10_01_2020 Parks Advisory Board Meeting
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HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BOCC
Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Advisory Board
Thursday, October 1, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nwdtLuPD20
PRESENT:
Anthony Sanchez
Jack Berlin
Nathan Gennara
Joe Guidry, Jr.
Aaron Casteel
Harold Jackson
STAFF:
Rick Valdez
Forest Turbiville
Adrienne Rouse
Ross Dickerson
Greg Brown
Dave Ramirez

James Crouch
Dana McDonald
Chris Kiddy


I.
WELCOME/CALL TO ORDER
a. This meeting was called to order at 12:01 p.m. by Anthony Sanchez

II.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None

III.
PRESENTATIONS
a. Bakas Equestrian Center Update
i. Forest Turbiville informed the board that an email was recently received from
Mr. Pepin stating that he is not going to move forward with the project. Next
Wednesday, an agenda item will go to the BOCC to authorize cancellation (close
out) of the project.

b. Sponsorship Update
i. Dana McDonald gave an update that since the last Board meeting, she met with
Aaron Casteel, presented the proposal to Friends of the County Parks, had a
workshop with them to discuss roles and responsibilities, and spoke with the
legal team. A meeting with the Clerk’s Office will be next.
ii. Jack Berlin expressed his appreciation of this project.

c. FRPA Awards
i. Rick Valdez summarized the two awards recently won by the Agency: FRPA’s
Agency Excellence in Community Building Award and the Rising Star Award for
Nature Specialist Brad Lympany.
ii. Anthony Sanchez asked for more information about these awards. Discussion
ensued.








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d. Reopening Updates- Neighborhood Parks and Recreation
i. Amenities
1. Rick Valdez gave an update that most amenities are open except for
shelters and basketball courts. Mr. Valdez and Mr. Turbiville and
working on shelter plan together.
2. Mr. Sanchez observed basketball rims being removed at a court and
enquired about this. Discussion ensued.

ii. Recreation Center Programming
1. Mr. Valdez stated that a proposal was submitted to resume
programming and he is waiting for a final sign off from the Department
of Health.

e. Reopening Updates- Athletics
i. Return to Play- Baseball/softball
1. Mr. Valdez stated that some organizations are still doing practice only
and some are entering competitions.
2. Dave Ramirez shared registration date for 2020 spring versus fall, and
for 2020 overall versus 2019 overall.

ii. Return to Play- Soccer
1. Mr. Valdez stated that soccer organizations have resumed contact
practice.
2. Mr. Ramirez shared registration date for 2020 spring versus fall, and for
2020 overall versus 2019 overall.

iii. Return to Play- Lacrosse
1. Mr. Valdez stated that lacrosse organizations have resumed play.
2. Mr. Ramirez shared registration date for 2020 spring versus fall, and for
2020 overall versus 2019 overall.

iv. Return to Play- Football/cheerleading
1. Mr. Valdez stated that he would like the Board to vote on return to
competition for football. The plans were reviewed and approved by the
COVID-19 task force team, including Dr. Doug Holt from the Florida
Department of Health. Mr. Valdez spoke with Rick Tschantz, who was
unable to attend the meeting, and Mr. Tschantz wanted to let the Board
know that he supports the plan. Mr. Valdez summarized the plan and
will send a memo to County Administrator at the conclusion of this
meeting.
2. Mr. Ramirez shared registration date for 2020 spring versus fall, and for
2020 overall versus 2019 overall. He also shared these numbers for
cricket.



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3. Aaron Casteel asked how the state reopening announcement is
impacting the leagues. Mr. Valdez stated that no change has occurred.
4. Mr. Valdez requested that the Board vote on moving forward with the
football return to competition and contact plan.

Motion: Joe Guidry, Jr. made a motion in support of moving forward with
the plan for football return to competition and contact, including the
leagues submitting the plan for approval by Parks and Recreation. The
motion was seconded by Jack Berlin. The motion was passed with no
opposing members.

v. Compliance
1. Mr. Ramirez stated that an athletics inspection team is visiting as many
sites as possible and that a large percentage of leagues are remaining in
compliance. Some unauthorized use has occurred, and organizations
have gone through the violation process.
2. Mr. Ramirez stated that cheerleaders can return to stunting activities
and must wear masks. Mr. Sanchez enquired about pushback from
these organizations since the school board is not requiring masks for
cheerleading. Discussion ensued.
3. Discussion ensued regarding confrontations for those not in compliance.

f. Reopening Updates- CELM
i. Amenities
1. Mr. Turbiville gave an update that all parks and preserves are open, and
he and Mr. Valdez are working on a shelter reopening process. Mr.
Turbiville would like to open small and medium sized shelters soon and
open large shelters at a later date. Campgrounds are still at 50%
capacity with the goal of allowing 100% capacity by November 1. The
spring at Lithia Springs is still closed due to small size of spring and
difficulty maintaining social distancing. The spring may remain closed
during the slow winter season. Nature centers remain closed and Mr.
Turbiville would like to get input from Mr. Valdez on how the reopening
of recreation centers is being handled.
2. Mr. Berlin asked about COVID-19 hotel support. Mr. Turbiville stated
that his staff will be officially out on October 15.

ii. Apollo Beach Nature Preserve
1. Ross Dickerson spoke about the new observation tower. It is the first
observation tower in the bay area with ramps instead of stairs to
increase access. Another tower like this will be added at Medard Park. A
new hiking trail and waterfront shell path were added, making the
entire site ADA accessible.
2. Discussion ensued about landscaping.



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3. Mr. Dickerson stated that the new tower has been very popular and has
gotten news coverage.



IV.
BOARD ACTION
a. Approve minutes from the August 19, 2020 meeting.

Motion: Jack Berlin made a motion approving the August 19, 2020 meeting minutes and the
motion was seconded by Nathan Gennara. The motion was passed with no opposing
members.

b. Approve minutes from the August 25, 2020 meeting.

Motion: Joe Guidry, Jr. made a motion approving the August 25, 2020 meeting minutes and
the motion was seconded by Nathan Gennara. The motion was passed with no opposing
members.


V.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
a. Mr. Berlin stated for the record that he would like to protest that volunteer groups are
being required to meet in person when the positivity rate is as high as it is in
Hillsborough County. He believes that these meetings are successful virtually and would
like to register his complaint and wait until 2021 to reassess.
b. Mr. Sanchez stated that this is our seventh meeting for the year and the by-laws require
the Board to meet eight times. There are two more meetings scheduled for 2020. Mr.
Sanchez asked if another member would like to make a motion. The Board can either
file a protest stating that they do not have a quorum willing to meet in-person, or
instead they meet only one more time before the end of the year to satisfy the by-laws.
Mr. Sanchez does not believe there is anything the Board does more effectively in-
person than online.
c. Harold Jackson stated that there is a stronger case for efficiency as it related to the
board with virtual meetings. He does not believe we have evidence that the citizens
have been disenfranchised by this format. He thinks that in the spirit of access and
efficiency, the Board should be allowed to continue this way.
d. Mr. Guidry, Jr. agrees with this and suggested that we reschedule the next meeting to
take place before November to meet the by-laws.
e. Mr. Berlin stated that he would like to make a motion that a member of the staff
presents the County Attorney with the Board’s concerns and with Mr. Jackson’s
comments. No one is being disenfranchised. This is not only convenient to the Board
and the public, but it is safer for everyone. He would like to see if accommodations can
be made.




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Motion: Jack Berlin made a motion that a member of the staff presents the County Attorney
with the Board’s concerns and asks for accommodations to continue having virtual
meetings. The motion was seconded by Harold Jackson. The motion was passed with no
opposing members.

Motion: Joe Guidry, Jr. made a motion that if the prior motioned is declined, the next
meeting be moved to Thursday, October 29. The motion was seconded by Aaron Casteel.
The motion was passed with no opposing members.


VI.
COMMUNICATIONS, ACTIVITIES, OR STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS
a. None

VII.
ADJOURNMENT
a. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m.












Respectfully submitted,
Alison Hughes, Acting Parks Board Secretary