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2018-01-08 RAC Minutes Minutes of the Recreation Advisory Committee held on January 8, 2018. Members present: Anna Blackman Jeff Geimer Manny Hadad Alise Henry Michael O'Hara Karen Smith-Gulaskey Steven Weber Members absent: Jacqueline O'Donnell Michele Saporiti Also present: Angela Dorney, Recreation Director Leslie Rackl, Executive Assistant The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Mr. O'Hara made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 4, 2017 meeting. Motion seconded by Ms. Henry and unanimously approved. Ms. Dorney noted that she is waiting on a quote for the broken springer at the tot lot as well as a price to add a musical apparatus at the tot lot. Ms. Dorney related that the actual cost to install new grass at the Bay is $240,000. It was noted that Council will be voting at tomorrow's meeting whether to allow residents of Bay Harbor Island entry into the aquatic center. It was noted that the awning at the tennis center needs to be replaced. Mr. Weber said that there are limited programs offered for two year olds presently. Ms. Gulaskey asked about online registration; Ms. Dorney said the additional component needed plus the annual maintenance would be expensive. Mr. Hadad suggested an online application with a one-time payment. Ms. Dorney said the Village would not be able to authorize credit cards since this would be against the agreement with our bank. It was noted that the numbers for baseball and softball are dwindling. Discussion turned to the new recreation center. Parameters need to be established for any recommendations. Ms. Gulaskey noted that the survey is three years old and that the majority of the respondents did not want a new center and she suggested that the Commission direct their efforts elsewhere. Ms. Gulaskey suggested putting a new center on hold for another year. Mr. Hadad said that waiting one year would lead to two years. Ms. Henry said that a R.A.C. mtg., 1/8/18, pg. 2 of 2 new survey may be needed. Mr. Hadad suggested building something on the basketball court area for seven million dollars, which could include storage, restrooms and locker rooms. Mr. O'Hara said fixed costs need to be considered. Sewer will cost approximately 6 million which would include architectural engineering and these costs would be before the actual structure. Mr. O'Hara recommended tabling a new center for another year. Ms. Henry recommended tabling it until September 2018. Mr. Hadad would like to talk to other cities to see how their process was developed. Mr. O'Hara suggested letting another voting cycle go forward to see if a new center is important. Mr. Hadad would like to figure out why the center was rejected and present it to Council in a year. Mr. Weber would like to proceed in a structured manner. Mr. O'Hara feels that the Commission members are not on the same page as the Chair and Vice Chair. Mr. O'Hara said the Council and Village Manager need to give direction to the Commission on going forward. Mr. Geimer expressed concern with the respondents of the survey and that it was a flawed process and caused divisiveness in the Shores. The topic within the Commission is causing members to take sides. Mr. Weber suggested talking for ten minutes at next month's meeting about the process needed to move forward; this is a group effort. Mr. Hadad suggested keeping the new center on February's agenda for up to 15 minutes. Mr. Weber would like to see what could be done differently, if a survey should be considered. It was noted that the election results were consistent with the survey. Mr. Weber suggested that instead of concentrating on the survey next month, the Commission should consider who may have experience to help move a new center forward. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.