring quotes for a music and textile wall and adding wheels to existing poles. Mr. Weber
suggested utilizing the mulched area for additional equipment. It was noted that whatever is
put in needs to be ADA accessible.
Ms. Dorney related that the leaning basketball pole is being fixed.
It was noted that 227 were registered for this past Sunday's 5K race.
Discussion turned to the Farmer’s Market. Committee members asked about having a link from
the Village's website to the farmer’s market. It was noted that since this is a new farmer’s
market, vendors could be hesitant to commit so it's important for people to support the
vendors.
Discussion turned to the recreation center. Ms. Gulaskey related that Cushman School is still
working on a new athletic and arts center eight years later and they have not broken ground
yet. Mr. Hadad suggested that the Committee should vote on whether to pursue this issue. Mr.
R.A.C. mtg., 11/6/17, pg. 2 of 2
Hadad would like to develop a budget for a new recreation center that residents would
ultimately approve. Mr. Weber said that this needs to be discussed more than once a month.
Mr. O'Hara, a previous Committee member, said he went on recreation tours of various
facilities years ago and said if residents approve a facility with less money you will have the
same footprint that you have now, nothing additional. Mr. Weber would like to gather
information and present it to Council but believes that Committee needs to meet more often to
formulate a plan. Ms. Dorney said the Committee needs to go before Council to see if the
Council wants to go forward and if they do, the Council will appoint a citizen based
subcommittee for a new center. Mr. Hadad believes there is community support for a new
center and that the design that was presented was too different from the survey. Mr. Hadad
suggested building an enclosed basketball/volleyball court. Mr. Weber made a motion for
the Recreation Advisory Committee to continue developing a plan for a new recreation
center. Motion seconded by Ms. Henry and unanimously approved. Mr. O'Hara
suggested having the recreation center as an ongoing agenda item every month. It was
suggested allotting a specific amount of time each month to a new center. Ms. O'Donnell said
that it may be too soon to broach the subject of a new center with the Council.
Ms. Dorney related to the Committee that the Town of Bay Harbor Islands has approached the
Village requesting use of the Aquatic Center for their residents. The Village has asked that the
Town of Bay Harbor Islands pay Miami Shores Village, pending Village Council approval, a
yearly fee of $50,000, plus the daily resident admission fee for use of the pool. Residents of
the Town of Bay Harbor Islands would also receive the same benefits as Miami Shores
residents at the Aquatic Center. This would be a five-year contract. This proposal will be
presented to the Miami Shores Village Council at their next meeting, and then, pending
approval, will be presented to the Town of Bay Harbor Islands’ Council for their approval. Ms.
Henry made a motion that the Recreation Advisory Committee support the approval of
the agreement between the Town of Bay Harbor Islands and Miami Shores Village for
use of the Aquatic Center. Motion seconded by Mr. Weber and unanimously approved.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.