10_01_2020 Parks Advisory Board Meeting 1 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BOCC Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Advisory Board Thursday, October 1, 2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nwdtLuPD20 PRESENT: Anthony Sanchez Jack Berlin Nathan Gennara Joe Guidry, Jr. Aaron Casteel Harold Jackson STAFF: Rick Valdez Forest Turbiville Adrienne Rouse Ross Dickerson Greg Brown Dave Ramirez James Crouch Dana McDonald Chris Kiddy I. WELCOME/CALL TO ORDER a. This meeting was called to order at 12:01 p.m. by Anthony Sanchez II. PUBLIC COMMENTS None III. PRESENTATIONS a. Bakas Equestrian Center Update i. Forest Turbiville informed the board that an email was recently received from Mr. Pepin stating that he is not going to move forward with the project. Next Wednesday, an agenda item will go to the BOCC to authorize cancellation (close out) of the project. b. Sponsorship Update i. Dana McDonald gave an update that since the last Board meeting, she met with Aaron Casteel, presented the proposal to Friends of the County Parks, had a workshop with them to discuss roles and responsibilities, and spoke with the legal team. A meeting with the Clerk’s Office will be next. ii. Jack Berlin expressed his appreciation of this project. c. FRPA Awards i. Rick Valdez summarized the two awards recently won by the Agency: FRPA’s Agency Excellence in Community Building Award and the Rising Star Award for Nature Specialist Brad Lympany. ii. Anthony Sanchez asked for more information about these awards. Discussion ensued. 10_01_2020 Parks Advisory Board Meeting 2 d. Reopening Updates- Neighborhood Parks and Recreation i. Amenities 1. Rick Valdez gave an update that most amenities are open except for shelters and basketball courts. Mr. Valdez and Mr. Turbiville and working on shelter plan together. 2. Mr. Sanchez observed basketball rims being removed at a court and enquired about this. Discussion ensued. ii. Recreation Center Programming 1. Mr. Valdez stated that a proposal was submitted to resume programming and he is waiting for a final sign off from the Department of Health. e. Reopening Updates- Athletics i. Return to Play- Baseball/softball 1. Mr. Valdez stated that some organizations are still doing practice only and some are entering competitions. 2. Dave Ramirez shared registration date for 2020 spring versus fall, and for 2020 overall versus 2019 overall. ii. Return to Play- Soccer 1. Mr. Valdez stated that soccer organizations have resumed contact practice. 2. Mr. Ramirez shared registration date for 2020 spring versus fall, and for 2020 overall versus 2019 overall. iii. Return to Play- Lacrosse 1. Mr. Valdez stated that lacrosse organizations have resumed play. 2. Mr. Ramirez shared registration date for 2020 spring versus fall, and for 2020 overall versus 2019 overall. iv. Return to Play- Football/cheerleading 1. Mr. Valdez stated that he would like the Board to vote on return to competition for football. The plans were reviewed and approved by the COVID-19 task force team, including Dr. Doug Holt from the Florida Department of Health. Mr. Valdez spoke with Rick Tschantz, who was unable to attend the meeting, and Mr. Tschantz wanted to let the Board know that he supports the plan. Mr. Valdez summarized the plan and will send a memo to County Administrator at the conclusion of this meeting. 2. Mr. Ramirez shared registration date for 2020 spring versus fall, and for 2020 overall versus 2019 overall. He also shared these numbers for cricket. 10_01_2020 Parks Advisory Board Meeting 3 3. Aaron Casteel asked how the state reopening announcement is impacting the leagues. Mr. Valdez stated that no change has occurred. 4. Mr. Valdez requested that the Board vote on moving forward with the football return to competition and contact plan. Motion: Joe Guidry, Jr. made a motion in support of moving forward with the plan for football return to competition and contact, including the leagues submitting the plan for approval by Parks and Recreation. The motion was seconded by Jack Berlin. The motion was passed with no opposing members. v. Compliance 1. Mr. Ramirez stated that an athletics inspection team is visiting as many sites as possible and that a large percentage of leagues are remaining in compliance. Some unauthorized use has occurred, and organizations have gone through the violation process. 2. Mr. Ramirez stated that cheerleaders can return to stunting activities and must wear masks. Mr. Sanchez enquired about pushback from these organizations since the school board is not requiring masks for cheerleading. Discussion ensued. 3. Discussion ensued regarding confrontations for those not in compliance. f. Reopening Updates- CELM i. Amenities 1. Mr. Turbiville gave an update that all parks and preserves are open, and he and Mr. Valdez are working on a shelter reopening process. Mr. Turbiville would like to open small and medium sized shelters soon and open large shelters at a later date. Campgrounds are still at 50% capacity with the goal of allowing 100% capacity by November 1. The spring at Lithia Springs is still closed due to small size of spring and difficulty maintaining social distancing. The spring may remain closed during the slow winter season. Nature centers remain closed and Mr. Turbiville would like to get input from Mr. Valdez on how the reopening of recreation centers is being handled. 2. Mr. Berlin asked about COVID-19 hotel support. Mr. Turbiville stated that his staff will be officially out on October 15. ii. Apollo Beach Nature Preserve 1. Ross Dickerson spoke about the new observation tower. It is the first observation tower in the bay area with ramps instead of stairs to increase access. Another tower like this will be added at Medard Park. A new hiking trail and waterfront shell path were added, making the entire site ADA accessible. 2. Discussion ensued about landscaping. 10_01_2020 Parks Advisory Board Meeting 4 3. Mr. Dickerson stated that the new tower has been very popular and has gotten news coverage. IV. BOARD ACTION a. Approve minutes from the August 19, 2020 meeting. Motion: Jack Berlin made a motion approving the August 19, 2020 meeting minutes and the motion was seconded by Nathan Gennara. The motion was passed with no opposing members. b. Approve minutes from the August 25, 2020 meeting. Motion: Joe Guidry, Jr. made a motion approving the August 25, 2020 meeting minutes and the motion was seconded by Nathan Gennara. The motion was passed with no opposing members. V. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS a. Mr. Berlin stated for the record that he would like to protest that volunteer groups are being required to meet in person when the positivity rate is as high as it is in Hillsborough County. He believes that these meetings are successful virtually and would like to register his complaint and wait until 2021 to reassess. b. Mr. Sanchez stated that this is our seventh meeting for the year and the by-laws require the Board to meet eight times. There are two more meetings scheduled for 2020. Mr. Sanchez asked if another member would like to make a motion. The Board can either file a protest stating that they do not have a quorum willing to meet in-person, or instead they meet only one more time before the end of the year to satisfy the by-laws. Mr. Sanchez does not believe there is anything the Board does more effectively in- person than online. c. Harold Jackson stated that there is a stronger case for efficiency as it related to the board with virtual meetings. He does not believe we have evidence that the citizens have been disenfranchised by this format. He thinks that in the spirit of access and efficiency, the Board should be allowed to continue this way. d. Mr. Guidry, Jr. agrees with this and suggested that we reschedule the next meeting to take place before November to meet the by-laws. e. Mr. Berlin stated that he would like to make a motion that a member of the staff presents the County Attorney with the Board’s concerns and with Mr. Jackson’s comments. No one is being disenfranchised. This is not only convenient to the Board and the public, but it is safer for everyone. He would like to see if accommodations can be made. 10_01_2020 Parks Advisory Board Meeting 5 Motion: Jack Berlin made a motion that a member of the staff presents the County Attorney with the Board’s concerns and asks for accommodations to continue having virtual meetings. The motion was seconded by Harold Jackson. The motion was passed with no opposing members. Motion: Joe Guidry, Jr. made a motion that if the prior motioned is declined, the next meeting be moved to Thursday, October 29. The motion was seconded by Aaron Casteel. The motion was passed with no opposing members. VI. COMMUNICATIONS, ACTIVITIES, OR STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS a. None VII. ADJOURNMENT a. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Alison Hughes, Acting Parks Board Secretary