I almost wore my red. Go on. We're on now. Hello. Hello. Hello. Okay, folks. The clock is striking five. And of course, our meetings are all so short and trim that we know we'll be
gone in 17 minutes, but good chance we might want to start on time. So, welcome everyone. Reminder to me and everyone else, we turn off our phones. Tuck it away.
Okay. So, I guess I get to call the meeting to order. Is that appropriate? And could we have a roll call? We're Yeah. Uh Richie's outside getting his glasses. He's He's right. He just ran out for a minute.
All right. I can call to um let's see. Do the roll call. All right. So, we have Carolyn Whiteman here. Ted Benbo here. Shannon Kerry. Alina Davis here. Natasha Early here. David Epste is not here. Christy Hughes,
I believe, is on Zoom or will be very soon. I I'm here. I don't know if you can hear me. Okay. Yes. Hi, Christie. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Joe is not here. Uh Richard Russell, there he is. And John Weir.
Okay. Great. All right. We get to have a pledge of allegiance. Let's see. Who do we get to call upon? How about the manager? Would you be kind enough to
lead us in the pledge? And now I would like to ask everyone to prepare a standing ovation as we go to the approval of the minutes because these minutes are I believe 16
pages. is single spaced that have been put together by our magnificent scribe. And I am absolutely stunned and grateful and I think that
you know some kind of appreciation that cannot possibly happen as an instinct. you have put huge amounts into that. And what I will say is I have a yellow um a yellow highlighter which has been separated from my printed copy because
my PDF I couldn't I couldn't do things with. So I'm going to sign them and continue to go back and review because you have really done a great job. I mean just magnificent and thank you. that is like part of the partnering with our
with our staff and with all of us who are participating. So, thank you very much. So, is there a motion to approve these magnificent minutes or are there comments? I have two corrections. Okay, great.
So, on page one, um, Cheryl Culbertson, you just misspelled her name. C U LB. And on page five, it's not mile marker 85, it's 95. Please have those adjustments. Sign a
motion to approve. Okay, Miss Selena, you get 14 gold stars, too. Thank you very much for picking those up. Great. Okay, here a motion to approve. Any objections? All right, we approve
the minutes. I will sign these. Okay, now we move to emergency agenda additions, deletions. Are there any things that get to be added before we get into the core of the meeting? Nothing yet. And thank you very much,
Miss Maria and Annie, for all of the work that you guys do backup. So before we move into public comment or maybe our first contributor of public comment, I would like to ask the manager
if he would be willing to be our first speaker because um if you look at our agenda, our agenda does not specifically deal with the ball field, the multi-purpose field, the baseball field.
It does not specifically deal with artificial versus grass turf. That is not specifically a topic. However, we know that those are probably in the room and they're part of public comment. So, I'd like to ask the manager if you would
bring us up to date on anything that's gone on that will be helpful for us. Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the committee. I'm Ron Saunders, village manager. I just want to just take a couple of minutes. I'm not going to make a long presentation just to give an update. Obviously, I attended your last
meeting. It was a very great meeting. Got a lot of good input there. Since then, I went to the village council and basically Carolyn gave her a report and I asked for direction. They said, "Keep go along the track. You're on." I always like to point out that three of the council members are here today. We have Deb Gillis, Anna Richards, and Steve
Freriedman. I think they're the ones here right now. So, they have been following us closely uh since the council meeting. I then had a uh baseball task force meeting with Alena was there. I went to the schoolboard meeting on Tuesday. I've been out in the community listening to people trying to
get input as far as where we are. Um there was a survey done, not necessarily scientific one, but it was a very interesting one that the mayor had us put together and some of the questions were questionable. One thing that struck me at that at the meeting we had was that on the qu survey question about the
uh concession stand, it was surprisingly pretty close. The question about the second building was overwhelmingly uh opposed by a lot of people not just on the survey but as in the community there's a lot of questions about why do we need that second building etc. I went to the schoolboard meeting and a question came up from Mindy Khan, the
chair about a concession stand and Pat Lefir, who appeared at most of these meetings, started talking about the the building at the end of the first baseline. She said, "No, no, I mean the the new one." Well, a lot of people said, "What concession stand?" Many people don't realize that there at the end of the first baseline, that yellow
building, it has a concession stand and other things. What do you mean? So the next morning, I asked Maria, "Do you have a key to that building?" "Yes." went over there and when I looked I saw that the second building here has an apartment locker room locker room locker
room restrooms restrooms restrooms when we opened the doors over there we went through there what I realized was almost everything in that second building the one behind the third base dugout if you don't have a copy I'll give you a copy could be placed in that new that building over there that building goes
back to 2001 original ILA which I didn't realize until I started looking at a couple weeks ago the school district had agreed. Just to clarify, ILA stands for interlocal agreement. Just so we all get the lead. So when we were negotiating the new one several weeks ago, I was like, Pat, the
schoolboard was supposed to have built a concession stand and restrooms. I don't see them. They're there. Where? In that building at the end of the first baseline. A third. Yeah, first baseline. Really? It's It's been built. It's a solid building. So Maria took us through there. I had our building official meet
me there today. It's in great shape. solid poured concrete. We went there. There already is a locker room. There's a concession room. We're not used for concessions, but for other things, storage, all the things that were in this second building could be placed over there. And we analyzed it. It's
almost the exact square footage. Every square foot that was going to be in the new building can be placed in that building there. So, my suggestion was, well, then if we can eliminate this building, then what opens up the space. The other thing I didn't like about the plan which you
have before you was that the concession stand which we agree should go there can be moved from behind home plate behind the somewhere near the dugout that we can vary that because there were a lot of objections of why is the concession stand blocking home plate like when
scouts come over look at a picture they want to be sitting behind home plate you can't even see home plate the concession stand is right up against the fence so I thought my my suggestion was eliminate the second building, move all those functions to the building at the end of first base and move the um the
concession stand restrooms press box to somewhere on the third baseline. As I always try to do, I always talk to my bosses first and so I've individually uh spoken to the village council members and they've said pretty much, you know, you're our negotiator. You know, throw
it out there. I then spoke uh to all five schoolboard members and my suggest my point with them was they if I could find you a million and a half to $2 million in savings would you be interested in talking to me? Let's just say they were all very interested in talking and I said because you're you
you started at 5 million a hold and I said budget it's already at 6 million and that's just the buildings because I talked to Mr. Lefir. I said can you give me more information about this artificial turf? We haven't started talking to the vendors yet. Is it really? So this cost increase has to be
just the buildings in. Yeah. If it's 6 million out, it'll be 8 million in two years. We all know construction costs are going through the roof. I'd like to have that money put into the field, you know, whatever it ends up being. So anyway, I've gotten some direction from the school district
and our council to consider eliminating that second building, moving those functions to the third baseline to to the first baseline building. But you can see when you want to. Maria's agreed to give guided tours. I know that Ted's seen it. I'm not sure Carolyn has. No, I haven't.
But but I've I've had two council people go through it. You're welcome to go through it. When you see it, you're going to be surprised how how big that space is over there. It's going to need some work and I think that the school district will probably agree to you put some AC in there and get up to speed. But I think everything that we want to
have over here on the field as far as umpire changing locker room can be done over there. I talked to Pat Lefir. Um, that was not a pleasant call because he said, 'You know, you're changing. I said, 'We never agreed to anything. I said, I'm open to listening. I've listened and my recommendation is that
I'd like to move that that building because I've had a lot of complaints from people in the audience about the continuum buildings out there, etc. I think the public that I've talked to said, "We love the baseball field for the most part. We'd like to have the best it can be. Still, whether it's
grass, artificial, that's an ongoing issue. But we want as few buildings as possible. That was my what I've heard. And so this is what I'm recommending. It's not official, but since you are the parks and recreation committee, I wanted you all to be the first officially to hear my recommendation and see if you
have any questions. Excellent questions. Yeah. So, just full disclosure, I was over here yesterday uh visiting with Maria and Annie uh or some other issues that are coming before us and just wanted to kind of have a print out of it
so I could see what the suggestion was. And I had called Ron coming into the gate and said, "Hey, Ron, can I meet with you for a couple minutes?" Uh, and right after my meeting with Maria, he'd uh called me up and said, "Hey, meet Maria over at um
storage area. Why don't you meet us over there?" And then so I that's how I saw it. Wasn't like I was getting, you know, before the rest of you. Um but I I would uh I would recommend that everybody in this room, anybody who's interested in this go take a look and see what we have over
there. Um it's going to be eye opening. Um and I'll just leave it at that. And and then you know the other thing is the two meetings that we had since we're talking about baseball right now that you know Mr. Lefur in the meeting he spoke with
us said one way said we had to have this field. You know everybody was telling us the field was was a third world field and not very good and all this. And then in the next meeting with the task force he says and I was here and you were here and he said that you know uh no we're
going to have the field up to par and all that by the time the next season starts. And I'm thinking well wait a minute why isn't it up to par now? Why isn't that locker room that no one knew about? And and that's my other complaint, and no disrespect to my two coaches, Tony and Richie, but why didn't
anybody Why did Mr. Lefer tell us that this building was there with all this stuff? Um why I come to this park all the time. I had no idea. I just thought it was two bathrooms. I had no idea. Didn't know it was a concession stand. And and uh I don't understand why things
are like that sometimes. I I I want I want to do the best job I can do as a committee member, but I want to know everything. I don't want stuff to be omitted. And that's exactly what happened here. So, can I make a comment, too? I I don't
mean to cast any asp. We're moving forward. We're all on the same side here. We want what's best for the village, for Founders Park, and Coral Shores High School baseball. So, I don't want to get into, you know, a back and forth, but you did point up one other thing I want to bring up. I've
also said that I think there's been a lot of confusion about who's responsible for that field because is it the is it the district, is it the village, is it during season, offseason. The other recommendation I'll be making is that 100% responsibility for main set field
will be the school district because I don't want our people out there who you know especially when there's allegations about condition of the field from now on condition of fields will be would be under my proposal 100% school district they have qualified people that are know
about the grass fields if they do artificial we definitely don't want to be in charge of that. So I was like just we'll just stay off the field because Maria has people can do other things but I don't want this the village to be responsible for that ball field. And the other question that came up at the task
force was what happens at the end of the useful life. And the question I think Jamie actually brought up who's another task force member here. What h is is replacement field maintenance? And Pat said no that's actually capital expense but we're not sure who's going to pay for it. I'm sure who's going to pay for
it? school district, you know, that that's going to be in the written agreement that will be have to be approved by the village council and the school board. But if they want the field, which they do, they need to be responsible for the maintenance 12 months a year, not five. And they if when it does expire, they will be
responsible for replacing it and putting whatever else goes in there, whether it's grass or artificial, doesn't matter to me because I want the responsibility to be very fixed. The responsible of the field will be the school district. Now, but once again, we're just saying that as the owner, they have to agree to all this. So, it's going to go to the school
board again, I think October 7th, and if you know, I think there'll be a proposal. Let's just say uh this did our council has a meeting, but not for this. I'm not putting anything on the September agenda. It'll be that we have I think also an October 7th and then a 9th. And so, if we need to do any
approvals for any stuff, that's when I would 7th and 9th. Yeah. The village council has a regular meeting on the 7th land use on this October. Okay. We have a meeting in September. That's mainly budget. I don't want to get the budget involved in this stuff. Okay? And so I'm saying everybody wants a timetable and my timetable would be, you
know, we get through our budget cycle with the council, which is September 16th is our last budget hearing. And so in October, I would plan on having a update on the baseball field on the 7th, the same day as the school board. So, let's assume for argument sake we reached an agreement between staff that
because I I got some push back, let's just say from the district staff. Uh, but I think the bosses are saying we like this idea. I'll leave it at that. Um, stay there for a minute if you would, Ron. Um, I want to remind us on
the committee and everyone that when we did our last rec park parks and recck meeting, which was last month, we limited our topics to two things specifically at the request and the
consultation with the manager. The first issue was that we gave general support to the manager for having done the preliminary ILA interlocal agreement but all that to
to give you the authority to begin to get the details but you asked us for concurrence that this interlocal agreement would be reaffirmed because it has kind of fallen through the cracks over the past. So that was our first
topic. The second topic is you asked us for some guidance on the general recommendations of artificial versus grass and based on the information that was given to us and provided which was not a formal presentation of some vendor
talking about it um we made our recommendation gave that to the council. Now that decision regarding artificial versus grass will be continued I presume in the presentation that's being done today
with Miller leg and what else may be done but what you're saying is that has not been firmly decided. However, the that the the emphasis or the you know the momentum is in the
direction of artificial because that's the way it was presented by the by the the the school board and that's been so far 7 to one recommend suggested by us
and it's gone to the to the council. Now, did I say that correctly? Let to be clear, what's been before everybody at this point has been clearly labeled preliminary design plan. Meaning, it's not the final design plan. Obviously, if I want to make changes to
it, it's not final. The discussion on turf, the school district board officially voted to approve the plan as presented to them, which did include artificial. I I did not ask the council for an official vote. I just asked for
direction to go on this line. But as far as as of today, my direction has been to follow the school board as on the turf issue. It's artificial as of today. That's the that's the policy that I thought was official. Maybe not official, but Pat Leafir had said to me
going forward all the all the ball fields in the county will be artificial turf. If that changes, but that was my understanding and it was kind of a take it or leave it situation. If you want that ball field done, it's going to be artificial. If that's not their policy, that's a different story. But that was
what I was led to believe. I'm not a big fan either way. If you want to do grass, do grass. You want to do artificial because it's the school. If the schoolboards maintain it 100%, then fine. You because it costs thousands of dollars. I agree with all the experts to have a a real grass field out there. You
better spend a lot of money to maintain it, which we haven't been doing. I mean, they've done a great job, but you know, that's part of the problem of the field. A grass field needs a lot of maintenance, a lot of water. You got to fertilize the right way. Fine. If it's artificial, that's a different set of
maintenance, which we don't know about either. So once again, I want 100% of the maintenance of the field to be the school districts. I want 100% of any replacement be school districts. We're not put a penny. The other came up. Well, how much of the shortfall when it was a a shortfall? It may not be now.
How much the village put up? Nothing. Zero. Just to be real clear because that's I've been hearing that rumor. No, we're not I'm not recommending a penny. We are the owners of the field on behalf of the citizens of Almada. Our contribution is the use of the field.
Their contribution is X million, whatever it ends up being. But we're not I'm not expecting to put a penny in just so we're all I can say it 10 times. We're not I'm not planning to recommend a penny put in. Okay. One of the things that have not been
considered, we're only looking at the baseball field during baseball season. Yes, the school board is going to pay for maintenance the rest of the year, but Maria Annie, at what time of the
year are those fields mostly used during, you know, Yes. during the school year? They have um you're using these other fields a lot, but I know that you run a lot of camps as well during the
summer. Do those go over to the baseball field? Well, well, our camps that we put on, they primarily use our field over here, the multi-purpose. Okay. because as I understand that they
get much hotter, artificial turf gets much hotter than grass or even asphalt when we have these lovely summer days. So that would be a concern to me that, you know, the kids
who might be using the field other than during baseball season are going to have to stay off of it because it's so hot. And can can I for a second? I really did not mean to kind of get off the track on
your meeting. This was on the agenda. I I I wanted to get this update to you. The grass versus artificial will, no matter whether they want to or not, will continue to be a discussion item. I need more information about what type of turf all the questions you're asking are great questions, but for today's
purposes, Maria did have you I don't know if you've seen this, but uh if not, she'll get it to you. She put together the activities that go on the field outside of baseball from June to December, soccer, lacrosse, uh youth flag football, etc. So that's out there.
She also put together, I think because of maybe you or Jamie, the costs that we've incurred and it talks, I think Jamie brought it up about the $15,000 and staff labor wages. Those are all valid issues and that's why as the manager who has authorization
over the village of staff, my position is going to be I don't want to spending any more money on maintenance of that field because there's been issues about who's in charge, who's not. I want the school district to be 100% in charge of that field. Now, we may have to talk about some cost sharing, etc., which are not there yet. But I'm saying I don't
want us to be on that field. Well, I only brought it up because I heard you say that it's all or nothing that they're going to take their baseball and take it home if we don't agree to artificial turf. I I believe that's what
you said, Ron. What I said, I understood. No, no. I want to be very clear what my understanding was from the first startup. Remember, I've been here for four months uh here. I've been the manager for four months. I got into the baseball thing kind of late. My
understanding from private and public meetings was the school district's position was going forward artificial turf is what they want to do. Okay. Now, whether it's a take it or leave it, that's been subject to interpretation because truthfully, that decision is not
Mr. Lefir, it's the school board. Just like my decisions aren't my decisions. It's my village council. All I do is make recommendations. So I don't just because Mr. Lefir might have said something. I'm not saying that's the official school board position. I'm just saying I've heard that said. Now whether
it's true or not true, that's up to the school board. So I don't mean to say that it's a take it or leave it. I'm just saying people have told me that was their interpretation, too. Not that it's true or not true. I'm assuming we're moving forward. Well, we're not. We want that field improved. Schoolboard wants
it improved. They want to help the the village. They want to help the citizen almada. Put some money in that field. Wonderful. We want as many dollars as you can put in that field as possible. My only concern was that second building that a lot of the public had told me they don't want it there. And I said, if
we can move it down a 100red yards, do all the functions that was in that building, then we're not giving up anything. We're saving taxpayer dollars. I'm a taxpayer for the school board, too. And if I can get them under their budget, why wouldn't they want to do that?
So, but I don't want to once he get into he said he said all I'm saying is I think this is a good recommendation. I want to give you an update, but it's still fluid because until the school board officially votes on a final plan and my council votes on a final plan,
it's not a final plan. Any other I didn't mean to take away from your rest. No, no. I I I asked for that on our behalf because I know that's in the room and that's very helpful. Are there comments from any of the other committee
or questions? And I'll be I'll stick around the rest of the meeting. I want to hear the Miller Legs presentation which but and uh and I want to hear about your park fees. And by the way, I I I wholeheartedly endorse whatever Maria wants. Thank you very much. Let me just make
one one comment real quick and uh I'm not prepared obviously to talk about the proposal. We've worked a long time in another direction, but I understand things change. Um but regarding the $5 million that was that that was appropriated, that's just a figure that's picked out of by way of
example, Tommy Roberts, the figure they picked out of the air was 15 million and that's now at 23 million and that's not even adjusted for inflation. So, I just want to make sure that you understood that when we went from five to 6.2 or that's not a change order. That was just
uh that was just okay. Our projections were wrong and we got to re you know that's it. Thank you, Ron. You got a tough job, buddy. Yeah. God bless you. And let me see if I'm if I'm summarizing
what you're saying, Ron, for our benefit. What I'm hearing is that first of all, we don't have 100% clarity that it's take it or leave it artificial versus grass. We don't have that. We
have a general direction. And what I'm hearing is the general direction is artificial. But what I'm also hearing is there are about four or five or six different questions about artificial that I don't think we have ever seen an
official presentation on. We've seen lots of good experiences from people like is it Doug and you know all the conversations that we've had which have led us in the direction I say us meaning
all of us in the direction of saying 7 to1 that we would support the idea of artificial it's not our respon it's not our it's not our job we made that that recommendation we made that comment that this was our general guideline
But we have never seen anything that goes through actual cost, cost of replacement, how hot is it, what do you know what is underneath it, uh do you need different kinds of shoes, what are the safety issues, what are the cost
issues, what are the maintenance issues and you know 5 months of the year versus 12 months of the year. I don't think we've ever actually seen those things proposed to us because they're not there yet. And I think that's the point I'm trying to make is that people talk about astroturf
that's like saying I used to have a Blackberry now I have iPhones but there are different types of iPhones right is a 16 a 14 what? So just because they're saying artificial turf I don't know what that means. I know what it means. I don't know what that actually means though because Alina and Jamie have been great about doing their
research. They keep asking me questions. I keep saying I don't know. You know you asked about the heat. I asked Pat Leafir that specifically. I said how do I answer my task force's questions? He said, "We haven't even talked to the vendor yet." Which is fine. That means I can't answer the questions. At a certain
point in time, it's time to fish or cut bait. You're going to they're going to have to come before you guys, the council, the school board, and say, "Here's the type of turf we're talking about. Here's all the questions that you've asked, and here are the answers." The problem is you can't give an answer because you haven't decided which turf
to use. Because you can't just say turf. It's like saying iPhone. Which iPhone? Which kind of turf? That's the problem you're running into. But to Pat's credit, he's doing the steps and he's doing what he needs to do. My problem was I can't answer questions that have good questions without knowing which
turf you're going to have. He's going to get to it when he gets to it. I cannot force him to say, "I want your answer next week." He's got his schedule. Keep your schedule. My only concern was I did not want to do anything from the villages standpoint to delay this renovation. And I I I feel confident
that deleting a building, moving a planned building 30 ft away from home base and using the existing building should not be a significant delay. If it is, but we'll take a look at it. I can't believe that that would be that much of a delay. But the the artificial turf, I'm going
to keep on that every week. If there's a change, I'll bring it to you because I want to know what specific artificial turf are you talking about and answer all the great questions you asked about the substrate, the runoff, you know, the heat, uh, the injury patterns that the doc talked about, the type of cleat that
should be on there. All those are great things, but until you have the specific turf that you've negotiated with for the school district, not us, then bring it before you guys and us and say, "Okay, here's what we're really talking about." At that point, you may say, you know, that that's not what we thought. But Doc had a great he he brought the cleats out
because he was talking about artificial turf, but he's talking generically. Until we know the exact turf they're talking, and it changes every day. There's a new generation every week. So maybe in six weeks, we talking about a whole different type of turf. I don't know. Actually, your phone analogy is probably
very apt. It changes every week. Yeah. And you know, whether it's an iPhone or a, you know, a Android, let alone Blackberry. So you I think that's a very apt analogy. Yes. I just wanted to say thank you very much
for your genuinely informative update. I appreciate your diligence and keeping us informed and look forward to hearing more from you in the future. I think you've done a great job and I propose that we move on with public comment and hearing about the Leg.
Thank you. I think that's great, Steve. Um, so is that clear for everyone? I think that just in summary, in order to support the council that is going to make the final decision, right now I'm
talking about artificial versus grass. in order to support the council. There will be continued opportunities to get more and more and more specific about what the options are and also about what the what the ramifications are of
whatever the choices are. Is that is that a fair way to say it? It's a fair way to say it. And before I leave, once again, I want to point out that we have council person Deb Gillis, council person Anna Richards,
and council person Steve Freriedman. A majority of the village council are sitting right here listening to you. When I hear like you're not listening to the public, guess what? Here they are. And so I want you to know that we are listening. We everybody including the
council. And your input has been very good. And can it be good? And I want to hear Miller legs. I'll sit down again. Great. Thank you very much, Ron. Okay, we get to continue then with uh our presentation.
So, are we doing this online or there you are? I'm sorry. Okay. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Yes. All right. Can everybody hear me? So, are we doing the presentation or are we doing public comments first?
I think I think that I I'm mistaken. I think we do public comment first and then thank you for being here. Okay. Is there someone who's monitoring public comment? Yes. Okay. We have a list. So, the first one on the list is Ed Captain Ed.
Okay. Sandy, you're not For the record, I am Captain Ed Davidson, chairman of the IRS 501c3, Florida Key Citizens Coalition, also a 4-year elected former member of the school board. The school systems conceptual plan for the 6 to7 million
bulldozer installed, artificial turf upholstered, multi-story, commercially proportioned, a little less so now. Thank you. um uh intensified usage more than a dozen additional sports programs and imported
promotional and fundraising events. Despite all that, the school board has no remaining actual entitlement to build a stadium office complex that they totally defaulted on building 24 years ago. Especially as the carrying capacity
of this park has been used up since then by other parks construction for the sheriff, for the fire and rescue, for other government functions, buildings subsequently erected since that stadium default occurred. It's crucial to remember that the ball
field was originally intended only to support the Coral Shores High School program of about 13 afternoon games over 19 weeks for what is currently about 28 varsity and JV players. But turf
advocate Richie has repeatedly stated he no longer refers to it as a ball field, but as a multi-sports facility, and further refers to more than a dozen new and expanded sports programs he intends to promote and host at the 300 plus seat AstroTurf Stadium/fundraising
concession stand complex year round. Ball coach Tony Hammond also has publicly referred to hosting quote all of the sports all of the time end quote. This dramatically expanded high density overcommercialization of our family
nature park is the main rationalization for turning God's green grass ball field into a giant woven plastic rug that will allegedly wear better under such unprecedented heavy year round usage to which the
schoolboard has no legal entitlement and to subsidize which at great expense the island of taxpayers have no legal obligation. At the 19 August 25 schoolboard meeting, operations director Lefir did not report to the board any of the 18 August
ballfield advisory committee extensive issues analysis and project design critique which he personally witnessed. He didn't say a word about it to the school board. I was there watching on the tube. Yeah.
Um, and he never spoke about the taxpaying public, only about staff whose majority dis public whose majority disapproval of aspects of the stadium and artificial turf proposals been strongly reflected in several recent community surveys. At that schoolboard
meeting the next day on the 19th, member John Dick reported repeatedly expressed strong concerns that he could not be sure which party was going to pay for how much. most especially when it came time to replace the artificial turf and assumed 8 to 10 years which Lefair
publicly and adamantly refused to discuss with the board. He refused to discuss it until later on till years later on. I don't know how we get the commitment Ron's looking for. Um because
guaranteeing there'll be a crisis when the plastic rug wears out and then it'll be a a real rodeo. Uh because the estimated costs, the best we can tell, are threequarters of a million to a million plus. But remember, that's five
times in a 40-year span. Five times somebody's going to pay for this. Since schoolboard member Dave Darren Haran stated adamantly at the 24 June 25, meeting that the villa should contribute upwards of $2 million in current cost overruns, plus more later. And chair
Mindy Khan stated at the 19 August meeting that she would demand expanded year-round more intensive bowl use entitlement and she actually mentioned a 99-year lease. I've been saying for a long time this is commonandeering our
family public nature park and that's what it is. Uh most folks would call that a major impass not a done deal. This is especially so since at the 14 November 23 workshop, schoolboard member Mindy K previously
asked points remaining, how much money is the village going to chip in and absent that that the village that the school board should demand quote right to use first and foremost unquote. This is a commercial exploitation plan
for our family nature park. That's what it is. Thank you. Other public comment. Good afternoon. I'm Jerry Oathy, concerned citizen. These are my reflections on the turf question. Um, I wish I had more than three minutes.
There's so much to cover. After attending many of our village community center parks and recreation, basketball field specific meetings, I had the opportunity to attend along with Mr. Saunders and Pat Lefar, director of Monroe County School Board operations,
last Tuesday's Monroe County School Board meeting at the Coral Shores High School. Some observations I came away with regarding the field use i.e. the baseball field use agreement exhibit A given is notwithstanding Monday night Monday Saturday Monday through Saturday
tournaments and practice games our field is designated for use for approximately 16 16 to 17 weeks. If the field approximately 100,000 feet of it were to remain as originally intended and exclusively
exclusive of any separate and specific use agreements to the contrary, I would urge the village council to entertain with regard to the previous 7 to1 vote a revote or referendum to allow a reconsideration of that decision. My
rationale is number one numerous medical confirmations that there is a direct correlation of higher incidence of athletic injuries associated with the use of artificial turf over natural grass over that of natural grass. Number two, another consideration is that of
pediatric pediatricians epidem epidemia just sorry and that of Mount Mount Sinai scientists and their post statement children and young adults are uniquely vulnerable to harmful exposures to artificial turf
surfaces. It further states this vulnerability persists throughout the teen years as reproductive and nervous systems continue to develop. My thanks to Alina Davis, Larry Zetwok, and Jamie Engel, and other committee members for their insights and contributions to
this. Proposed solutions with consideration in regard to the relatively short duration of yearly use. Perhaps a step toward a remedy to this conundrum may be one of calculating a specific user fee of sport
sorts to offset any additional user caused damages to the field which would normally occur otherwise. My takeaways are number one it is it is the stated intention of the school board and this is from the school board meeting at Coral Shores High School uh to adhere
their their 30 seconds remaining. Their intention is to adhere to their objective of building none other than an astroturf ball field with school board funding. Their spending philosophy may well be that of investing as an astroturf based economy of scale i.e.
All future fields built with Monroe County School Board funding to be artificial turf that it well the current fields and any resulting other concerns will remain for the expected turf lifetime of 10 to 12
years example provided by Patair 6B elementary school in QS. Those making this decision will likely have long since retired without realizing the rewards, dangers, and disappointments of their decisions. and one more, but we'll put that up there with the bleachers.
Thank you very much. Next on my list is Elizabeth Brown. Is it on? Yes. Okay. Um, hi. So, I'm Elizabeth Brown. I'm here today in a capacity as just a parent of a not just one but two um
players that use the multi-purpose field extensively. Um and they have also been in the summer camps here for many years. We basically live at Founders all year long. Um, we love this park and I think I want to commend all of you for all of
the surveys, commend the council because clearly people have very strong feelings about this place. It is a real community treasure from the staff to the facilities and I can say just very personally when we first moved to the
Keys um almost 10 years ago and I had an infant and a four-year-old that four-year-old is now as tall as I am. This was one of the few places I actually felt safe bringing them. Um, it was a manageable beach space. Um, the
grass was here. We were in a house that had no grass. And coming from an area where, you know, we take for granted sometimes that there is grass. To be able to come out here and use that multi-purpose field, fly kites, all of that. We talk a lot about the sports,
but there's a lot of usage that goes on as well. So, um, my kids do not play baseball. I am not taking a stance on the baseball issue at all. Um, but from the multi-use field perspective, they play lacrosse, they play soccer, they
play flag football. And one of the things I've noticed as we have traveled throughout South Florida um from the mainland down to Key West is that when they do play on the turf fields, whether it's Blackberry level turf or iPhone 10
level turf, it's hot. It's incredibly hot. And I didn't really appreciate that until that one there actually was playing one day and I kept wondering why in the world he was running so weird. And I said something to him like, "Why
are you running like that?" And he said it's because the turf was the heat was burning through his cleats, which actually is what spawned his science fair project last year was looking at the effect of how hot that turf gets and
the effect on players feets. And so I would just encourage you all um it it is a serious issue and I think if we can do a try it before we buy it because we don't necessarily have the data. Um I
would really support that. I asked um the folks when they were here last time if they had examples of fields where the the cooler turf is going to be. I would welcome the opportunity to go visit one to actually see. So, um, that's kind of where we are on that. Thank you all so
much. Thank you very much, Elizabeth. I think there's a new analogy being coined also, Black Fury versus uh, whatever the newest iPhone is. I think that's translatable to probably any generation. So, we can all understand
that. Okay. Next up, we have Larry Zetwalk. Although the younger generation probably doesn't even understand Blackberry. So I had one record total.
Thank you. Uh Larry Zwalk, mile marker 74. Been down here since 87. Worked in this place. Was a scuba dive instructor. Late 80s, early 90s, right across the field. I was here when we bought this thing and I was a supporter at that
point. Um I'd like to talk just a few things here and I think I can address some issues for everybody. I have done a deep dive in all this. Um common sense. Okay. Um I hear that this field's going to cost 5 million plus and whatever the
money is. And yet taxes are going up. Not necessarily in the in the village, but I did read the headlines for the school board that their millage rates going up. And I've talked to one of the people on their board that says they're not going to spend one penny over $5
million. That is a quote. And I keep thinking and I love it when Mr. Lefair said that field will be pristine when baseball starts. Well, if the field's going to be pristine and not cost us any money, why are we going to spend $5
million more? And I like the fact that 100,000 square feet of grass could go away. And and that plan that's coming up, the soccer field's going to go to Astral Turf, too. There's another 100,000. And
heat. Personally, with two heat guns, I've gone out, air temperature 92 degrees, asphalt's 140. Okay, we all agree that's pretty hot. Then I go over to artificial turf, it's
68°. Now, last week in the paper, it's even hotter than that. This is done by the University of Florida agricultural people and um let's just skip to maintenance repairs.
Anybody ever watched the ball field games last week when it started to rain on those astral turf? What are they doing? They're covering it up. They're stopping the rain. Nobody seems to mention that when a astral turf, synthetic turf, plastic turf gets wet,
it gets harder. it gets harder. There goes your cushioning. Um repairs. If it rains, theoretically, you're supposed to roll the field then and smooth it out because everything underneath is 30 seconds remaining.
um supposed to be inspected periodically by a qualified technician repeatedly and then the fill adjusted because the fill washes out when it rains 3 in. Anybody see any heavy rain
this week? Yeah. Any is Maria going to go out and cover the field? Where's that those fills going to go now? The field five different kinds of fields. The the best fill that everybody seems to use is groundup tires. It's probably because
it's the cheapest that washes into the water. And what happens when we have a hurricane? This will have to be an agreement. And I love some of the comments I heard about nailing everything. Who's going to do what? Is FEMA going to respect that field? If
they want to put a a tent there, they want to put a vehicle there, they're rolling in. They're not stopping. No, they're going to pay for it. Thank you, Larry. Was that time? Thank you. Thank you. All right. Let me just say, can I can I have a few more minutes? This is the audience because you have a 30 seconds.
All right. Here's Dr. Morris. Dr. Morris, the Alamarana Fire Rescue Medical Director. Strong opposition. We urge you to pres preserve the 100,000 square feet of natural grass. consistently linked to higher rates of
energy injuries and unexposing our children and athletes unnecessary. Artificial turf poses a significant health hazard in our climate. Hey, 3 weeks ago, an umpire died on
artificial turf colony. Anybody wants to see any of the documentation, I've got it all. and I've asked repeatedly to have somebody give me documentation on artificial turf that's better than grass and it has not come forward.
Thank you, Larry. And that is just as an aside that is a part of what the earlier conversation was is that there will be a complete analysis of whatever the actual decision whatever the actual vendor is
so that each of these questions can be addressed which are all very valid legitimate. Who else do we have uh public comment? Uh we have Tony Hammond next. Right. Tony Hammond, 246 Chandler Street. Uh my comments have nothing to
do with baseball field or with artificial or natural surface, but I think as parking wreck individuals, you have a bigger um calling and vision. I don't believe that Ron Levy or Frank Kleski or any of the other men who were
the first council members that were responsible for us bringing Founders Park into into existence ever envisioned this being a quiet passive nature park. The desire of Founders Park has always been, as is indicated by the pool and
Ron's dream and desire to have it as a premier swim site with competitions and other teams coming in uh should be maintained as well as the amphitheater. Uh I don't hear anybody screaming and hollering about concerts and things that are taking place or events that takes
take place uh in this park clearly from the very beginning. uh the sports and recck teams have used it from children all the way through. I I want you to keep that in mind as you make decisions moving forward. We need to have this facility to be available to everyone in
the community and be used by everyone in the community. Um I am I am here as as a parent as a grandparent uh loving what I have seen take place in this park. But it is it is not this idea of turning
founders into a butterfly park. you know, that's not that's not our dream or vision that we've got a facility which, by the way, the park doesn't own, but the woods next door is owned by the village and that certainly should be maintained as as a good, tranquil
environmental center. So, that's all I have to say. Thank you, Joanie. Okay, next up, Jamie Engel. Good evening, Jamie Engel. Um I I have a question and I know we'll probably get to it on the um presentation that we're
going to get which I'm kind of excited to watch. Um because I think last time that kind of got railroaded and it wasn't there wasn't a lot of attention paid to it. So I think this is a great opportunity. So I'm glad we're doing that. Um but it is in regard to the turf because I know Miller Le had recommended
at that last meeting that they were going to change the multi-use um big field into turf. So maybe they can give us some more information or answer some questions when they're doing their presentation as far as why they chose that and how much it would be and what the expense is. I mean, I would hope
they would have done that for the $175,000 that we paid these experts. I would hope that maybe they would be able to answer some of the questions that have um come up tonight. Um, I'm glad Ron got conversation with everybody about getting, you know, finding that
building over there, which I was one of the ones that went I had no clue. Came over last night, took a picture and saw it said locker room on the outside and said, "How have I been here 22 years?" and never noticed that. So, I think that would be I would love to take a tour of that. I think that's very interesting and I think that helps take care of some
of the concern that that came out in the survey that Mayor Mahoney did which I'm very thankful that she did because it gave the community the opportunity to be able to give their opinions. The other survey that was done was Miller Legs I think was extremely clear in the same direction. We didn't want new building,
new construction. We wanted to maintain what we had and renovate it and and keep it going. Um so I think the survey results are good. As far as Carolyn was at the meeting, I'm I'm on the task force. Carolyn was there the other day. I appreciate you attending. Um and Carolyn did make a point to say that she
was under the impression and that I think all of you were that when you were voting at the last meeting having the discussion about turf versus grass that it was one way or the highway that if you didn't agree with the turf because the school district had already decided on that that the money would go away. I
want to tell you, I've spoken with every school board member and with Pat Lefir and all of them. The money stays in the community at Coral Shores. It may not go to the baseball program. It may not go to Isa Marada, the village of Isa Marada. It will go back to the high school and they might get the field
redone or the turf or the track or something else. But we keep that money. It's ours. Richie said the right thing. 5 million was a was a placeholder. And I wish the village had a budget five years, 10 years down the road because that's what we really need to be looking
at, especially if the decision ends up being to go with turf because it will cost if they won't if the school board doesn't pay it 100%. The cost of replacement is between on the low side $500,000 up to a million and that is at today's
prices. So we have to have that money put in our budget. So, we need a budget put in place for long run, not just like we've been doing, I think, every year. Thank you. Thank you, Jamie. Okay, now we have Margie Smith.
Do you still have Christy on Zoom? She just texted me just to make sure. Would be Frank. I'm still here. Does she need to go first? Was she here before? Okay. Okay. So, I'm Margie Smith at 209 Palm
Avenue. Um, I have two girls and my husband and I moved here in 2005 with a three-month-old uh that many of you met back then who, you know, this has really been our home away from home, just like Elizabeth talked about with her family. We've been here for every possible event volunteering,
whether it's chamber events, whether it's soccer. I coached soccer for five years on this lawn. Um, I've been primarily interested in the pool because that's where we spend most of our time at um at Founders Park over the years, but I'm actually I wasn't paying that close attention, frankly, beyond the pool until now. And I didn't realize
until tonight we're talking about um not having grass on the main multi-use field that we use for so many things. So, I guess my primary concern with that specifically is one, I guess, just concerns about not having a a natural green space that can be used for all of
those different sports. That's one huge concern. I remember my oldest, my youngest rather, learned to walk on the grass here at the pool, but we also were camped out every Friday night looking at the soccer games with a tiny one while a bigger one who was four played ASO. So
that space has been used for so many different instrumental purposes for families and there's not a lot of places for families to go frankly um to have open space certainly. So, I guess that's my biggest concern is I'm kind of shocked to hear that we're even considering um putting something other
than grass on that main lawn. Um and then of course bigger picture, I'm just very happy that you have all invested as much as you have in two things that are critical to this community. The childare program over the summer that means so much to low-income families. It is one of the best places you can go around here at a reasonable rate. Uh and at the
same time, the investments you've made in the pool which has made it possible for both my daughters are going to be college swimmers because of the investment you have made. So, thank you for that and I hope you realize the treasure you have here. Um, I I'm definitely concerned about that that open space being anything but grass. Thank you.
Thanks, Margie. And it's not the treasure that we have. It's the treasure we all have. We plural. Thank you. Okay. Is there anyone else that we missed that didn't get on the list? I think we're done. Okay. Anything else from All right. I
have I have one uh quick um reminder and that is I put this shirt on which is the reminder of the swim for alligator lighthouse which will be between now and the time we meet again and that swim is celebrating as we were doing the pledge
just looking at the lighthouse in the middle of our um of our logo and the swim for alligator lighthouse is the is uh early September and draws several several hundred swimmers for that four mile times two round trip and there will
be hundreds of kayaks and lots of people and celebration of really the center of our village and so I just thought I would celebrate that for all of us and remind us can I interject if you're a betting person I want to put my money on on Lane
unless Carly's coming home right exactly Caroline Yes. Can I make a couple comments about the people that spoke with what they spoke to? Oh, okay. Um, first off, ma'am, you're correct. I'm surprised as well that they're
talking about putting turf on the other fields. Um, and then Jamie, uh, you're right that the cost we would have to budget out except for the part of the field that the, uh, village manager is is stating that we're not going to pay
for any under his negotiations. and I'm pretty sure he's a good negotiator. But great points. Great. Thanks, Ted. Any other comments? Okay,
so if I can read the order, Miller leg and thank you all for your patience and participation. This is what it takes to be involved in our community. Was there anybody on Zoom? Was Did Christy want to talk?
No, no. I just was concerned that I that I might have lost you. Okay, great. Thank you, Alina. Thank you, everybody. Yep. All right. Thank you guys for having us. Um, I appreciate uh letting us come and
talk. I know the last workshop kind of got sideways because of the baseball discussion. So, this is our time again. Um, I think it's important to bring it up. You know, we're near towards the end. Um, but I do want to highlight that what a master plan kind of is. Um, it
just sets a guideline, right? There's still going to be opportunities. Let's say this this plan kind of gets adopted. It's it's just a it's a vision, right, for Founders Park. It's a vision for the village uh to consider in the future.
And remember, this plan is for 15 years, right? in long vision, right? So, you still will have an opportunity come every budget year for CIP and what gets selected out of this plan and gets implemented. Then there will also be
once that comes into CIP, then you'll have actual design for different segments of what the master plan was kind of envisioning. This is really concept schematic. These are not construction documents. Um, so I just
want to clarify that and I'll walk you a little bit um through kind of our process and what the input is. I know on the website it shows kind of the feedback we received from the survey which we had really good highlights and then I'll cover kind of the workshop um
intake we took and then we ran uh a poll online that was about more than a month um and we we taken in that into consideration and we'll hear your comments today. Um, nothing is set in stone and I'll I'll I'll kind of explain, you know, why we recommended
some of this information. You know, it's it's a combination of a bit of everything. Um, and our obviously our professional take on things. Okay. So, again, um it's kind of been a a long process in the road as well. Uh
we we kind of uh when we started we we met um with the village stakeholders, we met with the staff, right? And we set kind of the goals and the vision for this. Um we we began inquiring all the information of the site. We we looked we
walked it. We knew what's what's out here, right? We the conditions of it, not only just the quantities of, you know, how many tennis courts you have. We looked at everything on the conditions. We um we knew that there was a baseball uh plan in place. Uh we knew
that eventually we will receive some information on that and then we also um inquired to with the marina staff and and and had sitdown conversations and interviews with that. Um and then we did more of the site analysis as well. Um we had our first visioning workshop. Um and
then after that which we did do some participation kind of remember some activities that we did. Um, we had the survey run for I about three months we ran that survey. Um, and then we got now to to the draft plan. Um, and then we had the the workshop last time. Maybe it
was what, a month ago? Um, a little bit more than a month ago now. And and we're working towards the final plan, but this is an opportunity now um to hear especially from the advisory committee what what are you know what what are some of the thoughts?
Okay. So, I just want to kind of highlight uh the survey again. We we had mail outs um and postcards. It's a statistically valid survey that went out. We had about 4,450 surveys mailed out. That's almost all
your households. Um we had a really high intake back of 12% of your population. You might say, "Oh, that's not a lot." Well, typically a statistically valid is about 1% or 2% of that. So that is that's you know obviously we know that founders really is the heart of the
community and I just want to highlight some of our findings was obvious um people were very familiar um with the park. It was weekly visits um about half almost half the population visits um the park as well.
And then some of the the in um opportunities that they the public really wanted us to focus on was something that came up was enhanced beach areas, the uh butterfly areas, community gardens, add food services of one sort, shaded outdoor, additional
walking, biking trails, um pickle ball, improve outdoor event spaces, renovate the restrooms, and incorporate sustainable design and enhance the marina areas. some of the top things that really kind of um were which was um a high need and
then it it got what means is um it it was a high importance but it wasn't meeting the needs of the community really were the pickle ball courts outdoor fitness and then a community center. So there were high needs but they weren't meeting the expectations of it. So the these are results kind of
from the survey um that came out. Uh again, as I said, we really did meet with various stakeholder groups. We met with council village staff, the advisory group at one point, the park and marina staff, the program instructors, youth
sports, civic groups, school groups. Then we had the workshop, the survey. So we we've gotten all that into consideration. Um and you could see here a list of everybody who we met and the different participants as well. So all of this we really what we did was
it's it's a summary of key matrix right where we're able to evaluate um and and rank what are the priorities right so this doesn't only consider um one group in particular this is a collection of all the stakeholders then the the survey
and the actual workshop as well um and then the survey is is ranked higher um because of the number of of participants that participated and the feedback we received. So out of that um really what ranked the highest was in indoor space
in general, the need for indoor space um actually helping shield from the weather and and kids safety as well with the program. So those were numerous kind of comments that we received back kind of across the board from the survey, from the workshop, from the school groups, um
as well as from the sport instructors, um from the staff and then um as well from from village staff. Um enhancing the beach area was another one that kind of came up and then just in improving parking in general, maybe the alignment
of things um and food options out there. Now that's an opportunity whether it is a concession if if that's f if not we enhance it through food trucks that's something that's movable um and we could focus on that too but that's those are
some of the decisions that these are some of the the recommendations and highlights that kind of drived us to to prepare some of the our recommendations. Um shade of course we know it's hot it's unbearable. Um those are comfort amenities that are very much in need.
the pickle ball courts, um, walking paths and connectivity in general through through the park, being able to walk safely without vehicle intersection. Um, and then, uh, another thing that kind of popped up was we love the events that happen in Founder Park,
but the, uh, backstage area could kind of be improved. So these were um feedback that we received a lot from the vendors as well and from the staff of observations of of the background organization that maybe somebody who comes wouldn't notice it but these are constraints that they're they're having
in in these events as well. Um as well as you know enhancing the marina area maybe the organization of it um and enhance safety and security as well improve fitness areas and and and kind of look at them and relocate. Um the improve the maintenance area storage um
was another element that kind of popped up as well. And then we we did have the option for artificial turf and this is where where what was kind of the the recommendations where did it come from? um the use of the grass field. Um there
is need for sports and this is what was expressed to us from the sports groups as well that there wasn't enough time field play time whether the turf at times the the regular grass needs to downtime to rest and be maintained and
then uh programs being kind of you know back to back and back. So there was a need for that. That's why some of the recommendations was for the artificial turf and I'll explain kind of how it helps the game time and there's we have listened and we have a different option
as well for that turf. Um another thing too was incorporates uh sustainable design renovate the rest uh restrooms and improve um just a general amenities throughout the park as well. Um and as you could see so from there um
we also we know what's uh where were kind of the previous studies being done. We knew that the pool was a current project being done and as soon as how we've coordinated and and knew what's the status of that um as well as the baseball. Now, when we first started
this, the baseball was underway already. Um, and we were told that that was the location of it as well and just to kind of coordinate um what was going to come to the future of of that location. So, last time we we kind of met um we
had uh whether put a green dot or a red dot for your most favorite or your least favorite. Um and then we we did have a bit of confusion because of course the multi-purpose field at the baseball which is called that but um kind of came
after our thing and we also kind of recommended a multi-purpose field um out here to just to increase the usage um and the downtime um maintenance that is is included. But um we take it into consideration and I'll show you kind of
the polls what came out. Um they really did these are some of it was about 300 including between 250 uh online and then in the workshop was like another 40 or 50 members. So we
have um the main entrance dedicated lane that we proposed to be a high kind of people like that as well. Um then we renovated or expanded restrooms um that came in um as second as well and the beach areas just to to kind of take care
of that beach area and expand it as well. So those were some of the the top recommendations. Now we've listened we know that um apart from that we also asked what was your least proposed element um and
and and part of it was the artificial turf. Okay. So we now now we know that while yes it will increase playtime um it's something that residents are concerned on um and we you know we are taking that into consideration and again
we have that option whether on our plan to to at the time to make the right decision whether it's artificial turf or just leave it of grass and that's that's fine. We could we could have those two alternative options and when the time comes that that is uh phase two that
could be um discussed further as well in design and then I'll highlight um W's favorite and it's you know the artificial turf and it's um it's not safe and and the numerous kind of comments and and again
Ron I appreciate that you highlighted that in design and eventually once you you'll spec out the artificial turf that it is and and it is straight. There's a variety of artificial turf. There's numerous studies and it's it's really
there's quite a bit of various opinions. We on one side we're we're landscape architects, right? So we we do care about the environment. We're environmentalists as well. But at the same time you have the recreational component whether it does increase play time and then you do you don't use
fertilizers because you do have to use fertilizer to maintain these fields too. So it's not that you're not completely eliminating chemicals on on one side. So you do have to consider that. Um, and then the play time, uh, the ma the the the time that it takes to maintain these
and the time that it's you're not able to play is significantly higher than the maintenance that it takes for artificial turf. It's probably like a month or two uh, a month or a month and a half for artificial turf compared to probably 3
months. So, it's like double the time of that you're not able to play on that. So, it significantly grows the the play time. So again these are kind of elements to share with you. I know there's various studies which uh we could you know kind of help provide and guide you on that but again this is just
one glimpse of the master plan. We were we're focused on the overall conceptual and I don't I don't want um for for everybody in the public to just get hung up on that multi-purpose artificial turf. There's a lot of proposed things and different elements and if we choose
not to do artificial turf because that's the public take and we want to be sustainable that's understandable. We could just go to regular grass. Um the only thing would be that I would we would suggest if the baseball is going to be artific um artificial turf we do practices and we use that field for
practices and heavy um you know sports time and then use our games at a regular uh grass field. So that's that's an alternative that we could we could always implement as well. Okay. So we we did listen to a couple
other kind of concerns and comments. Um and one of the thing is you know we we switched out the playground area um component. Uh we actually met even with um the playground vendors um and they kind of agreed on the relocation of it
to the sand the existing sand volleyball for the reasons that this is going to help ADA um and inclusive play for the kids as well as kind of the safety on the location um right over here and the access of of kids running like towards
the beach where the current location of the playground is. But we we made sure that and I could zoom into this. We want to make uh leave the sand volleyball in the beach area and have it more just be recreational play. So
instead of another extra tiki, you would still have the the sand volleyball in that location. Um but you will have hard um just regular court volleyball, two courts on near the the aronasium which will have the basketball and the pickle
ball. Um and this is kind of feedback we received as well because u the I believe it's one of those Annie it's one of the schools that that uses right that um uses those volleyball courts. Correct. Yeah. So that is a need for that.
So those were kind of some of the the changes we want if you uh we could go through all um the recommendations on it. Um apart from the entrance which would be a dedicated main entrance to have uh a dedicated lane for residents
and one for the visitors. And what our take on it and our recommendation is that you have really kind of more of an approach of license plate or a card for the residents to come in and um and for members that are non residents will pay
um automatically by the plate and that way you would leave the staff alleviate the staff just for the weekends where there's a higher increase in in the park as well. And then the second entrance really which would be near the the village as well. Um that entrance number
one I would say um would be more dedicated for the village marina and then park staff as well um for their the maintenance crew and all and all that. And then um that way it would alleviate the traffic and you would have um
use uh allocate rear reorienting spaces better because you go back there. um kind of there's the trailers are in different variations of sizes and you know there are no we could easily if we arranged the parking we could improve um
that location out there as well. Another u area too when I kind of highlighted was restroom and the and just a shelter out there by the by the beach area. We got to make sure the restroom is that needs renovation. If we could expand that to include some type
of storage as well to help and whether we we choose, you know, the option if if it's allowed to have um a concession stand. If not, it could just be storage for the future for events as well. And then it could help support um maybe food trucks that come in for the concerts as
well. Um but you definitely need storage and and a renovated restroom in in that area as well. And then just expanding the beauty of the beach in the sense of adding more sand and adding more palms, you know, for shade as well and just adding two tiki areas um for for that
for for all the residents to enjoy as well. In near the number 13 and 14, there is an existing driving range out there. Um and what our recommendations would be is you we could do a little short putting range nearby. Um, and I think this would
be an interest to uh the school as well that has a golf um club as um to to use and maybe that could come into some type of agreement alongside the the baseball um coming as well. Um another face we would uh recommend
would be basketball courts near the pickle ball courts all in an arnesiums which is covered. This would be amazing. Can you imagine being able to play out there and the sun not beating you constantly? Um that would be amazing as well. And then um the multi-purpose
field would just kind of be a a loop around so you could actually walk throughout the multi-purpose and kind of circulate through through the park as well. Um and then in the later phases we um there would be a need for the
community center to kind of be expanded or look maybe up um towards it. But this will be in the later phases because a community center indoor space would be um it it really would be a committed price to to do this. So this would be
long-term 15-year. Again, there's plenty of grants out there um that would help maybe build a lot of these uh recommendations that we're doing. We we will highlight some of these grants and kind of specify what what um the village
could actually potentially use throughout the years on this as well. I did want to highlight um so these are kind of the phases of there. So the beach area and the main entrance would be the first phase which would be years
1 through three. The second face um would actually be the second entrance and then the marina area um and then the back the amphitheater back kind of um area parking area as
well. Then in the third uh space in order for us to really look at um doing an aonasium and looking at pickle ball courts to propose there is an opportunity um along the preserve area which I'm not sure if anybody has taken
a drive or walked back there um but we do have village equipment out there. We have even um the sheriff's equipment uh the marine equipment actually being exposed um to the climate out there and it's not the best location to store some of this. There's a mix match of storage
units out there. Um, so what we're really proposing is um to be able to use the back lot um and maybe put like a maintenance facility storage unit and parking to, you know, again, this is just showing big picture parking to
support these um while still preserving the tree canopy around and whatever trees um will be used uh we could mitigate for them potentially um near the preserve with a nice walking trail and added trees. these hammocks on
there. And then the last phase, um, as I said, phase four, which is 10 to 15 years, really will look at the community center, um, and being able to, um, to provide maybe an indoor gymnasium for
the kids um, really to to be able to play inside. I'm going to leave the plan up for a little bit and then if you guys have any questions I just I I will take it at this time. I have a quick question. I have Natasha Early. Um can you go over with your
browser maybe the second entrance what that route would look like and again tell me who that is intended for? So the second entrance would be really for the marina. Mhm. Um and and that would have again a a
plate reader or the marina residents could enter by that location as well. Mhm. And the reason why is because most of your active programming is in in this area right right where we're at. You have all the marina traffic kind of coming through here. You could easily
redirect it through the second entrance, come down here and then just kind of drive and do be able to back up into into the Currently um the ramp is in kind of at a weird angle and and the idea of doing this circulation is to
kind of alleviate that that angle and have um you know the trailers be able to back up into the ramp a bit better. So that way the entrance for for village people for villagers
it'll be for the marina a particular the your main entrance will be for the villagers for for residents of the village the marina residence is different and then the marina usage as well as the park maintenance you know with their big equipment coming in eventually when you if you have your
maintenance dedicated on number 19 and then number two with the current maintenance is the dedicated Gotcha. Yeah, the current the current entrance would be. And back to the uh and I I participated in survey, but back to survey, how many
did you mail out? 4,450. Did we miss a section you have about 5,000 households? I believe we nearly So, I mean, hands here who received the mail out in their
homes. Is that correct, Steve? 5,000 households. You're you're you're you're higher in percentage of population. Lou, may I add a quick question about
the arnesium covering basketball and pickle ball? Um, remind me that mean it it is cover a covered space. It's a covered roof, but it is air. Uh, that's why we call it arnesium. So, you it won't have any walls. Yeah. And you could put um the great thing about these
is you could actually put solar p panels on these and it could help generate a lot of the lights around and everything as well. And I was just thinking about the orientation of the quartz since covered since it's covered that wouldn't be an issue.
The Yeah. Yeah. You wouldn't typically orient them in that direction. You are correct. Perfect. I got a question for the multi-use. Is there um another option other than full
grass or full turf to do a percentage? We could maybe we could do a small practice field um of artificial turf and leave the majority of grass now because remember you you mark up the fields in diff you know for different plays like
if lacrosse is playing or if you have football out there or if you have soccer um so you are kind of constrained if you put artificial in just one little segment but we could look into that again I think a good option if if the baseball moves forward with artificial turf is into that agreement
We make sure that when they're not in play, these fields could be used. You could easily put and you and you see it and I we could show you um other fields, baseball fields have turned into artificial um turf and they actually have lined up for practice play like a
soccer field out there. Um so that that is a common practice um that could be used. That's why I mentioned if if that moves forward then we don't have to do multi- you know we don't have to do both two artificial uh turfs.
Yeah Steve few minutes and I certainly appreciate you and I have appreciated all your hard work since we started. Okay I'd like to open up with a few comments. Since we last met a couple months ago in this part and this process
started, I have tried to spend as much time as I can looking into the fields. Um, I'm not all right. I'll start with the fields and then I'll move on to the general park plans. For all that, I previously wholeheartedly endorsed that
artificial turf is the safest alternative for the baseball field independent of everything else. With the same enthusiasm, I would now endorse to the committee and ultimately to the village council that we should stay with
natural grass throughout the entire multi-purpose fields. So, beginning this rationale, artificial turf, according to one of the manufacturers I spoke to, lasts for approximately 10 years. Maria
quoted to me an informal estimate. This is not a bid. This is not an official estimate to the village to do our multi-purpose fields. The entire multi-purpose fields and artificial turf would be $1 million.
If it lasts for 10 years, that's $100,000 a year. Simple math. I am endorsing natural grass for our artificial for our multi-use fields with the belief that we
have the opportunity to upgrade the quality of care for the grass and give our young people a better playing surface. I've recently started working with Maria and we haven't had a chance to come up with
what she would envision as our current maintenance costs for the natural grass. Maintenance on an ongoing basis is clearly less with artificial artificial turf is five man hours per month. We're
clearly putting in more than that to maintain our natural grass. But if the annualized cost of artificial turf is $100,000 a year, I feel like we could significantly upgrade the care of our
natural grass to bring it up to a level that the children deserve that they could play on safely and reduce their risk of injury. And that leads to the next thing. Even though everything I said to all of you sitting on this committee previously
about baseball and injuries on artificial turf no longer applies to soccer and lacrosse and any other field sport based on the difference in the cleats and the motion. If you play
soccer or lacrosse, which are our two main sports on artificial turf, there is a higher incidence of anterior cruciate ligament. In other words, knee injury ligaments because the turf doesn't give when the player plants their foot and
turns. And so, they're more susceptible. And you can find medical journal articles that say that teenage girls have a higher incidence of ACL injuries on artificial turf than teenage boys. There's a lot of information out there,
but I believe that the natural grass is safer from an injury perspective. We've already had several speakers comment this evening on the heat perspective. And yes, so artificial turf is a minimum
of 20 a minimum of 20 to 25° hotter than natural grass and probably more. There are all sorts of sophisticated ways for measuring this. It turns out according to the International Olympic Committee, you measure the temperature
at one and a half to 2 meters off the surface of the field to reflect the height of the adult players. Well, that doesn't apply to the kids. And I could not find any specific medical journal articles on differences
of heat related illness in pediatrics for artificial versus natural. But the general consensus is that children are more at risk for heat related illness than adults. Therefore, this is
speculation, but it's probable that the children are going to have a greater risk of heat related injury or illness on the artificial than on the grass. That's another thing. Now, going back throwing in that about
illness and or injury and heat. Now, let's go back. The village recently constituted an ad hoc budget review committee and as I recall from seeing that one of the biggest considerations for the village was that benefits add to
the cost. So I don't know if the village could would consider hiring someone dedicated to the maintenance of the natural grass playing fields at a level which would make it safe for the kids. or if the
village would pursue a model of taking the existing manpower and trying to up their training and time spent on the fields. But whichever we chose, and again I want to get back with Maria as to how many man hours she feels that we're, you know, I see them out there
every day. They spend roughly two hours, three days a week cutting and then in August they fertilize, they airate, they level the fields. So those are the manh hours whichever we choose whichever we whether
we increase our manh hours with existing park staff or whether the village and I'm not trying to spend the council's money wherever all of you are or whether the village did hire somebody else dedicated to fields. I feel like we're
going to come in less than $100,000 a year, which is what we would be looking at if we went for artificial turf at a million dollars for 10 years. And then finally, I have spent the past
few weeks polling parents of children who play on those fields. It predominantly represents soccer parents because the lacrosse parents aren't meeting right now. I pulled islander parents. I pulled people that I saw in
the grocery store who I knew whose children were playing soccer or lacrosse. And finally last night I went to the registration for fall soccer and interviewed as many people as I could there. The results I got were 37 people.
parents preferred natural, 10 preferred artificial, and seven had no preference. So, I think that's a clear statement from the community or from the parent community in favor of natural grass for these fields.
But in spite of the fact I'm advocating for natural grass for these fields now talking about the entire plan I think you all have done a wonderful job and there's a tremendous value for this park and for the members of this village
for the Miller leg plan. And so consequently, since I think we have an obligation to offer something to the village, I do have some motions for all of you that are not going to include the surface of those multi-use fields until
we get some more information hopefully in favor of grass. So, I'm and you may look at the order of these motions I'm going to give you don't correspond to phase one, phase two, phase three, phase four, but I think it's what's going to give the most
immediate value to the park and to the members of the village who use the park. So, I'm going to make a motion. I move that the committee endorse to the village council that they adopt the recommendations for modification to the main entrance including a dedicated lane
for village residents like this. Good motion. I just would like for everybody else to to go ahead and give their comments on this. Is that possible to do? Carolina with Yeah. And I'd like to just ask is the
general expectation with this presentation that you have some official or unofficial commentary from us because I know this has been out in the public. Is this a specific request for something
from us to say yes we like this? Yes, we you know yes or no. Is that is that the Yeah, this is this is the opportunity to give kind of the and I know I've met with you guys before and and you guys been informed throughout the whole process, but one last time um because we
are moving forward towards the final um master plan and we we want it to get adopted so there could be a vision for for the future for Founders Spark. So your request or the expectation is
that you would walk away with something from us as a committee. Is that is that the understanding? Correct. I mean what what would be your advice? Um whether we need to go back to the drawing board or make some
additional changes. Um again I said the the regular grass or artificial turf are two alternatives and you could see the range of price um in in in the master plan as well. Um and that could be further discussed even if the plan gets
it gets you know that's the vision for the future that could still be further um up for discussion in in numerous opportunities you know once you hit CIP adoption you know on your budget and then when the design comes into play as
well motion for a second we have discussion well I'm just trying to find out what is the expectation so Yes, there is a motion on the floor. I'd like to maybe before we do that, I'd like to reinforce
our earlier conversation and that is to request that we set aside specific recommendations relating to artificial versus grass only because that's a more complex issue that has all the things
that we've already discussed. We don't, you know, we don't know if we're in a Blackberry or or, you know, an iPhone 18 right now. So, I that would be my suggestion, but that does not exclude what it is that you're talking about. And you excluded it also, did you not?
Correct. I'm going to propose a few motions to you going through one at a time. You don't have to vote up or down on any of them, but I feel like we owe it to Leg Miller. I feel like we owe it to the village council to give them something. This is a 15-year project. We
don't have to decide everything tonight, but I think we can get started while we wait on more information about turf versus grass. I have some questions about the secondary entrance for the marina and maintenance. So,
how in God's green earth is that going to be managed? You know, right now there's a a place where you can't go past that. So maintenance is going to go that way. The marina um so you're going
to have maybe a pass for captains that are going to use the ramp. Has anything been settled with marina staff regarding changing that parking area and such? We haven't got into the details of
specifics when it comes to operations right now. This is conceptual. Yeah. Um I mean purely conceptual concept is one thing but is it feasible? I mean or should we just throw it out, you know, is it feasible? It's feasible and we think it's a
feasible project. Yes. Okay. We we had had cards given to us 20 years ago that was supposed to be a residence entrance. I still had the card. Uh I think I finally gave it to Maria just for fun. So here you go. Obviously the design is all comes into
play. This is conceptual. It's not engineering drawings. Obviously, the the p the road will have to change some. There's different the accessibility will have to change. Uh they're looking at actually it's a um license plate reader
access program. So, it's based on that. So, it's there's a lot of details to it. So this again I think is more I think what Lumi is looking for is it's the overall project, the overall conceptual plan. Do you like this? Do you not like
this? Do you think it's a good idea? And I know John's in his motion he he's redacting the grass versus artificial. Artificial, boy, what a bad word lately. Uh, you know, um, so the way I looked at
the plan that was sent to me is the golf driving net. Is that going to be artificial, too? It It's just a little piece. It It's just like when you're out in the driving range, you usually have a little piece of artificial. I'm just talking about the driving mats. Yeah. Yeah. I'm just talking about the
driving mats, which are already there. Correct. Right. Kind of. And and then the putting the putting green, you know, the the area that was proposed for the putting green, we had we had that years ago. Um it didn't work because the village didn't own a greens mower. It takes a
very specialy mower to and they're very expensive, by the way, to to do uh to mow greens. And I think that's probably why Yeah, I think it's about a 40 by 20 area that was already earmarked for that. I think that's probably why they let it go, but also why there's been
some discussion about uh artificial there. Um, now I I do my the house I just sold to my son um has an artificial putting green and uh it's a different type of green that of course would go on the baseball fields. They don't get that hot
as long as you have trees around and that pl and that that particular footprint has a ton of trees. So, uh, now of course the argument that could be made for all the other stuff with runoff and you know all of that, but it is a very small footprint. Um, I would love
to have as a golfer art non artificial there to putt on, but I don't know how realistic it is for that small of a footprint to go out and buy a greens mower, which who knows at least 10 grand and that's all you would use it for. You wouldn't use it for anything else.
So, we can um and thanks Ted. Can we go back to what is our objective here? We actually have a second item on our agenda for this meeting which is requires um you know when we're talking about our our parks things. So I need to
understand what is the specific objective relating to your presentation that we can contribute and maybe um the manager or Maria you can help us while we still have this motion on the floor.
I I personally think it's if there's anything on the conceptual plan that the committee really doesn't like, if there's something on there that the committee feels that is just not a good idea, maybe that's a good discussion. Um
but if the committee feels that all the items are good suggestions and good recommendations and is then you could make make a motion to that conceptually you do agree with the the plan and would like to maybe see more of if you like to
see anything change in there then maybe make recommendations that way but I think I haven't heard anything that you're not happy with. I think that part of the Miller Leg survey asked residents if
about structures, additional structures in the park and that was a resounding not so much. Correct. Yes. Correct. Like something completely new. Okay. So, the community center as I see it is going to be a majorly expanded
twostory structure and I think that goes kind of against what the residents voted for. Not really because they specifically asked were in So yes, when you say twotory indoor space, but then it kind of goes, well, we need safer indoor
spaces, whether that allows us to have space for indoor recreation, weather permitted, you know, that you're not outdoor in the climate. So it is a need that that is a need not just from the survey that it was expressed from numerous program instructors from the
sports group from all even from the staff of what is needed. Um you you have this is all you have right now in here. Um and and Maria you could tell me how many programs are done here. But that that part was also in the what
7 to 10 year range. That's in the 15ear range actually. In the 15ear range. Okay. So guys, let's try to see if we can kind of get something accomplished here with I get the 15year range. But and it's a kit of car like it's think about it as a a kit of parts. It's it's
a vision and you could pick and choose. It doesn't mean because the council moves forward with this vision or plan does not mean that every part is going to have to be implemented. there's another uh portion of of community input that will go into again with your CIP
budget and it's it it all will change because maybe in 15 years there might be something else that will pop up and the the council will have to take that into consideration the committee will have to as well. So it's just a vision. It's a kid apart really to to set kind of what
what's needed. Millions of dollars to audience this presentation. Well, that's why there's reason for my asking. What is it that we do? And what I'm hearing from Maria and maybe if the
manager would add to this is our specific the contribution that we can make is not so much that it is the contribution that we can make. We don't hate anything enough to say that's
terrible so go ahead with it. Is that kind of I mean am I interpreting that correctly? I'm reluctant to take that approach. And if that was directed to you, I apologize. I'm reluctant to take that approach because if I believe like
Alina is concerned with does the twostory community center violate the public wishes, if we ask for a thumbs up or thumbs down on the whole thing, I think we'll be here for 4 hours and we will never accomplish anything. That's
why I opened with what I consider the most basic straightforward immediate item that would add value to the park and to the residents and that is the main entrance and that we can do at least some of this line item because I don't think we have a consensus to adopt
the full plan right now regardless of the field selection but we can at least adopt some things to get the ball rolling. small steps in a 15-year project. Yes. And I do believe in that I
understand in some budget conversations that the idea of a second entrance has been not um favorably has been has been uh set aside for now. Did I I don't know if I said that correctly, but that's Yeah, Maria,
this is um basically the last opportunity for the public, which you are going to open it up for public comment to give their input. So, we do need to hear from the public as well and from the committee because um the next step is that Lumi will be going back to
the drawing board finalizing everything and then it's going to be brought back to the village council at a village council meeting to kind of get their adoption or to get their input. Again, a master plan adoption means you
have a vision. That doesn't mean that the budget is set. These are we put prices to it and they're very conservative prices. Does not mean that probably will be lower. We go very conservative on the purpose because we would not like and we think about contingency in the long run. That's why
the number's so high because it's a 15-year plan. Um that does not make the council accountable in the future for for any of of the potential CIPs. That's another set of of you know regulations
that will come through and that will be another public engagement opportunity. A master plan will is just a you're you're adopting the vision and kind of the the goal. It's still moldable because realistically you always are going to look at a parks and recreation master plan every five years you should look at
it. So what is the price tag of this? It's it's uh right now the way right now the way you have it just the way you present it what's the price tag the without the contingency is about 40
million if you include the community center which is the biggest price tag if you remove the community center um it's really between 15 million in in just park improvements and that's over the 15 years. Yeah. Well, and with the 15 years,
that's when you're looking at the 70 million because of we're just prolonging. We don't know. We can't predict the cost of things 15 years from now. So, I'm just talking about if we did it today. Yeah. If we did it today, correct? Yeah. So, 40 million and 25 million of that is the community center. Yeah.
Okay. Thank you. And I think for us, for the parks department, it's a kind of like a guiding tool for us when it comes to looking at the future of amenities here at the park and also using it for
budgetary guidelines. And obviously every year we look at what the park needs and we always go we come to the parks immigration committee typically for any type of improve new improvements and new
capital projects. And along the whole line, the village council obviously needs is aware of what we want to do and all capital projects have to be approved by village council. So, it's not something that's going to be sprung on the committee like that we're going to
do something that's outside of um the plan. And also that plan may change because there may be a a really the need to renovate the bathrooms may come first before we do something else
because that's that need is more critical right now because of functionality. It's the roof needs to be replaced. So there's a lot of things that go into the whole planning of, you know, of in improving amenities or
adding new amenities, but it will never be done without the committee and the council and the public being aware of it. And the other thing about a master plan too, and again, it's right, you're going to have plenty of opportunities. Doesn't mean that you're going to implement everything in the plan. It's just
setting a goal or a vision or a direction. And you reook at this obviously every year, every every five years because the public needs do change. But apart from that, what it does and when you set having a guiding kind of document is it helps you back up
your grants because when you actually have a guide to, hey, we're planning to do this, we're thinking of this. Well, where where's where is the need for this? Where are the is the community input? You have the master plan to back up for these grants. So, it opens up the
doors for these grants as well. And I I do want to highlight that. Okay. I want to acknowledge that we have a we have a motion on the on the floor, but what I'd like to do is request what are the specific things in the first year or two that you are proposing. The
first one to three years will be the beach area which are the the simplest things um the beach area and the second the the second um lane for for the main primary entrance. And when you say beach area
Yes. So it's uh additional sand palms in that area the playground which that's already in the works that there is a grant for that that's being implemented and then the sand volleyball to be um um moved. So, those are the only two specific things right now in the first
two years of the proposed 15-year plan. Correct. Okay. I'd like to make a comment on that relevant to my motion. And as I said, I respect the way you proposed things and the two motions that I was going to
make did not exactly follow their recommendations for phase 1, phase 2, and phase three because I'm trying to add value to the park and to the residents in what I consider the most timely fashion. Those are excellent recommendations for the beach area, but
the beach area is already getting good use, very popular, and that's why I started with the re the motion for renovation of the main entrance because I believe that that's an immediate tangible change that will make an improvement for the park and for the
village residents who use the park. Great. That motion's on the table. Is there a second? Motion seconded. Okay. Would you um repeat or would you uh ask for the repeat it and ask for a vote on that
please? I will try to put his words. You do such a good job, Alicia. If you can do 14 pages, you can do you can do that one. Okay. Uh so John motion for a recommendation to move forward with the
renovation to a for a dedicated lane for residents at the current park entrance. Um, John, does that state it correctly? Did I say that right? Per the leg per the Miller leg recommendation for main entrance
improvement including a dedicated lane for village residents. Okay. All right. Motion motion's on the table. May we have um I have one more question. Okay. So, if we have a dedicated lane for
residents, then we're going to have to expand the road, right? Okay. Yes. Just making sure everybody knows that. And we also don't know where that new lane is going to be, if it's going to be
at the main entrance or if it would be over more by the village hall. Well, John, you're recommending the main entrance. John's recommending the expanding the main entrance. You hire traffic engineers to do that. That's not our job. All I'm asking is to
endorse it. Traffic engineers decide where the widening occurs. So there's no specific recommendation that either this road be expanded or that it be moved over to the other one. The idea is that this would be a high the top priority. Is that am I
interpreting that? Yes. Okay. question from the floor. Good. Yeah, we'll take Yeah, thank you for all the plans we're working on. Um the entrance to the park. If it's the
second entrance by the firehouse down there and not the firehouse, what is that? The second entrance, you know, that's okay. Village. However, if you in my opinion, if it's involves the magic word she said, mitigation,
that means cutting down mature trees that have already been mitigated in the park to build the ball field. We've cut down many, many, many trees over the years to build the ball field. So, if the main entrance involves cutting a
single tree mitigation, I'd like to respectfully disagree with that. Thank you. Thank you. There's other options too out there. You know, I've been to a lot of parks because I go up north Florida. Do a QR code, put it in, prints you a ticket,
ticket goes on your windshield, get rid of that gate, and then you don't have to change traffic pattern and then you just put somebody in a golf cart making sure everybody's paid their fee to get in. It's just one idea. There's other ideas out there, but we need to address address.
Okay. So, let's see if we can let let's restate the motion as it's made and see if we can make sure that everybody's on the same see if we can get concurrence. Do you mind restating that for us or John? Do you want to say it again?
Do you mind repeating it so that I can write it down correctly? Okay. I move that we adopt and endorse to the village council with that we endorse to the village council to adopt the recommendations from Miller le for
improvement and renovation of the main entrance including a dedicated lane for village residents. Yeah, as close as I can respond. The point of order vote the other one down and then and then
that's okay. We'll take we'll take we'll take this one. And what I'm hearing is that also is does not specifically say we're going to cut down trees or that we're widening anything. It simply says this would be that's what engineers do
for a living. Yeah. So this endorses that the first priority would be that we that we prioritize there being a resident's entrance to the park. Is that does that
say okay? Doesn't Okay. Okay. Would you revise that so we all know so we know what the idea is and I think we can endorse that.
So is there is there a second to the revised motion is John in does John accept that that the idea is I don't I don't think we can do it that way. I think if we're going to change the motion we have to vote the first one down. That's just how it's how it's done.
Okay. Okay. All right. So, I attempted to restate it as closely as possible based on memory. If I did not, I'm sorry, but I didn't mean to make a revised motion. I was trying to say the same thing and I guess I just slipped up.
Okay. So, where are we parliamentarywise, guys? It's the same motion. Then we vote on it. Yes. If everybody's okay with it. All right. Would you restate it one more time for us? Yeah. I mean, I don't I don't have a I
have a lot of different ways of saying it, but I think the way that you you explained it was the shortest way of that. I will definitely I mean, obviously when I go to do the minutes, I'll I'll put exactly the words in that we prioritize
having a resident's entrance to the park. Yes. Consistent with all the other guidelines that we want to have. But I think we need to vote down John's motion. Okay. Can you resend? Just resend.
Just resend the motion. First mot. Yes. Resend it if you're comfortable with that. John, I'm not entirely sure what all of you were I'm not opposed to it. I'm not entirely sure what all of you were seeing as a difference. I will simply
try again to restate that we endorse to the village council that they adopt the recommendations from Miller Leg for improvements of the main entrance including a dedicated lane for
residents. That's what I've tried to say all three times. I apologize if I change the wording slightly. It was not my intent. Ron, is it okay? Can we vote on this? Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Yes. All right. We have a motion. We have a second. All right. Are
there um let's uh Are there any objections? Yeah. I I think that this is primarily for the main entrance and for a residence lane in the main
entrance, which I want to go with. what you know your idea was we want to have a residence lane somewhere doesn't have to be in the main entrance so that's why I think I am
going to vote against the way he said it I would prefer it the way you said it okay then let's start again do we endorse the the motion that John has just made. Yes or no?
Yes. Yes. Yes. No. Okay. That motion is carried then. We do not specify which lane it is. I'm S2. By the way,
I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Okay. Thank you. I didn't I didn't hear the vote. She said yes. I'm a yes. Vote was yes. Okay. Thank you. Yes.
I said no. I was back to the one I phrased, but I'm happy to endorse what we have. So now we have a we have a vote that is what? 7 to two, 8 to two or whatever or what John said, but I endorse the general idea. So six to two.
Well, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. So we've got eight. Six to two. Six to two. Okay. All right. So, we have that. Are there additional John?
Yes, I would like to make additional motions. And again, I recognize that this is not in the order that is proposed by Miller Leg and that's nothing against Miller Leg. But now for a little refresher course for the longer
term memory members of the committee and an update to the newer members of the committee. This all started with a request from the pickle ball community that they needed more pickle ball courts long
before we have our current village council before we had some turnover on the committee. This all started when the pickle ball community came and asked for more pickle ball courts and the council at the time decided rather than just building more
pickle ball courts to undertake a comprehensive plan. So even though it is not in keeping with the order that they proposed it, here is my motion to answer that. And also I would like to
recognize that early on in this process, one of the earliest things that was identified as an opportunity for improvement. As I recall from the early Miller leg discussions was that we were losing a lot of valuable park space to
maintenance and there was a whole lot of unused area down at the southwest which you recall on her diagram that could be used for maintenance. that was identified early on as one of the most obvious,
easiest to correct deficiencies in the park. So, between that and the pickle ball request, which prompted all of this, here is the second motion. I move that the committee endorse
and recommend to the council that they adopt moving the maintenance area to the southwest corner of the park in keeping with the Miller leg proposed diagrams
and proceed with the expanded recreation area to the eastern side of the park in keeping with the same Miller leg diagrams including the aronasium as proposed and the
expanded number of pickle ball courts. All right, we have it. You got that, Alicia? So, we I currently I have motion to uh for the committee to endorse and recommend to the council to adopt moving the maintenance area to the southwest
corner in keeping with middle leg diagrams and proceeding with proceeding with the expanded recreational areas on the eastern side in keeping with the Miller leg diagrams. including
the aronasium and the expanded number of pickle ball courts. Can't write that. All right, let's try that again. So we have a motion for the committee to endorse and recommend to the village
council to adopt moving the maintenance area to the southwest corner in keeping with Miller leg the miller leg diagrams and proceeding with the expanded recreation areas on the eastern side including aronyesium and expanded number of pickle
ball courts. When is it appropriate to offer a slight amendment to that? No. I think if he has a second to the motion, then you can discuss it and vote. Okay.
You need a second to move forward. Do we have a second? We do have a second. Okay. So, we have discussion. I would like to offer as discussion that we have long had the conversation to get
the maintenance moved somewhere. And I think to be specific about where it goes limits us because there are places that are out of the park that are in the village that we have discussed that that that whole maintenance area might move
to and that we might not want to be quite so specific about where it goes. That that that it be a priority that the maintenance facilities be moved. um that that be a priority which will free up
the opportunity to have additional recreation areas whether it's pickle ball or whatever. I would personally say let's separate those two things but that's just my conversation. As I recall, that was addressed early on and admittedly there's been some change
turnover in personnel both at the committee level and at the village council level, but I thought that was investigated and found to not be practical and that there were no available areas that met the need within the village.
I can't answer to that. I don't know if that maybe Ron could answer to that. I but I don't what they're asking if there's other areas in the village of Adam Marada to move
maintenance to public works to move public works to a different area outside of Founders Park to any other areas in the in the village that the village owns property. That's certainly the intention, but right now I have a workshop scheduled
for next Wednesday, the 27th, here uh for public input on village owned properties. Uh that's the good news. The bad news is is that I'm not sure how many of them are appropriate for public works. Uh we have the Machado property, uh but I've been directed by council
that's probably going to be more suitable for housing. I was looking at that, but they said that because of residential concerns, etc., that's probably more prep for housing. We have the Island Community Church, which probably is the best place for anything like that. And we I I'm asking them to
consider selling it. Silver and Spice would be the only one maybe like that, but that's probably not the highest and best use. So, I would say the answer is we're going to continue to look for place to put public works. Uh we want to move it out of here, but we don't know where to put it at this point. We're certainly open to any realtor
suggestions of where we can put it. Caroline, I think with the motion he made, moving it, you know, and opening up that area where where we have a bay view to the people, you know, that would use these facilities is the way to go.
If the power is higher above this board, want us to find a better way from there on then in other words, let's get it moved and get it going under his uh, you know, suggestion and then later on it
can be read it be readressed. But I don't I don't really think that's under our scope. Our scope is to park not where to put employees on other properties. I just don't feel like it's under our scope. Plus, I I I I think the
village council is going to deal with that. They're going to deal with where it goes beyond this based on. In other words, if we make the recommendation to the uh the people on the council to move public works up
where where he's talking about, that's a start is what I'm saying. And is that a practical start? It would get it out of here. Yeah. Which is really what the the big push was is to get it out of here because
this is much more valuable land. Yeah. Absolutely. Absolutely. And then we're not building anything over there. We're just moving it from there to there. And so it's just movable stuff. So they can move it again if we
find a better place. Well, what I would suggest is that we make this recommendation to the staff, to the manager, to whoever that as soon as practically possible, get it moved from
there and if if it's possible to move it over there and then if there's something else, but I don't know that we want to have a specific direction that says it's got to go there. Let them let's get it done. I would like to leave it as it is
because we know that they can always change it later as circumstances arise. But again, this at least gets it started. Okay, the they is the council. Well, we got three of them here and we got the manager here. So, they can decide
if if this kind of a recommendation is what is what works. Okay, let's repeat the let's repeat the motion. All right. So, one more time, John. Is it basically that we that public
works move be moved down to the southern part of the park? Right. Okay. Um, so I'll just repeat it again. So, John motioned that the committee endorses and recommends to the council to adopt moving maintenance. I'm
assuming you mean public works. Um, but I could put that in there. um to the maintenance area to the southwest corner in keeping with the Miller Lake diagrams and proceeding with expanded recreation areas on the eastern side including the ironyium and the expanded number of
pickleball courts. Okay. All right. We have a motion. John, any additional Nope. Okay. All right. All right. Do we have votes? Yes. Yes.
Yes. Okay. Um, yes also. Thank you. Okay. Great. Okay. So, to the council or to Miller Lake, we will recommend that they take priority of moving that and
that will open up new recreational facilities. If it turns out to be pickle ball, then great. Um, sorry, just because there was a confusion. Who seconded this motion? Uh, Ted did. Okay. Thank you. A great scribe. Great job.
Okay. Anything else? No. No other motions. Okay. And then Caroline, we may have to have a little break for Yeah, Caroline. I mean, we're losing we're kind of losing the audience. I'm I'm seeing council people and village
managers yawning. I know Richie's Richie Richie Richie Richie's got to eat. Um just I I met with the staff about these fees. Um I would like to make a motion and then you guys can pick it apart if we get a second that we and my my motion
will be if you'll allow it is to approve what the village staff has come up with with with one addendum uh instead of 65 for seniors put it 62. That'd be my only request in the motion. And then if so, in other words, my motion is is to
approve it. The val village staff has worked on it very hard to approve it the way it is. If we get a second, then we can have discussion just to shorten this meeting up. Okay. The only question, the only thing is this has not actually been presented, right? It's a piece of paper that nobody
else has seen yet. We're going to let them go ahead and present it then. Well, um, yeah, public comment yet. And I think that's something that you should do because all these folks have been here. It's getting late. So, and then um um I Annie and I well all
the staff worked really hard on this and we need to give it its time and really give the presentation. We just don't want to throw something out there, right? So, I think our next meeting we will just, you know, hopefully just have on the
agenda park fees and that's it. So, we stick to it because it's it's going to take time and it's not going to just take one meeting. It's going to be a lot of discussion about it and we'd like to just take our time with it. We don't want to be rushed with it.
So, am I hearing from you then, Maria, and staff that you're you'd like for us to look at this as a prospective proposal, but that we not take it on as discussion, public comment, and do anything with it tonight at this
meeting. This is a proposal of new fees for the park that we have the opportunity to take home look at. It can be a matter of public record. People can look at it and our next our next meeting then which we will determine when that
is. This will be our this will be our first topic. Is that to be the only topic if we can do that? Well, yeah. Well, if so, so the item we've given you is just background. So, without, you know, so our next meeting will then have the
presentation to further describe and explain what we're proposing here because it does require some um background information. So, this isn't the end all be all. This is um and we will put it on then for next meeting. Yes. Okay.
All right. Is there is there any discussion from the committee on that? Are you okay about that? I think the request will be that we schedule the next meeting um and that it be with as soon as reasonably possible.
Um so do we have some prospective dates? I think yes we do. Okay. So you want to hear from the public again? Okay. So we're going to open it whoever wants Yeah. Do do you have perspective dates
for us? Oh, wait. Do you want would you like to um open public comment first and then talk about future dates or you want to talk about dates now? Which do you prefer? We were going to have public comment on the master plan on on the ma on
the master plan. We're still on the topic of the master plan. Oh yeah. I thought we'd had public comment on that. I think we jumped forward. Um but I think we had public comment on everything, didn't we? Well, we had public comment already
onions. Did you sign up for the agenda was published in advance of this meeting. Everybody walked through the door knowing what the agenda was. If someone chose to devote their public speaking time to something else, that's not our problem.
It is your problem. Then you should have spoken on it. But she just presented like in the last meeting that you had at the last workshop. The way this again, the way this was presented, I thought we were going to listen to what she was
presenting and then we were going to be able to give some additional public comment and then you guys could do your thing. I didn't realize, you know, we didn't even get a voice in any of that. You're bypassing the public. That is the problem. Well, that goes back to the question I
had at the very beginning, which is what was the intention of the presentation and who was expected to do what? So I was unclear about that and maybe maybe that was my error or a misunderstanding.
So if this in fact was and if the intention was that this is a presentation to us and the public that the public is this the No, help me out cuz we had our our second workshop that was
for the public. This is a public meeting but it was addressed to the advisory committee. I I'm sorry Satan I said we had the second workshop that was opportunity for the public to speak as well they did do first comments maybe the order of the comments it's up to you
guys if you would like to hear additional comments from the presentation but this presentation was for the committee for the advisory committee to relook at things because the workshop last time was a bit a bit more hectic as well we should have had public comment before
the vote So why didn't anybody speak up? But but you didn't go sign up for public comment. I think that's what his point is. Well, I'm not trying to upset you. I'm just saying this is a public briefing department should have some comments. I agree.
Okay. Just let him talk, Ron. Okay. Go ahead. Okay. All right. Need to sleep out by 7:30. Yeah. Okay. And I I have a request with respect to our public comment. I would request that we be very clear that we
schedule another meeting for the topic which our staff has brought to us which is timely needed and that we have that set up and I think we've looked at some dates in September and that that will be the first order of business that you
will have adequate time to present it. It will be available for public comment. it will be available for everyone else because the park fees are something you guys have worked on a lot. We need to move ahead on those just as much as we need to move ahead on these things. So
that will be my request in these guidelines. There may be other priorities but that I think that's the first one for the next meeting. So in that case then we will respect the fact this is a Miller leg presentation. We
will take public comment. would you um make sure that everybody gets signed up for it? We have our same time limits and thank you very much. And my I will be brief. Jamie Angel, I want to say thank you. That presentation was great. It was very detailed. I appreciate what you did. I appreciate
the motions that were made also and the forward thinking to try to move it along because I think it is important. But I will say that personally I think you need as a C committee and as the village council I think you really need to sit down and say these are all great and it
is a master plan and it's something that you're thinking forward towards but it has to be broken down into budget times. We need to look at we need to have I said it earlier three year, 5y year, 10 year budget otherwise there's no point in talking about this and going through
all of it because if there's no money there to do this because like you were saying doctor that it it's engineering and and plans and drawings it's it's a lot of money and if we don't have the money right now unless our village council plans the money for this great
plan that we just watched it it was just a waste of time pie in the sky. This is our wish list and I hope a lot of it gets done, especially the main entrance and the and the um residence gate. Think it's great, but I think there really has to be a plan. Step one, step two, step
three with dates, with money, and then come back to you guys and say, "Here's all here's what we think. You know, figure out what you all want, one, two, and three. Match it up, and then where's the money coming from, and how are we going to come up with it?" because I think that's a lot easier because I'm
sure Maria would love to be able to move her stuff and get some things done, but without the money there, it's all about the money. And I and so I appreciate what you're doing, but I think everybody's kind of jumping ahead and it just needs you got to sit down. You got to look at it. And I'll jump and just
say for the park entrance fees, I'll jump to that subject again. I think I would love to see what what those fees are going to be. I have no idea. I don't know how you planned it, but for the entrance fee for the park, I think we go to national parks all the time. And it's per car. It It's not per person cuz that
that's really kind of crazy to say $40 for four people to drive in the gate or whatever it's going to be. But if you do it by car, it makes it more accessible to people and to guests and to tourists. A lot of tourists, they go to national parks. They're used. Can I just ask Jamie? Let's Let's
talk. Yeah. Well, I'm I'm not I don't want to stop on that. So, I'm just saying to you, it's all but again that comes into it's all about the money because if you have more people coming into the park paying that fee, then we have the ability to be able to do some of the
projects that you guys are talking about doing. But without the money, you're wasting time in my opinion sitting here talking about this because it'll never get done if the money is not there. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks, Jamie. Sandy Sandy
Baglia, I've been coming to your meetings for many years and I you're all volunteers. God bless you all. Um I just want to say originally, you know, a couple years ago this was a more passive group. There were more now that there's meaning passive meaning the urgency was
a little bit different and you heard did more reports. Now that there's a master plan and you have these decisions that are huge and have implications, you know, before you you meet approximately four times a year, the
equivalent of one workday a year, three hours today times four, 10 to 12 hours a year. So you meet about a day and a half a year. But what you're trying to do now is juggle all these very complex things. And if I was up
there, here's what I would say. Okay, we heard this wonderful presentation. Everybody go home up there. Write down your top three things that you think are important. Come back next time. Everybody say their three things. Rate
them on a chart together and make a decision by consensus as to what you all agree is important because it's just such a complicated task. I mean, if I heard all this today, I'm not sure I would want to be making motions right
away. So, thank you. Thank you, Sandy. Other public comments on this? Well, ironically, if you hadn't agreed to listen to the public, you wouldn't hear me say nice things about you. It's going to be pretty rare. So, I hope you
enjoy it. I I want admire the thorowness with which you've done your homework which is what I used to do on the schoolboard when nobody else was. So that's a admirable piece of work and for you to separate the issues from one
location uh to the other. Uh and and I think the good doctor is is correct. Um this is a nature park. Our plan should not be to commercialize every square foot of it uh over the years and turn it
into a municipal more of a m municipal instead of the the nature park that it naturally is a a gift to everybody in in this whole part of the keys. Um, but amongst all your things you do, I hope you accomplish the same thing I did
from the very beginning with the baseball diamond, which is nobody's going to chop down a single damn tree in Founders Park because engineers do tend to do that too sometimes. And I went to engineering school once in a while, so I
know how to cut down trees. Uh, it just feels bad. Okay. So, I I hope you express that in some way in your deliberations that you pass on that we need to take care to preserve all of the mature native trees that grow here.
That's our grift to the gift to the next generation that do all kinds of creative stuff. Marvelous, but don't whack any trees. Thank you, Captain Ed.
Any other public comment? I think we get to be reminded that this is not actually although as I understand it um Lumi right as I understand it this presentation was being specifically made to the committee. It has already been
made to the public and there have been a number of opportunities for public input. Is that correct? And what we get to remember is we're not deciding anything. We just as the manager has said, we report to the village council.
So we are airing discussion and maybe making suggestions and recommendations, but we're not in a position to say to get beyond that. But if you would clarify for me and for us the
expectation that will allow you as our contract people to be satisfied that you got what you wanted by coming here. Would you help us with that? I think you guys had kind of moved forward. It's just to finalize the
report um which there will be a report coming up not a presentation an actual report um that this would include all the funding options as well. So not just the cost of things the options that we have of all different ways um that this
could be actually implemented. So there will we will move forward with that report and at the time being that would be publicly again put on the website and it would be um given as well to council and then that that's another feedback we'll get until eventually we we adopt
um the plan. So this presentation was just to move forward with the elements of the of the site plan or the conceptual schematic and fin to be able to finalize that report. Okay. So this was general acceptance of
the schematics of the overview that you presented. So we're not in a position to approve it or disapprove it where it's being presented to us. And then what we have is a motion that we have passed that has a couple of priorities that are
suggestions that are our recommendations that go back to council. Did I say that correctly? Is that is that what we're Okay. So, you don't really need anything more from us.
I mean, again, we if if um Captain Ed, I know that you you send us emails, we've been in connection uh Miller Lag as a whole, I know we we've heard you and loud and clear and um again, we're always in open communication. Apart from
the workshops, you guys have our emails. There's a website as well. So, if you guys have more input, we're we're always going to accept it. Um, up until, you know, we we wrap up kind of the report on that. Uh, today was more of, hey, things got kind of sidetracked. I think
it's good to meet again with the advisory committee, you know, just to kind of go over the plan. This is publicly again. The plan is on the website, which will be updated again um to reflect what we presented today. That's open to the public. there's
emails that we could still be heard from from residents and there's still another chance for that. Okay. And what what the next steps are if the since we have two recommendations obviously these are not budgeted. So the
first one is when we talk about having an additional entrance that has not been budgeted and because we know that the budget has already said maybe that's not in the budget and I don't you know I may be saying it wrong but that's that's
going to be a budget issue and then the second one will be a mechanics issue. our priority is we'd like to get that get those things moved and that can then begin to open up more conversations about what goes in there
if there's realignment of pickle ball or parking areas which we've discussed in the past is that did I say that correctly did I summarize that Carolyn to say anything but um I mean my I didn't realize that we were going to go through kind of um make motions and
things for things we're interested to see. But um my biggest thing is the playground change. Um so I mean if I need to make a motion for to express our you know sincere interest in that moving forward quickly, I can. Um but yeah, I
mean I very I like how the playground is going to be moved and all the changes that are happening with that um to become more ADA compliant and Okay. I mean I went to a workshop on the playground and we looked at different designs of equipment and things like that. But yeah, I mean I think it'll be great. And then I saw the current
playground that we have and how you know a lot of it's actually really rusty and um so I think that you know when we're pay charging increases for you know non-residents coming in here um that's something to consider you know the equipment that is here. Um so for me
personally I'd rather the playground stuff be a higher level um or you know first act more than the resident lane. So I mean if I need to make a motion for that that's fine. I can hand but I would suggest to because this is all got to go to council. It's all got to be
budgeted. It's all going to be negotiated. I would suggest that the way we do that is that you can certainly move that the prioritizing of the of the playground area is another high priority. And then we turn those over to
have it be discussed cuz I I don't know that we can say one goes more than the other. But I think if that's a firststep priority, I don't think there's any objection to that. Are there comments on any Mr. Chairman? That currently is in the
proposed budget. I'm sorry. It's already moving forward. We're good. Okay. Yeah. Well, yes, as long as the budget is approved. Okay. Looking good. It's in the proposed budget. Yes, it is. Okay. Good. So, express my like gratitude and uh
Okay. Commitment. Yes. Just a couple statements. Um, first with with Jaime's statement. Um, I can't imagine I realize we've rolled the council over on a lot of the seats, but I can't imagine them spending all this money on uh on um Miller and Le and then
not do anything. Um, and then the other comment is, and I was just kind of thinking about this right now, the highest consistent foot traffic is over there where we're proposing to put an entrance. And that's the foot traffic between the dog park parking and the
beach parking. It's just I mean I'm over there a lot and it's all all the time. So, you know, we're we're talking about putting an entrance. I just want everybody to think about that, too. Yeah. I'm not sure that we were specific about I'm not clear. Well, the entrance over there that that
was originally earmarked for residents is uh highly put traffic area if if they if they put a gate where the current location is. Okay. Okay. Over by the firehouse. Okay. Okay. Yeah. Because it goes by the dog park on
one side and the beach on the other. Yep. Beach and they shouldn't have to. Valid conversations and that may be beyond our pay grade. That may be something that those nuances do need to
be um discussed at the next level. I'm guessing. All right. Where are we now? Are we picking dates? Finally. What were the dates we had proposed? 23rd.
September 23rd orth September 23rd or 24th. So that's about four weeks from now. I think we can't accelerate that. We've got budget issues. There are all kinds of things that are already on the
calendar plus Labor Day weekend. So an acknowledgement to staff for all that you've done for this. This is now a public piece of paper, right? So this can be submitted for people to look at and consider.
It doesn't have the background information. No, no, no, no. But, but the point is people will know at the next meeting that that will be the primary topic and they will have had the opportunity to look at this. Is that correct?
And we can't do it any sooner and we want to acknowledge that you guys have done a lot on this and we want to get that moved forward. Okay. I'm good on either day. Either day. either 25th
I can't do that Thursday because anybody else have any conflicts I will stay flexible if there's a con if there's a consensus date in that week
and That does not work for you Ted and you're not available remotely. Thanks Richie. Really totally appreciated. So appreciate a definite maybe
three hours into our meeting. I just appreciate it. Christie. Christie, are you still with us? I'm here. Yep. Either one of those days is fine. Okay. Okay. Well, we could send out an email and get confirmation. Okay. And then if it
doesn't work the one day, then we'll shoot out another day. We're shooting for the next meeting on the week of 23 24 25 September if we can make that work with as much of the committee as possible. and that will
have a primary priority of reviewing all of the information staff has done on on entrance fees and then whatever else we come up with but that will be the first thing. Anything else?
Just I wouldn't want to leave this meeting without making these comments because there was a non-aggenda item that got brought up and that was largely the artificial turf that we spent 14 pages worth discussing and bringing actual facts into play. And I'm being a
hypocrite here because I said to one of our council members, you know, your meetings go on forever because you respond to pitches, you know, go chasing curveballs in the dirt. But much of this information was just if not Blackberry,
it was it was iPhone one stuff. Okay. The new infills are not tires and the everything we said last week is true. and the the direction that we're going nationally where all the research is being done remains true. Everybody's a
great percentage are going in that direction. And the other thing that I would say is we had the opportunity you were invited to go over and see what the layout would be after the last meeting and that was a primary reason and a lot of you took advantage of that and that
may become you know maybe that's not important right now but a secondary thing that happened when you got there is you got to see the grass that we replaced a year ago December it was Bermuda and and and uh I should mention
you Jamie to your to your point like who replaces the grass I've had oversight of every one of those replacements 100% of it's been done by the school board and that will continue to be because in in section 13 of our interlocal agreement says the billing for all materials and
services and construction renovation or rec recreational facilities shall be made by the school board and and that remains to be true whether it was stated at our meeting there this is the I as you read It's the intrical agreement. It is a school's
responsibility. So, I say all that to say, um, if you looked at that grass and realized how recently that was pristine bermuda and saw now how much it's been overtaken by St. Augustine and every other weed in
North America, uh, I think that you would understand. Yeah. and the holes and everything else and and the fact that notwithstanding to the the fact that the ecology will be challenged, the aquafer will be challenged and it will still
take fertilizer and insecticide and pesticides and and so forth. So, I know a lot of experts have come out of the woodwork on, you know, on uh artificial turf. I've been dealing with people
directly who are dealing directly with artificial turf for three plus years and uh I mean these are people actually in the field. They're not googling and they're not just claiming to be experts. So, please keep that in mind. And I I so
applaud this entire committee for last the last meeting because many of you came here predisposed to voting against artificial turf and you listen to the facts. You listen to the real facts and you and you heard what the iPhone 16 facts are and
that's what we're going to push for, not iPhone 2 or Blackberry or whatever. Thank you guys. I appreciate the opportunity to say that. Thank you, Richie. And I will I will add that one of the suggestions that or
requests that I would have in this conversation about artificial versus grass is that before maybe not before in this process that I believe that we all deserve a complete
presentation by perhaps the selected vendor or vendors who would be the ones who would come in with artificial with a conversation about the alternative of grass. And that includes safety, that
includes water, that includes maintenance, that includes everything. But we need to have this from the actual vendor who's the I16 or 17 or 18 vendor so that we know exactly what would be
contracted for. and that would go through the manager in coordination with the school board. So the public will be in a position to have heard not just hearsay and not all the rest of this but will have been in a position to have to
hear that and to have the alternatives and the information that would be the alternative if it were if it were real real grass. John's got a smile on his face. I totally agree, Carolyn. We need the
facts on both sides, not hearsay from both sides. Thank you, Richie. Comments, comments. Okay, that's hanging out there then. Okay, I think we can hear motion to adjurnn.
Yeah. Yeah. Thank you, public. Thank you.