2023-02-6 RAC Minutes
Minutes of the Recreation Advisory Committee held on February 6, 2023.
Members present:
Jennifer Baumann
Sandra Carro
Silvia Clarke
John Ise
Gayle Mercado
Sheryl Piper
Jessica Pluhar
Jens Schwarte
Members absent:
Christian Dunham
Also present:
Angela Dorney, Recreation Director
Jacquelyn Villagran, Recreation Assistant Director
Leslie Rackl, Executive Assistant
The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m.
Ms. Mercado made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 9, 2023 meeting.
Motion seconded by Ms. Carro and unanimously approved.
At this time Ms. Villagran gave an update on the recreation programs. It was related that
registration has started for baseball and softball. It was noted that last year registration was
low for the baseball program. Mr. Schwarte said that travel baseball is very popular beginning
at age 8. Ms. Villagran said that programs for preschool aged children and seniors are also
growing in popularity. It was noted that the 9900 building is not available for progr amming
classes at this time.
It was related that the Village has approved a designer for the seawall grant.
Mr. Ise said that a committee is being formed at Barry to look into ways to serve the
community better. A suggestion was made that Barry could look into creating pickleball courts.
It was related that pickleball is booming so two additional courts have been marked with tape
to accommodate the increase in players. Ms. Dorney received a quote of $12,000 per pole for
lighting on the courts.
With Council election approaching, there will be multiple candidate forums held including
Miami Shores Property Owners Assoc., Doctors Charter School and the Miami Shores
Chamber of Commerce.
Ms. Dorney said that permission has been given to move the new fi tness equipment to the
east end of Constitution Park.
It was related that the library has received a grant for a story walk, which will be created at
Constitution Park. Story walk places illustrated book stations, with QR codes, and displays
them page by page along a created route around the park for children. Ms. Villagran
suggested having pop up fitness activities in Constitution Park and is applying for a grant from
the Miami Shores Community Alliance to pay for instructors.
Upcoming events include Movie Night, Fine Arts Mardi Gras Concert and the Tween and Teen
Game Night.
Ms. Carro has noticed at Bayfront Park that there is a lot of pollution in the water and
suggested a clean up. It was noted that the Little River Conservatory organizes clean u ps
twice a year.
In regard to dog chipping, Ms. Villagran noted that the Humane Society does not have a
mobile unit and has a call in to another clinic. She added that the majority of mobile sites do
not provide dog chipping.
Ms. Pluhar inquired about pumpkin recycling/composting. It was noted that there are many
logistics to consider including drop off locations, storage of the pumpkins, staffing, as well as
composting companies. The idea is great but funding and resources are limited. Mr. Ise noted
that recycling is a business and if certain items are too expensive companies do not recycle
them any longer.
It was noted that the parks master plan will include additional parking , which is currently
limited.
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.