Minutes
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting of September 7, 2012
7:30 a.m. – Everglades Holiday Park – Southwest Ranches
Board Members Present
Patrick Brochu
Christina Clifford
Terry Danger
Marc Kiar
Stephen Lawson
Alex Lazowick
Dana MacDonald
Stephanie Munson
Howard Nelson
Bill Norkunas
Guy Roper
Board Members Absent
Tyson Jones
Sharon Kent
Jack Mathison
Bill Spute
County Staff:
Dan West, Parks Director
Jim Federici, HCED
Cyndy Baker, Parks
Cheryl Cayer, Parks
Trevor Fell, Parks
Caleb Gunter, Parks
Cathy Hagen, Parks
George Jones, Parks
Michael Langdon, Parks
Sarah Maitland, Parks
Brian McLaughlin, Parks
Carol Morgenstern, Parks
Sarah Perkins, Parks
Gayle Preston, Parks
Chester Pruitt, Parks
Gary Remillet, Parks
Anita Ziegler, Parks
Members of the Public:
Clint Bridges, Bridges Everglades, LLC
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (Board) meeting was called to order by Stephanie Munson,
chair pro tem, at 7:35 a.m., after which all present recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll was called; a
quorum was present.
Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Board member Brochu to approve the minutes of the June
1, 2012, meeting. The motion was seconded by Board member Roper, and the motion passed
unanimously.
Employees of the Quarter: The Employees of the Quarter were introduced and each was presented
with a framed certificate to commemorate the award, a polo-style shirt embroidered with his or her name
and the Division logo, a gift card to a local restaurant, and a Division “Find it All” mug. Michael Langdon,
Carpenter II with the Parks Maintenance Group/ADA Team, received the award for the category of
Maintenance; Anita Ziegler, Administrative Coordinator for the Community Partnerships Group, received
the award for Administrative/Program Support; and Sarah Maitland, Aquatics Coordinator for Paradise
Cove at C. B. Smith Park, received the award for Supervisors/Managers.
Park Manager’s Report: Trevor Fell, manager of Markham Park, welcomed the Board members to
Everglades Holiday Park. Mr. Fell provided a brief report on activity at EHP to upgrade the appearance
and to bring facilities into compliance with current regulations, including a new, raised pavilion,
replacement of the decking on the front of the building, ongoing renovation of the campground (which is
temporarily closed for those improvements) and planned replacement of the docks. He introduced
George Jones, the new park manager for EHP, and Clint Bridges, principal of the EHP concessionaire,
Bridges Everglades, LLC, and whose family has run the concession at EHP for over thirty years. Mr. Fell
confirmed the Division’s intention to maintain the rustic appearance of the site, even as renovations
progress. He invited Board members to tour the site with staff after conclusion of the meeting. Director
Dan West noted the success that the Division has experienced since June 3, 2012, to bring the site
online with County procedures and in making major improvements, and he credited various member of
Division staff with that success. Mr. West invited the Board to an open house planned for October 25.
Mr. Jones then addressed the Board, providing information on his 34-year background with the Florida
state park system and his positive impressions of Parks staff as renovations are done at the site. Ms.
Munson stated that she visited the park over the summer months with camp field trips, and witnessed
Parks Advisory Board Minutes – September 7, 2012
Page 2
the maintenance crew as they worked on the renovations. She remarked that the workers were very
patient with the school children, and they were able to continue their work with more than forty
youngsters running around them.
Parks and Recreation Division Update: Mr. West reported that the capital budget workshop was held
with the County Commissioners. Division staff went through the projects that were completed in the
parks, and it was clear to the Commission that this park system has done some incredible work. At least
ten minutes of discussion continued after the presentation on how well the Division has been operating,
including mention of the outstanding work being done at EHP. The budget appears to be unchanged
from what was expected earlier, and Mr. West expects it will be approved September 27. Miramar
Pineland Regional Park will be coming on line. This development project is at about 75 percent
completion, and plans are to open that site at the end of January 2013. Mr. West suggested having
Board meetings in some of the locations where work is being done so that the members can see the
upgrades and renovations first hand. He also asked Board members to let staff know if they have
suggestions on locations where they would like to meet. Mr. West invited the Board members to stay
after conclusion of the meeting to meet members of staff that are most involved with EHP and to tour the
site with staff. Mr. West provided additional background about Mr. Jones, including his participation with
many of the EHP user groups and his wealth of experience.
Old Business: Parks Business Operations Manager Cheryl Cayer updated the Board on actions the
Division is taking on the Board’s suggestions for the Fee Schedule, which is scheduled for approval at
the next Commissioners’ meeting on September 27, 2012. The suggestion to include the park entrance
fee with the Aquatic Season Pass is being considered by the Aquatics Committee and will be piloted
through the pro forma process. If it proves to be well received by the public, the Division will consider
making it part of the Fee Schedule next year. Ms. Munson asked if staff knows what it will cost to
implement the combined Aquatic Season Pass. Staff does not know the cost, but the Aquatics
Committee will address that and will provide cost information as it becomes available. The Division has
four different water parks with varying amenities, and, as such, each has a different daily entrance fee
and season pass fee. The challenge to offer a single season pass for all the water parks will be
addressed by the Aquatics Committee for possible inclusion in the FY2014 Fee Schedule. The Board’s
suggestion to include a mountain bike fee of $25 per year and include park entrance fees will be
implemented in a similar manner: as a pilot via a pro forma and, if successful, included in the FY2014
Fee Schedule. Staff is also looking at the model airplane annual fee and the possibility of including the
park entrance fee. The Fee Schedule will be effective upon approval by the Board of County
Commissioners. That is anticipated to occur with the public hearing on October 9. Mr. Norkunas asked
for clarification of park budgets and the source of operating funds given limited revenues. He stated his
main concern is entrance fees at parks and people that may not be able to afford them. Ms. Cayer stated
the ad valorem tax supplements the park budgets. User fees to gain entrance on weekends and holidays
are nominal at $1.50 per person. Other than weekends and holidays, people are welcome to come into
the parks without charge. If someone wishes to use other amenities such as a shelter or meeting hall,
then a separate user fee is charged in accordance with the value of the amenity and to offset the
additional cost of staffing. Ms. Cayer stated the Division operates on a 37% return on expenses. Mr.
West clarified that fees in Broward County Parks do not cover expenses, as they might in for-profit
organizations. The system relies on operating funds derived from taxes. To operate at 100% selfsufficiency, parks would lose the participation and enjoyment of those citizens without the means to
afford the higher costs. Board member Nelson commented that a fee-based park system leads to a park
system that is nothing but ball fields, and the system would lose nature trails and other amenities that
could never cover their cost without the support of taxes. Ms. Cayer stated that the Division does a
comparability study of fees every year with neighboring counties. Mr. West stated that Parks and
Recreation personnel from the four neighboring counties – Broward, Miami-Dade, Martin and Monroe –
have been meeting bi-annually to compare notes, and more recently, directors from the 31 municipalities
in Broward County have been invited to meet, not to compete but to compare ways to provide
recreational resources to the public.
Parks Advisory Board Minutes – September 7, 2012
Page 3
New Business: Mr. Norkunas mentioned that, with the upcoming election in November, new
commissioners will be coming into office as other are leaving. He recommended that his fellow Board
members approach the new commissioners in order to develop relationships.
Jim Federici, Parks Planning and Design, provided a brief update on plans that are being developed to
either widen the existing bridge coming into EHP or to put in a parallel bridge. Each would cost
$600,000. Because of the location of utility lines, the north boundary of the bridge structure will need to
stay in the same location. A cost-sharing agreement with South Florida Water Management District is
being developed. Mr. Nelson explained the expense of the bridge is due to its location and the need to
accommodate the large flow of water to all of south Florida. Ms. Munson asked whether the new bridge
will accommodate large recreational vehicles, to which Mr. Federici confirmed that the bridge will handle
any vehicle that is street legal. Ms. Munson also asked for confirmation that earlier statements that the
park will not shut down were still accurate, and several staff stated the park will remain open, partly
because there must be access to the pump. Mr. Jones stated that because of the Everglades
Restoration Plan, the bridge has to be open 24/7. Mr. Federici reiterated that the County intends to
maintain full access to the dock area. When asked by Ms. Munson whether guard rails will be installed
on the docks, Mr. West replied that compliance with safety and ADA regulations will be followed as
required, but that the visitor experience is important to maintain. When asked if the parking lot was going
to be raised two to three feet, Mr. Federici responded that plans are to do just that.
Mr. Bridges then addressed the Board, relating his family’s history at EHP and the current level of
offerings for visitors. He stated that his company works with cruise lines and travel agencies to market
the site. Tour companies have been bringing guests to EHP since 1982. He commented on the smooth
transition to County management that he has experienced. Board member Danger asked if the airboat
captains were Coast Guard licensed. Mr. Bridges stated they are not because it is not necessary as the
waters in the Everglades are non-navigable. Mr. West discussed the status of the current concession
agreement with Bridges Everglades, LLC, and staff’s progress to develop a Request for Letters of
Interest for longer term concessions that would begin June 3, 2013. He also informed the Board of the
Division’s discussions with Science Eye, a profit/nonprofit environmental education entity. Mr. West
brought the Board up to date on the Gator Boys, including that the reasons they are currently filming in
Mississippi are not related to anything the County has done or not done. He stated that the Division and
the Convention and Visitors Bureau are in talks with the Gator Boys and the show’s producers to let
them know they are welcome to film in Broward County. Mr. West stated that the County will be looking
for a concession bidder that will provide quality of service and revenue to the County, and make
improvements to the site. Discussion continued about campsites and staff’s efforts to find a way to
construct a pervious surface that would support an RV. When the campground renovation is complete,
there will be 48 camp sites at EHP. Work that remains to be done was listed, including seal coating the
parking lot and replacing the roof, plus work on the pavilion in back and the gator show area. Mr. West
stated that Commissioner Wexler is providing the funds from her 2000 Bond discretionary account to
build a pavilion and rest rooms. Mr. Nelson asked if there was any discussion to install dry stack storage.
Mr. West said it has been discussed but probably would not be installed at EHP because of the size and
appearance of that type of building, and that a nearby location may fill the need.
Board Meeting adjourned at 8:34 a.m.
Next Meeting: The next meeting will be held at 7:30 a.m., October 7, 2012, at Tree Tops Park in Davie.