2024-1-8 RAC Minutes
Minutes of the Recreation Advisory Committee held on January 8, 2024.
Members present:
Sandra Carro
Silvia Clarke
John Ise
Dino LaCapra
Gayle Mercado
Sheryl Piper
Jessica Pluhar
Sharon Thompson
Members absent:
Jennifer Baumann
Also present:
Angela Dorney, Parks and Recreation Director
Jacquelyn Villagran, Parks and Recreation Assistant Director
Leslie Rackl, Executive Assistant
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.
Correction to the minutes of the December 18, 2023 meeting. Page three, paragraph five, line
one; change ‘previous bond was $150’ to ‘previous bond in Doral was $150’. Mr. Ise made a
motion to approve the minutes of the December 18, 2023 meeting with correction.
Motion seconded by Ms. Pluhar and unanimously approved.
Ms. Dorney noted that there is $150,000 in the ARPA funds that mus t be used by the end of
2023 for the Parks Master Plan. Ms. Dorney added that the Village Manager is leaning
towards an RFP for the Parks Master Plan. Ms. Dorney noted that a lot of firms do Parks
planning. With an RFP, the bids are sealed when submitted and a committee is formed that
selects the lowest bid. Ms. Dorney said that a live presentation can be added to the wording in
the RFP. It was noted that the Parks Master Plan includes all of the parks (all green spaces)
that are part of the Village’s property so the Country Club may be included.
Mr. LaCapra said when the Miami Shores Country Club was given to the Village, a caveat was
placed that the Country Club needs to remain a private/pub lic golf course; it is also designated
as a park space but needs to retain the character of a golf course.
Ms. Dorney said that the planning process of a Parks Master Plan takes approximately nine
months. Commission members were encouraged to attend Council meetings and comment in
person or through email and encourage moving forward with an RFP. Ms. Dorney noted that
at this time there are vacancies for a Planning Director and Assistant Village Manger in Miami
Shores.
Ms. Dorney indicated that she will be asking for the funding to resurface the tennis and
pickleball courts at the next Council meeting. It was noted that resident Robert Bailey will be
hosting a pickleball tournament in Coconut Creek to support mental health awareness.
At this time a recap of the December events was related. In regards to Tree Lighting,
Committee members said that more information is needed; for example, wristband information
as well as resident/nonresident inquiries regarding the event. It was noted that the Menorah
Lighting as well as Santa’s Express were both well received. The Parks and Recreation’s
Winter Camp was also successful.
Upcoming January events included the Fitness in the Park series through a grant received
from the Miami Shores Community Alliance. There will also be a Fine Arts concert in January.
Ms. Dorney added that currently college swim teams are renting lanes at the aquatic center for
practices. Ms. Dorney is also looking into a food truck night in the Shores.
At this time Committee members gave suggestions for new events. Mr. LaCapra suggested
Miami Shores could have a running club meetup location for those interested. Another
suggestion was to have three city (Miami Shores, Biscayne Park and El Portal) bike ride.
Ms. Dorney asked if there was interest in moving the meeting time to 6:30 p.m. going forward.
Committee members were very receptive to the meeting time change and agreed that going
forward meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Ms. Villagran is looking into an event or service that peop le can attend to have their animal
chipped. Ms. Pluhar suggested doing this at the Dog Day at the Pool and /or possibly an event
during the spring. The event could be a ‘Chip and Dip’. Ms. Dorney said that a dog event has
not been done recently in Miami Shores.
The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.