2024-04-01 RAC Minutes
Minutes of the Recreation Advisory Committee held on April 1, 2024.
Members present:
Sandra Carro
Silvia Clarke
John Ise
Dino LaCapra
Gayle Mercado
Jessica Pluhar
Sharon Thompson
Members absent:
Jennifer Baumann
Sheryl Piper
Also present:
Angela Dorney, Recreation Director
Jacquelyn Villagran, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director
Leslie Rackl, Executive Assistant
George Burch, Mayor Miami Shores
The meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m.
Ms. Thompson made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 4, 2024 meeting.
Motion seconded by Ms. Mercado and unanimously approved.
Ms. Dorney related that submissions for the RFP for the Parks Master Plan has closed and a
committee is being assembled; no submissions have been distributed to t he committee
members yet. Ms. Dorney is on the review committee. After the submission s are reviewed and
rated by the committee, the company chosen will be presented to Council for approval. It was
noted that all parks and open spaces will be included. Mayor Burch related that the Miami
Shores Country Club is not interested in being part of the Parks Master Plan. Ms. Dorney
noted that it is up to the Council and the Village Manager to update the contract with the
Country Club; the current contract runs through 2025. Mayor Burch noted that the Country
Club management is okay with closing the Club for renovation. It was noted that once people
go to another golf course, they may not return to Miami Shores’.
Mr. Ise said that more people utilize recreation facilities than golf courses. It was noted that
once the entity is chosen for the Parks Master Plan, the Commission’s job is to decide whethe r
to go big or small. It was related that in the previous bond, the structure of the facility was
vague; people were nervous about change. Ms. Dorney would like to push for keeping the
current building operational until the new facility is built; continuity of programming is important.
At this time recreation updates were discussed. March was very busy with the Egg Dive and
the Marshmallow Drop which were both hugely popular. The summer brochure is out with
registration beginning in a week. It was noted that there will be no sports specialty camps
planned during the month of June due to field maintenance and rehab. There will be three
separate weeks of sports camps in July and August. Upcoming events in April include a Full
Moon Meditation and Green Day. The Father Daughter Dance is scheduled for May 3 rd. The
enrollment numbers for baseball have been very l ow; it was noted that the intramural program
has been cancelled. In regard to summer programs for four year olds, it was related that a
program was offered last summer but cancelled due to low enrollment. This summer a parent
and child art class will be offered on Saturdays. Ms. Villagran said that this year there have
been many toddler programs offered due to the demand.
Discussion turned to capital projects. Ms. Dorney noted that one of the projects is the
resurfacing of the tennis and pickleball courts. Currently, the tennis courts are being
resurfaced; the pickleball courts will be resurfaced next.
It was noted that a rental permit is required at the Tot Lot for any resident utililizing the pavilion
for an organized gathering or party. A permit is needed if there are more than 12 people in an
organized setting.
At the Council meeting the smoking ordinance will be addressed in public parks; the ordinance
does not address clove cigarettes. The ordinance also addresses people teaching in parks;
personal instructors conducting a business for profit require a permit.
Discussion turned to July 4th celebration; drones are expensive. Miami Shores will have
fireworks this year. The aquatic center will not be open during the fireworks display; due to
lack of attendance it is not economically feasible.
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.