Parks, Recreation, and Trees Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the March 9, 2022 5:30 p.m.
Parks, Recreation, and Trees Advisory Committee Meeting

The Parks, Recreation and Tree Board Advisory Committee meeting was held in the Town Hall Commission Chambers at 409 Fennell Blvd., Lady Lake, Florida. The meeting convened at 5:30 p.m.

A. Roll Call

Fred Weber, Member; Doris Turlo, Member; Betty Cantelmo, Member; and Chairperson/Member Dr. Richard Jones

Member Lowery arrived at 5:33 p.m.

STAFF PRESENT

Mike Burske, Parks and Recreation Director; and Carol Osborne, Deputy Town Clerk

B. Public Comment

Chairperson Jones asked if there were any public comments. There were no comments.

C. New Business

1. Approval of Minutes

Member Turlo moved to approve the minutes of the October 13, 2021, Parks, Recreation and Tree Advisory Committee meeting. Member Cantelmo seconded. The motion passed by an all-in-favor vote of 4 to 0.

2. Consideration to send a Recommendation to the Commission to Change the Colors of the Lady Lake Train Depot to Its Historically Accurate Colors and Fund the Project in Next Year’s Budget (Mike Burske)

Parks and Recreation Director Mike Burske presented the background summary for this agenda item (on file in the Clerk’s Office).

Mr. Burske presented each board member with a picture of an Atlantic Lines/CSX train depot that has been repainted with the same colors.

Member Cantelmo moved to forward the recommendation of approval to the Commission to change the colors of the Lady Lake Train Depot to Its historically accurate colors. Member Lowery seconded. The motion passed by an all-in-favor vote of 5 to 0.

3. Consideration to send a Recommendation to the Commission to Invest $5,000 from the Tree Bank to Hold the Annual Tree Raffle for Lady Lake Residents (Mike Burske)

Parks and Recreation Director Mike Burske presented the background summary for this agenda item (on file in the Clerk’s Office).

Mr. Burske stated the funds in the tree bank, contributed by the developers in Lady Lake, are utilized for this annual event.  The residents of the Town of Lady Lake are then able to plant trees or bushes on their property.

Member Cantelmo moved to forward the recommendation of approval to the Commission to invest $5,000 from the Tree Bank to hold the annual tree raffle for Lady Lake residents. Member Weber seconded. The motion passed by an all-in-favor vote of 5 to 0.

4. Discussion of Dogs and Pets at the Various Parks in Lady Lake (Mike Burske)

Parks and Recreation Director Mike Burske presented the background summary for this agenda item (on file in the Clerk’s Office).

Mr. Burske advised that most of the issues stemmed from the neighborhood behind the Rolling Acres Sports Complex. Commissioner Kussard wrote a letter to the residents in that area advising that dogs are not permitted on the field. He stated that The Villages newspaper carried an article regarding it as well. He stated that signs were posted, as well. Due to these two actions, the amount of public traffic with their dogs has greatly decreased.

Member Jones stated that dogs must be on a leash per the statute. He added that many people do not clean up after their pets.

Member Cantelmo stated that dogs should not be permitted in those areas.

Member Lowery stated that dogs should be allowed only at the dog park. She stated it is a safety issue for pets and people, as well as a health issue. She stated these fields were not created for dogs, and people will continue to take their pets there if there is no consequence for not cleaning up after them.

Member Weber stated that another complication is that there is a group of Sandhill Cranes in that block of the field, raising their young. it is a federal and state law not to harass Sandhill Cranes. He stated there are many people who bring their dogs to the fields and take them off leash to chase the birds. He stated that he has politely asked these dog owners to keep their dogs away from that area, to which he receives very rude replies. He stated it is his experience with the dogs’ owners that they believe it is their park and not the athletes’ park.

Member Jones stated that the Animal Control Officer needs to be informed of this issue, perhaps to patrol the area more often.

Member Turlo stated that she has also encountered rude responses when she has asked people not to walk on the driving range.

It is the consensus of the board for the Recreation Director request the Commission place “No Pets Allowed” signs throughout all of the Town of Lady Lake parks.

Member Jones reiterated that the Animal Control Officer needs to be made aware that this problem has grown in the past five years.

Mr. Burske advised that the Animal Control Officer has always helped him when he would ask her to patrol.

5. Consideration of a Plaque in Heritage Park for Doris Turlo (Mike Burske)

Parks and Recreation Director Mike Burske presented the background summary for this agenda item (on file in the Clerk’s Office).

Member Turlo suggested installing the plaque recognizing the Lions Club.

Member Jones stated that the Lions Club requested specifically for Ms. Turlo, because of all that she has done, and continues to do, for various organizations and for the Town of Lady Lake.

Member Lowery stated that Ms. Turlo deserves this recognition.

Member Lowery moved to recommend that the Recreation Director request that the Town Commission place a plaque in Heritage Park for Ms. Doris Turlo. Member Weber seconded. The motion passed by an all-in-favor vote of 5-0.

6. Discussion of an Iraq-Afghanistan Memorial in Lady Lake (Mike Burske)

Parks and Recreation Director Mike Burske presented the background summary for this agenda item (on file in the Clerk’s Office).

Mr. Burske stressed that he was contacted regarding this project and has not responded as he wanted the Board’s input. He stated there is no location available for this memorial.

The Board discussed various options as to where the memorial could be located and what information will be on the memorial.

Member Jones suggested that Mr. Burske to contact veterans’ organizations to inquire if they would be interested in this project.

It is the consensus of the Board to not pursue this project.

D. STAFF REPORT

Mr. Burske stated the first Mac ‘N Cheese Cookoff is March 19 at the Log Cabin, 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. He stated there are approximately 13 groups that have entered.
He stated that the Walking Trail project is out for bid.
The Easter Egg Hunt is April 9 from 10 a.m. — Noon at the baseball field behind the fire station. Member Turlo asked what time the Lions Club will be cooking pancakes. Mr. Burske stated that he has not received a confirmed timeframe and will contact them.
Baseball opening day Saturday, March 5 and soccer’s opening was February 26.

E. Chairperson and Members' Report

No report

F. Adjourn

With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

s/ Carol Osborne, Deputy Town Clerk

s/ Dr. Richard Jones, Chairperson