01_13_2022 Parks Advisory Board Meeting
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HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BOCC
Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Advisory Board
Thursday, January 13, 2022

PRESENT:
Anthony Sanchez
Jack Berlin
Nathan Gennara
Joe Guidry, Jr.
Aaron Casteel
Barbara Heineken

STAFF:
Rick Valdez
Forest Turbiville
Ross Dickerson
James Crouch
Greg Brown
Dave Ramirez

I.
WELCOME/CALL TO ORDER
a. This meeting was called to order at 12:05 p.m. by Anthony Sanchez

II.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
a. Christina Sanchez Miller spoke about illegal conduct and activities of the Tampa Bay
Youth Football League (TBYFL). She is requesting that the Department terminate their
Field Use Agreement (FUA).
b. Michael Miller also requested that the FUA be terminated and that the Department
open the facility to another organization that will utilize the property in a respectful
way.
c. Discussion ensued and the Board offered their support in the termination of TBYFL’s
FUA and the suspension of the league’s Superbowl.

Motion: Jack Berlin made a motion to recommend the Parks and Recreation Department
terminates the Field Use Agreement with Tampa Bay Youth Football League. The motion
was seconded by Aaron Casteel. The motion was passed with no opposing members.

III.
PRESENTATIONS
a. Sponsorship Update
i. Rick Valdez shared that the Sponsorship Coordinator position was offered to
Alison Hughes.

b. ELAPP Acquisition Update
i. Ross Dickerson provided updates regarding the recent termination of
negotiations for the 559-acre Holmberg property (Balm-Boyette Scrub Preserve)
and ongoing negotiations for the 114-acre GreenPointe property (Triple Creek
Preserve).

c. State Road 56 Extension
i. There is no update at this time.




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d. USF RFI – Forest Preserve
i. Forest Turbiville shared an email received from the head of the Save USF Forest
Preserve group.

e. Friends Agreement Update
i. Rick Valdez shared that the Friends Agreement went to the BOCC yesterday and
all updates were approved. Additionally, Bonnie Wise made a comment that the
agreement was chosen as a potential model for other agreements throughout
the County.
ii. Discussion ensued regarding the new sponsorship position, duties of the Friends
Board, and oversight of the County.

f. Lettuce Lake Park Nature Center Naming
i. Mr. Turbiville shared the naming policy and is in the process of clarifying next
steps.

Motion: Joe Guidry, Jr. made a motion to recommend to the BOCC that the Lettuce Lake
Park Nature Center be named in honor of Joel Jackson and to direct staff to work with
the County’s Communications Department to determine the need for a public meeting
and, based on the outcome, draft an agenda item for BOCC approval. The motion was
seconded by Jack Berlin. The motion was passed with no opposing members.

g. Skyway Park Update
i. This agenda item was discussed at the beginning of the meeting.
ii. Dave Ramirez and Rick Valdez spoke about the history of issues with TBYFL.
Photos of property misuse and a video of a recent shooting incident were
shared.
iii. Discussion ensued about the current state of the agreement and next steps.

h. Board Positions
i. Mr. Sanchez has continued to reach out to Commissioner Myers’ office.
ii. Discussion ensued regarding Board member term limits and expirations.

i. February 24 Meeting
i. Alison Hughes will send out an email for a group vote a few weeks before the
meeting to determine meeting format.

j. Voting for Chair and Vice Chair

Motion: Jack Berlin made a motion to elect Anthony Sanchez as Chair and Nathan
Gennara as Vice Chair. The motion was seconded by Aaron Casteel. The motion was
passed with no opposing members.

IV.
BOARD ACTION
a. Approve minutes from the November 18, 2021 meeting




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Motion: Joe Guidry, Jr. made a motion approving the November 18, 2021 meeting
minutes and the motion was seconded by Jack Berlin. The motion was passed with no
opposing members.

V.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
a. Mr. Sanchez completed the Hiking Spree and praised the program.
b. Mr. Belin inquired if his Commission is aware of Skyway issues and plans to reach out to
him.

VI.
COMMUNICATIONS, ACTIVITIES, OR STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS
a. Mr. Ramirez shared recent accomplishments in Athletics.
b. Jason Mackenzie shared capital project updates.

VII.
ADJOURNMENT
a. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Alison Hughes, Acting Parks Board Secretary