2014-12-01 RAC MINUTES
Minutes of the Recreation Advisory Committee held on December 1, 2014.
Members present: Kendra Borja Christopher Fernandez John Ise
Jonathan Meltz Michael O’Hara William Reich
Ken Whittaker
Members absent: Christia Alou Kristin David Cawn
Also present: Jerry Estep, Recreation Director
Leslie Rackl, Executive Assistant
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.
Correction to the minutes of the November 3, 2014 meeting. Page one, paragraph six, line
two; change ‘expectantly’ to ‘unexpectantly’. Mr. Fernandez made a motion to approve
the minutes of the November 3, 2014, meeting with correction. Motion seconded by
Mr. Reich and unanimously approved.
Mr. Estep related that basketball registration has begun with 199 enrolled to date.
Evaluations begin next week. There are 65 enrolled in Aftercare and 65 enrolled in
Winterbreak Camp. Winterfest is scheduled for December 5; 750 wristbands were sold for
the event last year. More rides have been ordered this year including two land trains
instead of one. Fine Arts is sponsoring ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’ at O Cinema on
December 13. Holiday caroling is scheduled for December 16 with a limit of 32 luminaries
to be sold. It was noted that the RFP for a swim coach will be opened on December 3.
At this time a community center feasibility study was distributed to Commission members.
The Village Manager is planning on requesting that the Council approve Ballard-King as the
facilitator and forego an RFP. The facilitator will be introduced at the Council’s next meeting
for approval. The process will take six months to a year before this can go on the ballot.
Ballard-King is presently working with the City of Doral and Miami Beach. An architect will
also create a scale of the proposed Community Center. It was noted that a contractor at
risk eliminates cost overages and keeps costs down. Commission members have been
invited to tour Key Biscayne’s recreation center on January 7 in lieu of the regular
Commission meeting.
Mr. Estep noted that a new six foot fence around the athletic fields was put into capital, but
has not been approved yet. It was noted that most facilities use a swipe card system for
field usage. Mr. Estep also noted that travel soccer is going well; no complaints thus far
with parents/coaches.
The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.