4970 CITY HALL BLVD

NORTH PORT, FL 34286

City of North Port

Meeting Minutes

Parks & Recreation Advisory Board

Thursday, April 20, 2023

6:30 PM

City Hall Room 244

1. Call to Order

Chair Everett called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

2. Roll Call

7 -

Present

Chair Everett, Vice Chair Murphy, Board Member Stevens, Board Member Thomas,

Board Member Rosa, Board Member Gray and Board Member Jameson

1 - Board Member Bazan

Absent

Also Present:

Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Trish Sturgess and Recording Secretary

Matthew Powell

3. Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Board.

4. Public Comment

There was no public comment.

5. Approval of Minutes

23-0675

Approval of Minutes for the March 16, 2023 Parks and Recreation

Advisory Board Meeting

A motion was made by Board Member Rosa, seconded by Vice Chair Murphy, to

approve the Minutes as presented. The motion carried on the following vote:

7 -

Yes:

Chair Everett, Vice Chair Murphy, Board Member Stevens, Board Member Thomas,

Board Member Rosa, Board Member Gray and Board Member Jameson

1 - Board Member Bazan

Absent:

6. New Business

23-0645

Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Potential Areas of Interest for

Native Planting, to Include Research from Board

Chair Everett announced the item.

Ms. Sturgess provided a presentation including list of all parks, locations, amenities, staff

recommendations, aerial view, type of plantings, and requirements for maintenance,

mowing, and budgeting.

Discussion took place regarding visits to LeBrea Park and Hope Park, Hurricane Ian

damages, current and potential future signage, park size and location, native trees and

plantings, areas and landmarks of interest, community presence, budget and funding

requirements, purpose relating to inspiring community, gopher tortoise plantings, Marius

Park, North Port High School (NPHS) current park maintenance, the Environmental

Conservancy of North Port Inc. and Allamanda Garden Club potential involvement,

signage designations for volunteer groups, and Ordinance requirements relating to

signage.

Board Member Bazan arrived to the meeting at 6:41 p.m.

Discussion continued regarding possible donors and donation process requirements, park

selection, task delegation, requirements for presenting to Commission, Florida Fish and

Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) resources, potential plantings area, and goals.

There was consensus to focus on Hope Park.

Discussion continued regarding gopher tortoise signage, designating roles and tasks,

volunteer age requirements, and potential grants and funding.

7. Updates

23-0646

Update on date of Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Annual Report

Presentation to City Commission

Chair Everett announced the item.

Ms. Sturgess provided the date of the presentation.

Discussion took place regarding time limit, presentation medium, attendance

requirements, Board vacancies, and identifying conflicts of interest.

22-2772

22-3445

Review and Discussion of Parks & Recreation Department Agenda Items

for Recent and Upcoming City Commission Meetings

Chair Everett announced the item.

Ms. Sturgess spoke to the Warm Mineral Springs (WMS) fee adjustment.

Review and Discussion of Recent and Upcoming Parks & Recreation

Department Events

Chair Everett announced the item.

Ms. Sturgess spoke to recent and upcoming events.

8. Future Agenda Items

Future Agenda Items include discussion regarding possible addition of a wind phone to a

City park.

9. Public Comment

10. Adjournment

There was no public comment.