Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

Youth Center - Conference Room

Agenda — 17 items

1. 1 CALL TO ORDER
2. 2 ROLL CALL
3. 2 Began at 8:20 a.m.
4. 3 a. Roll Call and Excusal of Absences Present: 7 - Board member Erik Rodriguez, Board member Ellen Chasens, Board member Antonio Gonzalez, Board member Aaron Aizenstat, Board member Yamilet Rodriguez, Board member Maite Halley and Chair Carlos Hernandez Excused: 1 - Vice-Chair Jennifer Marquez
5. 4 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
6. 5 DIRECTOR'S REPORT
7. 6 a. General Updates In the beginning of his report, Director Fred Couceyro provided the board an update at the start of his report about the installation of the Holiday Tree and Holiday Park in front of city hall, which is scheduled for next week. Director Couceyro continued with the past events for the month of October, Pumpkin Patch – Saturday, October 19, AAC Halloween Spooktacular 2024 - Friday, October 25, A Saturday at the Cinema, October, "The Exorcist" - Saturday, October 26, Gentle Trick or Treat - Saturday, October 26, and YC Nightmare 405 Haunted House - Thursday, October 31 at 6:30 p.m. He then went on to discuss the Day of the Day and Trick or Treat on the Mile. b. Special Events Director Couceyro proceeded to update the board on the forthcoming events for the month of November and December, Granada Pro Shop and Diner Ribbon-Cutting – Thursday, November 14 at 6:30 p.m., Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony - Friday, December 6 at 5 p.m., Hot Chocolate with Santa - Saturday, December 8 & Sunday, December 21 at 9 a.m., Movies Under the Gables Moonlight featuring Elf – Friday, December 20 at 6 p.m. and Junior Orange Bowl Parade – Sunday, December 15 at 5 p.m. c. CIP Updates Administrative Operations Supervisor Sarah Espino initiated her briefing by providing an update on the Blue Road, Toledo and Alava initiatives. She then proceeded to elaborate on the concession for the Venetian Pool, Nellie B. Moore Park, and William & Leona Cooper Park. She also continued to finalize Phillips Park contract updates and continued forthcoming initiatives for the Rotary Centennial Park. She also mentioned that spring registration will be open for members and coral gables residents on December 2nd. Deputy Director Carolina reported that the dinner's construction is completed, the new tenant's contract was finalized, and they will have a Granada Pro Shop and Diner Ribbon-Cutting – Thursday, November 14 at 6:30 p.m.
8. 6 A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER MINUTES MEETING WAS MADE BY ANTONIO GONZALEZ AND SECOND BY ERIK RODRIGUEZ. ALL IN FAVOR; PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
9. 7 NEW BUSINESS
10. 8 a. Park suggestions - Pickle Ball Maite Halley, a board member, began by providing the board members with an overview of the Coral Gables Pickleball Community, which was presented on October 22, 2024, to the city commission. She disclosed the options previously discussed and hard-court sport comparisons in Coral Gables. She went on to give a phase 1 and 2 plan for the Kerdyk Tennis and Pickleball Center at the Biltmore. Public Comment: Resident Anne expressed her enthusiasm for pickle ball and suggested that Biltmore Tennis incorporates pickle ball into its offerings. She presented Director Couceyro with a flyer from an external location that contained additional information. Resident Thomas O. Wells presented to the board members why this is an excellent concept and asked for their support so that the project may proceed to commission. Board member Ellen Chasens expressed concern regarding the events that have transpired at Biltmore Tennis and Salvadore Park. She is of the opinion that she has previously addressed that inquiry. Additionally, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) takes over numerous of courts. The pickleball association has been established, and it is anticipated that participants will desire to participate in tournaments and engage in competitive activities. What measures will you take to safeguard the pickleball facilities from the takeover? Director Couceyro replied they will take a close look at the facility use policy. A significant issue that this could introduce, according to board member Ellen Chasens, is parking for double the number of people. A MOTION TO FUND AND CONDUCT A PLANNING STUDY TO INCORPORATE PICKLEBALL COURTS AT THE BILTMORE TENNIS CENTER. THE STUDY WOULD ALSO ADDRESS NOTED CONCERNS OF THE BOARD REGARDING THE HISTORICAL DESIGNATION OF THE SITE, MAXIMIZING THE NUMBER OF PICKLEBALL COURTS WITHOUT COMPROMISING TENNIS AT THE BILTMORE FACILITY AND OFFER PARKING SOLUTIONS TO THE ADDED PARTICIPANT TOTAL THAT ADDITIONAL PICKLEBALL COURTS WOULD BRING WAS MADE BY MAITE HALLEY AND SECOND BY ELLEN CHASENS. ALL IN FAVOR; PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
11. 9 OLD BUSINESS
12. 10 a. Rotary Centennial Park Updates Director Couceyro and Deputy Director Vester then reminded the board that Option A and B were presented to them before being presented to the community. Director Couceyro disclosed that they will proceed with option A for the Rotary Centennial Park after receiving confirmation from the community. b. Youth Center overnight / overflow parking The board was informed by Director Couceyro that Youth Center Supervisor Carlos Pichardo had initiated the process of placing letters in the vehicles of residents. He stated that they have observed a change in the notifications and will continue to monitor the situation.
13. 11 DISCUSSION ITEMS
14. 12 ITEMS FROM THE SECRETARY
15. 13 Date of the next meeting: Thursday, December 12 at 8:15 a.m.
16. 14 ADJOURNMENT At 9:38 A.M.
17. 15 NOTE