I'D LIKE TO CALL THE MEETING FOR SEPTEMBER 9TH, 2025.
[1. CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:05]
THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE IS NOW IN SESSION.PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
[4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE AUGUST 2025 REGULAR MEETING.I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? I MEAN TO VOTE FOR THAT? ANY ARE READY TO VOTE? SORRY.
PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR, SCOTT MICHAELSON.
YOU CAN DO ALL IN FAVOR FOR THE MINUTES.
[5. PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA]
PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING THINGS NOT ON THE AGENDA.I HAVE ONE PERSON, MR. MURRAY.
YES. HI. I'M LEE MURRAY OF 2752 FIRST AVENUE.
I'M PRESIDENT OF THE FRIENDS OF THE FERNANDINA BEACH GOLF CLUB, WHICH IS AN ORGANIZATION.
A COUPLE OF LADIES WHO ARE NOT INVOLVED ANYMORE, BUT WE STARTED IT.
WE'VE RAISED OVER ABOUT $50,000 OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, AND WE DO A LOT OF PROJECTS FOR THE GOLF COURSE.
WE ARE TOTALLY SUPPORT OF THE GOLF COURSE.
NOW THE GOLF COURSE IS INVOLVED HERE, AND I JUST WANTED TO INTRODUCE MYSELF AND FIND OUT MORE. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, MR. MURRAY. I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO FOR THE GOLF COURSE.
IF YOU DON'T MIND, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO PUBLICLY SAY THANK YOU TO MR. MURRAY AND THE FRIENDS OF THE GOLF COURSE.
THEY HAVE DONE SOME REALLY GOOD STUFF TO THE GOLF COURSE.
I KNOW, JEFFREY AND I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THEM AS WE IMPROVE THE GOLF COURSE.
KUDOS TO THEM AND ALL THE WORK THAT THEY HAVE DONE TO THE GOLF COURSE. THANK YOU, MR. MURRAY.
TOM, JEFFREY MAY HAVE JUST WALKED IN, DO YOU MAYBE WANT TO ASK AGAIN IF SHE HAS PUBLIC COMMENTS.
DO YOU WANT TO SPEAK IN? OH, NO.
I THINK THE QUESTION WAS AS WE JUST HAD A MEMBER OUR INDIVIDUAL WALK IN AND WE WEREN'T SURE IF THEY WANTED TO SPEAK.
STAFF COME MONTHS. STAFF UPDATE.
[6. STAFF COMMENTS]
THIS WILL BE GIVEN BY MR. MICHELSON. GO AHEAD.JEFFREY VICKERS, GENERAL MANAGER FERNANDINA BEACH GOLF CLUB.
I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH THE GOLF UPDATE.
I'LL STOP AT EACH SECTION IF YOU GUYS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
FIRST THING I'D LIKE TO SAY IS PER MY FINANCE DIRECTOR, SHE'LL BE REPORTING AT THE NEXT COMMISSION MEETING, GOLF THROUGH 11 MONTHS THROUGH AUGUST, YEAR-TO-DATE REVENUES.
WE'RE AT 99.6 OF OUR TOTAL BUDGETED PERCENT AND YEAR-TO-DATE EXPENDITURES WERE AT 85.8%.
WE'RE DOING VERY GOOD AT THIS POINT, AND HOPEFULLY SEPTEMBER, BARRING TODAY'S RAIN WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE ON LAST SEPTEMBER.
WHEN I GO INTO THE GOLF, I'LL START WITH THE GOLF SHOP, OUR AUGUST NUMBERS.
AGAIN, WE'RE UP BASED OFF OF 2024 AUGUST NUMBERS OF 53K MORE.
ROUNDS WERE UP 1,100 MORE ROUNDS, WHICH IS AN AVERAGE TOTAL OF ABOUT 113 PLAYERS A DAY,
[00:05:01]
WHICH WAS UP FROM 78 PER DAY IN AUGUST OF '24.TOTAL GOLF COURSE REVENUE WAS 138,564.
IF YOU LOOK AT OUR AVERAGE GREEN FEE AND CART FEE AT THE BOTTOM UP SIGNIFICANTLY, THAT NUMBER THERE MEANS WE'RE GETTING MORE GUEST PLAY, WHICH IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE GOLF.
THAT TRANSLATES INTO FOOD AND BEVERAGE.
IF YOU LOOK AT OUR FOOD AND BEVERAGE NUMBERS, WE'RE UP 4K FROM LAST YEAR WITH A TOTAL OF $32,512.
THE BIGGEST THING THERE WAS LAST YEAR, WE HAD A FINAL BOTTOMS PAYMENT, AND WHAT BOTTOMS WAS, WAS THE CAR SHOW.
WE DID FOOD AND BEVERAGE FOR THEM.
TWO YEARS AGO, THEY DID NOT RENEW THE CONTRACT, THIS YEAR WE DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE GOING TO GO INTO THAT AGAIN, NEXT YEAR I KNOW THERE'S SOME THINGS GOING ON THERE, BUT WE ARE AVAILABLE FOR THEM, AND WE'VE LET THEM KNOW IF WE CAN GO FURTHER WITH THAT.
WE DID NOT BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR.
WE HAD 17 TOTAL EVENTS IN FOOD AND BEVERAGE.
THAT INCLUDES OUR TUESDAY NIGHT SPARKS, SPARK GOLF ON THE 19TH.
THEY HAD OVER 60 PEOPLE FOR DINNER AND LUNCH THOSE DAYS, AND WE HAD A NICE SIZED REHEARSAL DINNER AT THE END OF THE MONTH WITH 50+.
TYPICALLY, THE SUMMER ROUNDS REALLY GIVE US OUR REVENUE FOR FOOD AND BEVERAGE.
IT'S A LITTLE SLOWER WITH THE EVENTS, BUT WE'LL BE PICKING UP AS WE GET INTO THE SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, AND ESPECIALLY THE HOLIDAY SEASON.
JUST ONE QUESTION. FOR THOSE TOP LINES FOR EACH SECTION, WOULD IT BE TOO MUCH TO ASK TO PUT THE PERCENT CHANGE FROM LAST YEAR? SHOULD WE KNOW WHAT THE 53,000 ACTUALLY MEANS, THAT WOULD BE AWESOME.
GOING TO GOLF COURSE MAINTENANCE.
WE FINISHED UP OUR SUMMER VERIFICATION FAIRWAYS AND GREENS ON 17TH AUGUST.
THE COURSE IS RECOVERING VERY WELL.
WE'RE FERTILIZING EXTENSIVELY TO TRY TO GET THROUGH TILL I GUESS THE GRASS STARTS GOING DORMANT IN THE NEXT MONTH AND A HALF.
WE STILL HAVE A FEW GREENS THAT HAVE SOME OF THAT ROOT RIDE ON IT, BUT IT'S REALLY COMING BACK WELL.
LOTS OF GRASS OUT THERE ON THE GREENS.
AS OF RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE STILL A COUPLE FITTINGS THAT STILL HAVE TO BE SLIPPED ON BY FREEMAN WELL.
DWELLERS, BUT HE'S GOING TO BE GETTING WITH OUR SUPERINTENDENT OR OUR ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT AND SHOWING HOW TO WORK THAT, AND WE SHOULD HAVE THAT UP AND RUNNING HOPEFULLY BEFORE THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR, SO THE END OF THE MONTH.
THEN MENTIONING LEE MURRAY OVER HERE WITH THE FRIENDS OF FERNANDINA BEACH GOLF CLUB. THE IMAGE I HAD UP.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S UP NOW, BUT THE IMAGE I HAD ON THE STARTER SHACK, THAT'S ONE OF THE PROJECTS THEY'RE LOOKING AT POSSIBLY STARTING HERE SOON.
MAYBE AN UPGRADE, PAINTING, LOOKING AT THE DOORS, WINDOWS, THAT.
THEY'RE ALWAYS COMING TO US WITH SOME IDEAS TO DO IMPROVEMENTS.
AGAIN, THEY DID A GREAT JOB WITH OUR RESTROOMS OVER THE SUMMER, AND WE HAVE A COUPLE OF FALL PROJECTS THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO WITH THEM AS WELL.
ONE LAST NOTE THAT I DIDN'T HAVE ON MY SHEET IS WE'VE BEGUN INTERVIEWING FOR A SUPERINTENDENT THIS PAST WEEK, WE'VE GOT FIVE CANDIDATES, AND WE'RE HOPING TO HAVE SOMEONE IN PLACE BY 1ST NOVEMBER AT THE LATEST.
IS THAT A BACK-FILL? NO, THAT'S ACTUALLY OUR SUPERINTENDENT WHO WE'VE HAD THAT POSITION OPENED SINCE ABOUT 1ST JUNE END OF MAY.
OUR ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT HAS BEEN FILLING IN AN INTERIM IN THAT POSITION, HAS BEEN DOING A VERY GOOD JOB.
MEMBERSHIP SALES. THIS TIME OF YEAR, WE DON'T TYPICALLY GET TOO MANY.
WE'RE STILL SITTING AT THE TOTAL OF 163 SOLD, BUT BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST OF 2025.
WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO A LITTLE DIFFERENT, ON MEMBERSHIPS IS WE'RE GOING TO ALLOW THEM, AND I THINK I MENTIONED THIS BEFORE THE RUN WHEN THEY PURCHASED THEM.
THEY BOUGHT A MEMBERSHIP ON MARCH 2ND OF 2026.
THAT'LL BE GOOD ALL THE WAY TILL MARCH 1ST OF 2027.
IT'S GOING TO BE A ROLLING MEMBERSHIP.
WE PROBABLY WILL HAVE THE MAJORITY OF OUR MEMBERS AGAIN JOIN WHEN WE HIT OCTOBER 1ST.
NOTE ON THE AMELIA NATIONAL LEAGUE.
WE'VE EXTENDED THEM TO GO THROUGH OCTOBER THAT COULD GO INTO NOVEMBER DEPENDING.
I THINK AMELIA NATIONAL IS STILL A LITTLE BEHIND SCHEDULE ON THEIR RENOVATION.
THEY APPROACHED US SAYING, CAN WE CONTINUE TO GO THROUGH? WE WERE LIKE, WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU.
THE ONE THING IS THEY HAVE MAYBE 6-12 MEMBERS THAT ACTUALLY JOINED BACK IN MARCH, AND I DOUBT THEY'LL JOIN AGAIN, BUT THEY'LL JUST PAY OUR GOING GUEST FEE TO PLAY IN THAT LEAGUE.
ALSO ON OCTOBER 1ST, THE GOLF CLUB IS GOING TO BEGIN CHARGING A CONVENIENCE FEE.
THAT NUMBER HAS YET TO BE COMPLETELY FINALIZED,
[00:10:04]
BUT I DO BELIEVE SOME OF THIS IS SUPPOSED TO GO TO THE COMMISSION MEETING MAYBE THE 16TH, AND FROM THERE, WE'LL BE ABLE TO GIVE THAT INFORMATION OUT WITH OUR RATES AND FEES AND ALL OUR ANNUAL FEES AFTER THE 16TH SEPTEMBER.JEFFREY, COULD YOU WALK ME THROUGH HOW A TRANSACTION WOULD WORK THEN? WELL, SOME OF THIS HAS TO BE FINALIZED, BUT IN A SENSE, IF YOU CAME TO THE COUNTER WITH MEMBERSHIPS COMING UP.
WELL, THAT'S A BIG ONE. THAT'S A BIG AMOUNT OF MONEY.
WHEN I SEND OUT MY INFORMATION ON THAT, I'M GOING TO RECOMMEND TO THE EXISTING MEMBERS, WE'LL TAKE CASH OR CHECK.
THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE A CHARGE.
BUT AS FAR AS CARDS GO, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, IS IT'S GOING TO BE A PERCENTAGE.
YOU'D HAVE THE FEE, THE TAX, AND THEN THAT CONVENIENCE FEE ON TOP OF THAT.
THAT'LL BE ON ALL CARD TRANSACTIONS GOING FORWARD STARTING OCTOBER 1ST.
THAT'S DEBIT CARDS TOO? AT THIS POINT FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD, YES.
BUT SOME OF THIS HAS TO GO THROUGH.
THERE'S A STATUTE WITH THE CITY.
I DON'T KNOW IT'S PARKS AND REC.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU'RE SITTING ON THAT BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE THE SAME.
PARKS AND RECREATION FEES THAT'S GOING TO GO TO THE COMMISSION AS WELL ON SEPTEMBER 16TH.
WE ARE DOING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.
OUR POINT OF SALE WILL BE THAT FEE, WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE CHARGED TO THE CONSUMER WHEN THEY COME.
AT THE GOLF COURSE, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO COLLECT A FEE, AND THEN WE'RE ALSO GOING TO HAVE TO PAY THE PAYMENT PROCESSOR.
THE PLAN FOR GOLF AS OF RIGHT NOW WAS 2.75% ON EVERY CHARGE.
WE WILL COLLECT THAT FEE, BUT THEN IN TURN, WE WILL GET A BILL FROM THE PAYMENT PROCESSING COMPANY THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY.
LEGALLY, WE CANNOT MAKE MONEY ON THIS, SO WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE BECAUSE I THINK WITH GOLF 1, G1, IT'S 2.75% PLUS $0.10 PER TRANSACTION.
TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE $0.10 IS WE HAVE NEVER RECOUPED ANY OF THIS COST.
THIS COST HAS BEEN TO THE GOLF COURSE IN AROUND 55-$60,000.
OUR GOAL IS TO RECOUP THE MAJORITY OF THAT MONEY.
THEN WE HAVE TO PAY THAT BILL.
BUT YOU WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO PAY CASH OR CHECK AND NOT HAVE THAT FEE.
IT'S REALLY JUST HOW YOU COLLECT THE FEE THAT'S DIFFERENT IN THE TWO POINTS.
THE POINT IS YOU'RE GETTING BACK THE BIG EXPENSE.
THE THING THAT WE WERE NOT CAPTURING BEFORE.
PARKS AND RECREATION HAS BEEN COLLECTING THAT.
WE HAVEN'T BEEN COLLECTING IT.
WE'VE BEEN PASSING IT ON TO THE CONSUMER.
AUTOMATICALLY, THE PAYMENT PROCESSOR CHARGES THE CONSUMER AND THEY COLLECT IT FROM THEM.
GOLF DOES NOT HAVE THAT ABILITY.
GOLF DOES NOT. YES, EXACTLY, DUE TO THEIR POINT OF SALE SYSTEM.
YOU ENVISION BEING ABLE TO HANDLE A GOLFER COMING IN.
THEY'RE A MEMBER, WHO PAYS AHEAD OF TIME, ON A MONTHLY OR BIMONTHLY AND THEN HE GETS DEBITED FOR WHAT HE USES IT.
WOULD THAT SYSTEM BE IN PLACE AT ALL? WOULD THAT BE TOO COMPLICATED? WELL, ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT ONE OF THE ANNUAL FEES, IS THAT CORRECT? NO, NOT THE ANNUAL FEE, BUT SAY IF A PERSON BUYS A REGULAR MEMBERSHIP FOR 13 OR $1,400, BUT THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE PAYING THE CONVENIENCE.
BECAUSE I CAN IMAGINE IT BEING HARD.
COULD THEY PREPAY SAY, 3 OR $400? I DON'T SEE THAT HAPPENING BECAUSE IT'S AN ANNUAL FEE.
IT'S A FEE TO GET YOURSELF, THE ABILITY TO JUST PAY THE CART FEE OR THE WALKING FEE.
IT'S ANNUALS FOR THAT WHOLE YEAR.
WELL, I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT I'M TALKING ABOUT AS FAR AS A PERSON THAT BUYS JUST THE STANDARD MEMBERSHIP, AND THEN HE HAS TO PAY THE CARD FEE EACH TIME, COULD HE GIVE A CHECK TO MAINTAIN A POSITIVE BALANCE THAT JUST GETS DEDUCTED EACH TIME HE USES IT? THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING WE'D HAVE TO PROBABLY DISCUSS WITH FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING, BUT I DON'T SEE HOW WE COULD DO THAT WITH THE POINT OF SALE WE HAVE.
WE HAVE TO HAVE THOSE TRANSACTIONS DAILY GO THROUGH.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON CREDIT CARDS? WE'VE HAD A LOT OF THEM. WE'RE GETTING THERE THOUGH.
I KNOW. WE WILL NOT RECOUP ALL OF THAT.
WELL THE GOAL IS TO GET A PERCENTAGE OF THAT BACK IS WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO. ABSOLUTELY.
THAT WILL ALSO BE PART OF THE CAFETERIA? THE RESTAURANT? YEAH.
THAT'S IF YOU USE A CARD, THE SURCHARGE WILL BE ON THERE OR THE
[00:15:02]
CONVENIENCE FEE OR WHAT HOWEVER YOU WANT TO WORD IT, YES.BUT NOT IF YOU PAY CASH OR CHECK.
OUR NORMAL AREAS WE'VE BEEN MARKETING, WE DO MONTHLY OR WEEKLY.
THE BIGGEST CHANGE FOR ME NEXT YEAR IS WE'RE GOING TO REPLACE OUR PAXTON MARKETING, WHICH IS IN THE PAST.
THIS PAST YEAR HAS BEEN KIOSK IN FOUR HOTELS.
I'M GOING TO DISCONTINUE THAT THIS YEAR, AND I'M GOING TO REPLACE IT WITH A CONCIERGE BOOK WITH ANOTHER COMPANY.
IT'S HOTEL SERVICES SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
I WAS APPROACHED BY THEM, AND I THINK IT'S A REALLY GOOD DEAL.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE NEXT PAGE WITH SOME OF THE PICTURES, IT'S A CONCIERGE BOOK.
IT'S GOING TO GO IN THE COUNTERS OF THE HOTELS I HAD LISTED, AND IT'S ALSO GOING TO GO INTO EACH ROOM.
WHEN YOU WIND DOWN, GET CHECKED INTO YOUR HOTEL ROOM, THAT'S GOING TO BE RIGHT THERE ON THE COUNTER, YOU FLIP THROUGH IT.
IT'S GOING TO BE A TWO PAGE, AND THAT'S GOING TO BE WHAT OUR ADVERTISEMENT LOOKS LIKE.
IT'S GOING TO HAVE THE RESTAURANT WITH THE EAST NINE, THE FERNANDINA BEACH LOGO, AND THE 27 HOLDS OF GOLF.
HOPEFULLY THAT, AND WE'LL STIR SOME INTEREST TO HAVE PEOPLE COME OUT AND PLAY SOME GOLF.
>> JEFFREY, WHAT WAS THE CHANGE IN COST WITH THOSE TWO MARKETING COMPANIES?
>> WE'RE GOING TO SAVE A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY.
IT WAS $300 A MONTH WITH PAXTON.
I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE ABOUT 2,200, I THINK, TOTAL 1,900-2,200, AND IT'S A ONE TIME FEE WITH THEM, SO WE CAN RENEW THAT AGAIN.
I THINK EVERY SIX MONTHS, YOU MAY BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THIS AND CHANGE YOUR ADVERTISING.
FINALLY, TOURNAMENTS AND OUTINGS.
AGAIN, AUGUST WAS A LITTLE SLOWER.
IT WAS NOT AS SLOW, WHICH IS GOLFERS PLAYING BUT FOR EVENTS, WE CONTINUED TO HAVE OUR SPARK LEAGUE, AND THEY'RE GOING TO EXTEND INTO OCTOBER.
IT'S A FALL SPARK LEAGUE THAT WAS SCHEDULED TO START TODAY, BUT WITH THE RAIN, WE CANCELED IT.
WE'VE GOT ABOUT TWO INCHES OUT THERE, AND IT'S A LITTLE UNDERWATER.
YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK ON THAT TOMORROW AS FAR AS THE BLITZ PLAYING, SEE WHAT THE STATUS OF THE GOLF COURSE IS IN THE MORNING.
THEY WILL GO THROUGH THE END OF OCTOBER.
WE SCHEDULED THEM JUST THROUGH SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, BUT I FIGURED IF WE HAVE THE INTEREST AND GET THEM OUT THERE, ANYTHING WE CAN GET WITH SPARK IS GOING TO BE A BONUS.
THE 16TH AND THE 28TH, WE HAD TWO EVENTS.
OUR MEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION HAD THEIR 16TH EVENT TO BAN BEST BALL, AROUND 28 PLAYERS, AND THE HIGH SCHOOL HAD THEIR FIRST BOYS MATCH ON THE 28TH, AND THEY HAVE MORE TO COME IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS, AS WELL AS THE GIRLS.
GO INTO SEPTEMBER EVENTS, I THINK JUST GOING DOWN THAT LIST, A COUPLE OF THINGS I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT ON THERE OTHER THAN THE MATCHES IS THIS WEEKEND, WE HAVE THE US KIDS IN.
THEY'RE GOING TO BE DOWN TO ABOUT 75 PLAYERS A DAY, WHICH WAS A LITTLE DISAPPOINTING AND THEY WERE CLOSER TO 90-100 LAST YEAR.
BUT WE DO REALLY WELL WITH THAT.
WE DON'T CHARGE THAT MUCH FOR THESE KIDS EVENTS BECAUSE THEY ARE JUNIORS AND THEY ARE WALKING, BUT WE GENERATE REVENUES THROUGH CART FEES.
WE DO SPECTATOR CARTS, SO THE PARENTS GET THOSE, AND THE DRIVING RANGE USUALLY DOES VERY WELL FOR THAT EVENT AS WELL.
THE LAST TWO THINGS, WE HAVE OUR PROM RIB NIGHT ON THE 26TH.
I HOPE EVERYBODY WOULD SIGN UP AND COME TO THAT.
IT'S USUALLY ONE OF OUR MOST ATTENDED AND ON THE 27TH, WE HAVE THE CROSS COUNTRY MEET.
WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS ABOUT, I THINK THIS IS THE FOURTH YEAR NOW.
WE DON'T GET A LOT OF REVENUE OUT OF IT, BUT IT'S REALLY GOOD FOR THE KIDS.
THIS YEAR, INSTEAD OF GOING EARLY, THEY USUALLY GO AT 6:00 AND THEY'RE OUT OFF THE GOLF COURSE BY 9:00.
THEY'RE GOING TO DO A DUSK RUN, SO THEY'RE GOING TO START AT FIVE AND RUN TILL DARK.
CAN WE CLOSE DOWN NINE HOLES FOR THEM TO SET UP? THEY BASICALLY GIVE US A $300 CHECK.
WE JUST APPLY THAT TOWARDS A ROOM RENTAL, SO IT'S BEEN VERY GOOD.
ANY QUESTIONS ON THE GOLF REPORT?
>> I'VE GOT JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS I'D LIKE TO PROVIDE.
>> I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING THE CHANGES WITH THE ROLLING MEMBERSHIP WITH THE FEE SCHEDULE.
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU ALL LOOKING AT THAT AND TAKING IT UNDER ADVISEMENT AND MAKING THAT A THING.
I'M REALLY INTERESTED TO WATCH MEMBERSHIPS THIS YEAR TO SEE IF IT DOES MAKE A CHANGE BECAUSE I REALLY FEEL LIKE SOME OF OUR SNOWBOARDERS WHO COME BACK IN.
IT MAY BE BENEFICIAL FOR THEM NOW WHEN THEY LOOK AT THE NUMBERS.
IF THE FULL TIME MEMBERSHIPS WORTH IT VERSUS NOT, I THINK YOU MAY SEE SOME ADDITIONAL TEAM.
I HOPE TO TO DO, BUT I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT.
THEN I JUST ALSO WANT TO LET BAY KNOW.
JEFFREY JOINED THREE OF THE LADIES FROM THE COMBINED FERNANDINA BEACH, SANIYA RIVER TEAM FOR THE SUMMER TEAM PRO LADY WHICH IS THE END OF SEASON TOURNAMENT IT WAS HOSTED DOWN AT DEERWOOD COUNTRY CLUB,
[00:20:05]
AND OUT OF ABOUT 40 TEAMS, WE CAME IN SECOND.IT WAS A GREAT DAY. WE ENJOYED HAVING JEFFREY OUT WITH US AND HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO INTERACT WITH YOU AND PLAYING. ENJOYED IT.
>> ANYTHING ELSE ON GOLF? THANK YOU ALL.
>> THEN A FEW UPDATES ON THE PARKS AND RECREATION SIDE, AND I KNOW WE HAVEN'T BROUGHT A TON OF STUFF TO YOU RECENTLY, BUT WE DO HAVE A LOT ON OUR PLATE COMING FORWARD.
I'LL GO THROUGH SOME OF THAT STUFF, AND THEN, OBVIOUSLY, WITH ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
I WANTED TO THANK ROSANDA FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.
THANK YOU FOR FILLING IN, WHILE KATIE HAD SOME OTHER OBLIGATIONS, AND I WAS ALSO GOING TO BRING UP THE FACT OF WHAT YOU DID MEMBER SNYDER, I THINK IT'S GREAT TO SEE JEFFREY OUT THERE INTERACTING WITH THE MEMBERS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT, SO GOOD JOB, JEFFREY.
JUST A FEW UPDATES, AND I WANT TO JUST FOR YOUR AWARENESS.
AT THE SEPTEMBER 16 CITY COMMISSION MEETING COMING UP, IT IS OUR SECOND READING ON OUR FEE SCHEDULES.
PARKS AND RECREATION, AS WELL AS GOLF, THAT WILL BE THE SECOND READING, AND THEN THOSE FEES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, AND THEN ONE OTHER ITEM THAT WILL BE ON THAT COMMISSION MEETING IS AN RFP FOR WE WILL BE HAVING A NEW CONTRACTOR THAT WILL BE CLEANING OUR OUTSIDE PARK BATHROOMS. I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SOME CLEANER BATHROOMS, BUT THAT WILL START OCTOBER 1.
SO THAT INCLUDES ALL OF BATHROOMS AROUND ALL OF OUR PARKS, INCLUDING SIMMONS, CENTRAL PARK, EGAN'S CREEK PARK, PIRATE PARK, THE MLK FIELDS, DOWNTOWN, AND EVEN THE WATERFRONT BATHROOMS WHEN THOSE COME ON ONLINE AS WELL.
>> NO, I DIDN'T. [LAUGHTER] THAT WILL INCLUDE HICKORY PARK, TOO, AS WELL.
>> HOW DOES THAT CURRENTLY HAPPEN?
>> WE ARE CURRENTLY DOING IT IN-HOUSE.
WE JUST DIDN'T ADD IT TO OUR OLD EXISTING CONTRACT.
WE'RE DOING IT IN-HOUSE BECAUSE IT WAS ONLY GOING TO BE FOR ALL.
>> DOES THAT INCLUDE BABE RUTH?
>> NO, BABE RUTH WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN BATHROOMS, JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER U SPORT ORGANIZATIONS ARE, AT THIS TIME.
>> WHAT WOULD IT COST IF SOMEBODY WOULD WANT TO ADD THAT TO IT?
>> I BELIEVE WE HAD THAT QUESTION COME THROUGH, AND I THINK IT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
WE WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY FOR OUR U SPORT ORGANIZATIONS, AND WE CAN SET UP A MEETING WITH THE U SPORT ORGANIZATION AND OUR CONTRACT THAT WE WILL HAVE, AND IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THEY WANT TO HAVE THEM DO, WE CAN WORK THAT OUT.
SOUNDS GOOD. BUT THE FINANCIAL ASPECT WOULD AT THIS TIME FALL ON THE U SPORTS.
IT WOULDN'T BE INCLUDED IN OUR EXISTING CONTRACT.
>> WHEN YOU FIND OUT WHAT THEIR CAPABILITIES ARE AND WHAT CAN YOU ALSO REACH OUT? I KNOW.
ONLY BECAUSE SOMEBODY FROM SOCCER WAS MAYBE GOING TO COME TODAY, BUT CAN YOU MAKE SURE THAT THE SOCCER FOLKS ARE AWARE OF THAT TOO, BECAUSE THEY MAY BE INTERESTED IN THAT FOR SURE.
>> WE ACTUALLY HAD AN EMAIL COME IN TODAY ABOUT THAT SURPRISINGLY.
I THINK WHAT WE COULD DO IS JUST SEND OUT AN EMAIL TO ALL OUR U SPORT ORGANIZATIONS THAT THIS IS THE CONTRACTOR THAT WE HAVE, AND IF YOU HAVE AN ISSUE WITH ANY OF YOUR BATHROOMS THAT THEY COULD REACH OUT TO THEM AS WELL.
>> SO JUST A QUICK UPDATE ON THIS IS, WE'RE OBVIOUSLY WRAPPING UP FISCAL YEAR '25, FISCAL YEAR '25, WRAPS UP SEPTEMBER 30.
WE HAVE COMPLETED ALL OF OUR CAPITAL PROJECTS, AND WE ARE BASICALLY WRAPPING UP ALL ACCOUNTS PAYABLE.
OCTOBER 3, WHICH IS COMING UP AT 4:30, AND I BELIEVE CHAIR CAMERON MIGHT SPEAK ON THIS A LITTLE BIT, BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU HEAR THIS FROM PARKS AND RECREATION STAFF IS OCTOBER 3 AT 4:30, WE ARE GOING TO BE HAVING A GRAND OPENING OF THE BATTING CAGES AT CENTRAL PARK.
YOU WILL BE RECEIVING AN INVITATION FROM US ELECTRONICALLY.
I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU ALL TO BE THERE.
ALSO, IF YOU ARE AT OUR GRAND REOPENING OF THE LIGHTHOUSE.
YOU WERE PROBABLY AWARE THAT THE LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING.
[00:25:04]
I JUST GOT AN UPDATE ON THAT TODAY THAT THE NEW MOTOR FOR THE LENS HAS BEEN SHIPPED.ONCE THE COAST GUARD RECEIVES THAT IN JACKSONVILLE, THEY'LL BE UP TO FIX IT.
THAT LIGHT HAS BEEN NOT WORKING ON AND OFF NOW FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
SO WE HOPE THAT THAT WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF.
THE COAST GUARD IS IN CHARGE OF THAT ASPECT OF THE LIGHTHOUSE.
THEN ROSANDA HAS BEEN EXTREMELY BUSY TAKING OVER THE SPECIAL EVENTS FOR PARKS AND RECREATION IN THE CITY, AND WE GREATLY APPRECIATE THAT.
WE ARE COMING INTO ONE OF OUR BUSIEST TIMES FOR SPECIAL EVENTS.
SO I WAS JUST GOING TO RUN THROUGH THOSE REALLY QUICKLY AND IF THERE WAS ANY QUESTIONS.
WE'RE HAVING A SENIOR EXPO AT THE ATLANTIC RECREATION CENTER ON SEPTEMBER 11.
OUR ENDLESS SUMMER WATERMELON RIDE IS ON SEPTEMBER 14, AND THEN THE FERNANDINA BEACH HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING PARADE IS SEPTEMBER 19.
FALL FESTIVAL AT THE ATLANTIC RECREATION CENTER, SEPTEMBER 20, AND THESE ARE ALL ON YOUR PACKET.
THEN THE SECOND STREET OCTOBER FEST, WHICH IS A NEW EVENT.
CONCERTS FOR CONSERVATION IS AT EGAN'S CREEK PARK, SEPTEMBER 27, ISLAND HOP, WHICH IS A VERY POPULAR EVENT, IS AT CENTRAL PARK OCTOBER 4, AND NASSAU COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS EXPO IS AT THE ATLANTIC RECREATION CENTER OCTOBER 4.
HISPANIC HERITAGE 5K AND HISPANIC HERITAGE FOOD FESTIVAL, OCTOBER 11.
AMELIA ISLAND HALF MARATHON IS OCTOBER 11 AND 12.
REMEMBER, PARKS AND RECREATION TAKES THOSE APPLICATIONS AND WORKS WITH MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE CITY TO REVIEW THOSE SPECIAL EVENTS, AND THEN BASICALLY, THE SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE APPROVES THOSE AS WE GO FORWARD.
ROSANDA HAS BEEN EXTREMELY BUSY, AND WE GREATLY APPRECIATE THAT.
WE'RE CONTINUING TO GO ALONG WITH THE SPECIAL EVENTS.
MS. TERESA PRINCE IS SETTLING DOWN INTO HER ROLE, AND IF YOU REMEMBER PREVIOUSLY, WE WERE WORKING THROUGH THE SPECIAL EVENTS PROCESS AND ALSO THE PUBLIC ART PROCESS.
AS THOSE START GETTING MOMENTUM, AND THEY ARE STARTING TO GET SOME MOMENTUM, I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON THOSE AS THEY MOVE ALONG.
>> I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT, SCOTT.
JUST I WAS GOING TO WAIT TILL THE NEXT SECTION, BUT BROUGHT IT UP.
THE ITERATION OF THE SPECIAL EVENTS PACKET THAT WE HAD BEEN WORKING FROM AND THAT WE'D ALREADY DONE THE WORK ON, I THINK IS PROBABLY GOING TO CHANGE A LOT CONSIDERING MANY THINGS WE'LL MOVE TO THE NEW WATERFRONT PARK.
WHAT'S THE ESTIMATED TIME FOR THE NEW WATERFRONT PARK? IS IT NEXT SUMMER?
>> I THINK THE GOAL WAS FOR IT TO BE OPEN IN THE SPRINGTIME.
>> WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THESE THINGS, WE REALLY NEED TO BE THEORIZING ABOUT HOW WE WILL APPLY THEM IN THE NEW.
AM I RIGHT AND SAYING A LOT OF THE EVENTS WILL MOVE FROM THE STREET CLOSURES TO THE WATERFRONT PARK?
>> I BELIEVE, I DON'T KNOW 100%.
I BELIEVE THAT IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE, AND I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON THIS IS THERE WILL BE A WORKSHOP FOR THE COMMISSION REGARDING THE SPECIAL EVENT PROCESS AND APPLICATION THAT WE HAD MOVED ALONG TO NEW COMMISSION, SO I BELIEVE THEY WANT TO REVIEW THAT AS WELL.
IT DOES TALK ABOUT OR I BELIEVE THE CONVERSATION WILL COME UP ABOUT THE WATERFRONT PARK AND HAVING EVENTS THERE AS WELL.
>> I JUST WANTED TO HAVE THOSE THINGS IN THE FOREFRONT BECAUSE I THINK IT REALLY LOOKS DIFFERENT THAN SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE OCCURRED BEFORE.
THE OTHER QUESTION I HAD WAS, I'M SURE EVERYBODY'S HEARD, AND I KNOW TERESA HAS HER WORK CUT OUT FOR HER WITH PEG LIKE PETE AND THE SITUATION WITH THAT, BUT I WAS CURIOUS HOW THAT ALL CAME TO BE BECAUSE I THOUGHT WE HAD A MORATORIUM FOR ANY ADDITIONAL ART THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN PLACED.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? I WAS JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW ALL THAT EVEN HAPPENED.
NOT THE ASHES, NOT THE CREMAINS.
BUT THAT WE'VE HAD SOME ART COMMISSIONED AND THEN.
>> AS WE WERE WORKING THROUGH THE PUBLIC ART PROCESS, AND THEN IT WAS IN THE CITY ATTORNEYS FOR REVIEW,
[00:30:06]
AND NOW WE RECENTLY JUST GOT A NEW CITY ATTORNEY, SO THE PLAN WAS WAS FOR HER TO REVIEW THAT WHOLE PROCESS.I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THERE'S BEEN A DECISION MADE ON PEG LEG PETE.
THAT'S WHY, AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS IN HER CUE TO REVIEW.
>> I GUESS I WAS JUST WONDERING THE TIMELINE OF HOW ALL THAT HAPPENED, JUST BECAUSE I THOUGHT AFTER THE MURAL AT THE SKATE PARK, WHEN WAS THAT? FEBRUARY?
>> YES. BUT ISN'T THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OVER THE STUFF DOWNTOWN MORE?
>> YEAH. THE WAY THAT THE FLOW CHART WAS GOING TO WORK WAS THAT WE WERE GOING TO ACCEPT ALL THOSE APPLICATIONS, AND THEN THEY WERE GOING TO REVIEW THE ITEMS THAT FELL WITHIN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COUNCIL.
THEY WERE GOING TO REVIEW THOSE AND THEN COME BACK TO US.
>> THAT'S HOW IT WILL FLOW WITH THE NEW ONE, BUT CURRENTLY, THAT'S NOT HOW IT FLOW.
I THINK CURRENTLY THEY CAN DO THEIR OWN PUBLIC ART RIGHT NOW, CORRECT?
>> THERE WAS NO FLOW CHART IN THE EXISTING.
>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET HIT WITH SOMEBODY COMING UP, ASKING FOR SOME ART TO BE DONE THAT WE'RE NOT PREPARED?
>> AT OUR LAST REGARDING THAT IS, WE DID WANT TO HAVE, I REMEMBER PLAQUE WANTED TO HAVE A MORATORIUM UNTIL WE HAD THIS ALL SET.
I KNOW THAT THAT WAS THOSE WISHES.
>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE OF THAT.
>> JUST WANTED TO TALK ABOUT FISCAL YEAR '26, SOME HIGH LEVEL STUFF THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE WORKING THROUGH.
AND THEN IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THAT, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK.
WE HAVE IN OUR BUDGET, AND THIS IS WHERE WE ARE GOING TO USE PLAQUE, ESPECIALLY ON THE PARKS AND RECREATION SIDE IS, WE'RE GOING TO BE ASKING FOR SOME RECOMMENDATIONS AS WE MOVE THROUGH THIS STUFF.
WE HAVE MONEY BUDGETED FOR A MASTER PLAN, OPEN SPACE AND AN OPEN SPACE UPDATE, SO WE WILL BE WORKING THROUGH THAT.
>> THE COLUMBARIUM DESIGN IS IN BUDGET, SO WE WILL BE WORKING THROUGH THAT.
ONE THING THAT MY GOAL, AND I WAS PLANNING ON DOING IT THIS MONTH IS MY GOAL, AND I FEEL PRETTY CONFIDENT, OCTOBER MEETING, WE'RE DOTTING ALL OUR I'S AND CROSSING ALL OUR T'S BEFORE WE PRESENT TO YOU WILL BE THE MARTIN LUTHER KING SOFTBALL FIELDS DESIGN.
MY GOAL IS TO HAVE THAT TO YOU IN OCTOBER.
I AM WORKING CLOSELY WITH MR. GLENN AKRAMOFF, WHO IS THE NEW PROJECT MANAGER.
I BELIEVE HE WILL ALSO BE HERE REGARDING THAT.
THEN FINALLY, ALSO THE YBOR ALVAREZ SPORTS COMPLEX, GLENN IS WORKING ON AND WE SHOULD HAVE AN APPRAISAL FOR THAT VERY SHORTLY.
WE WILL RECONVENE ON THAT ONCE WE GET THAT INFORMATION.
THERE ARE A LOT OF LARGE PROJECTS COMING FORWARD IN FISCAL YEAR 26.
>> I KNOW THAT WE'VE USED SIGNIFICANT IMPACT FEES FOR THE WATERFRONT PARK.
WHAT'S THAT BUCKET LOOKING LIKE? ARE WE GOING TO HAVE?
AS WE USED IMPACT FEE MONEY FOR THE WATERFRONT PARK THIS PAST YEAR, WE USED IMPACT FEE MONEY FOR THE HICKORY STREET PARK.
THEN IF WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE MARTIN LUTHER KING SOFTBALL FIELDS, THAT IS GOING TO TAKE UP A DECENT CHUNK OF THAT MONEY, WHERE I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT NUMBERS, BUT THE YBOR ALVAREZ PROJECT WILL BE EXPENSIVE.
I DON'T SEE US HAVING ENOUGH OF IMPACT FEE MONEY TO DO THAT ENTIRE JOB THE WAY IT SITS.
>> WHERE INITIALLY WE HAD A GOOD CHUNK OF MONEY FOR YBOR ALVAREZ, BUT NO MONEY FOR MLK, I THINK WITH IMPACT FEES AND NOW WAS SQUEEZING IT.
>> THAT'S THE WAY IT WOULD HAVE WORKED.
IT WOULD HAVE WORKED EITHER WAY.
WHATEVER CAME FIRST WOULD HAVE USED THOSE IMPACT FEE DOLLARS.
IF IT WOULD HAVE BEEN YBOR OR IF IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MLK, WE WOULDN'T HAVE HAD ENOUGH EITHER WAY.
>> IT'S FAIR TO SAY THAT WE WILL DEPLETE THAT FUND IN FISCAL YEAR 2026 IN ALL LIKELIHOOD?
[00:35:07]
>> IF WE WERE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THOSE PROJECT AS EXPECTED RIGHT NOW, THAT MONEY WOULD BE DEPLETED.
>> THAT'S ALL I HAVE ON THE PARKS AND RECREATION SIDE.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME? I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MEMBER PEARLSTEIN FOR MEETING ME AT EGAN'S CREEK PARK.
WE'RE HAVING SOME ROSEN ISSUES ON THERE. I DON'T KNOW.
I'M SURE I DRIVE BY THERE EVERY DAY, BUT THE PARK LOOKS BEAUTIFUL, BUT I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR WORKING WITH ME ON SOME NATIVE PLANTS THERE AT THE PARK TO HELP WITH SOME EROSION ISSUES.
>> JUST A THOUGHT. FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO QUALIFY FOR THE BRIGHT SCHOLARS OR THE BRIGHT FUTURES SCHOLARSHIP, THEY NEED 100 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER TIME.
I WONDERED LOOKING OVER THIS LIST AND EVERYTHING, HAVE YOU GUYS EVER THOUGHT ABOUT PUTTING A PROGRAM TOGETHER WITH THE HIGH SCHOOL? I KNOW IT WOULD BE HARD TO MANAGE AND THERE'S ALL THE ISSUES, BUT COULD THEY COME AND HELP CLEAN UP BEFORE OR AFTER?
>> YEAH, 100%, WE ACTUALLY HAVE A VOLUNTEER PROGRAM ALREADY IN PLACE.
I WOULD SAY THAT THE HIGH SCHOOL PROBABLY ISN'T AWARE OF IT COMPLETELY, SO WE PROBABLY NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB OF DOING THAT BECAUSE, YES, THEY COULD GET VOLUNTEER HOURS AT THE RECREATION CENTER. ABSOLUTELY.
>> ST. MICHAEL'S REQUIRES IT, TOO FOR THEIR KIDS.
IT'S ACTUALLY REALLY HARD FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS TO FIND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES.
>> SOMETIMES THEY'RE LIKE IT'S HARD TO FIND GROUPS THAT DON'T HAVE AGE RESTRICTION WHERE THEY CAN.
>> BUT YEAH, WE'RE MORE THAN HAPPY TO WORK WITH THEM.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR ME?
>> AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO ASK ANY BOARD MEMBERS.
[7. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS]
WE'LL START AT THE FAR RIGHT.>> I JUST REALLY APPRECIATE SCOTT REACHING OUT ABOUT PLANTING SOME NATIVE PLANTINGS, WHERE EROSION IS A PROBLEM.
IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN OUR GARDEN, STOP BY IT.
WE HAVE A NEW RESIDENT, A GOPHER TORTOISE MOVED IN TO THE GARDEN.
HE FOUND A PLACE UNDER SOME OF THE PLANTS, BUT HE'S BEEN THERE FOR OVER A MONTH NOW.
HE SEEMS TO BE SETTLED IN AND THE BEES ARE HAPPY, THE BUTTERFLIES ARE HAPPY, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING MORE NATIVE PLANTS OUT THERE.
>> I WOULD AGAIN THANK EVERYBODY FOR ALL THE WORK DONE AT HICKORY PARK.
I HAVE SEEN MORE PEOPLE OUT THERE.
IT STAYS PRETTY BUSY OVER THERE, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN MORE PEOPLE OUT THERE RECENTLY AND THE BATHROOMS, I THINK ARE TO ATTRIBUTE TO THAT.
THE LACROSSE GUYS ARE REALLY ACTIVE OVER THERE.
THERE ARE PEOPLE UTILIZING ALL PARKING, WHICH IT'S NOT PROBLEMATIC.
IT COULD BE AT SOME POINT SOMEDAY, BUT EVERYBODY'S DOING A GREAT JOB, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE USING THAT.
THANK YOU EVERYBODY FOR THEIR EFFORTS WITH THAT.
>> I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT MY BOYS AND I GO AND WORK OUT AT THE REC CENTER SOMETIMES.
YOU WALK IN THERE, AND SOMEHOW IT DOESN'T SMELL LIKE A GYM.
I'LL PUT IT THAT WAY [LAUGHTER] THOUGH, IT'S REALLY NICE. THAT'S IT.
>> LATER LAST MONTH, I SPENT SOME TIME TRYING TO INVESTIGATE THE SOCCER FIELD ISSUE.
MET WITH THE AIRPORT MANAGER AND GOT A PRETTY GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF HIS POSITION.
I GUESS, AS WE MOVE FORWARD, SOME OF THE ISSUES I'D LIKE THE MEMBERS TO THINK ABOUT WOULD BE, FIRST OF ALL, WHETHER THE YBOR ALVAREZ LOCATION IS WHERE YOU'D LIKE TO KEEP THE SOCCER? IF NOT, WHETHER HICKORY STREET OR AV COULD IN A MODIFIED FORMAT, HANDLE THE NEEDED SOCCER FIELDS.
BECAUSE IT COMES DOWN TO IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING NOW THAT PROBABLY WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR OR SO, YOU'VE GOT TO DECIDE WHETHER YOU'RE GOING TO BUY THE PROPERTY FROM THE AIRPORT.
YOU COULD LEASE THE PROPERTY FROM THE AIRPORT OR WALK AWAY TO A DIFFERENT LOCATION.
[00:40:02]
THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO BE THINKING ABOUT.AGAIN, I AM SATISFIED THAT WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING, AND WE SHOULD TRY TO WORK ON A CONSENSUS HOW WE ALL FEEL ABOUT WHICH WAY WE WANT TO GO FOR OUR RECOMMENDATION.
>> CAN I JUST ADD, BECAUSE WE'VE HAD SOME OF THESE DISCUSSIONS BEFORE, HICKORY.
I THINK THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES THAT THEY SERVE FOR SOCCER IS AROUND 800 KIDS.
THERE'S NO WAY HICKORY, I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW RECONFIGURED, BUT CERTAINLY WITH THE TRAFFIC, I DON'T THINK THAT THAT'S A FEASIBLE OPTION JUST FOR THE AMOUNT OF GROWTH THAT THEY'VE HAD.
THAT'S NOT EVEN AS BIG AS THE SPACE IS NOW, I BELIEVE.
BUT THE TRAFFIC WOULD BE HORRENDOUS.
THE PROBLEMS THAT YOU MENTIONED ABOUT THE EXPENSE OF BUYING THE PROPERTY.
ALSO, LET ME ADD THAT TECHNICALLY, THE SCHOOL BOARD OWNS HICKORY PARK.
I THINK LAST TIME I ASKED BRETT STICKER, THEY STILL HAVE NOT SIGNED THAT LEASE, EVEN THOUGH IT ENDS IN DECEMBER.
BUT THEIR INTENTION IS TO RENEW THAT LEASE FOR US.
BUT THAT LEASING EVEN THE AIRPORT PROPERTY, IN MY MIND, WOULDN'T BE A LONG TERM PROPOSITION BECAUSE THE TYPES OF BUILDOUT AND COMPLEX THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT INVESTING TO BE ON PROPERTY WE DON'T OWN, IN MY MIND DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.
>> WE WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH MORE INFORMATION.
I KNOW GLENN WILL BE COMING TO SOME OF THOSE MEETINGS TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION.
WITHIN THE APPRAISAL, WE'LL ALSO HAVE A PURCHASE PRICE AS WELL AS A LEASE PRICE.
I BELIEVE HE'S ASKED FOR BOTH OF THOSE.
REGARDING HICKORY STREET PARK, IT WOULD BE A DOWNSIZE.
THE PARKING WOULD BE SMALLER, AND THERE ARE NO LIGHTS THERE AS WELL.
>> QUESTION. DO YOU TRY TO ACCOMMODATE ALL THE SOCCER? WHEN IS MOST OF THOSE SOCCER EVENTS? WHEN DO THEY OCCUR?
>> THEY PLAY FOUR SEASONS A YEAR.
>> I KNOW. WHAT TIME OF DAY AND WHAT DAYS?
>> THEY PRACTICE MOST OF THE DAYS AND THEN THEY HAVE GAMES.
>> WHEN KIDS ARE IN SCHOOL, YOU'RE OBVIOUSLY USING EVENINGS AND IF IT'S NOT LIT, YOU'RE LIMITED TO HOW MANY KIDS YOU CAN GET OUT ON A FIELD BECAUSE IT'S NOT LIT AND BECAUSE IT GETS DARK SOMETIMES AT, I DON'T KNOW, SIX O'CLOCK.
>> THE HIGH SCHOOL ALREADY USED THE HICKORY FIELDS FOR LACROSSE AND SOME OF THEIR FOR SOME PRACTICE.
>> RIGHT NOW, HICKORY STREET IS MAINLY A PRACTICE FACILITY FOR ALMOST EVERY SINGLE GRASS SPORT.
I'M THANKFUL THAT FOOTBALL RESERVES IT A LOT AS WELL BECAUSE IT ALLOWS THEIR FIELD TO ACTUALLY REST SO WE CAN RECOVER THAT FOOTBALL FIELD AFTER THEIR FOOTBALL SEASON AND FLIGHT FOOTBALL SEASON.
THAT IS OUR MAIN PRACTICE FACILITY.
ALL OF OUR OTHER FACILITIES, FOR THE MOST PART, BESIDES, JOE VERLADI, WHICH IS RIGHT BEHIND US, IS GAME FIELDS.
I KNOW WE'RE NOT IN THE MAJOR LEAGUES, BUT OUR FIELDS ALSO NEED TO REST.
IF SOCCER WERE TO GO THERE, THAT WOULD AFFECT A LOT OF PRACTICES AS WELL.
BUT I ALSO UNDERSTAND YOUR POINT OF WHAT YOU WERE SAYING AND BRINGING THAT INFORMATION TO THE BOARD IS WE DO, AND WE SHOULD HAVE A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE BOARD.
I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU MENTIONED IS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO COME TOGETHER AS PRAC AND MAKE THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS.
I AM HANDING OUT THE INVITATIONS TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR THE BATTING CAGE OPENING CEREMONIES.
>> THANK YOU. THIS DIFFERENT THAN BABE RUTH OPENING DAY? IS THIS DIFFERENT THAN OPENING DAY THIS YEAR?
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE OPENING DAY CEREMONIES OCTOBER 3 AT 4:30.
[00:45:07]
I'M VERY PLEASED WITH THE OUTCOME OF THIS BATTING CAGE.THE FORECAST FOR THIS BATTING CAGE COULD LAST FOR 25-30 YEARS.
IT'S ABOUT THE SAME LENGTH AS NEW SCORE BOARDS THAT WE PUT IN TWO YEARS AGO.
THE UPGRADES THAT THE CITY, BABE RUTH, AND THE BUSINESSES HAVE INVESTED IS GOOD FOR 25-30 YEARS.
YOU GUYS UNDERSTAND REGISTRATION ENDED ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO, FOR BABE RUTH FOR THE FALL, WE CAME UP WITH 286 KIDS FOR THE FALL BALL.
THAT'S WITH COMPETITION FOR SOCCER, COMPETITION FOR FOOTBALL, COMPETITION FOR LACROSSE, COMPETITION FOR EVERY SPORT, AND WE STILL CAME OUT WITH LARGE NUMBERS.
WITH THIS BATTING CAGE IN PLACE, IT WILL INCREASE EVEN MORE.
I HAD A MEETING YESTERDAY WITH THE FRIENDS OF YULI.
THEY CAME UP AND THEY WANTED A TOUR OF THE BATTING CAGE.
I MADE IT PERFECTLY CLEAR THAT OUR BATTING CAGE HAS A R ON IT, SO IT CANNOT BE DUPLICATED.
BUT ANYWAY, THEY ARE REALLY HAPPY TO SEE HOW ADVANCED WE ARE.
NASSAU COUNTY SHOULD BE VERY PLEASED.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST ABOUT THE BATTING CAGES.
EVERYBODY SHOULD BE AWARE THAT NO SUBS WERE FROM JACKSONVILLE.
THEY WERE ALL FROM NASSAU COUNTY AND FERNANDINA.
THAT WAS ONE OF THE GOALS WAS TO KEEP OUR RIGHTS TO THE BATTING CAGE WITH OUR PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN OUR CITY OR IN THE COUNTY.
WE ACCOMPLISHED THAT, AND IT WAS A WORTHWHILE ADVENTURE.
BECAUSE NOW WE KNOW WE CAN CALL ON THOSE PEOPLE FOR HELP IF SOMETHING SHOULD OCCUR, AND THEY'RE OUR NEIGHBOR.
SECOND OF ALL, I THINK IF WE DO ANYTHING THIS YEAR, WE REALLY HAVE TO THANK THE PARKS AND RECREATION MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT, AND THE PEOPLE THAT KEEP UP OUR FIELDS, CUT OUR GRASS, MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING LOOKS GOOD.
THE MONTH OF AUGUST WAS ONE OF THE HOTTEST MONTHS ON CALENDAR, AND THOSE GUYS WHO WERE OUT THERE WORKING DAY IN AND DAY OUT, AND THEY DON'T GET ENOUGH.
KUDOS. I REALLY BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE SUCH A GREAT FORCE OF PUBLIC SERVANTS THAT GO OUT THERE AND WORK, PUT THEIR SEVEN, EIGHT HOURS IN EVERY DAY AND MAKE THIS CITY WHAT IT IS.
WE COVER A LOT OF GROUND WITH RECREATION.
WITH THAT, IF ANYBODY DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE, I WILL SEE YOU ALL AT THE NEXT MEETING.
OCTOBER THE. MEETING ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.