Parks & Recreation Advisory Board - Regular Meeting

Call this meeting of Veterans Park Ad Hoc Committee to order Wednesday, 03/25/2026, 10AM, City Hall, Room 2 44. Roll call.

Kevin. Bill Hodowski. Jeff Nelson. Sorry.

Sergei Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Nelson, please.

Is my green light supposed to be on on this side? Yeah. Pledge of Allegiance. To the flag turn on. Just press it once. Might give you a new one here. We'll grab a new one. Sorry. Go ahead. Okay.

Public comment.

No public comment, sir.

We having none. Approval of minutes. Item 26, three thousand and eighty approved 01/28/2026. Spectrum Park Ad Hoc Committee meeting minutes.

Sorry.

Sorry. Dates, Mr.

No, some updates. So probably most of you saw as you came in, the park's progressing pretty rapidly like they said it would once it starts, projecting a substantial completion, early May, like May, maybe April. Final completions, they have scheduled for early June, like the sixth, but they think they're going to be able to move that ahead, which is great. It's moving quickly. Second item, so because of that schedule, the ribbon cutting bid has been planned Friday, May 22 at 10AM.

So that is the ribbon cutting event for the Circle of Honor. Friday, May 22, 10AM. So get that information. Yeah. Get that information out to to whoever groups or whoever you would like to do, because that's that's gonna be a that's gonna be a ribbon cutting event. Say that one more time. Yeah. So it's, Friday, May 22, 10AM. That's room cutting for

the Oh,

did we ever find out about the speaker?

So was my next thing. So the senior advisor to United States Department of Veteran Affairs, the person that reached out, that Christopher I think Christopher Barnes he has confirmed that he will speak. So we at least have that, already confirmed. He will be he will travel here to Florida for that event. So that's something that we we have confirmed. That's our our one figure outside of our own division that our own city that has confirmed. So that has been done. Any other question?

What about if you

know someone who might want

to speak?

I mean, can send it in to our clerk's office, and then that would get to us. And then we would take a look at it. Yeah, we'd take it. That would have to go through our to our through the clerk's office and then to our director, I believe. But I know they were already putting together their, their agenda and speakers and things like that, so I'm not sure how far along they are on that on that.

But yes, if you have somebody, have them at least send it in if they're interested. Really what they've done out there if you haven't had a chance to go out. The back pavers are pretty well done. The the all the back walls and the seat walls are done, and we're stuccoed this week, I believe, early this week. The shake, the shade cover supports are up, and they're installing actual shade structure that shade themselves to this morning. The center circle concrete is done. The pavers are done. This morning, what they're doing is they have the templates. They're cutting out the bricks where the Circle of Honor gets spelled out. So that's pretty exciting.

The branch monument supports are in. So they're working through that. Let's see. That's that's really what what's going on. They're gonna they're gonna be moving right continue to move. They have eight to 10 people there pretty much every day. And after the meeting, if anybody has time or is interested, we can do a quick tour over there with the superintendent. So because it's a blocked off area. Know Chuck had a chance to look at some of it, but we do have that opportunity after the meeting if anybody has time.

I'm going to see how far that gets as I see him. I was just here last week.

Yes. So again, it's really neat. The nice thing right this morning is you're going to see how intricate the cutouts are for the Circle of Honor piece inside the pavers that were put in. It's pretty impressive how they're working through that. Real nice. Make a kind of a special piece to it. Yeah.

And the glass is working on coming from Georgia. Hear the the glass is Okay. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Next the question. I things like that. But I we're not foreseeing too many things like that because it's a lot of hardscape.

So once that's in and looked at it, it's probably not gonna be a problem. But there there's always a few little pieces that you that you pick up. But I try to be here a couple days a week just to take a look, talk to the superintendent, see if they have any challenges. We had to meet a couple weeks ago out here for a a little tiny change that they had to do and really nothing you can see. It's actually underneath the paver, one of the supports they had to change from one style to the other style, really not going to affect the outcome of the project at all though.

And we did bring in the design company to look at that. Now we didn't just make that decision. We made sure that they got to look at it as well. So yes, exciting right now. You look this it's pretty exciting over there.

The next major deal is when they bring the yard.

That's going to be Okay.

Anybody have any questions or any comments?

Yeah, I do. About how are we doing with donations?

So the the the paver donations are they we are getting a few. There's not a lot of them yet. I know they they've ramped up the advertising and getting that out. There's not a lot yet. So I think what's a what our marketing team's thinking is that once people see the project in, we'll get another wave of of people to say, well, I wanna be part of that.

A lot of times, it as something's coming, there's a few people that are super interested, super excited. But once it's in and we have that that ribbon cutting, I I think we're gonna find that we're gonna I think I agree with our marketing team. I think we're gonna get a a a good number of people that want to be part of it. They're going to see what it looks like. You know, the pictures always look good. Oh, I want to donate to that. I want to have some now when they come and see it or see it being maybe on television or things like that, they might go, oh, we need to do that.

Yeah. I got a little upset last month. My daughter is a scientist at Mo Marine Labs.

And the head of their public relations department is a 25 year old retired general. And he wanted to make a donation. Okay. He called the city here, and the first girl he got said, oh, that project's been canceled. So they got ahold of me. I was still in Philadelphia. I said, what the hell? You you gotta be kidding me, you because know, I couldn't make the last meeting. And so, my wife got on the phone and and,

started calling several people here at city hall and finally got I guess he got hooked up with the right person. Okay. But, he was told they're only taking donations for

bricks right now. Right. Currently, that's what they're they're looking at taking. Yes. Because I

think he was more interested in, like, doing a plaque or something like that.

Now there are some of those that are coming online. So in the on the back wall, there's gonna be a medallion with the different the the branches. And they're going to take donations for names. And I think they started at four or five, but I think now that they have the size of the medallion on the back, I think we're gonna go to eight. I think there's room for eight. So that will be something that we couldn't do until we knew how many we could actually look at. So that'll be something that should be coming up very soon as far as another donation.

Do we have a good contact number?

I'm sorry? Do we have

a good contact person or number for the donations?

I can get that to you. I'll send it out. It's Kim Linsky, but I'll I'll get that out to you. She she's our marketing coordinator manager. I'm sorry. Marketing manager.

Kim Linsky. Yeah.

I'd spit my last name. It's

Yeah. So I don't know who the first person that when he called Yeah.

And was told that. And, you know, you can imagine me.

I wouldn't Yeah. I I Yeah. Don't Well, yeah.

Her last name is l E N C K I. She's the community partnership and engagement manager in our division. So that's where and it's really going to be through the Tribute program. So really, if you get on the Citi website, go to the recreation and you look up, the Tribute program, that's where that will be that should live on our on our website. So that's that's probably the easiest way because all those, emails, actually go into Kim's mailbox.

So she she handles them from there. That way, she has everybody's information. She can have it all right there and not she's in and out of the office.

How does the money flow? I mean, it comes into the town. Is it earmarked for the Circle of Honor? What was that? The money flows?

Well, right now, the donations, they just go right for the paper. So that just goes to the paper. That has been a part of what we've had to figure out because how do we get it to where it just stays with the the project. And that's very difficult because we're general fund. The general fund money is available to general fund. It's not just to park or project. So we have the pavers. We'll do the medallions. And then that's probably where we'll be for now until something else is decided.

Medallions for each branch?

Each branch will have medallions. We have those, but then people can actually donate underneath those and have their, I think, names there.

The names like who is an organization that wanted to

yes, think that would be

as well. There's eight places. So are we dividing the cost in ACE? Or are we just the first eight people that donate, get their names up? How

is that? It's so new that I have to find that out from our manager of our partnership event coordinator.

Yeah, because I'm just thinking of the questions I'm going to get asked by Solicit.

Most of that information, when it's available, is on our Tribute program. So I would just urge people to go to the website under Parks and Recreation and go to the Tribute program. And if it's something that's different than that, I'll try to get that out to everybody. But that should be where that is housed right now.

Let's see

if I can

find that. Is there space for allocation in the future for an organization and wants to do a plaque like CVs or submarine veterans? They have that at Sarasota Memorial, and they also have it in Porta Gorda, their monument.

So right now, that's really what that back wall where the medallions are gonna be for and the brick pavers. Other than that, right now, I don't know that we have anything set up for future, donations or plaques or anything like that. Okay. If you have an idea, I'm happy to bring it bring it forward, though. Okay.

Do you have an idea?

Yeah. Well, I don't

know if you've seen it. At Sarasota Memorial, they have a I think it's called a Walk Of Honor or something, and they have pedestals and CBs and Women's Air Corps. The groups that represent them have gone fundraising and put them Right. Yeah, absolutely. Back there. And then in Punakora, they have a wall that's opposite the Vietnam. Yep. And individual groups have put

backs up there.

So what

about benches? Didn't we say something that we're going to

have We had talked about that for the seat walls. We had talked about something like that.

Benches that are are are

So benches is is something that's already as a tribute program, our benches, but I don't know that those benches will match. We have a style bench that we have in our Tribute program right now. Right. And there are the recycled plastic. There so that's something that I thought we were going to have benches scattered. We have to they'll be put in. They're part of the project.

Okay.

They're in the project, not for donation necessarily. Yeah.

Yeah. Well, that was the part. Yeah. I was saying that we were going to have benches donated also as part of the program.

Yeah, I think there's a couple of benches. There's not many. The benches, the trash receptacles, those kind of things are all we'll be in.

We'll get into What you're talking before about people can purchase Yeah.

Right. Yeah.

Donate it and put them around.

Yeah. Exactly.

Right. But I mean, they're already in the project. It's there's only room for so many things in that park. So it's not like it's a 20 acre park. It's a piece. And it's got to be specific. Our park benches may not be the same as the tribute benches or vice versa just because of the different amenities that are already part of the

park. I've already got a vision of extending that thing Good. That hole and to extend to the canal.

Okay.

Okay. I already looked at the hour. You got that.

That's great. Do well in park area. Yeah.

Put a bridge across that thing. Retention pond to the canal. Put a little gazebo right there. Just like down there at the Sumter's Bridge on 41. You see that little walkway across and that little gazebo right there? Something like that. A place for meditation and contemplation.

You'll find yourself.

Right. Exactly. All right. That's all I got. Anything else?

Not for me.

Anybody any other questions for

You said it will be possibly done by the end of next month?

It's probably going be done at the

end of

next month. So we

have a every other month or we're probably not going to have

It probably might be we'll look at it. We'll see how they're progressing, but ribbon cutting May 22. So I'm not sure when our next meeting would be. Take a look, though. It'd be May. Let's see. What's that? It'd be May. It would be May. May, but I'm not sure Yeah. What date. Yep.

Looks like May 27.

So May 20 May 27.

So we'll have to look at that. Maybe we'll have to see if we think we need one before. Maybe we can adjust that. Or maybe we can meet on the day of the ribbon cutting. Who knows?

Yeah. Or, yeah, it would be nice to

take a look at it. We'll take a look at that. We'll see.

We'll make sure they're progressing and and everything. They should have everything. The Granite Monument is in The US. So I think that was one of the challenges they were worried about, the shipping and getting it here. But I think we're good now. That was the one question mark that they were worried about. We think we're good for time frame.

So we could tentatively have a meeting prior to the ribbon cutting.

Okay. Well, if you wanna we can talk about that.

Is that something we can

can we schedule something that's ahead of our next meeting? If you wanna do, like, a special meeting, you could. Special meeting?

That's up to you guys. I I I just like to have us all have the ability to look at it before the ripping

cutting. Mhmm.

You know? And do you understand? Yeah.

So what what I mean, I'm I'm not against that at all. But what what would we what would we be doing at that? Because making changes is gonna be pretty tough at that point.

Not that we're we won't be able to make any changes. Oh, no. Yeah. Think just

to walk through.

Is that what you think more than a walk through? Yeah. But

if we're going to go take a look at it now, it doesn't matter. I'm just throwing that out there. Matt?

I mean, it would be difficult only because, like we said, the public has to be notified of where you're going

to be.

Okay. All right. Okay.

Yeah. It is a lot of those things.

Everybody go take a look at it.

I don't think that stops you coming in ahead of time and just take No. A look at

I mean, there's nothing. Chuck is very

You've done it already. I'm sure most of you have taken a look over there and peeked in. And so I don't think there's anything I mean, we're going to get a good walk through right now. That's what I'm talking Other than the last meeting, it's pretty well it's pretty far along.

It looks good, man. I'm telling you. Alright. Anything else on this subject?

So we're saying this is going to be the last meeting?

Pretty, pretty. Unless we have a special meeting, yes.

Okay.

Okay. Is that I mean, is this the committee good with that?

I threw it out there just, you know, in case something came up.

I think we could do one next month instead of the one in May because we're it's gonna be the project be completed by then.

Yeah. It's up to you guys. Yeah. We could do it. So if

you guys wanted to shoot for the outcome, I mean, that's up to you guys.

Yeah. Maybe we could have it right up there.

And then that could be our walk through. You know?

Like I said, if you want to do it out there, I don't think it's impossible. It's just I have to get with Heather because we're going to have to notify. It's going to have to be on the agenda where you're going to be, what time you're going to be there, and then we're going to have to be out there to record it. So, like, all of our recording equipment here, we have to find

a way. Yeah. Well, see, that's the yeah. That's the part I understand.

Yeah. I would just do it I would just do it here.

Yeah. Yeah.

Alright. I'm over it. Anybody else? Okay. Alright. We decided no.

Okay. Alright. Noted what? Noted. Noted at another meeting.

Yeah. Tore. Yeah. Tore is. Yeah. Yeah. Exactly.

Where will we stand

on the meeting next month?

There is no meeting next

month. Alright.

Okay. Okay. Future agenda items. A walk to. Ribbon cutting. Yeah. Ribbon cutting. May.

May 22, 10AM.

10AM. You get that? Everybody get that?

Okay. Share the information. I'm sure it's gonna be well attended. So

Yeah. Okay.

What day is that? Friday. It's a Friday. Okay.

Well, it makes clear. It's

a Friday.

Okay. All right. Is there going

to be anything like American Legion honor guards or flags or any ceremonies? They're all going to be there. How is that getting coordinated?

Well, the groups will be notified of the ribbon cutting. But if any contacts that this committee has, I wouldn't just assume that they're going to hear. I would let them know. If you have a group that you want? Things should be notified. I also send it out. Hey, ribbon cutting for our new circle of honor is May 22, 10AM. I don't have a flyer yet. I think there is one on our website, though. Think on the city homepage, I think it does have a flyer on there that shows the ribbon cutting.

We need to get the city's communication department working on this too.

They were they're working on it.

Yeah. I I I haven't seen it.

They work they're working on it. Who?

I What what specifically? Just getting

the word out. It's it's

they're they're they're they got a big campaign. They're they're getting it out.

Well, we might do they have an honor guard?

A what?

Yeah. An honor guard.

Right? That I don't know. I don't I don't know all the specifics. We we just found this out last week that this would be kind of our day.

So Is there

I know that there's there's there's stuff that'll be, a lot of things to to put through and finalize before before that day. So it

should be I'm sure all the city's honor guards will be there. Okay. They're they're at every other event. I can't see them not being at this one.

I know Melanie has mentioned it a couple of times some of the things

So that should we have

a meeting next month so we can figure out logistics, honor guards, whoever's gonna be there? I don't

Parts and parts should be taken care of this.

What was that? I'm sorry.

It said it said, should we have another meeting next month just to see who's the final if we're gonna honor guard or anything or what's going on or or is there a part of the rest?

Up to the community.

Mean, I like I said, like I said, it's

to to make a decision at the end of next month for May 22 is gonna be pretty hard.

Yeah.

I think I think that there's something that you want me to, inquire about specifically, like, the the the honor guard or something you want me to see if that's that's going to happen, as part of the agenda for the ribbon cutting. I can ask those kind of things, but it's ultimately gonna be whatever the our director really wants to have happen on that opening of the opening of

the park. And that'd be Trish. Right? She's doing this?

She would be working on it with Sandy. Yes. So if there's specific things you wanna look at, let let me know today.

Would there be any chance they could come to a meeting and give us a briefing of what their plans are for the opening day ceremony?

I mean, I think once the agenda is put out, it's it's gonna be it'll be sent out. But I'm prior to that, I I doubt that that that they would they do that. Right. I mean, way, if you want something specific, I can ask them, and then they can see how that works with what their agenda what their thought is for the the ribbon cutting. They're they're kinda confined to time frames, commissioners, all those kind of things. So, you know, depending on how long this this event's gonna go, I don't know. That that's what I don't know. So if there's some specific, all you do is let me know, and I'll I'll try to get that information to the right people.

Okay.

Well, I can't see any reason I cannot see any reason why they wouldn't have an honor guard.

Okay. And I didn't say that they won't, but Yeah.

I mean, even the organizations, right, should probably bring their other guards.

So you know? Did the city have like a department of handout ceremonies and stuff? It's our department. It's Parks and Recreation. It's our administration. Mhmm.

Yeah. And, again, each organization could bring their own AutoGuard.

Yeah. But you gotta there's a time frame you gotta fit into the agenda.

Mhmm. You gotta

be on the

Yeah. Well, if somebody wants to participate, they better let them know.

They can let they can inquire if there's availability for whatever they're suggesting. Yep. But sooner I mean, this time is gonna coming up pretty fast, so it'll have to be pretty quick.

Yeah. Alright. Again,

if there's specifics, tell me today. It's probably we need to know today. So before we leave, if there's something you go, man, I we really should have an honor guard or we really should have this.

We probably need to know

have an honor guard.

So it should be a committee decision. That's what I think. So

all those in favor of having an honor guy? Oh, I need a motion. I need a

motion to have an honor guard.

Second? All right. I have a motion to have an honor guard.

So to recommend having To recommend.

Fix it for me, Matt.

Could Melody come up with something from the

Yeah, sure. She'll be aware of it. Let's just get the motion. All All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Motion carries. Unanimous. All right. I'll take care of that.

But I'm just Anything else?

I'm just gonna be awful surprised that it hasn't been already figured into the program. Again because every other program that relates to service, they've had the the PD, the fire department. You understand all those

The fire department and PD is all involved in this. They're gonna be they're gonna be the biggest part of this K. Ceremony.

So they're gonna be honor guards there. If there's not

I don't know. I said, last month now last week's when we decided that we after a meeting with the contractor that we would be able to do this ahead of schedule. Uh-huh. So so it's pretty new. So the date's pretty new. So their their that agenda is getting worked on as we speak to put this together. That's why I don't have a lot of details.

Yes, all right. As long as the parks don't know, but the rest is superfluous.

Your comment is interesting that the police and the fire department have the biggest role in

this They're a big part of it. I didn't say they're the biggest role, but they're a big part of it. I'm a certain They have to be included, obviously. Yeah. Understand.

From a safety Yeah. Okay.

Any future items at all? That's it. Any other comment on this agenda item? I'm hearing none. Public comment?

No, sir.

No public comment. Anything else gentlemen? I adjourn this meeting.