04_14_2022 Parks Advisory Board Meeting
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HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BOCC
Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Advisory Board
Thursday, April 14, 2022
Lesley “Les” Miller, Jr. All People’s Community Park and Life Center

PRESENT:
Anthony Sanchez
Jack Berlin
Nathan Gennara
Joe Guidry, Jr.
Aaron Casteel
Barbara Heineken
STAFF:
Rick Valdez
Forest Turbiville
Alison Hughes
Ross Dickerson
Billy Graham

Dave Ramirez
Chris Kiddy
Greg Brown



I.
WELCOME/CALL TO ORDER
a. This meeting was called to order at 12:07 p.m. by Anthony Sanchez
b. Thank you to the Friends of the County Parks and Recreation for providing lunch today.

II.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
a. None

III.
PRESENTATIONS
a. Park Cell Towers
i. Anthony Sanchez stated that he has been in contact with Scott Lewis from the last
meeting. Mr. Sanchez also summarized the information that has been sent to him
on this issue. Mr. Sanchez is not in support of the cell tower.
ii. Discussion ensued regarding opposition and Board/staff member positions on this
issue. Mr. Valdez stated that contracts for current cell towers on parks will not be
renewed and that a solution must be found that does not involve parkland. The
Board agreed that this is no longer a Board issue.

b. ELAPP Acquisition Update
i. Ross Dickerson shared that there is no major update at this time.

c. State Road 56 Extension
i. Forest Turbiville shared that there is no update at this time.

d. Lettuce Lake Park Nature Center Naming
i. Billy Graham stated that he met with the honoree last week and the template for
the sign has been created.
ii. Discussion ensued regarding sign and sign unveiling ceremony.
iii. Mr. Graham shared videos about the interpretive program and introduced Ashley
Martin. Ms. Martin spoke about her vision for the program.
iv. Discussion ensued regarding interpretive programs, camps, and volunteers.

ACTION ITEM- Connect Anthony Sanchez and Ashley Martin regarding volunteer



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outreach

e. Skyway Park Update
i. Dave Ramirez shared that Skyway is fully managed by the department’s athletic
team. They have been cleaning and upgrading the facility and brought in new staff.
ii. Rick Valdez gave several updates regarding youth football. He has been working
with the City of Tampa to establish background screening criteria and an appeal
process. He has been meeting with affiliations to look at operations and equipment
certifications. He has also reached out to HCSO to have deputies at all games and is
looking into approved security firms.
iii. Discussion ensued regarding seasons for youth football, tackle football, and flag
football.

f. Hybrid Meetings
i. Mr. Sanchez explained why today’s meeting was hybrid.
ii. Discussion ensued regarding the meeting format.

Motion: Jack Berlin made a motion to allow hybrid meetings only in special
circumstances that must be approved in advance and the motion was seconded by Joe
Guidry. The motion was passed with no opposing members.

g. May 19 Meeting
i. Discussion ensued regarding scheduling conflicts with the next meeting.

Motion: Nathan Gennara made a motion to move the May 19 meeting to May 26 and
the motion was seconded by Jack Berlin. The motion was passed with no opposing
members.

IV.
BOARD ACTION
a. Approve minutes from the February 24, 2022 meeting

Motion: Joe Guidry made a motion approving the February 24, 2022 meeting minutes and
the motion was seconded by Jack Berlin. The motion was passed with no opposing
members.

V.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
a. Jack Berlin asked about sponsorships and Alison Hughes gave an update.
b. Chris Kiddy gave an update about baseball tournaments.

VI.
COMMUNICATIONS, ACTIVITIES, OR STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS
a. Mr. Valdez shared an update about the groundbreaking on Waterset Sports Complex.

VII.
ADJOURNMENT
a. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,



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Alison Hughes, Parks Board Facilitator