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PARKS, RECREATION AND CONSERVATION
PO Box 1110, Tampa, FL 33601-1110
(813) 744-5871
BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
Donna Cameron Cepeda
Harry Cohen
Ken Hagan
Pat Kemp
Gwendolyn "Gwen" Myers
Michael Owen
Joshua Wostal
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Bonnie M. Wise
COUNTY ATTORNEY
Christine M. Beck
COUNTY INTERNAL AUDITOR
Peggy Caskey

ASSISTANT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Dexter L. Barge



Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
Thursday, August 10, 2023, 12:00 PM
Lesley “Les” Miller, Jr. All People’s Community Park and Life Center



I. CALL TO ORDER – Chairman (Anthony Sanchez) called meeting to order at 12:02 PM.
a. Welcome
b. Thank you to Friends of the County Parks and Recreation for providing lunch today.

II. PUBLIC COMMENTS - Limited to three (3) minutes per constituent

Ms. Marilyn Cook - Public Comment #1 (PS 91 Non-Profit Organization) - Provided public comment
reference a desire to partner with The County, without success, for use of the Keysville Community
Center for a community-based afterschool program for students and the community. Ms. Cook provided
a document to the Board providing a list and description of the PS 91 community assistance.
Mr. Larry Cook - Public comment #2 (PS 91 Non-Profit Organization) - Provided additional input as to
public comment #1 and the urgent request and need for use of the Keysville Community Center and the
unreasonable costs. He added his observation of inappropriate and misuse of the Community Center
area by trespassers.
Rick Valdez - (Director Parks Department) - Provided a brief overview of proposal requirements of a
non-profit organization to utilize the facility and is in communication with the Commissioner’s office
and a meeting is pending upon the Commissioner’s availability for further discussion.

Conversation pursued between Board Members and Parks’ Management Staff in agreement of the need
to reopen many previously closed Community Centers during the recession to serve the community.
The endeavor will require additional efforts of the Department with funding limitations and Board
Members will present this to their official.




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III. PRESENTATIONS:

a. ELAPP Acquisition Update - Ross Dickerson (Manager CELM) Provided an update regarding recently
completed ELAPP acquisitions and approved parcels currently under negotiations. Discussed the new
2023 ELAPP bond issue approved by the BOCC in July.
b. State Road 56 Extension - Forest Turbiville (Director CELM) No updated meeting information from
FDOT. This topic has been indefinitely postponed until further notice.
c. Youth Athletics Advisory Committee - Rick Valdez (Director Parks Department) No update. He
reiterated his knowledge of either updating the Parks Advisory bylaws or adding additional language in
the resolution for an advisory committee to be established. He recommended establishing a focus group
for discussions between The Parks and Recreation Department staff and Youth athletics organizations.
d. Agreement with Friends of the Parks for the operation of concession stands at Skyway Park to
include the process for expenditure of funds - Bill Barrett (Board Member) Prior to this meeting,
requested documents from The Parks and Recreation Department relating to The Friends of the Parks
Non-profit Organization Agreement and Sponsorship with The Parks and Recreation Department. Upon
his review, he recognized the Department was lacking many requirements. He indicated there is a non-
compliance. Conversation pursued presentation by Board members, Bill Barrett, and Scott Levinson,
concluding their recognition of inconsistencies and a lack of trust of The Parks and Recreation
Department. They are requesting the Department utilize the RFP process in the future when selecting a
non-profit organization agreement and concession stand use by vendors to ensure funds are
appropriately utilized and there is an equitable treatment towards all organizations. Rick Valdez
(Director Parks Department) ensured the Board the intentions of The Department is to provide fair and
equitable treatment to all organizations, to gain and continue with, a trustworthy partnership with The
Parks Advisory Board, The Community, and all Organizations involved. He acknowledged the need for
improvements and will hold the Department accountable for attaining the required and accurate
documents at initiation of all agreements and will follow-up with the lack of specific documents needed
in the Friends of The Parks Agreement and Sponsorship, Bill Barrett (Board member) brought to his
attention, to ensure it is brought up to compliance. Chris Kiddy (Athletics Manager Parks Department)
is willing and eager to review the manner of concession stand use selection for athletic fields with or
without a field use agreement. Adrienne Rouse (Recreation Manager Parks Department) provided
comments relating to the Friends of the Parks Sponsorship Agreement with The Parks and Recreation
Department and their valuable contribution.
e. Clash of the Bay Flag Football Tournament October 2023 - Scott Levinson (Board Member)
reported he has no comment as he gained insight to his inquiry from the previous presentation topic
(d) of this agenda.

IV. NEXT MEETING DATE - September 21, 2023

V. BOARD ACTION
a. Approve June 29, 2023, meeting minutes. Jack Berlin made a motion to approve and Nathan Gennara
2nd the motion. All Board Members in favor with no objections.

VI. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS - No further comments.

VII. COMMUNICATIONS, ACTIVITIES, OR STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS - No further Comments.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT – Chairman (Anthony Sanchez) adjourned meeting at 2:07 PM.