Okay guys, the clock is striking five. So, we get to call the meeting to order. Let's see. Pete, would you like to lead us in the
pledge? Thank you. To the flag of the United States of America to the >> one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
>> Stripes missing some things. >> Either one. >> I'm glad you got >> either one. So, has everyone had a chance to review the minutes from before?
Oh, yeah. Where's the They don't write it down. So, I can't write it down. Oh, it's a slash. >> It's a good thing you're watching out for me, isn't it? Okay. So, Miss Alicia, would you call us
to would you uh call the role for us? >> Okay. We have Carolyn Whiteitman. >> I'm here. >> We have Ted Benbo. >> Shannon Kerry >> here. >> Alina Davis >> here. >> Natasha Early >> here. >> David Epstein is not. Christy Hughes on Zoom.
>> I'm here. >> Right. Uh Joseph Janak. >> Richard Russell >> here. >> And John Weir >> here. >> Great. Good job everyone. It's nice to have active participation from our volunteer communities.
So, um let's do approval of the minutes from the last meeting. And I have a couple of things I wanted to start with. So, is everyone had a chance to review the minutes? If Alena's reviewed them and they're okay with her, then she's our she's our
guide. Okay. Motion to adopt. Okay, objections. All right, we review the minutes. Um, approve. And I would like to start with two things. First of all, I want to
acknowledge the fact that this lighthouse right here belongs to Friends of the Pool. And you know that started right here at the pool. The whole idea that the lighthouse was
being surplused by the whoever it was, Department of Interior, whatever, we don't need lighouses anymore. Going to get rid of them. Somebody go take care of them. And we know how important this lighthouse is to all of us in our
community. And so who decides that they're going to do something about this lighthouse but friends of the pool, which is our master swimmers that started right back here. And they said, "Well, shucks. Somebody better take care
of this. It's only several million dollars in a community project. What the heck?" And so Rob Dixon and that crew put together a proposal. It's about that fat. and sent it in to the Department of
Interior and started before that did the swim for Alligator Lighthouse and it was what two years ago, three years ago. Two years ago, three days before the swim they were granted ownership of the lighthouse. And the reason I bring that
up is they did their um third major event that they did this past weekend out on the private island looking out at the at the lighthouse and on one of those beautiful spectacular
fall keys weekends when the sun is there and um just a beautiful event and I just think it's nice for us to be aware of that that this is absolely absolutely a community project and obviously there's
bunches of money and permits and all the rest of that, but it's really nice to have something that has no, you know, people against it or people for it. It's like the lighthouse is part of our community. And so I just wanted to start
with that as an acknowledgement for us, for our community, and for Rob and the whole team of people that put the event together. But that's a continuing project. So, um, second thing is I would like for Maria and Annie to come up
here, please. Right here. I would like for you guys to come up here. Right here. And we don't have an official photographer because we did that before and we don't have the beautiful awards. But at the last village council meeting,
the village acknowledged some of the employees who have been with the village long enough and with such consistency. And these are two of these guys. So Annie has been with the village for 20 years and Maria for 25.
So I just want to give you guys a special acknowledgement, make sure that we know about that. you know, behind the scenes team, we know that we've got the experience and the wisdom that goes really back to the
beginning of the of the park and that they've got everybody's best interest in mind with a lot of heritage. So, congratulations to you guys. >> Yeah. Excellent. So, um let's check and see are there any
emergency agenda additions or deletions? And if not, is there some public comment? And what I'd like to request is if there's public comment on items that are specifically on the agenda, we'll make sure those are handled during those
times. But if there are other um items of public comment, this is an opportunity for them. And so >> great to stay here. >> You Oh, you got to come up there. Not only that, you get to introduce
yourself. >> Well, my name is Kelly. We live here in the park. I'm Cara. Um and we just had a concern. Um, we have kind of a unique perspective because we live here full-time and we have three small dogs. So,
>> close. >> Oh, closer to the microphone. Sorry. And, uh, we have three small dogs. So, we walk the park four times a day. And I mean the whole park. So, we love this place. It is near and dear to our hearts. And we appreciate all of you
guys. Um, and we are not trying to cause a roughness, but we are really concerned about the use of chemicals in the park. Um, the PAS that are being sprayed all over the park. There are also al also being sprayed on the sidewalk sometimes. Um,
there are other people in here with dogs who also live in the park. We walk through this stuff. Our animals walk through this stuff. The guys who are out there spraying have now have masks and gloves, which we're grateful that they have protection, but we're walking right by them. We don't have protection. They
do put out signs. We have been told it's safe after 2 hours. Sometimes it rains before that two hours. Where does it go? I mean, why are why is the city polluting the water, I guess, is what I'm trying to and the soil and where our
kids play and our dogs play and it's it's very upsetting. It's very upsetting every day that we walk through this stuff and we've contacted, we've made emails, and now we're here. And I feel like there's something better we can be
doing. And whether that's, you know, going in partnership with a university, an environmental program, having a specialist come in, something. There's got to be something better than dumping rocks and then a week later because we're not actually when we dump the
rocks, we're not preparing the ground before we dump it. We're dumping it right on top of the weed and we're only we're only doing like an inch or two. A good example of this is at the um >> the trailer parking and we pay to keep a trailer over there. I would rather park
my trailer on grass than those rocks anyway or weeds or whatever else. But to dump a load of rock and spread it an inch thick and not remove the weeds, not lay a barrier down and you're right up against Florida Bay and then a week
later you're dumping chemicals on it and then every week after that you're dumping chemicals on it. How much how much does this cost the city? Wouldn't it be more efficient to plant a ground cover that's native and just park on top of it and never throw pollution on it
again? There's got to be something better. >> No, I mean I'm the one who has I've I've emailed the council. I've spoken to a few of the council members. I've spoken to a few of you. I've unfortunately
resulted to or resorted to Facebook, which I don't love doing and I don't love trying to cause a harm or trouble. And I know some of you reached out and I appreciate that, but and I know we were told there was going to be a trial of different herbicides being used, but and
that's great, but it's still herbicides. It's still chemicals. It's still forever chemicals. It's still I mean literally walking the trail the other day from me to her he's sitting there spraying and no our maintenance guys are wonderful don't get me wrong that's absolutely has
nothing to do with them. I love all of them. They're wonderful. They come and change our trash. We have great conversations with them. But I mean I'm walking my dog like this. He's right here doing this with a little sign that says in two hours and I mean it's just it just feels like we've
>> I mean I can't even imagine having kids play on that field. Yeah, >> they're seeing all the chemicals that we dump out there. >> Fourth of July, the day before the entire stage area is covered in chemicals and then the next day crowds come in from the 4th of July. Like just seems like we could be smarter.
>> It's on your shoes. It's I mean it's it's all over us. It's already in us. So at some point we have to lead by example. And I think that's what we're looking for the city to do on this matter. >> Thank you. Thank you very much.
>> We appreciate it. Thanks for listening. >> I think that as a commentary this is really part of the big picture also um certainly of conversations about what is what kind of grass or cover do we have because that is one of the
considerations about the conversations about turf versus grass because grass does require the maintenance and all the rest of that. So thank you for bringing that up. I just want to point out though, maintenance does not require chemicals.
>> It doesn't we can do this naturally. I mean, it's been proven in other parks. We can't do this naturally. So, we I mean, I don't know if we need to form partnership with somebody or go look at the parks that are already doing this and see what we can learn from those
people, but it's this is not new. This is just we can make this better. We can fix it. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> Um, are there any other public comment?
If not, um, no, no public comment. Yes, please. Hi, my name is Tom Vitali. Um, live here also with my wife Karen. And about this issue, I don't know. Recently, we've seen
dead squirrels, some dead uh birds. We've had two dogs living here. We've had two dogs and one was only four years old die of amangio sarcomomas. They um they put the chemicals. It's not
so much a turf problem. It's more the rock problem and just spreading it on the rocks. Um, today I was walking our dog around the park and noticed at the beach side in the parking area where you have families and children, small
children, bare feet, walking out to their cars, it's the toxic blue stuff sprayed all over the rocks there. And I looked it up and toxic chemicals shouldn't be used in the parks. They can
be used. Herbicides can be used but under strict supervision and permission by the management with protection of those who use the park. And somehow I don't see this. I I've you
said you saw signs, but the first time I saw signs was about a week ago. They put some signs up and said stay away. But that's what um they spread some pesticides I think at the amphitheater. It's it's just
I there's a real fear I we have children, we have pets, and we've had I know of three dogs of the same type of cancer here. Um and they were young. So we live here. We
live amongst this stuff and that's what our concern is and it just we see the blue toxic stuff come out repeatedly and it's just a concern. I that's all I had to say. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Thank you very much. >> Sir, excuse me. Um curious I'd like to comment on on what you mentioned. Um you've got a good point. Um I just read an article just recently um about people who live on golf courses
and how much the chance of them getting cancer and other medical issues just because they live on a golf course or near a golf course like like a golf course community but but far away from the forest. And I I personally as a as a
personally I'd had, you know, uh I I I had a golf course home as a second home and I watched uh the woman I was married to get stage four cancer and the dog at the same time. And uh luckily she made it
>> when she was only given a couple weeks to live and the dog didn't. But you you guys have a good point. personally as a as a member of this committee, I don't know what we could do to help you. I think you need to take it to the next step, but I'm glad you started here and brought it out. It'll end up in our
minutes. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Now, just one other comment. I'm a physician and retired physician. If there's a cluster, and we see it in our pets, and if there's a cluster of
children that like if this comes out, this village will be in a world of hurt because using toxic chemicals in a park where you have little children and they spray it on the rocks behind
the soft uh the smaller ball field, the small uh the uh softball field there. There's an area that's depressed that collects water, I guess, and the weeds grow and they spray it on the rocks there and that's where the little kids play while their bigger se siblings are
playing ball. It's just it it hurts to see this personally as a physician to be exposed to this. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. And well, just hang on one second. Um, we'll
take this as your commentary and then, um, Ron, this is not necessarily connected to you, but we're fortunate to have the manager here who was going to be here just at the beginning. Could I ask you to just come if you have any other topics you'd like to address and
maybe give a commentary for us on how you and um, park staff might take this and what what other what might be a next step. This is our village manager. Thank you. >> Yeah, we had a staff director meeting this morning and this issue came up. Uh
Anna Richards who I think is watching council ass on Facebook yesterday and we brought to brought to my attention. We had a discussion today with Maria and Annie and then I think Peter Fresa our environmental guru and so we're looking at basically you know what the situation
is if there are alternatives that may be you know less potentially harmful. I've been told it's not harmful, but I always tell people I'm not a I'm a lawyer. I'm not a doctor. I'm not an engineer. So, um I would experts, but we are looking at it and we had to control the weeds,
but we could maybe there's a different way to do it. And so, I'm leaving up to Maria and maybe Peter to look into alternatives. >> Great. So the main thing is that I think we am I speaking okay for the committee in saying that we hear your request and
bringing up the topic and we've now got three key players involved. So we will make sure it becomes a part of our report to council and then we'll see what steps may be um may be on the on the agenda. Is that fair for everybody?
And Anna Richards told me she's watching by Zoom and the mayor said she was trying to to zoom in too. So we've also got a couple council people who are actually watching and >> just to make a few points here. Um Kelly I'm sorry Kelly and Carol they did uh
send us an email back in the summer months and um let us know their concerns and at that point we did look into other more environmentally friendly products and we did change. So that was Thank you for, you know, putting that out there.
And we right now we're currently using better products, more environmentally sensitive products. And the blue that they're talking about is a it's a dye, a blue dye indicator. So basically when when the maintenance guy spray um for
for weed control, that's what it is. It's a color dye and it's a food coloring. So um it's a base a food coloring product. So, we did change that product and this product is much better than what we were using before. And then we also did change our herbicide that
we're using. And it's also a better um environmentally sensitive um you know product that we're using. It is it's the label states that it's um it's safe for pets, children, and mar marine life if it's used properly. And one of our
maintenance guys, um, Rudy, he is he is a certified, um, he got his certification in spraying for chemicals. So, he is certified and we have his license on hand. So, we are doing our best to kind of move forward to, you
know, using more safer products. So, I think we're taking steps there. Um, are there other, you know, applications that we could use? We could look into that. I have spoken to Peter Fresza who's our environmental um you know person and we
we have been talking about different applications but again we're in the beginning stages of that. Great. Well, thanks to all of you for bringing this up and I think that this is related to a
even more current conversation which is how do we cover the ball fields and the soccer fields and everything else and what are the entangling conversations about that in terms of upkeep of whatever the whatever the grass cover or
the ground cover is. So, thank you very much and we will um you we've heard you now and it's our responsibility to make sure it comes forward to some next steps. So, thank you and any suggestions anyone has that's uh we're very open to
it. That certainly should be a standing part of our community is to be watching out for the environmental impact of anything that we do. So, thank you. >> Carolyn, may I ask a question? Um, it's Christie. Maria, could you tell us what are So,
what was the old chemical and then what is the the newer chemical that had that you found to be uh better for everybody? >> I don't have the um name of the old chemical. >> Okay. Um yeah currently we are using
it's called it's an IKE product I k it's a spray pattern indicator and then for >> that would be the die right it's a die and um for the herbicide it's axe axe
broadspectctrum herbicide >> and that's the one that we're that you're using now >> okay thank Thank you. >> Invert and again this comes back to the parking area for the boat. Could Could you come
up and read that up here at the podium so we get it on the record? >> People on TV. >> But is that the old stuff? >> No, the current >> stuff. >> The new stuff. >> Yeah, the current stuff. If you if you Google the current stuff that acts broadspectctrum herbicide, it says is
toxic to fish, aquatic invertebrates, and is not safe for use in or around the ocean or any other body of water. The product label explic explicitly states strict precautions to avoid aquatic contamination. Um, and again the area of concern is the
the area underneath the boat trailer parking that is feet from the water that again they're not preparing the surface. They're dumping rocks about an inch thick right on top of the currently growing weeds. So next week the weeds are going to shoot up. Blue dye goes on.
We just watched the first section of that. That took about a week and they were already spraying it with blue. So, we're too close to the water to be spraying the stuff. It's these are forever chemicals. We can't get it out of the water. Once it's in, it's in. >> Have you guys re any chemicals like with
the cancer in >> Why do we have to use chemicals? >> Well, no. I'm saying you're giving us some data. And I'm I'm not going against you here, but like for instance, at the uh cancer institute, they say get the stuff away from your house. You have people that, you know, have cancer issues and they would say things like,
uh, spraying with a high-grade vinegar mixed with Epsom salts and dog detergent and that kills weeds >> and things like that. I was just curious if if if you knew of that as well. >> Yeah, but I mean, why can't we use native plants? Like when we had a house,
we put in a pool here and the hoops that we had to jump through for the city and the native plants and this, we had to plant trees. Our yard was like the size of a postage stamp already and we had to dig a ditch. So, we had to do all kinds of crazy stuff. I don't see any of the
city doing any of that. Well, I think thank you very much. I think that it's this is a valid topic. This is an important topic for us as a committee to um turn over to and whether
it goes directly to Maria and staff um in collaboration with Pete and also the manager. We've got them here and we've got possibly members of the council listening in. It can certainly be part of our report. But I think this is a
this is a good topic to have continued updates on and research on. Um we are an environmental community. Um I mean we need to be and so thank you very much for bringing this up and it may be like
you've done it before but um thank you. Thank you. No. Yeah. Well, no. This is this is all an excellent an excellent topic and I think we've got the right people here to start
working on this and making it into something that we can explore. And I don't know what's exactly what's next, but we got key figures right here in the room. So, thank you very much for bringing it up. And does anyone in the committee have any objections to just
leaving it at that for the moment and saying we will continue to um continue to support continued uh research? I have a suggestion. So we talk about preparation. Why isn't that area scraped? Put weed
block down and then put the P rock. You know, it seems like it would be very reasonable to start there because that weed block does keep the weeds down.
I think all of those are great conversations and I think they're probably beyond our I don't want to say our skill set, but let's let's we've let's turn it over to the guys who can do the homework and ask that they will come back and give us a report at the
next committee meeting and we will make sure that this um comes up as an ongoing topic so we get continued information. And ladies, I would show up at the next village council meeting. >> Yep. >> When is it?
>> December 9th. Great. Thank you. So, Ron, was there anything else that you would like to add or contribute? We're very honored to have you here. Thank you. All right. Glad to have you here. All
right. Is there any other public comment? Okay. If not, then let's move on to our first official topic, and that has to do with green turtle. Thank you all very much. This has to do with green turtle hammock. And uh Maria, do you want to do
the introduction or do we bring Peter up? >> We can bring Peter up and Emily. >> All right. >> Good evening, committee members. Pete Fres. I'm the environmental resources manager with the village and I'd like to introduce Emily Rother briefly. I I
don't know if you all have met Emily yet or not, but Emily is the village's cultural arts coordinator. So, she started in July and been doing an amazing job uh doing some amazing things. Yet, you may have already noticed some art going up in in public buildings. So, that's something that
Emily's taken on and brightening things up. So, really excited to have her. I'll let you say more if you want. I'm going to start this off again. Move a little closer. But thanks again. Um, I look back at my notes on the first time I came and presented on the green turtle hammock and the project we were doing
there. It was April of 2021. So that's when we kind of had this vision of of what we were going to do there. We needed to do something. The um the waterfront there was kind of dilapidated. We had an old 1950s um residential home there that was falling
apart and useless. So we had this vision. It was four and a half years ago. I came and talked about it and I think I've come every year since. I think this is my fifth time now reporting. So, we're done. So, we started construction about a year and a half and we're finally done. So, we just wanted to come and uh just give you an
update, show you some photos, provide some thoughts, um take some feedback, questions if you guys have it, and um and then Emily's going to go over some um some future uses, maybe get some more feedback. And we have integrated a lot of the good comments you guys had. Some
of that went into this. And I have not forgotten your comment, John, too, about trying to integrate or find a connection between the green turtle hammock and key tree cactus preserve. I've not forgotten that. And there's a good comment. I'm still working on that. But um with that,
I'll just move along. Oops. Oh, sorry. Okay. So, just in case you're not familiar with where the Green Turtle Hammock Preserve is, this is a village owned conservation property. This is Upper Madakumbi on the Bayside 81.2.
Uh the building just to the south of it, that's the first horizon bank and then it's um the square grouper is just south of that to orient you. It's right on the little basin. The property is about 10 acres outlined in yellow there. It's mostly um tropical hardwood hammock and
mangrove about a mix of half. And what's outlined in the red rectangle there, that's the area where we went forward with the project, all the renovations to the waterfront, and then I've constructed the pavilion there, which I'm going to show you.
So, I've been I've showed you these renderings before over the years, just with the design concept we had in mind to construct the pavilion, this area. So, just going to go through these real quick. That's looking towards the water.
and from the water. Be happy to know even though it looks like artificial turf that there is no artificial turf anywhere on this property and there's no turf controversies here. Sorry. Looking from the the second story
overlooking the water and then we move on to now. This is photos were only taken three weeks ago with a finished pavilion. So it turned out great. Native Construction did the job for us. So, a local contractor uh really really happy with the results and
they constructed it exactly to the design specs. Permits are closed out. We have a certificate of occupancy and that we just opened um about two weeks ago. So, it is open to the public now. So, that's looking from the water back
towards the pavilion. So, you're looking at the back of it there. And that's the side. This is the second level is fully handicap accessible. That's a handicap wheelchair ramp right there. And that is on the second story
overlooking the water. So, we do have a nice scene overlooking Florida Bay. And there's there's two bathrooms there, too. See? And then the kayak landing. We did really a lot of work on the waterfront. We solidified the shorelines, added a
lot of rip wrap, built a dock, this walkway, and then the uh again a handicap accessible kayak launch which um has been working great. We know a lot of folks have been using it. We used it and u yeah, we're really happy with the results.
Okay. And uh with that, I'm going to turn it over to Emily. Go over some of the future use. Sure. >> So, I'm actually based out of the Green Turtle Hammock Nature Preserve. My office is in the Russell Cottage. So Pete's handed over to me a lot of the future planning for uses of the
property. So I wanted to give you all an update on some small steps we've taken so far and then open it up for a little bit of a discussion about what else we should do. Um so here's what we've done already. Well
almost done with. So, we will be opening up the second floor of that pavilion for reservations from the public, just like the little pavilions here in Founders Park. Um, so just like here, you'll be able the public will be able to reserve
them in 4-hour blocks um from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. And then there's a couple of small differences just based on that unique property. So, we did decide to have a security deposit because the pavilion is
gorgeous and brand new. Um, so there will be a small security deposit that will be refundable um minus any damage costs. Uh we do have a maximum of 60 people for those reservations just due to the
amount of parking on property. And then we also discussed internally, we'd really like to wave the fees for organizations that want to host environmental education events in that space because that is the purpose of the
park. Um, so that I think aligns pretty closely with what we already do with village property here in Founders Park. And so we'll be making that new rental agreement public shortly. Any thoughts or questions? You know
what? Yes. Go ahead. >> May I ask you something related to your job title, but not directly related to this pavilion? >> Why not? Yeah. >> Um, since we're supposed to be a conduit for public input, and I mentioned this
briefly right at the very end of the last meeting, and Mr. Sanders addressed it. If the village were to decide to keep the old church property and convert it to a performing arts theater, would
that fall under your purview? >> Yes and no. I mean, I'm not in charge of building renovations. Please don't put me in charge. >> I realized >> So, here I can >> Okay, good. the the building itself would not I think what you're saying is
if we if that happened that she would be in charge of booking programs she would be in charge of the program not the actual building >> the building I meant program what I was leading up to as a member of the community before last month's meeting
would it be possible for you in your position to reach out to local groups and see if there were enough groups interested in booking the old church if it were converted kept that it could be a break even at least a break even proposition for the
village >> folks that perform up at Murray Nelson and that's not optimal coral shore students smaller musical performances um that aren't the size of ice here at
the park or maybe even local sponsorships love you. Just Florida Keys Brewing presents with their name out front, John Doe Acoustic Trio in the
>> Let me stop it there because the first step would be getting that building in usable shape. I' I've already been approached by many groups that want to use it. The problem is is that we have to make sure the building is acceptable. We had a structural analysis done. The building's in decent shape. We had we've
done some roof repairs. Um the question is for our council, not for me, whether they want to keep it or sell it. We've had that discussion in open meetings. Uh you mentioned last meeting, I was going to talk to you because you mentioned you had a a um a wealthy person that was willing to put money into something over
here. We I mentioned that um I was at the benefit for the alligator and there are several people there that probably can afford to put their name on a building. So if we have somebody that will step up and help us with the with the repairs to the building or renovations, then we can get to the program. But we really can't put
anything there right now because it's not really suitable for public there. We need to have fire systems. We have to have some things to make it open to the public. Once it's open public, there's all kinds of possibilities. The problem I'm having is getting the building. It's not in the budget. We have no budgeted
money at this point to improve the current church. Until that's done, all the other thing about programming. So the programmer would be under getting back to your original question. I would assume that if it if it was a performing arts center that Emily would be assisting with whatever goes in there, but to get it to that condition is not
under her. It's basically under me and we don't have the funding right now. If you have some people that are willing to step up to the plate and come talk to us about significant expenditures and getting that building in in a condition to have that, we're open to it. But at this point, the village council hasn't given direction either way. They pretty
much it's kind of on hold right now. >> Thank you both of you. And I I do appreciate the question and I >> Yeah. Um just to say I think your point about a community survey. Are there
groups that would be interested in the village having a public theater space is a really good one. Well noted and um part of my job description is to create a cultural plan for the village. And I'm not here to plan in a vacuum. I'm here
to ask questions and find out what the village might need. Um, so that is definitely something I am interested in doing and whether what building it goes into probably not my purview, whether it's the church or something else, you know, we'll we'll see down the road, but
I appreciate the question. Yeah. >> Hey Emily, I'm Natasha. I have a question regarding um using this the new space um as far as an environmental education activity. Yes, there's a school field trip there. Can you provide the the education for the field trip
group or is that something that group would >> use within the property? >> That's a great question. Um, we do not on staff have people who provide environmental education. So the kinds of environmental education events that generally happen there would be things
like um nature walks uh you know we have people who want to come and do film screenings of environmental films um lecture series things where maybe a a school science
teacher wants to come in and have their class there. Um but no the the village does not provide the teacher. That's something that the >> group making the reservation would bring. >> Okay. >> But we do love those. >> Um, okay. That was a great segue sort of
back into this green turtle hammock space. So, you rock, Frank. Um, if you could bring that back up. I've given my update. I would like to take maybe five minutes to have sort of an open discussion where I would love to
hear your thoughts on what else we might do with that space. Um, we have received requests from folks for larger groups of people, 100 people, 120
people to rent the space. And we've also received requests for after hours events. Right now, the property is only staffed till 5:00 p.m. And so, to have an after hours event, we'd have to bring people in and open it up. And it, you
know, it requires a lift. Um, what is what considerations do you have for us as we think about whether or not we may in the future expand to other kinds of events? Right now, we're capping it to the things bulleted in
that top section. Where else might we go and should we? Emily, can I just ask a question? Originally, as I recall, green turtle hammock was preserved in some sort of a um conservation foundation thing. What is the status of that, Pete?
>> It is a conservation property. So, the park is a park and it is zoned as a conservation property. >> And so, does is there any control there of the uses of that property with I mean large events coming in or something? I
think that's a good consideration. So, for current events, um, in the rental agreement, we have an addendum to that saying that you understand, not you, you, but the renter understands that it's a conservation property and we have
all the park rules that prohibit things that would damage the property like balloons and, you know, rice and confetti and glitter and, you know, all these other things that you wouldn't have in a park, gas, open flames. um none of those. And so those rules would
apply also to any other event on that property. It needs to remain first and foremost a conservation property. Um but is there space to have a larger event that would not interfere with that conservation mandate? Possibly,
as long as it's specific types of events. Probably not firework vendor shows, but other things maybe. thoughts. >> Yeah, I think I mean I would be open to that and like as long as it aligned with whatever your mission is and the mission of the village as well, you know, if it
was like Moat Marine bringing like you know the thing they have coming up at Mary's. I think the marine thing there that way the village is offering them, you know, a place to have their platform. But yeah, I think as long as the my opinion is as long as the the
missions align together. What about, for example, a school's sweetheart dance? We've already received an inquiry. >> Say what? >> Sweetheart dance. >> A sweetheart dance for a school >> that's in Monroe County. >> Yeah. Yeah. Local school.
>> I was going to suggest if you ever wanted to host a bird watching event there and get some of the local guides. Um, people who are serious about birding are often willing to spend a lot of money in the community they visit. They would certainly boost the hotel
occupancy rate of the hotels down on that end of the island. They would spend money locally. They would go to our local breweries um in the evening to talk about their new life list acquisitions
and that and Key Tree Cactus. You could have a birding event there, have a few vendors set up under the pavilion, and then see send people out to see their first heron in a kayak or to walk down to Key Tree Cactus and see
the endangered, etc. >> Thank you. Good suggestion. Florida Bay Forever is currently hosting bird walks on that property. Um, but I like your suggestions for ways that that could expand in the future. >> Just what other thought? Sorry, I feel like I'm like done hearing this part.
But um as far as the uh outside things, I think it's something you could consider having an addendum is like they had to hire an offduty, you know, police officer that was there during the time um that they had to pay for. >> Okay. Well, what I'm hearing is you're
excited and potential for future expansion. I'm not hearing wild nos, but definitely direction to continue to to bring it back to the conservation >> goal of that property. >> Okay, we'll continue thinking about where we go in the future and for now,
um, yeah, please tell your friends and family that it is open to the public between 8 and 5 for reservations of the second floor. >> I'm brand new to this. Um, and I think it's awesome >> and I actually didn't know where it was until you pointed out.
Sarah, this is super cool. If we just want to go, we could just go right between 8 and 5 and you can walk around. You can launch a paddle board. You can >> Yes. >> It's an property. I went and checked it out. >> It's It's so beautiful.
>> Yeah. Um kayak launch is free and and all this sort of rental stuff is only the second floor. So, all of the rest of the property will remain open to the public even if the second floor is reserved for a private thing. um because it is a park. >> Uh Peter, I was just curious. I noticed
when I was down there a few months back when the construction still going on that there were people coming in in their dingies and tying up there and is that something that is being allowed, something you're addressing. I didn't know what what was going on with that. >> Sure. So, that's a a good question and
we are addressing that. We're aware of it. So, if it's during hours that the park is open, they're allow we're allowing the dinghys to come in, tie up, as long as they're not tied up to the kayak launch, they can tie up to the dock, do whatever they want. There's nothing wrong with that. We have had
issues with the Liverabore folks coming in after hours using the water, using the electricity. So, we have dealt with that. The Monro Monroe County Sheriff Office knows about it. We've posted their signs there and they are now actively patrolling it. Um, we have had
some issues with them coming in during the hours it was open and using the power, using the water, plugging in things and leaving. Um, so we've addressed that as well. Um, if they're using the electricity or water, they have to be there. They can't plug things
in and leave. So, we know it's going to be an ongoing issue because it's very tempting. um that's the closest public place now for the liverboard folks to come in, but um we're trying to deal with it the best we can and and the sheriff's office knows about it. So,
we'll see how it goes and we may have to modify our the way we manage it, too, but we'll do what we can. It's a good point. And I was I was just going to add too best of my recollection that was a grand acquisition with a lot of uh real strict
ecological parameters. I I know that we leased at one time to Jim Jacobe and there were a couple violations that sort of got us in hot water that you know that lease was uh was um broken and we sent them a different direction and so
forth. But just probably should have heightened awareness of exactly what those restrictions are because they were much more significant that I I was part of that connecting the dots there and they were much more restrictive than I would have imagined. So >> yeah,
>> just for >> Thank you. Um we do have the the restrictions the management plan for that property and we're in touch with the the granting organization. They um they're really supportive, right? It is a conservation property first and so we
are prioritizing that. They also recognize that um making a property sustainable is about generating maybe some income from the property that you can then reinvest in the property because a a conservation property does
require funding to keep it up. Um, and so they really love this idea because they want us to reinvest in the the green turtle hammock nature preserve. Um, thank you for raising that. I should have proactively said that. Thank you.
>> I wanted to question out of ignorance, which you know seems to be boundless for me, but that opening in the mangroves pier, how wide is that? I was just >> coming into the basin. Yeah, there there's a >> It's about 12 feet. >> Okay. 12 feet.
>> I was trying to figure what could get in and get out. I won't bring my trap boat in. I was just checking to see. >> Yeah. I mean, you could bring a, you know, fairly large center console boat in there. You're limited by draft coming in from the little basin more than anything. >> It's
Yeah. Two two kayaks next to each other. >> Yeah. All right. Should I We do have uh one more thing just to update you on. So, the Russell Cottage, which is the
historic cottage at the front of the property, and by the front I mean the part by the road, um is currently office space and a gift shop for the Florida Bay Forever organization. Starting in the new year, no, that makes
it sound like I'm doing this in January. We are not. Um, in the late spring, the new year, late spring, we will be kind of converting that space into an environmental resource center. Uh, I know that the text gets really, really small there, so I'm going to
rattle it off, but basically this is a space where we are supporting Islam Marada's environmental organizations. Um, all of them. So, Florida Bay Forever, but also MoAT and Eye Care and Dolphin Life, and the list goes on and
on. Um, by providing information about what they do, their events, their programs, how to contact them, how you can get involved, donate or volunteer with their missions. Um, so we will have static and live displays. There will
also be a little reading room that children's activity room will remain. And then there will be a small staffed reception just like there currently is. So it will remain a place where visitors can come and learn about environmental organizations. Um but instead of being
just about Florida Bay Forever, it will also be about many of our other environmental organizations. So we're super excited. We're still kind of figuring out the plans for it. Um scheduling meetings with environmental orgs in the month of December to get
their input and what they think. But I wanted to bring it up here just in case you have thoughts or you hear from anyone and then you want to come and bring it up in the future. There's plenty of time. It's not urgent but seeding a thought. >> So this is because Florida Bay Forever
is no longer leasing or has whatever rights that they had to the cottage. >> They have a 5-year lease for the cottage and their 5-year lease expires in March. >> Okay. So when you're saying that this is going to be not just for Florida Bay
Forever but for other environmental groups. So the staffing will be volunteers from these various environmental groups or are we talking more village staffing? >> We've had hopefully the first thing you said. So, we've had initial
conversations with a few organizations, Florida Bay included in that, and they have all said that a they love this idea and b that they would love to provide volunteer staffing for it. Um, they often get requests from the public to
volunteer for their organization and not all of them have missions that can support massive amounts of volunteers. Like, you know, for eye care, you have to be able to scuba dive. people want to volunteer for IARE but don't meet that
um ability and certification requirement and so they're actually super excited about having a place to get their community volunteers able to support them. Um so yes hopefully volunteer staffing and me it's my office.
Yeah. John >> Rich, are there naming rights for the cottage? Kind of like NFL stadiums. >> So, what you're saying, you can let him keep it the Russell cottage over some money. >> Thank you very much for your time.
>> Anything else, Peter? >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay. Thank you very much, guys. And thank you, Mr. Manager. If there's anything else that you feel like you'd like to contribute or add, we're happy to have
you here. We're No. Okay. Glad to have you. All right. Um, Maria, >> spend some of their money on my phase three motion. >> Put that in the minute.
>> Um, I guess we're next on the agenda, the Founders Park master plan phase two and three for John. You wanted this on the agenda. >> Thank you very much. I was hoping to be added to the agenda for two motions. I'll try to do things the correct way. I'll make the motion first and then if
there's a second then any discussion. I move that this committee endorse to the village council to proceed with natural grass for the multi-use fields
in phase two of the park expansion plan with encouragement for improved turf maintenance. help explain the explain the improvement
for turf maintenance. Explain that. >> I was going to wait for a second since last time somebody said we weren't really following Robert's rules. >> I'll second that. >> That what we just said. I move that the
committee endorse to the village council to proceed with phase two of the founders renovation with natural grass for the multi-use fields with encouragement
for improved turf maintenance. This is Christy. I don't know if you can hear me, but I will second John's motion. All right. >> Does space include the uh the building that they want to put up? >> I'm sorry. >> Does space phase two includes include
the building that they want to put up? >> No, >> that has that's the ballpark. >> Okay. >> Yeah. No, he's talking about the community center. >> No, that's phase the community center is phase four. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. So, can I open up for discussion? >> Yes.
>> All right. I certainly appreciate all of the effort that Miller leg put into it. They did do the little um I don't know if sharet is the correct word or simply the focus groups, but the
one for the multi-use fields which was primarily soccer more than lacrosse simply wasn't well attended because it wasn't well put out. So, as I'd mentioned to all of you a couple of months ago, I went out and I manually pulled at
least 50 people regarding what they would rather see their children playing on and the results were 4 to one in favor of natural grass.
I know Miller Leg recommended artificial, but the parents in this community whose children are playing out on that field by a 4:1 margin would like to see natural grass. And among the
small minority of people who wanted artificial, it was just because the grass is harder to maintain even though they recognize the problems with artificial. Hence the little additional
tag for encouragement for improved maintenance. That is intentionally vague because what that ultimately turns out to be is up to Maria and her staff and what the budget I did a little
preliminary research and I will do more before it comes to the council. If you all pass it, we could send a member of her staff to get an online certification in turf management for not too much. So,
we could take one member of the staff, put them in an online course, how to maintain a turf field better. If most of these courses are directed to golf courses obviously, but the same
principles could apply here. If they can repair divots in a golf course, then we ought to be able to keep the areas right in front of the goals on the soccer field, the lacrosse fields from
looking like sand pits. The fire ants are a problem. parents have asked, you know, can we do something to control the finance? And I'm not knocking you or your staff, Maria. I'm simply conveying public input. These are the things people bring
to me. >> Again, I don't even want to touch or say the word about that stuff on the other side of it, but there for field sports, there will be fewer injuries with grass. And for field sports, artificial gets
much much hotter. So the children would have less heat related stress. That coupled with public sentiment is my rationale for wanting to keep these fields, natural grass, and it will save
the village a million dollars annualized over 10 years. You want to elaborate on the financial what you're saying? Save the village just explain. >> Yes. I asked Maria several months ago and you said that you were given not a
quote an unofficial estimate that it would cost $1 million to put artificial turf across our multi-use fields, the entire expanse of our multi-use fields. And why I talked to the artificial turf
fellow, he said the lifespan would be anywhere from 8 to 12 years probably in our environment on the shorter end. So a million dollar annualized over 10 years, that's $100,000 a year
for the artificial turf. I feel like we can do a fair amount of natural grass maintenance and still come out ahead for the village. Thanks, John. >> Comments. >> Well, there is a motion on the floor.
We call the question. I think it's very interesting the point you bring up, John, that it is hotter for the field sports. How does the artificial turf know if it's field or baseball?
>> It doesn't. That's my own personal feeling because the baseball players are on the field half the time and in the dugout half the time. Um it's not that the turf knows obviously as you smile. It's that the risk of heat stress, I
believe, is less for baseball than for the fields where they're out there continuously as opposed to baseball where each inning, half inning, they're sitting in the dugout off the turf. >> Any other comments?
I think what I would say for me speaking as a member of the committee um I think I'm not yet prepared to make that decision until hearing from some more people that are involved in the sport. I think one
of the um important things about baseball is how very strongly the baseball community reinforced and gave examples for the turf that they had chosen. Um because they're the guys that are the experts. There's the guys that
play on it. >> But we're not discussing that. >> We're discussing what would be used on the on the soccer field. >> Right. >> Right. >> And the little league. Right. And what I'm saying is >> I haven't,
>> you know, the smaller baseball field, the softball field is what we're talking about, too. It's all >> the multi-use fields only was the only thing I mentioned in this motion. Beginning at the parking area next to
the three pickle ball courts, running past that multi-use diamond that's used for pickle ball for kickball all the way up to the edge of the parking and from the pedway to the pedway.
That's the only thing I'm referring to in this motion, that it be left natural grass. Someone calls the question. >> Second vote on must. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Carolyn.
Um, I'm going to vote no right now. >> All right. Ted, >> yes. >> Shannon, >> Elina, >> I'm gonna vote yes for grass. Natasha, no.
Uh, Christy, >> I vote yes. >> Okay. Joe, >> yes. >> Richard, >> I'm no at this point as well. >> No. Okay. And John, >> yes.
What was that final vote tally? >> It passed. >> And thank you, John, for bringing that up. I know that's been pending and just speaking personally. I think that's a topic that deserves the same kind of conversation we've had about baseball,
but I appreciate you doing that and I think that's um obviously where we get to look further where where we go next. So, thank you. Was there another another motion? Yes. My second motion, I move that this
committee endorse to the village council to proceed with phase three of the park expansion plans. >> And would you elaborate on which is phase three? >> Which would include?
>> Yes. which would include. >> Phase three includes but is not limited to moving public works and expanding the hardcourt surfaces
including an aronasium to include expanded pickle ball courts, basketball courts, and hard volleyball courts. The air building. >> No, >> no. The air the aronasium is the outdoor
space. It's just a large um covering. Yeah, like a pavilion. >> I'll start. Yeah. >> Do we want discussion now that it's been seconded? Okay.
This is the checklist that Miller Le compiled of what everybody wants to see. We remember perhaps that before any of this started and before the previous council even retained Miller Leg
services, this all came up because the pickle ball community was highly motivated for additional space. We're approaching another winter, another busy season. We still only have three pickle ball courts. When I walk
here in the morning, I already see people starting to stand waiting on courts. I have seen it in the evening, too. People are already, it's only November and we're already at maximum usage of our three courts.
It's obviously not going to happen in time for this season, but it needs to happen sooner or later. Phase three is 7 to 10 years down the road. I would like to see it happen
before then. The adults as well as the youth in the community ought to have more pickle ball courts. The youth in the community plus whatever adults want to ought to have more basketball courts. Treasure Village uses
our one basketball court for a certain allotted segment during the day and Florida Keys Upper Keys basketball little league has an allotted time on that one single court that's right over
there in the late afternoon. I can tell you that that one single little basketball court is heavily utilized and is inadequate to meet the needs of the community. I believe that this would
address I believe that if we get this moving present it to the village council that it will check off the greatest number of boxes on this grid soon it will address the greatest sure a
lot of people were interested in the community center well that's 15 years down the road that's phase four that's going to cost a lot more money and that will likely meet with some resistance because it would be two story. I don't even want to go there. But we can meet the needs of this community if we
endorse to the council to proceed with phase three. And I will now pull out one little ace in the hole. I will not name him yet. I will call him back. But first, it has to pass this committee before it goes to the council. When I was polling
regarding the soccer fields, one of the gentlemen at the soccer field said, "Oh, if you all decide to do that, I'll pick up the cost of the arnesium." I am not lying. I am an honest person. I don't know if he's ever approached you or if you know the person I'm talking
about, but if this passes, then I'm going to call him back and say, "Are you serious? Are you still wanting to proceed?" in it. I realize you might say, "Well, gee, that might affect my vote, but I hope it wouldn't." I hope you will still see
that this will be a useful addition to our community. The big question is not, "Oh, gee, we're going to put in a few more courts." The big question is
where are we going to put public works? Because the last meeting you heard Ron say nicely, respectfully, I asked him, "Can we put public works over there on what's called the hill? That empty space right over there
>> by the administration building." That's what Miller Lick suggested. Ron said, "Nah, I kind of like the hill. I don't want to put public works there." Pete Fresa said public works or no Pete Fresa told me in an email
that that area called the hill is probably not suitable for conservation land. I was going to ask him if we could do in development terms it's called an offset. We'll make that conservation land. You give us space to
put public work somewhere else. I don't think that's going to work. But we need to start it because it has to come out of this committee. And if we don't start, it'll either never happen or another five or 10 years will go by and a whole
another generation of children will grow up and move away and never have the advantage of it and a whole another generation of pickle ballers will grow old. And I would like to see us start the ball rolling. stuff.
>> Ted, could you speak into the microphone, please? I can't hear you. >> Somebody turned me on. Thanks. But, uh, >> no, you got to get closer, Dan. >> Oh, my apologies. >> Thank you. >> But, uh, yeah, I agree. Um, you know, when I go to I go to Kargo, Bank of America all the time, at least once a
week, and, uh, there's 12 pickle ball courts right behind there. Every time I go, they're completely filled. Every time I go play golf at Key Con Beach, I think there's 10 or 12 down there always filled. Pickle ball's not going away. >> Um you when when I sat this park committee 25 years ago, everybody was
sure we needed a skate park and it turned out that wasn't as popular because it only it only took care of a small group of residents which were mainly young people. Um the pickle ball applies to everybody. I mean everybody can play just about can play pickle ball
and and and I see so much use. I mean, you can hear it going on right now in this, but uh yeah, I think we need to to get some of these projects going. >> Has there been anyction? >> Has there been any other discussion about the property that's down in Lower
Mat, the former tennis property about that being a pickle ball complex? >> I haven't heard anything that's for sale right now. I think it's been for sale for a while >> as I understand it. It's probably going to go under contract soon
>> for complex >> this kind of use or something else something else >> for something else. >> Mhm. >> So it will not probably have recreational use then. >> And I also just wanted to quickly share um at PKS they're starting a PKS paddle
team in January for K through 8th graders. They'll have it set up as two different divisions. But my point is I think some of the kids may you know start coming to the courts here that are you know doing that after school program um at school. >> Is there any possibility of grants or construction?
>> Sure. >> Of that. >> Yeah. >> Millie leg included. I know you looked at Maria but I'll give a resounding yes because I listened to their full proposal and they were very enthusiastic about the prospect of being able to obtain grants from this.
>> Oh yes. I agree. we can get grant money but the the again like what John said public works needs to find a home before we can really move forward with that that type of project. So I mean I think I think the the main item is finding you
know a space for public works and then there was question about how do we delegate the space that might be available because as much as we support wanting more pickle ball is that going to be pickle ball to the exclusion of
basketball or is that gonna >> No, we're endorsing the plan which lists the specific Miller leg has done the work. All we need to do is say yes, this is a good idea. >> Yeah, they provided a conceptual drawing
that is conceptual. >> We spent all that money for that master plan. Let's start implementing it. >> I mean, we agreed to it. I and and I agree with John, too. Not only does the Monasuri school are short getting shortsighted shortcomings on the
basketball court, but they send over 18 kids to play pickle ball during the day and they can't play there. So, we got to pull out the portable courts to, you know, accommodate the 18 kids and it's a volunteer thing. They keep wanting to come and play even on portable courts.
So, those are our kids in our neighborhood and and I can attest that pickle ball is going to be here. It's it was an exhibition sport at the last Olympics. They're hoping to get it into the either the next Olympics or the following one. So, it's not it's not going away.
>> And so, I I vote I I I think that we ought to vote to >> John's proposal here. >> Yes. Can we call for >> Would you like to repeat your motion? >> Yeah. I move this committee endorse to
the village council to proceed with the recommendations in phase three of the Miller leg plan including but not limited to the expansion of hardcourt availability
and moving public works. >> A second. >> All right. Motion and second. Any more discussion? I I just want to ask John, could you please could you please say the list of the things that were in the phase three one more time?
You held up that paper and said it was the arnasium was in it. >> That's from That's Christie. >> That's Christie on the committee on YouTube. >> Someone just restated for me. >> Oh, just read the list of the things that are >> included in phase
>> that are included in phase three. >> Yes, I will read the list. Phase three, new development maintenance area. Aronasium, two basketball courts, eight pickle ball courts, bleachers, two
volleyball courts. Improvements, multi-purpose path connection, pedestrian entrance to preserve >> to the preserve. Is this
>> But that's not included in John's list, >> right? >> Well, that was why I part of the wording of my m um motion was including but not limited to specifically for that reason. If
somebody wants to make a hole in the fence so there's one more way to get to the preserve, great. If they don't, that's fine. whether the path gets connected or not. The purpose of saying including but not limited to is I just want to see
movement and I don't want the village council to say and I'm not picking on them. Oh, I don't like that one little provision in this motion. So, we're going to strike the whole thing and put it on the table. That's why I say including but not limited to give them some leeway but
let's just get it moving. >> Yeah. So to restate the intention without the words, the intention is to get the process of phase three started which obviously begins with something's got to
happen with public works and then beyond that then the reooking at all the other phases. Is that fair a fair interpretation? Yes, that is the desired intent and outcome. >> And I think public works is gonna that's
going to be up to the council to decide where they're >> obviously they paid for this study. I I think they already had that in the back of their minds. >> I don't think it's under our umbrella. >> Yep. >> Okay. Any more discussion? Call for the
vote. >> Vote. >> Vote. >> All right. Uh Carolyn, >> I say yes. All right. Ted, >> yes. >> Shannon, >> yes. >> Alina, >> yes. >> Natasha, >> yes.
>> Christy, >> yes. >> All right, Joe. >> Yes. >> Richard, >> an enthusiastic yes. And a commendation on the crafting of the language. I love that. >> John, you are yes.
>> Language. >> Excellent. >> Nine to zero. It's pass. Bottom line is let's get something started. Is that a fair interpretation? Well stated. Thank you very much, John. Okay,
next item. Staff, we are bringing back to the committee um the recommendation on our fee schedules. So, we're gonna go back to
just give us one moment so we can starting. So, just a really quick review. Um, we passed most of this is our rate sheet for resident memberships and non-resident park and pool memberships
along with the daily fees. So, we passed most of this, but between our last meeting, um, really kind of around the conversation with the pool closure, we had talked about our window is now closing in. We're closing February 1st. So, we talked about a temporary monthly
fee. And then after considering that, we thought, well, does it really need to be temporary? We've come up with this number. We think it's fair. So, we just wanted to bring that back to you, a monthly um monthly membership. So monthly for residents obviously just
includes the pool. Uh for nonvillage residents it would include they could do a park only monthly or a park and pool monthlies. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Sure. I'm so sorry. Okay. So for our
residents um for a youth or senior one month membership would be $30. For an adult it would be $45. And then for a family of up to four members would be $70. Each additional
member um actually that would just be that would be the four members. Um and then for our non-resident memberships for the park only a youth or senior would be $30.
And then for an adult $45 and then for the family of up to four members $125. And then if they were to include the pool, they want both the park and the pool for that month, it would be $60 for a youth or senior,
$90 for an adult, and then for a family up to four members, 175. Apologies for the um kind of small. It's hard to fit all that on one sheet. I'd love to see you change the senior
age down to 60 or 62 instead of 65. Just my thoughts. >> Okay. >> And then also I know the whole thing it was kind of a a big issue on the Zoom meeting I attended um with charging the
the schools a fee. I I'd rather see the non-resident gate fee go up to cover that versus charging the schools anything to use the pool. That's just my thought. >> Okay. Yes.
>> Would you expand on that? Exactly. Just expand on. go instead of $10 for non-residents, I'd love to see $12 and that'll more than cover uh anything that the schools want to do. Um that's I
just, you know, going going around different parks from Jupiter down Jupiter, Florida, including Marathon where they use a QR code now to park to use the beach and the park down there. Um
I don't think we're charging enough. Uh, and I certainly don't want to charge the schools to make up the difference. So, I'd rather see us go to 12 bucks across the board. Uh, for for for non-residents
only. I think that'll cover it. And then as far as the senior, I'm looking at senior prices. It says 65 and plus. I I I don't know. Uh, there's a lot of people in this town that are retired that are at 62 or 60. I just I would love to
throw them a bone and say, you know, let's lower the age. It's just a it's just a minor. >> What is the traditional definition of senior? >> I usually think about it as being 65, but um >> I mean sometimes discounts in businesses
start at 55. >> I mean, you can you can take your social security at 62. Um, so that's that's that's the only uh like it's really not that big of a deal, but if we're if we're misogynist thing, then that I
think we should consider that. But more so, I would love to see the gatekeep fee go from $10 to $12. >> And this is you're talking specifically about non-residents. >> Yes. On on the gate fee, not on the the senior thing.
>> Okay. Um, my question, and I look back and forth on this, but my question on this is we've heard comments about not wanting quote non-residents of Isa Marada. I have a concern that this park
supports school, the school, which is Marada, Taanir, and Kargo. And I have a concern that the parents and families of students that are able to play here because of their school involvement therefore would have a
distinction that the parents pay more to pick up their kids or be around their kids if it's the school group. And I don't know how to define that. Um, I totally understand the idea of out of state, you know, non-residents, but I'm
concerned about that window around students, >> right? Well, I was any um youth organization and students, they do not pay to come into the park to use the fields. >> What was >> Well, that's that was a that was a
different fee, >> right? We're that was recommended that >> that we create a pool facility rental fee for and it's a seasonal team fee for yeah Carl Shores High School or any other you know high school team which
there there isn't unless Marathon >> right >> high school came to uh use the pool. >> So that was that is your so we could look at those are two different things. >> Yeah. >> Um but I that's what I would recommend. I think the fees that you that you um
that the committee already um voted on I think are great fees. I think it's I think it's the fees are are are decent where we don't want to overpric I think our are our um non-residents and if you
if the committee feels that the pool facility rental fees and you do not want to charge a rental fee to the high school that would be just two separate things. I mean, you know, this comes up and people talk about overpricing. These people down on vacation, they're paying 300 to a,000 bucks a night. And when I
go over to take my dog to the dog park, it's all out of state tags. Um, it's all people from Miami. I'm not saying don't bring them down and but I don't think another couple bucks is going to run them off based on what I've seen to park in Key West and go to uh Sunset at
Mallalerie Square. based on what I've seen at at uh Marathon, and I'm talking about the beach and the dog park, the dog beach and all that behind the high school Marathon. Um we're not even close. And and honestly, it's a better facility. >> But the committee did vote on charging
um the hotel guests now. So, we will be increasing. So, anyone that's staying in Anamarta Hotel or resort or >> uh rental going to be paying the fees now. I understand. >> And so if so if you plan on raising if
you want to raise that non-resident rate, they're going to be paying that as well. >> I understand. >> Yeah. So our Yeah. >> Well, and I think Ted, if you go to Mallalerie Square and you park, you only pay for one car. You can put 10 people in that car. But here, we're charging
per person. >> Uh >> yes. It's a per This is a per person fee. It is not. >> Yeah. I just >> Yeah. >> So, you're talking about two people coming into the park is um >> for a non-resident >> 20 bucks. >> It'd be 20 bucks. And then if they want
to use the pool, it's an additional $5 each. So, >> a day at the pool for a family is going to be 30. >> And if they're staying at a hotel, they're going to use the hotel pool, >> right? $50 for a family to come to the park and pool. >> Yeah.
>> On a daily basis. >> Yep. I mean, how much does it cost to go to the movies? how much it cost to go to a ball game. I I $10 probably about >> $10 is too cheap. >> Yeah, >> but that's just my opinion. >> Can you I just can't see >> I can't see what is the rate for a
resident adult to use the pool one time. >> Um the new rate it's currently $3. The new rate would be $5 for an adult. >> Okay. And then for children age 3 to 17 or seniors 65 and uh plus is currently
$2. It would go up to $3. >> Okay. And >> you guys are you're asking us to approve the the monthly. >> The monthly, right? >> Yes, that's what we're >> unless you want to revisit. >> Okay. Yeah. You know, >> revisit.
>> Yeah. >> It's okay. Right now, that's what we're asking is for you to approve the monthly because we've already discussed the fees and you have taken a vote on it. But if you want to >> revisit it, we can. >> I make a motion. Let's not.
>> Yeah. To prove the month. I'm good with the monthly. Can we have a vote? >> And just to clarify, this does include people who are staying as a resident. Um, clarify the RBO's and that sort of
thing. you know, clarify where that fits. >> So, anybody residents, um, anybody a a guest pass would apply then to, uh, anybody staying at your residence as a, you know, family friend or your family member would be
eligible for a guest pass and treated the same. If you are renting here, um, unless you are renting long-term on an annual basis, then you would pay the non resident fees. system, >> right?
>> And >> I would just say that maybe we would get that information. I know they're in the process of vacation rental renewals right now before the end of the year. So maybe get that out when they get their renewal before the end of the year for the vacation license that it states, you
know, if this passes, the passes will not allow you entry into Founders Park in the future. >> No, they will be a non-resident. You're entitled to use the facilities as a non-resident. Regardless of where you're res the residence you're staying in, you
will be a non you will be considered a non-resident in terms of >> Yeah. >> Correct. >> And and you did vote on a Monroe County rate, >> right? >> So there is there will be a different price for Monroe County, >> right? So if you're a Monroe County resident and you show your ID, the daily
fees um would be discounted. So an adult would be $5 and youth or senior would be $3. So your local neighbors would be getting that discount. >> So that covers my question about the
schools and the parents and all of that because that's obviously Monroe County, >> correct? Yes. >> Okay. And again, any sports groups or high, you know, using the field, there are no fees for them. >> Yeah. >> So the the pool fees separate. So that's
the next for discussion. If the committee feels that we should charge a fee for the facility rental for for the high school to use the the pool. Sorry. >> Okay. Yeah. Because obviously when the people are using those fields, they're
parking outside the gate anyway. >> So did you want to take we need a vote on the >> I I forget who made a motion to Okay. And second it. Okay. So if you're ready for the vote, >> would you restate that because we're separating you're separating whether
this is >> just for the monthly. >> This is just to approve the monthly rates that we've proposed. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Um so Carolyn, >> yes.
>> Ted, >> yes. >> Shannon, >> yes. >> Elina, >> yes. >> Natasha, >> yes. Uh Christie, >> yes. >> Joe, Richard, >> yes. >> John, >> yes.
>> All right, unanimous vote. >> Great. All right. So the next um item would as we were discussing earlier is the pool facility rental fee for um use of the pool
facility and that's the lane lines and the diving well um for Carl Shores High School swim meet or it could be another school if another school wanted to um use the aquatic facility for um for
training and and uh pra for practices and meets also. It includes all the swim meets that they have. >> You're not talking about college. >> No, that is no. >> Yes, correct. The college um teams are a different fee. So this is basically
right now currently we are discussing you know the fees for Coral Shores High School. >> Maria, what is traditional and what is current? What what is our current policy and what is traditional in other high school type programs?
>> Currently the um there are no fees for the high school and that has been that's been established since the pool was built. So for the last 24 years there has been no fees. Um we have done some research on it and it's very hard to get
facts from these other uh municipalities and high schools um to actually find out what the rates are but through you know basic internet searches and so forth and also talking to um the Key West facility
um that they are looking at um having a fee for use of the aquatic facility. the range from the internet um research the the fees ranged for from 1500 to about 3,000. So that yes a
season a swim season and um conversations with the Key West uh facility. They are looking at um charging this year and they said their fees were going to be like $70 an hour,
but that's based on weekly uh hourly. I think they rent their space for an hour Monday through Friday for practices and then they they have about five or six swimmates as well. So, it's it's based on the hour
versus we're just recommending a a flat fee. >> And just just as a question, where would those fees come from? I mean, would that would they come from would we expect the school board to pay for them? Would the
would the teams need to fund raise in order to use the pools? Is that >> That's a good question. And I did talk to Richie a little bit about that and maybe he can add to it since he, you know, is involved with the school
>> and and I can't say this factually, but this is just pure speculation. First of all, if Key West gets it, we'll get it. We'll get the funding. But secondly, um we have 37 different sports programs at Carl Shores. All those other facilities
are underwritten by the the school board. Um, and granted, most of them come from capital improvement monies that are acquired through halfet sales tax. This would be different than this, but we're talking about putting $6 million over here. We we got renovations
that are coming up uh in the next five years that will probably be in the 15 to20 million range again out of half cent sales tax that we've we voted in through 19h 2035. But having said that, this is such a nominal fee and I appreciate Ted's
sentiments, but I at same time uh schoolboard's been getting an incredible facility for nothing. I mean, that doesn't begin to pay the chlorine, you know, for for a few weeks. So, I think it's the best bargain that they'll have all year long. I will certainly petition
them to pick up those costs rather than have it be incurred by Coral Shores Athletics or most certainly it won't be incurred by the swimmers. I'll pick that up through UKF or something. But, uh, I I think it's completely in line. And that's I mean, that's my personal feeling. I know that that may sound
funny coming from from my position, but I also paid more than half of what I took home last year in taxes three weeks ago. So, I want something >> I understand that as well. >> I I wasn't expecting that, Richie. >> I know. >> Um, I I in a way I feel like it's double
taxation for the uh students that live in the village. Um, I mean, if you're for it, then I I changed my mind. But, uh, >> I appreciate that consideration. >> Maybe we should have wrapped these fees up with the baseball deal. I don't know. Said, "Hey, you guys going to cover this
and not the students parents." >> I wish we could charge that off to capital improvement somehow or another, you know, maybe something else down the road that >> interesting. >> But, uh, I probably won't open up that kind of warrant, but I think it's completely reasonable. and thank you from re for reaching out and and uh
inviting the conversation. >> May I clarify? You said the swimmer's parents individually will not be responsible for a prorator share. >> If it's $3,000, I promise you they won't be because I I've I co-ounded a
foundation that will underwrite that. >> Okay? because I know the number of swimmers he has on the team and if I do the math some of those kids would be dropping out if >> the parents had to pay that much. So >> it's a it's a great point doc and let me go and this is a nice time to inject
this. We have programs that uh have grants from uh Ocean Reef, also grants from the Neper Keys Foundation, Kids Foundation that uh are designed to underwrite the participation fees for any student athlete at Coral Shores that
can't, you know, the that can't afford it. And which is another way of saying no kid at Coral Shores will be denied the opportunity to play the sport of their choice because of a lack of funding. Thank you very much for that clarification.
>> No, thank you. And and Rich, I think that fits in the category for me of liking to hear from the stakeholders. I want to know that's where back to the talking about hearing from the baseball players. I want to hear from the baseball players. I want to hear from
the school side because I agree. I don't want the students to be all of a sudden fundraising for the ability to swim for the swim team. So, how does this So, how does this end
up then? Is this a motion specifically on the >> Yes. >> And that there is a request for funding for that. that motion.
>> Okay. >> My only thought was that 3,000 seems a little high, but I I don't know. I mean, to go from zero to 3,000 was my only thought, but I don't want to be like the one to like vote for less money for this, I guess. But that was my initial thought. It's like, oh, to go from zero
to 3,000 >> seems like a lot. But >> do you have um I know you've done the kind of the market research um for those 10 weeks that the the high school swim team is swimming, you know, the percentage increase of use of the pool
and then tied to that, what the maintenance costs and upkeep costs and the lifeguards and the chlorine and all that stuff that adds up >> to keep it safe for the swimmers. What what in what's extra that's incurred? >> I haven't we haven't done that math.
Yeah. Okay. >> That much research on it. >> It's It's kind of hard to do that. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. It's just use, >> right? >> The state of Florida. >> Yeah.
>> I think 3000 is probably on the high end and 1500 on the low end. >> Somewhere in between. >> But I do think that we should charge. I think that that is a high maintenance
situation. >> We got a motion in a second. >> Yeah, we did. We got a motion second on it. >> Do we have a specific fee that's tied to that motion that's up to the committee? >> Yeah, that is
we recommended the 30,000 that that that was just our recommendation. So >> second, >> right? Who was the second? >> Okay. >> Okay. Vote. Uh Carolyn.
>> Uh yes, based on Richie's >> obed. No, no. I >> I like to rely heavily on those people who under who are a part of the process. And so thank you for that. That's not blaming you. That's representing that
that's a perspective from someone who's involved in the school. >> I I know we're in the vote, but just just so to add to the, you know, I guess to the support of it, it's a matter of public record. go see what we pay Bright View to keep our football, soccer, and
lacrosse field up on a monthly basis. Or look at the uh you know, look at the electrical costs of the gymnasium and and so forth. We're getting off real cheap. So, >> okay. Um Ted,
>> Shannon, >> yes. >> Alina, >> yes. >> Natasha, >> yes. >> Christy, >> yes. Uh Joe, >> yes. >> Richard, >> yes. >> And John, >> yes.
>> Okay. Unanimous vote to public comment. I think that's why we had public comment here, right? Yeah. Go ahead. Craig McBay, Plantation Key. I always love being here for the last item on the agenda. It's just, you know, I got
nothing else to do. This is great. I love it. So, >> I thought you just liked us. >> Yeah. So, um I'm here on behalf of the Isra Chamber. I was uh unanimously volunteered to come here tonight even
though we have an a after hours um to speak not just on behalf of the chamber but also just for some other not for profofits who use uh the facility in the events. Um you know I spoke last time um when you guys talked about this. So I just want to kind of reiterate um you
know what all these you know all these community or all these u events that go on pretty much every dollar that's raised goes right back into our community. So, um, raising the fees too much, you know, it's just hurting, you know, these, um, organizations that
already do so much. Um, and I think at the end of the day, there's there's really not many. So, I don't know how much money would really in the in the grand scheme be raised. I know some of these different fees that I'm listening to you guys talk about there's going to be significant income which is great you know um we need that but I think the
doing the math for what would be raised on some of these events compared to some other things is very non nominal and I know some of the bigger events that raise gobs of money they may not even feel any kind of an increase but some of the smaller ones we're just scraping by
trying to raise enough money to you know to you know to help our reefs help our emotions, whatever it is, you know, I think it' be anything would be felt a little bit more. So, I just wanted to kind of let put that back in everybody's minds. I know you've all thought about it a lot already, but I just wanted to uh be here and just kind of reiterate uh sort of that that stance and those
thoughts. And uh I appreciate all of your time. Thank you. >> Thank you, Craig. >> Thanks for being here and enduring. It's called citizen participation. Every now and then, some of us communicate with each other and say,
"We're so glad we're being paid $3,000 a day for what we're doing or, you know, $300 an hour or whatever for what we're doing here. We're here as citizen contributions." Thanks, Greg. >> So, at our last meeting, we started the
conversation about um Founders Park special events policy. I think we um kind of went through the whole presentation of um of where we want to go with it and the changes. Um so I kind of we'll go back to it because I think
we provided the whole committee with the um recommendations that we were proposing and um I'm not sure if the committee had a chance to review all everyone did. Okay, good. So, I think what we'll do is kind of I don't know if
we want to go through the whole proposal again. Is that something that the committee feels is needed? >> I don't need it. >> You didn't get to see it. Okay. >> Okay. All right. Well, we'll we'll quickly go through it then.
>> Well, >> it's pretty quick. No, it's >> you can just summarize each page. >> Okay. Okay. >> You want to do that? >> Sure. >> Okay. >> So, our overall um scope and intent obviously is to have a special events policy is just to keep in balance with
operations of the park so that it can be utilized for everyone, not just special events. So, um that's what this is saying here. Um we redefined the classifications and just expanded it a little better so it
was easier to identify. You know again major is over a thousand attendees. Large events are planned for 501 to a,000 attendees. Regular special events are planned for 101 to 500 attendees. And then small special events for are
for events less than 100. So we didn't have that last um qualification or classification. So updating that. And then within the general rules of the special events policy, um
again, we're keeping it the the upper portion is what we're keeping out of that. So open the special events are only open to village viol or Monroe County based nonforprofit groups. Um special events shall not exceed two days. All special events are subject to
provide insuranceances, licensing, um special permits, safety personnel, and other special conditions related to the logistics of the event. And then of course applicable fees and deposits. So some of the language that we updated in into the policy. Um any new large or
major special event application shall be reviewed and supported by this committee. So it's going to come before you. Uh, all special events must comply with Alamada Village noise ordinance. Any special event with the sole purpose of providing a concert must be held
within the designated amphitheater facility. The use or installation of a large stage in alternative areas of the park or open spaces is prohibited. Any special event application request that seeks an exception of to the policies must be formally submitted for
review and is subject to approval by village council. And then we did remove some language pertaining to um previous agreements with the Alamra Community Entertainment. We no longer have a contract with them to manage the amphitheater and and thereby reserving two events solely for
ICE. So removing that language. They just would fall into the regular um policy. And then the scheduling of the events that was a big portion of the old um policy. So uh adjusting that so the projected number
of special event attendees shall be determined and based on the history of the individual event or similar events and verifiable data available for consideration and mutually agreed upon um with the founders park director. Uh so no more than six major events it used
to be it was previously eight special events shall be held uh per fiscal year so October 1st through September 30th. So we found just with the in line with the scheduling that eight major events was just too high. Doesn't allow for other space for smaller events. So we
went we changed that to six or we're recommending that be six. Um the scheduling of the six special event shall be governed by the following. So no more than four of the six special events shall be planned for over 3,000 attendees. So those are your major level
events. Um there shall be a minimum of 30 days between major events planned for the over 3,000 attendees and then there should be a minimum of 14 days between major events for under 3,000. So again keeping the balance not a backto-back um
major event situation. And then the number of special events under a thousand attendees per fiscal year would be large special events again that's for 501 to a thousand attendees shall be limited to two per year that is no change. Um special events planned for
less than 500 attendees shall not be limited. Um, previously it was limited to four events and we have uh and I can show you on the next slide and you know as you know we have many organizations that are um looking to provide events
and so to to turn them away it's just it's really just a balance and finding the right time um in the schedule to provide all that. Uh and then the founders park director shall have discretion for the approval of all special event dates based upon the
potential conflict with other park events and or programs uh or other factors as determined. So again just a scheduling. Okay. And then this would be and again I apologize it's hard to read from here. Um but these are the fees that we had presented last time. I just tried to put
them in in line with our other rate sheets. So, we're kind of looking at similar um setup here. Um so, for our small special events, that's again less than 100 attendees. Um the current fees were
just based on the area of the park that they're renting. So, pavilion wise or tiki wise, 25 versus 50. And so, we want to move to put that to just a flat $100 fee for the day. Um they currently don't have any setup or breakdown fees. So, if
they wanted to come in and set up the day before and they need a day after to clean up or break down, um, we are looking at a $50 fee per day. And then, of course, the deposit ranges and we just want to set it at a straight $200
fee. And then for our regular special events, that's 101 to 500 attendees. Um, the current daily, the per day rental fee is 250. we recommend changing that to 275.
And so that's and these are this is a 10% increase. >> Um so where they currently have no setup or breakdown fees associated, we'd like to um make that at $125. So again, that's your setup the day
before if you need to break down the day after the event. And then the required deposit uh making that $500. Moving on to our large special events and again that's a 501 to a,000 attendees. Current fees per day rental
it's 650. So we want to move that to 725 and then the setup and breakdown fees would be $250 per day and no changes recommended in that fee. Uh the deposit would go from $500 to $1,000.
Our major special event, this is events with over a,000 attendees. The current daily rental fee is 950. Again, for day of event, that would go up to 1,50. The setup and breakdown fees are
currently 250 per day. And we'd like to set that at a range just depending on the area and the impact. So, that range would either be the 250 and up to 500. No problem. Um, and then the deposit is currently three uh 3500. We would like
to keep the 3500. And so I just made a special note. Um, and again in consideration of these are community charitable events and it going back to the community. Um, there are additional fees when you have an event here. you have to hire police and fire
services. And then depending on um if they need additional support for their event with facility attendants or maintenance workers or our lifeguards, um we would we would imply a um they would incur a fee for that as well. So
that would be determined by Maria and um looking like it'd be applied at the employees hourly rate. So >> So they pay the additional fees. >> They would pay the additional fees. That's a question. Um, for the people that have special events, what's the
percentage that are like a 501c organization? Do you >> uh right now? All of them. >> They're all you have to be tied to a charitable organization. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Annie, thank you for that. Yes. >> I'm sorry you had to repeat for me.
>> No, that's okay. >> So, the smaller events are generally held inside the great lawn. Is that correct? >> Uh, I'd say majority of them. Yeah. But if they wanted to, some of them are at the beach, Special Olympics. Okay. >> Um they are, you know,
>> to use other areas. Yeah. And that's it. The smaller events, they don't require you to close down um certain areas. So that's why the uh scale of setup and breakdown fees would >> we would scale that higher if you were tying up certain areas for multiple
days. So, speaking of just a thousand attendees or more, the larger events where the where the the gate gets bought basically and and shut down. >> So, the question came up um staff answered it for me last year. I think it was last year. Uh let's say dur season,
let's pick February. Mhm. >> Um, and please correct me if I'm wrong, but I was told that the uh on the low side, the gate collects on any given day, non-event day, collects $3,000
and the high side was as much as $10,000. Is that correct? >> Not not recently. No, it's been in the past, but they >> So, what would those two numbers be? The high and the low right now. So right now our average last couple years weekdays
in February averaged at $81427. Our weekends would be $2,10.32. >> Okay. So high side weekends and we have most of these events if not all of them on a weekend um for the larger >> right. So speaking business only, not
you know this this this this gives money to this and this gives money to that. If this was a venue owed owned by a business, that would have to be considered what what the uh the average is. Um plus not
to mention that they shut the park down to everybody, you know, smaller events. And listen, I went to ISIS's event the other night and it was great, but you know, they only use a small part of the park. Um, I would rather see the larger events that buy the gate have their
price raised and leave the smaller events alone because they're not shutting down the park. They're not stopping people from using other parts of the park and they're not creating the inconvenience to the whole community for traffic, which let's face it, is an
issue with a lot of people. May um to all of you who will be voting on I guess I should be looking at you instead of them. Every morning when I'm here either walking my dog or getting out of the pool and I see the break up the
setup and the breakdown, it involves a considerable number of the park staff. Sometimes I see every available park staff person setting up what's directly across from the pool in the break in the
great lawn. So I would certainly endorse the addition of setup and breakdown fees because I see the manh hours that go into it when I'm in the park and I think that's every single person who works in the park over there and you have to pay
those people. They're not out cutting the grass. They're not out doing everything else. They're setting it up. So, I think that's very reasonable. Somewhat to what you said, it says at the top 10% increase. And if we look at regular special event, 250 to 275,
that's 10%. Large 650 to. But look at small special event, which echoes what you say. We're getting a little bit more out of them. That sounds cruel because they will now have a setup and breakdown fee, but the daily fee for a small
special event that increases well beyond the 10%. I mean, that's either double or four-fold. If it's from 25 to 100, that's a four-fold increase. And if it goes from 50 to 100, that's a double
increase. If we assume that the 501c3 charitable nonprofit organization nonprofit organization that's having the small special event probably has smaller pockets than the larger ones. >> It seems they're being hit
disproportionately. And again, I realize this is echoing what you said. the larger that's fine, but I'm a little uncomfortable with the numbers. I should all >> special. Yeah, we went with that because we are with our regular rental fees, it's going up to $100
for private parties. So, I think that's where we landed at that. But, we could certainly I mean go off of >> since the party would not be a 501c3. >> I know. I think we were thinking the impacts if it
>> and also um the setup and breakdown fees that doesn't apply for every event, >> right? >> Sometimes they you know it it won't be applied to them because it's a it's a minimal >> a vote tonight. I understand if you want a decision from us that's fine, but if you're willing to go a little bit longer
personally for my vote, I would ask you to look at those small events. Again, >> we absolutely can. Yeah, >> we are open to that recommendation. I think right now if we look at the current special events list, >> there's only one small event with less
than 100 people and that's the Special Olympics standup paddle board. >> Correct. >> Last time these these $950 when was the last time that was raised up? >> 2007. >> Yeah. So you guys have put a lot of work
into this and obviously have seen a need um for some change. >> Do you want to highlight to us, you know, why why you want to increase some of this? Like what are the impacts you're seeing? What are the costs that you're incurring that are driving some of this?
>> And could I interrupt for just one second? Um I think Craig had something you wanted to contribute. And knowing that there's a quorum here, I need to leave for a predetermined um commitment. Richie has agreed to take over. I know you're almost finished. So, thank you.
>> Thank you. >> And um Craig, if you got >> Yeah, if I could just ask, it wasn't about the fees. It was about something previous I saw you had on there that it looked like you couldn't set up a stage anywhere but the amphitheater.
>> It would be for a large like commercial, you know, company coming into a very large stage. >> So, Island Fest, where we put a stage? >> No. If it was for the sole per if the event is the sole purpose as a concert, they have to use the amphitheater.
>> Okay, that's I just I just saw no if if there's music mention something >> understanding that the logistics would need to be closer to the festival small that's not all for the sole purpose of a concert. >> Okay. I just want to make a clarification and and I know on I'm
assuming islandfest is going to be a major event. Um, and I don't believe even though we've, you know, bought the gate, I don't believe we've shut down the park to people because we always have people on the beach doing stuff, going to the pool. So, it's still you're not collecting gate fees, but there's
still people there using the park. And we get a lot of people on the beaches who are just there for the pe beach going, "What's this going on around us?" You know, some of the bigger events that may not be the case, but um, yeah, we don't have, you know, ticket booths right at the front keeping people out. But any I just wanted the clarification
on the stage. Thank you. >> Yeah, thank you. >> So, basically the um recommendations for the 10% is just across the board. Um we could look at the different you know size events and
and you know look at it overall but um the impact obviously the major events are more impact on the park than the smaller events. M >> so um you know and each event is different
each event brings different I guess uh coordination impact on the park. So instead of us just like it was just an overall increase since we haven't done it you know >> and and the major events or obviously
the you know the the more impact we have a lot and you and the next um slide kind of shows us the shows everyone the current events and you can look at that um and that kind of outlines what events
are already happening in the park. So the obviously the major events are the the the market island fest holiday fest and our July 4th. Okay. So um the chamber sponsors two events and then
the Rotary sponsors the one and then well actually two and July 4th celebration is it's the Rotary and the village. So there are no fees for that. So, those are your major um events. And then the large event is right now is
just currently the Florida Keys Swim Club and that's our uh that's our local swim club. And as you can see, the the regular events we have a lot of just regular events and the impact on them are a lot smaller. Like the Swim Across
America is just on the beach. So then they park in the great lawn and so forth. So it's it's not a big impact. Everything else the whole the rest of the park is open. We have soccer going on. We had the pool open. Same thing with you know the the good health clinic
luau. So that it's all they're just all different impacts. Um like some of them like the good health clinic luau that was you know that the impact of that is setup. So we we would definitely um charge them a
setup and breakdown fee the next time around because they're taking like two days of setting up large tents and so forth. So I think you know we would look at um increasing that you know so that's what I mean every kind of every event is
a little bit different and we would apply maybe the setup or the breakdown fee for some of them but not all of them. So I think you just have to kind of the flex there is flexibility there. Um the Special Olympic swim meet you know they they will take up you know the
majority the pool for the day. So um we probably would imply some setup fees there. So um that's it. And then also like the village parks and recreation sponsored events >> um which John mentioned the setup for
that. That's our event and it's co-sponsored by ICE. So, >> um the guys are putting up all the tents and and and doing all that, but that's for the our events. >> A lot of the events that um are sponsored by other organizations, they
are not doing major setup. They may, you know, help out with certain items of the event, but they're not setting up everything. So, I don't know if I answered any of your your your questions. I move with that we go with the recommendations of the
village of the parks and recck staff. >> Have a uh we have a motion for it and also a second. Any discussion? >> We probably had quite a bit. If you would call, we'll call for the vote.
>> All right. Ted, >> yes. >> Shannon, yes. Alina, >> yes. >> Natasha, >> yes. Christy, >> yes. >> Joe, >> yes. >> Richard, >> yes. >> And John, >> yes.
>> Hey, Amanda. >> I guess we need to uh come up with a date for their next meeting. Any proposals? >> Uh, >> we're dealing with, you know, obviously the the Christmas holidays and so forth or holiday chairman. Um, when I was
asked to be on this committee, I was told we could hold them on Thursdays because I work late Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and I'm out of town a lot Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. I I would respectfully ask that I don't care what day you pick, but pick a Thursday.
>> Okay. We have a a Thursday that uh doesn't conflict with 14 other events going on. >> Yeah, I know. Sorry. I'm sorry. >> Well, um we definitely recommend not having a meeting in December, I think.
Um, yeah, great idea. So, uh, >> currently, um, we do not have a date set up for January, but we can look at it and send out an email and ask what >> we'll just defer to your judgment and you send it out and we'll right >> go. Yeah. >> After the holidays. Yeah.
>> That said, we'll uh call for a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion. So moved. Thank you. >> Sounds like a lot of folks are saying yes. >> Thank you guys.