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2021-02-01 RAC Minutes Minutes of the Recreation Advisory Committee held on February 1, 2021. Members present: Sandra Carro Christian Dunham Alise Henry Michael O’Hara Gayle Mercado Jacqueline O’Donnell Lisa Sotir Natasha White Members absent: Kendra Borja Natasha White Also present: Angela Dorney, Recreation Director Tom Benton, Village Manager Jacquelyn Villagran, Recreation Superintendent Leslie Rackl, Executive Assistant The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Benton was welcomed to the meeting. Corrections to the minutes of the January 4, 2021 minutes. Page two, Paragraph two, Line one; change ‘approved capital projects for FY2021 and not the entire 5-year plan’ to ‘proposed capital projects for FY2021 and not just the FY2021 schedule’. Page two, Paragraph three, Line one; change ‘his own 5-Year’ to ‘a 5-Year’. Ms. Mercado made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 4, 2021 meeting with corrections. Motion seconded by Ms. Carro and unanimously approved. At this time copies of the Capital Improvements Budget Policy was distributed. Copies of the ordinance pertaining to the duties of the Recreation Advisory Committee was also distributed. Mr. Benton expressed concern with the direction of the Committee, adding that the Committee is a non-directive board; they are an advisory board. Mr. Dunham asked how the Committee can advise if they are not made aware of situations. Mr. Benton said the Village is interested in the advice and opinions of the Committee, but they are not responsible for making decisions. It was noted that there is a capital 5-year budget every year. The Council is required to send the budget to the state in order to receive state money. Miami Shores Village funds the first year of the 5-year budget. The Village plans ahead for needed upgrades and makes plans for this in the budget; for example, new police radios. The Village budgeted $162,000 for capital projects this year. But the Village usually budgets between $600,000 - $700,000 for capital. In addition, there have been revenue shortages. Capital fluctuates depending on current circumstances. Mr. O’Hara expressed concern that the recreation department is not advising the Committee on current happenings and that the Committee has no voice or role in recreation. Mr. O’Hara previously made a suggestion for the Committee to tour all of the recreation facilities to access individual needs. Mr. O’Hara said that the Committee had recognized items needed to be repaired or replaced for safety reasons and relayed this information to Ms. Dorney and would like to continue this dialogue with her. For example, the community center bathrooms are not even on the 5-year capital plan; the Committee said this is the type of dialogue that they are looking for. Mr. O’Hara added that the capital items should have been brought to the Committee for review and then relayed to Mr. Benton; the Committee is not looking for direct authority but only the opportunity to advise. Mr. Benton said everyone is here to work together and that the level of service in the Miami Shores Recreation Dept is very high. Mr. O’Hara is not questioning the service but rather facility improvements. Mr. O’Hara asked for the status of capital projects from the last five years, 2016-2020, so that the Committee can made informed recommendations. Mr. Benton said that budgets for bathrooms Village wide are at a standstill. The building officials have said that since bathrooms are considered meeting rooms, which involve sprinkler systems, plans need to go to the fire department first. Mr. O’Hara said that bathroom improvements could be made on a smaller scale without permits and money could be allocated to other projects if not used for capital. Discussion turned to fundraising. Ms. Carro asked if fundraising could be done for projects. Mr. Benton said that the general fund is where most of the capital projects come from and that fundraising could be done for projects. Ms. Henry agreed that fundraisers would be a good way for the Committee to help. Ms. Henry said there are buy a brick campaigns, a 5K run or sell banners/marquee space. Ms. Dorney said that banners are against code in Miami Shores. Mr. O’Hara said the code could be amended. Mr. Benton added that code could be changed with three Council members. It was noted that this could be met with resistance by residents. Ms. Sotir suggested having a list of needed improvements for fundraising. Ms. Dorney suggested interior improvements or possibly tents. Ms. Henry suggested calling it beatification fundraising, noting it is easier to fundraise with a purpose. Mr. Benton suggested having a fundraising goal that is small and realistic. The Committee asked Ms. Dorney to bring a list of fundraising items with costs to the March meeting. Ms. Dorney explained Councilman’s Meltz’s walking project which encourages walking and showed the Committee one of street signs. Ms. Dorney noted that municipal water parks are not currently open. Ms. Dorney added that the Red Cross is not certifying lifeguards at this time. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.