2015-11-09 RAC Minutes
Minutes of the Recreation Advisory Committee held on November 9, 2015.
Members present: Christia Alou Daniel Brady
Manuel Hadad Jonathan Meltz
Jacqueline O’Donnell Ken Whittaker
Members absent: Kendra Borja Christopher Fernandez
John Ise
Also present: Jerry Estep, Recreation Director
Leslie Rackl, Executive Assistant
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.
Mr. Meltz made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 5, 2015, meeting. Motion
seconded by Ms. Alou and unanimously approved.
At this time the new Committee members were introduced.
It was related that the Miami Shores 5K was a success with 244 registered and 50 participating
in the Kids Fun Run. It was noted that there are 189 registered for intramural soccer and 26
registered for Soccer Tots. Mr. Estep said that Extreme Sports has signed a one year contract
to run a travel baseball program. Currently, there are 55 swim team members. Aftercare has
69 registered and 9 registered for the volleyball clinic.
It was noted that the new exercise equipment is being installed and the new batting cage turf is
scheduled to be installed in a week. The new basketball backboard will also be installed within
the next few days. The rims are being changed to breakaway rims since rims are not removed
any longer on the weekends.
In regard to the new Recreation Facility, the Village is resolving the deed restrictions with the
Bessemer Corporation. The Village has a verbal agreement and is awaiting the written contract
before proceeding with the new facility. The Village is hopeful to have a community meeting
with Ken Ballard in November or December. At this time the goal is to put a new recreation
facility on the ballot during the August 2016 county election. One of the members asked if the
master plan for the new center included the athletic fields and who is permitted to utilize the
fields. It was noted that nonresidents are tearing up the fields. Mr. Estep said that the issuance
of ID cards for all residents would be the least restrictive means of enforcing field usage. Mr.
Hadad does not believe that ID cards would work well since this would be difficult to enforce.
It was noted that the new recreation center would be built in stages to accommodate the current
programming. One of the most important elements to determine will be parking. Mr. Estep said
that a site plan will not be developed until the survey component is completed. Momentum for
the new center needs to be generated again now that the deed restrictions have been lifted.
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.