2023-03-6 RAC Minutes
Minutes of the Recreation Advisory Committee held on March 6, 2023.
Members present:
Jennifer Baumann
Sandra Carro
Silvia Clarke
Christian Dunham
John Ise
Gayle Mercado
Jessica Pluhar
Members absent:
Silvia Clarke
Sheryl Piper
Jens Schwarte
Also present:
Angela Dorney, Recreation Director
Jacquelyn Villagran, Recreation Assistant Director
Leslie Rackl, Executive Assistant
Kate Mason, Resident
The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m.
Ms. Baumann made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 6, 2023 meeting.
Motion seconded by Ms. Carro and unanimously approved.
At this time Ms. Villagran said that the recent Teen Night as well as Open Gym Night were
both well attended. Teen Night included Laser Tag, karaoke and games.
It was noted that the fitness equipment has been ordered and the equipment will be located on
the east end of Constitution Park. The equipment includes a shade structure.
Due to low attendance, the movie night was cancelled.
It was related that a Cooking Class 101 has been added for older children and sewing classes
have also been added. In addition, Kid Create has added an art class for older children.
It was noted that Barry University is offering a pickleball tournament. Ms. Dorney is working on
a pickleball fee for the courts, noting that most pickleball courts are open courts with no fee.
Ms. Villagran said that she is continuing to look into chipping dogs and how to incorporate it
into a future event.
Mr. Ise related that he has tried to reach out to all the Village Council candidates to discuss a
new recreation center, noting the no city offers the amount of programming that Miami Shores
does. Due to the limitations of the facility, competitive gymnastics is very limited.
At this time public comment commenced. Kate Mason brought up composting pumpkins after
Halloween. Last year people dropped off their pumpkins at Miami Shores Presbyterian and a
private company was paid a fee to collect them. Ms. Mason would like the Village to take over
this event. Ms. Mason noted that the company charged by the volume, not per pumpkin.
Approximately 75 pumpkins were collected with little to no publicity. Ms. Mason suggested
that an event such as a parade could be incorporated prior to collecting the pumpkins.
It was noted that this would be a staff intensive event, occurring the same week as the
Village’s own Halloween event. Ms. Mason said she would like to raise awareness of
composting. Ms. Mercado suggested raising awareness around Earth Day. Ms. Dorney noted
that Green Day is April 29th and this could be incorporated into this event. Ms. Mercado also
suggested that Miami Shores Presbyterian sponsor pumpkin composting this year.
Ms. Dorney related that the Resiliency and Sustainability board will be havin g a booth at Green
Day.
Upcoming events include the Fine Arts Reggae concert. Wild Waters will also be open during
spring break. It was noted that there is currently a lifeguard shortage everywhere. Additional
advertising will be done this year to attract lifeguards. Additional events include the Egg Dive
and Marshmallow Drop. Wild Waters will open weekends beginning April 1 st.
The meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m.