Parks and Recreation Committee - Regular Meeting

You can start now.

Okay. Welcome to the January 21st meeting. Could you call the roll, please?

Yes, Chair. Chair McBride?

Here.

Vice Chair Sanchez?

Here.

Committee Member Gabbai?

Here.

And Committee Member Maishai? Here. Chair, you have a quorum.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Is for the agenda, is there anything that anyone would like to add to the agenda at this time? The painting of the Santa.

Painting of? The Santa, the large Santa. The decoration we have in front of the community center. Okay. That we take out for the holidays.

Who's going to be making the motion?

I'll make that motion. Okay, Santa Junior.

Any seconds? Second. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries.

So I talked to Rudy today regarding the possibility of adding extra classes. Okay. Is that? That's no business. Pardon?

That's no business. Okay.

Is that something that you will be making a motion to add?

Should we address it under new business?

You have to make a motion to add an item in order to be new business.

Oh, I thought you said it was included.

That's where it would be added, but you guys have to motion.

Oh, I'll make a motion to add new classes under new business.

Second. Second.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye. Aye.

Any opposed? That will be item 5B, under new business.

I want to add something under new business.

Is that a motion? Yeah.

I'll second it. I'll second it.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. That will be added as item 5C.

5C, okay. All good? All right. Got to get a motion to approve the minutes of December 15th, 2025 meeting.

Motion to approve the minutes.

Second. All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? Motion carries. All right.

For a December charter school bus headcount.

We're averaging on 40 for the month of December.

Chair, are we supposed to be getting a certain number? Are we looking for a certain number? I know you report it every month, but what does... You know, what I'm looking for is that it doesn't drop. So we're looking for 40? Well, it's...

You've got a 60-passenger bus. So we used to have 20-25s. We're up to 40. Oh, okay.

That's why I didn't have the system.

It's more consistent. I don't want to see it. So it's up. The numbers weren't up, yes.

i would so vending machines for the month of december ice cream we sold 128 units beverages 268 and snacks 438 and a total revenue to the time was 641. and through the chair again um

What do those numbers correspond to? Is that going up or down or what are you looking for?

It's average, yeah, those are average numbers. I mean during the month of the summer they do spike up. Now for the winter and spring sessions usually it's around these numbers. We're just looking so it doesn't drop so we can continue the service.

Thank you.

Is the vendor happy with those numbers? Yes, I mean he hasn't reported otherwise.

I guess I was counting on piggybacking on something.

Is the RFP going out for the snack bar? To have a vendor for the concession stand?

I think we have...

This is three months we've been talking about this.

Yeah, I think it won't become official until we have a town manager full-time.

You do have a town manager full-time. He was voted in last week.

Even after the commission? Mm-hmm. So I guess they're going to revisit, but we still have the menus and pending approvals. I mean, I have my department meeting tomorrow, so I go around.

Are there multiple vendors still visiting the town?

The menus have been difficult to... Is there one? No, there are a few vendors. We have like a handful.

What did RFP say? Did it specify certain types of food?

They want kosher. 100%?

Not 100%, but they... Wait a minute. Who is they?

Well, what was put in place with the previous town manager, that was what was offered in the menu.

Doesn't live here anymore.

Yeah.

This is a governmental... Well, we have to have some... Yeah, this is a governmental... A range of menus, I agree, having kosher items.

Correct.

But it shouldn't impede someone for applying... It's a no-win situation. We all know it's not a moneymaker. But if you've got somebody interested, the people are still asking for it. Vending machines are okay.

But I know some, at least, I want to say I've talked to two or three people that are interested. And that being one, that they know it's not a moneymaker, but kosher food is expensive than regular food. So it's kind of difficult to... meet the medium, even to break even.

But who says it has to be kosher food? This is a government agency.

It's preferable in this town. A lot of the residents prefer kosher.

I remember when it was voted on and the commissioner was almost against it, saying because it's a government facility, the food shouldn't rely on a religious

be totally kosher. What Frank is saying is not 100% kosher, but even splitting the menu half kosher, half regular food, the kosher portion of the menu would still be more expensive.

Absolutely. Then you charge more. I mean, what do the restaurants in town, kosher restaurants, you can walk down, look at the menus on Harding, you can walk there, you know, it's a lot more than going to Flanagan's. Yep. But I'm glad to see we have a couple of people that are at least ready.

But did you say they will do both food, kosher and non-kosher?

That's what they want. We could have two menus. But a lot of vendors either cater to one side or they cater to another side.

The ones that apply.

They do both. Some are willing to do both. Some are willing to do both. But they do want to know what are the other details. One of the other... member of our committee that used to be on the committee he brought up if food trucks can do it yeah a co-menu then we should be able to do here but uh for food trucks you're the owner of the food truck you're not paying a rental fee for a site when you when you use the concession you would be paying the town I don't know what that number is. Maybe that's something. Because you're not the owner of the concession stand. This is a wanted... You're not owning the concession. Correct. That food truck's mine.

Right, but why can't I just... Why do I have to pay the tenant? Is what I'm getting at. Why can't... If we have... Carlos is interested in being the chef at the concession stand.

Correct.

Knows he's not going to make money. He's not going to get rich over this.

Mm-hmm.

Why couldn't we look at not paying a fee to the town to have the buildings there, the machines are there, All we need is the person to cook. They supply the food. They sell it for what they want. I don't know.

Through the chair, there's cost to the town. Yes. You know, sanitation, pickup, all that kind of thing. Water, electricity. Like, how much is that?

I don't know. There hasn't been an operation on two years, so I know what it is.

But if we see something, could you look into your meeting tomorrow? I can check. To see what they charge.

I don't know.

Virginia might. It hasn't been open, what, two years?

Right. Well, maybe we could... Well, that's six years. Yeah. We could look at a reduced... Get them started. I don't know. We can always raise the rent.

I mean, the cost of living has gone up too, so everything... Right. From COVID to now, everything...

Right, but the people want it.

You don't get calls about it? They really don't bother about the concession stamp. They're fine with the... I don't know.

Maybe it's the old timers that are asking for it.

Through the chair, what's the wording on the town when they're soliciting vendors? Is it specifically referred to...

I think they ask for a proposal and they ask to view your menu.

This has been years we've been doing this.

When I was initially brought up...

But they don't say what menu we're looking for. Kosher.

Is that the wording on the proposal?

It says offerings of kosher. It can be... Kosher items. Kosher items.

But does it say regular items and kosher items? Okay.

But kosher should be on the menu.

I guess you look at our population... at the community center. If you want it utilized, you're going to have to have kosher items. Not 100%.

But it should be offered.

I'm not saying it shouldn't be offered. I want my food offered too, and not at the kosher price.

And then we old-timers want a hot dog, french fries, and a soda for a dollar. The way it used to be.

If I hear you all correctly, what's stalling a deal is that it's just not profitable. It's not appealing to a typical catering service. I don't know.

Maybe if the food's good, then it's...

I don't know.

You have three offers, did you say?

I would have to check my email, but a lot of them... I didn't even receive them because a lot of them went to Cindy and Mark.

What other costs does the town impose on possible vendors? Is there insurance, for example? Do they have to have a business insurance? That would probably be true. I don't know. So what's making it not feasible for a business? Is it simply that it's not enough traffic? You take a day like today.

How many people were at the pool? Zero?

I could count.

Right. Then other days it's packed. But you still have to be prepared. Do we need it to be open Monday through Friday? Can it be open Friday, Saturday, Sunday?

You know? Is there somebody willing to... That's interesting.

Maybe they run a... What changed from the old days when, you know, Marie and her husband ran it and they were always there and they sold, you know, lunch and snacks? I think the population of the towns changed. Aside from that, the facility... They don't want a hot dog?

I want a cheeseburger.

So all our proposals went to Cindy.

Okay. Can I ask why they'd go to Cindy?

Cindy was the director at that time. Director of?

She was the acting director for Parks and Rec. And, I mean, communications, too, would have kind of an idea.

Oh, you mean just a couple months ago?

She was the acting director for Parks and Rec.

I'd like to, I just, let's table it. So let's table it till next month and see what information Rudy can get and then we'll put it on the agenda for next month.

That's good.

Okay. All right. Senior trip. How was the trip?

You're talking about today?

Yeah, today. George did when he got back today, but I wasn't able to talk to him how he went today. But he did say it was fine, that he didn't really get rained on.

Do you know how many people went?

I'm not entirely sure. Because I know we had 20, but I don't think about 20 went. I think someone asked for her not to go because of the weather. Because you were going out on a boat, right? It was all outdoors. When did you go out on the boat? Last time. December 1.

And that was good.

And then our next trip will be to the Actors Playhouse on February 18th. They're going to see a musical show called Dear Ivan Hansen.

Ta-da.

Okay.

So I did go to... a meeting today, what is it, That's Your View?

What's Your Viewpoint?

What's Your Viewpoint? Where people sit around and talk. They were saying how this is a really good play from Broadway and New York. How far in advance do you plan the senior trips?

We try at least a month in advance. We're doing now at least two months, just so that we get the proper bus and the tickets all set up in square, so at least a month and a half at least.

I had a few ideas for that, but people were telling me that. I'll share that with you.

Yeah, absolutely. Just email them to me.

Have you ever gone to Vizcaya?

We have done that trip, yes.

That came up, and some others.

Yeah, I think it was like a couple years ago.

Yeah.

Yeah, but yeah, definitely send them our way out. Definitely review them, or we can make them happen, and we'll do it.

Okay, sounds good.

The county parks and rec, right? The county runs Vizcaya? Mm-hmm. Pretty much.

I mean, it's still a museum. It's still open to the public.

It doesn't do anything.

Okay.

And then our next senior brunch, it's on February 6th. And then we're going to be playing rounds of bingo.

Bingo.

Got good prizes? Yes. I think that's why everybody likes it.

And is it the same if you do two months in advance?

The brunch is a month. The brunch, we already have those days planned out, and then it's either we get a guest speaker or we play bingo.

Who's the chef?

We have a catering company that we're going through that just provides the whole food for us, or now we put it on local restaurants. So last time we did the— EF Changs. EF Changs. We do Olive Garden sometimes, yeah. I've got to get retired for one of these days. You're not retired yet?

No, I see my little children every day.

Oh, that's—good job. Any time you want to volunteer, come on in.

train wreck every day at 12 30. family fun day is coming up yeah our family from the schedule for this sunday it's going to open the doors at 1 p.m we're going to have um food for our residents every resident will get a meal ticket where they get a food so we have hot dogs hamburgers chicken sandwiches cheeseburgers yes Main attraction, we have six main attractions. We also have our jazz and hip hop class. They're going to be performing at our event. So they're going to be doing a 45 minute show. And we also have a magic show as well. And then we are giving out t-shirts.

We picked a gift out last time.

It was for the winter. The winter.

We had the duffel bag one. The duffel bag, yes. The blue one you picked.

Oh, yeah, yeah.

Did you get one?

No. I still have some. That's what I know. That's why I'm like, I've been waiting for it. But I guess.

I have some in my office. I'll make sure to bring some, yes.

I did, but I got there late. I went there after church.

That church by the sea.

We got the hookup.

Oh, okay. I got you guys.

Because that was a great gift you picked out.

Yeah, definitely I'll bring some next time. And this time we have our t-shirt designs that we always do, and then we'll be giving away.

Oh, like designing them right on the spot?

Yes, the screen printing, yes.

Sounds good.

And I'll be from 1 to 4 p.m. Is that the thermal decal type or the stencil?

I'm not entirely sure.

Yeah, yes, yes, that one, yeah. The thermal, the decal. Yeah.

Yeah, they bring the machine to set it up there and everything, that's pretty cool.

It's neat, it's not too messy.

Yeah.

Not like doing screen printing.

Well, it can get messy. Screen printing? Yeah.

What did you mention for the events? Other than the jazz, the… Of jazz, the hip-hop and a… No, before that.

A magic show? Six Attractions. Yeah, what is it? So it's a carnival theme, so we have a couple of games. We have the game trailer, we have the boat that rocks back and forth, and then some teacups for the little kids, thongers.

That was really nice. For the little kids, you had the small bounce house at the winter event. Yeah, we always try to mix it for each age group. Try to get a little bit for everybody. But those events, Halloween and Christmas, have been... Really well attended. Thank you. Appreciate it.

It's like each one keeps getting bigger and bigger. We're setting it up for Fourth of July. Yeah, right?

The big one.

Watch out for that. That's always the best. Getting ready for those.

Sweetheart Dance coming up.

Sweetheart Dance. It's scheduled for February 13th from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at our 96th Street Park in the second floor. We're going to have live music. We're going to have a couple of games, some live refreshments, and nice outdoor scenery. Hopefully the weather will be beautiful. Yes, I'll be there. We had a concerned resident who

Did you ever get the video other than I sent? Did you get the resident's video?

The one on the bus? Yeah.

What was done as a follow-up with the bus company?

Can you explain what happened?

The school bus broke down and we were back to the coach. the regular, like tour coach, like the big tour ones. Which has no school bus signaling, no stop signs, no guard in the front of the bus. And the children ran off the bus and ran all over the street and it was videoed and the resident was very upset. Why we're back to this bus and why we don't have the school bus.

So when, originally when Frank told me about the issue Carlos reached out to the company. I reached out to the vendor. They said they had a mechanical issue with the actual school bus. And what they told me was it was going to be down for two days. The first day already happened. So the following day, when I found this out, I took what you said about the hazardous, no vision or nothing. So at dismissal time, I drove out to the actual stoppage. And I was kind of like... Crosswalk guarding. So I made myself visible for that matter. But then Monday, the school bus was back. What I did have today on the email, some of the parents actually were saying they like that bus better than the school bus. Oh my gosh. That the children prefer that bus better than the school bus. I would love to sit on a coach with television still. But the safety. I guess they're not understanding the safety of it. Carlos and I haven't replied to the email, but we did see it in the email chain that the children did like that bus. Obviously, they don't care about the safety of it, but... No, they're on the bus for five minutes. They can suck it up.

So it was down for the two days, but the second day... But did the vendor notify you ahead of time that the bus would be replaced with a coach?

That evening when we reached out, that's when they told us that...

So after the fact, not before the fact? Correct. Wrong.

I think we're actually working on something now. Carlos is working with the vendor to get an actual link because we've been back and forth with them with just different issues every month. But they're trying to share a link with us that we could share with the parents that will give the location of the bus when it's arriving, when it's dismissal. And pretty much if they ever do have a mechanical issue and they go to a coach bus, we need to know about that.

Right. So you could arrange to either, and I don't understand why a PSA, for those types of days. The days that the flashes are on, I don't care.

It was so last minute that that's why I just took the initiative myself to like, I'm going to go out there and just monitor the whole... That's what a leader does.

Thank you. That's what a leader does.

Because they see an adult standing there from the town with your uniform on, you know, they're going to be a little more respectful.

I took my town vehicle, I parked it diagonally, so I blocked off one side, and I just stood on the other side. Exactly. And then Carlos was in contact with the actual vendor, letting him know, like, hey, this is not efficient, this is not how you operate. No. The communication was trashed.

Again, I keep harping on $12,000 a month, but... How many stocks are there in the town? Two. Two. One by the north and south end.

One by 96th Street and one by the dog park. 86th. 80, 89th. I mean, yeah. Oh, my God. You know what I'm saying?

One at 88th. One at 88th. 80, 89th, yeah, and dog park, yeah. So the two in the street. It says school bus drop off and pick up.

Rather than in the middle of the town where the... Dog park. Dog park is in the middle. Oh, you're talking about the dog park. I'm sorry. Never mind.

The locations are convenient. That's not the issue. It's obviously another issue.

Any other? Winter camp. It was brought to my attention.

Don't you all get... How come I get...

I guess I'm just the chairperson. You don't get any notices from residents?

There was a child that got away from...

I'm in a condo.

You're in a condo, right? We're in condos. I'm fine. I just bring it back to you guys. I don't hear anything in other words. At the winter camp, there was a problem with a child missing, distracted from the camp, and got in front of the community center

No, no, no. This was at 96th Street. One child ran off, got to about 95th Street. One of the younger kids wasn't paying attention, wasn't following directions, just exit the facility. So we implemented that same day, a sign in, sign out. Parents have to walk the child in after the camp or after practice. We put them in the second floor. of the 96th Street to make sure that the parent has to come in, not just drop off and wait for the child to come out. So they have to get off the vehicle, come down, sign them out, confirm that it's the parent, and then we release them.

That's YMCA procedure in any place. They sign them in, sign them out.

In the past, most of the parents, they'll come, they'll drop the child off.

Do you know if the counselor was reprimanded in any way? Excuse me? The counselor.

It was the soccer program. It wasn't camp. Oh, it wasn't winter camp.

What's the difference between soccer program and winter camp then?

Our winter camp, when it is operational, it's a full day. And it's run through the YMCA. Yeah, and it's operated through the YMCA. And then the soccer camp is just like a temporary clinic type of setting. And they play for an hour, two hours, do a workout session. and then the child is released, back to the parent or the guardian.

And that's through the town, through Parks and Rec?

Yeah. Okay, I'm glad to hear it wasn't the Y. Bad enough it was, but I'm glad it wasn't the Y. I'm sorry you couldn't get my link this morning. Yeah. But I was reading the news this morning and There was, there's legislation right now.

Are we in 5H now?

Yes. No, 4E, the e-bikes. Oh, the bikes, 4H. I came, I sent, look, there's legislation now, they were talking about it on a news radio station this morning, that these bikes, if they go over... certain speed, like over 30 miles an hour, they're going to have to be registered as an electric motorcycle. They're going to have to take, it's going to have to be on a driver's license, these e-bikes.

Oh, we were talking about that.

Yes. And that's one point, but I've been bringing up a registration process like Key Biscayne has, Sunny Isles Beach has, where parent comes in, registers their child's vehicle, virtually. I was coming home from school today, right after dismissal, 2-10. It was not good. To what? They were, my video and driving does not last. Three of them were ahead of me. One e-bike, two scooters, two kids on the scooter. Right through the stop sign. They were doing way more than 20 miles an hour.

They went past two police officers.

One going sitting on the right-hand side by Indian Creek Bridge. And one on the other side of 91st Street going north.

Right through the stop sign. And they don't do nothing.

We both agreed that something's going to happen. And we don't want it to, but...

place about it?

I've talked to the chief. I've talked to the old chief.

I talked to the chief before that.

I talked to Cindy. I talked to Tim. Tim had it worked out and then the chief got fired. And then Tim retired. Then Adrian retired. Now we've got Rudy. Cindy was only here for a half a second. We can't go into the dark.

So this falls under Parks and Rec?

No, it would fall under SPD.

Yeah, that's what I thought.

And I also talked to the chief, the current chief, over the last coffee or hot chocolate with the cops about this issue.

Paul Beshkehazi, a neighbor just, I was coming up here, he stopped me at the stop sign. They're not allowed on the walking path, are they? They're allowed on the hard path?

Nothing, only walking.

No electric at all? I know they just passed something a couple months ago. Only walking on the... That was my... Paul says they're on there, and they're young people. Oh, they sneak in. Yeah. They sneak in.

I mean, you can't be everywhere. He's not over there yet.

I've seen further down the path, I've been biking, I've seen like, but not in Surfside area, but just further down the path, I've seen people a lot of the time get stopped while in electric vehicles.

By the police?

Miami Beach.

Good, good. Miami Beach.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Well, we got eight blocks that we got to take care of. I saw a kid go by and more than once, quite small child on an electric motorcycle looking Harley Davidson looking thing with a helmet. But it was very quiet and it stood about maybe 24 inches off the ground at best, like quite low to the ground, easily missed by anyone that's not paying attention. Not great.

They just come up behind you on the side.

Oh, yeah. So what you're getting at, Rudy, is that I should just go to the commission and bring it up there. Because we're not doing anything here.

So, actually, me and Chief Press, we spoke about it. He's targeting... Two months ago. And that's why I talked to... Now we're coordinating for April to do a rodeo that we're partnering with them. I got the Youth Council Board, and I think Commissioner Gerardo and Vice Mayor Tina are all supportive.

And Community Relations Board.

Yeah, them too. that we're all trying to put in together, kind of like an event.

That's what we used to have years ago with bicycles. We had a bicycle rodeo, and we had a vendor to give away helmets if the kid didn't have a helmet or reflectors and stuff like that.

And it's a good time to register your bike.

So Chief Press is actually coordinating that, and then he's asking for my assistance. So once I have a time set and a date, I'll forward the email to you guys, and once I get any details, if I need any assistance from you guys, I'll probably share that as well. Because I know he's probably going to want resident speakers, like actual residents to speak upon this, like if you have any experiences, so we can voice it. Because we're the only ones up there talking.

No, he knows that I've spoken about it. But I'd be glad.

I did too. I rode motorcycles.

April's our target date. And my whole life. Still have a motorcycle. It's just a dangerous thing in South Florida. And these kids, they're flying. Everybody sees them. You go down South Beach, it's in and out of traffic. Going across the Broad Causeway Bridge.

Forget about it.

And I leave in the dark. They got no light on, no headlight, black hoodie, no helmet. When you see your son at rider trauma, when he went into the side of the car because the valet driver pulled in front of him, It's not a free site.

Is it possible for some education to do communication department on the next door?

other social media can read my next door press my comment from today okay it's never been so hot you know let's I just think if it's possible to because it's the people that don't go to the rodeo that you know you're not going to get this is why I want a registration process yes like sunny Isles and keep us game hat yeah where the parents have to come in and register make somebody accountable and that's what I talked to

What do you have mentioned about Sunny Isles?

I will look up Sunny Isles and Key Biscayne's process again and I'll forward it to Chief.

There you go.

Who else would you recommend? I mean Chief's not going to handle it. Major Jay. Okay.

There's… Diana Leone.

Yes. Diana? Leon. Elio? Leon?

Yes, like Leon.

Sergeant. The concern is that Surfside is, you know, it's not a gated community, and I'm happy for that, but there are those on e-bikes and such that are not residents. So they're not obligated to, if we were to, you know, have a program, you can only ask residents to do that. It's a start, though.

But these kids all had Ruth K. Barth shirts on today.

Most of the kids I see around the neighborhood are all like residents.

The mindset is if the public at large is not required,

then there's... And I guess I need to do more homework, because what I read in Sunny Isles, if you're a resident and live in town, then you have to register your e-vehicle. Whether they follow the law, that's a different subject.

You mentioned Key Biscayne, and there's an abundance of golf carts there, electric golf carts, and people are courteous, and you can move around, you can go around them, stop for them. We don't have that, but they do have some program for electric golf carts, and that's not so much different than the e-bikes and such.

But look who's driving the golf cart versus the e-bike.

Right. These kids are very super young. You can be under 16 and drive one of these. You're just getting isolated somewhat. They do get a lot of non-residents going through there, but the most part is very much of a village. Mm-hmm. People that cut through traffic, there's a lot of scooters and e-bikes cut through. Because it's safer for them to be on the main road.

The e-bikes are also... There's a lot of YouTube videos on how you're taking a normal e-bike that would do 15 to 17 miles an hour and they're double in the batteries, they're changing the gear ratios, where these things are.

Are they sipping them up? Oh, yeah. Oh, jeez.

There's tricycles for you.

You're shaking your head off.

I still do two wheels. I've seen it, though. I've seen that. When I get that bad, I just don't. Thank you for listening to my concern, but I will follow up with Chief and Major. Thank you. New Business 5A. Painting of Santa.

So now that the holidays are over, I know you guys thought about trying to like... get the Santa we have new life, I would say, like make it more presentable or cute or whatnot. Were you offering to volunteer help with painting, or do you know anybody that could provide the service, that could probably give us a quote or something?

There's no rocket science. I think that, you know.

Or somebody that has like a vision for what you're having right now?

Yes, that can happen. And if you put that in an email, then we can move that along and find the right person to do that, whether it's me or somebody else. It can even be, I believe it was done in-house the last time by staff.

But you didn't like that one.

Many people commented that it just... It looked spooky. Yes, it became creepy because it was the color. So it's just the palette. And I did look at it today. There's a lot of chipping and, you know, it wasn't prepped properly. So if you're painting, you need, you know, you might need to prime. I don't know. I haven't looked at it with that in mind. But there is chipping throughout and the colors are off. Colors are way off. It needs to be warmer, you know, put some life in the eyes.

I mean, I'm not, I mean, Carlos is not a painter, so that's why, you know, with your expertise. Carlos can paint a wall, right? Yeah.

He can paint a wall. So we need a, we need a supervisor.

Someone that has experience in that field to give it a look.

You could do a drawing, right?

It's the palette. I mean, the red's pretty good, the black's fine, the green, it's really in the face and the eyes. Okay. And the red lips, I mean, the lips are cherry red. I don't think that's... Because it's something, if we want to have it up in December, we should look at it now, so we can start the process, and then when the actual labor starts, I mean... Something happened in the middle of summer, and people were amused, and they were taken aside. Where is it stored these days, though?

In the community center.

And that's why I got the, that was a quick remedy was to cover the eyes with the glasses.

But I liked the sunglasses. They are. I would buy it after that. I liked it. I thought it looked cool. Do we really need to do it?

It needs to get, it needs, it should be returned to its frightful splendor. Color palette. And others, other, I mean, people comment, so.

So where is, where do you store it that people could see it?

In the back of the community center? You can't really see it unless you try to see it.

What does that mean in the back of the community center?

On the south side of the community center? It's right here. Anyone can look at it. The south side? I saw it just now. So it's inside the weather.

He's very sad. 24-7?

You know, it's adorable.

It's in the weather? I mean, it's outside in the weather?

Yeah, but it's under a shaded area. It's under a shaded area with a roof.

It's a durable prop, a holiday prop.

He's my neighbor. Traditional.

It's served the town well. I think that with all due respect, it needs to be brought back to the better colors. Maybe even a tan. He's a Florida Santa. Mm-hmm. And thanks for bringing that up.

So you'll send an email to start, I don't know what you're going to say, looking for a reliable, friendly artist that would help us.

Residents want a good looking sandwich.

Yeah, some rosy cheeks, you know, like some eyes.

But isn't that your expertise?

What, Panty Santas?

Yeah.

Panty Santas. How many Santas have you painted?

No, the idea of the cheeks and the lips. I know a lot of artists. Yes, I know you do.

And you don't have to be, you know.

But could you give somebody the idea of a representation of what you're talking about? Absolutely. I can't visualize it. I need pictures. I need show and tell.

It doesn't look great right now, and that's my opinion. I share that with others, and when people were commenting last year, I went to look at it, and I had to agree that something had to be done, and so did the town. Tim said, oh, can you please do something quickly, and it was his idea to make a pair of glasses. That worked. Yes.

Well, for the time being, I guess. Okay. Go for it.

Fine. It's an afternoon for the attention.

Hey, I can... I can color the lines. 5B, extra classes?

Oh, I have, since I initiated the adult classes for grades for seniors and 55 and above, I've been attending a lot of classes and I've been getting feedback from many people that they wish they would see couple other things such as Tai Chi and I can give you a copy of this Pilates, yoga during the day as opposed to we have one yoga class on Sunday calisthenics tango lessons after the third Thursday and Spanish lessons, things like that. I was working on a calendar of the current times and the dates and trying to fill in. The blue would be new classes and the black, I don't know. All by the same. I just made this draft up saying for February. Is the problem getting instructors? No, I listed all the instructors below. Current instructors also have teach these classes.

The dark blue is the classes we have now in effect. The light blue are the classes she wants to implement. Right. In those time frames and days.

Well, I'll show it to you.

But give me, on the 19th, give me an example. Is that, that teacher teaches all that?

No, these are different teachers. So Tai Chi would be the same teacher that teaches self-defense later in the day. And I've already talked to these people. They are good with these days and these times. So another example is currently Dance Fusion, Yemi does it, and A lot of these are from the UNIDAD also, the senior center there where I took these classes and have been in them. And calisthenics. Yenny does, the same person that does dance fusion. So that's current, dance fusion's current. And then she would do calisthenics after that, like there's a short break and do calisthenics.

So the person, do they necessarily do dance fusion and then they would hang out for a little while and then do calisthenics?

The same instructor, yes.

Better than me.

And that was her idea of doing that timing. So...

How many people attend, like, Dance Fusion? Do you go to that? What do you go to?

Yes, yes. I've been going to all of them. Dance Fusion, yeah, there was about fifteen people in the class.

So it makes it worth their while.

Oh yeah, yeah. And down at UNIDAD, the senior center in Miami Beach at 73rd Street and Collins, calisthenics, is the highest amount of people that go to it. They love it. And these are all seniors. They said last week they had 52.

When you go from Surfside, are there other Surfside people that go down to that senior center for that class?

I used to until, you know, I got these classes free up here. I was going there because we didn't have them free here. I didn't see any Surfside people down there. But the same people in these classes are asking for Tai Chi, for Calisthenics, for Tango, Pilates and Yoga.

I thought it was a great idea. The only issue was a lot of these instructors, they probably want compensation. Yes. So then, so the budget was already put in place prior to my arrival. So I would have to look at the funds that we have to try to give compensation. See what we could add. Correct. Yes.

And see what works.

One idea I had was for Jenny to do aesthetics. I sat with Marianne today, and I said maybe in February, if she could do like a demo class and see what the turnout is, if there's any interest. Maybe do one or two in February, see what the turnout is, if we have enough adults and seniors come out, then I could push that to the town manager and the commission and make it known that I told Marianne like, If we have a good turnout, I could get pictures, I could get video, I could come speak to the town manager, speak to the commission, ask them like, hey, this is a demand, this is what they want, this is what they're asking for. I need funds for this, for at least I could have the instructor to try to obviously put it in place. So Marianne thought it was a great idea. I'm going to meet with Jenny tomorrow morning to see if there's a date or time in February. She does a class tomorrow. She's there tomorrow morning. So I said in February, is it possible you could do like a demo? What's that?

She needs a copy.

If I could keep the paper afterwards. I need it from the records. Thank you.

So that's not official. I know, but it's public records, so I need it. Correct. Thank you. But yeah, I'm going to speak to Jenny tomorrow and see in February if she has a date and time that would be convenient.

That's a good suggestion that you found the same instructor that does another activity. Exactly. And they're already at the center.

Yes. Yeah.

But I was teaching two classes instead of one.

Most of them already have the fingerprints from here. and the OK from HR. They're already certified to work here.

I saw the email you sent me to the AARP.

Oh, yes.

I don't, I mean, I could be wrong, but I don't know if the town through Parks and Recreation has ever gotten grants.

They did. Oh, yeah. Oh, through Parks and Rec.

We had a grant for this department? No, that was a long time ago.

I'm not sure.

Like to supply funding. That's what I'm asking.

I don't think the town's ever... Well, we got a grant for the dog park.

That just happened.

Well, that's strictly just to the dog park. But it's parks and rec, right? Yes, that's not into programming. That's to enhance, to improve the dog park. Here I see eight or...

You see what?

The vendors, the instructors, there's eight independent instructors for the various classes. Would the added classes add more instructors?

Well, the classes there that have a question mark, we don't have... instructors for those in the bottom. Just the ones at the bottom.

Spanish, tango, we don't have instructors for that.

The other ones are current.

The ones that are listed, they currently teach something right now. These are the instructors at the bottom?

That currently work with the community center.

So the suggested add-ons. They would teach an additional class differently. Versus bringing in. Correct, correct. All right. Yeah. Make it simple. And definitely there's an interest.

Yeah.

Good.

That was another version. But the date on the top.

So I thought having like a demonstration or like a demo class, I would say, would be probably best now. Because if I go, if I just go randomly asking for more money, for what? Exactly.

But did you, will you look at the budget the current budget and see if there's anything that you can apply.

Because everything in the budget now is pretty much set for something. Like pretty much our programming, our events, salaries, anything like building related that needs fixtures, the tennis center, lighting, water.

I understand that, but you're using all those amounts, so you can't pull from one pot to the other right now? Or can you look into it?

You can, of course you can, but it would have to be justified. You can't just allocate and transfer money just to transfer money. Because it still has to go through finance. There's a form, a documentation we need to fill out. Why is this money being transferred?

I think that's a good idea. Now, would you, we have time to get that in the February newsletter so that people would know that it was upcoming? Or would you do a separate?

Yeah. When it meets the Gazette, you mean?

Yeah.

I mean, I'm going to ask Jenny tomorrow. If she can give me a date and time tomorrow, then I can forward that to Cindy and she can put it in. And then I would have one of my staff probably make a quick flyer saying a demonstration of aesthetics, such day and such time, and then probably promote it with the seniors.

I think that's what you did with, well, it's been done with other classes that way. That's great.

That's the best way to get the word out.

Do you know why, I always meant to ask Tim, and I never asked him, do you know why the bulletin board went down at Publix? We used to have a glass encased.

Publix told us to take it down. Who? Publix.

Did they give any reason?

I'm pretty sure. I don't know the reason, but I'm pretty sure there is a reason.

Because there was more things in the showcase other than Surfside. There was Cub Scout events, there was cookie sales.

They told us to take it down.

What a shame.

That's why I've always asked, I mean, since I was on the commission, since we built this building and renovated this building, that we have an electronic sign on the side of this building that we can constantly change activity. You know, upcoming, just like we have down at, the only thing you see down there is Charlie's face popping up.

It's welcome to the modern world. Corporate policy.

Charlie's face only?

But you have digital hair.

Is there a bulletin board at the community center?

Yeah.

But they want to publicize. I mean, I came down the escalator and I used to read it all the time.

Yeah, I did too.

They don't want to scrutinize.

I think the town would benefit from purchasing our own kayaks and water activity things. I use it, but I had this $100 Amazon inflatable kayak since before we had our own stuff through Paddle. Now it's really a hassle to use my own. But I was really excited to hear that we had stuff now. But personally, and through other community voices I've heard from people, I'm not really satisfied with paddle and the services. It's only single kayaks, and they have no cushions, not very nice. And for a community with so many families, it's like if you're going as a family, there's no doubles.

How much do they charge?

Yeah, exactly. Also, that was a big one. Like, it's $25 an hour for a single kayak. So, like, if me and somebody were to go for two hours, it's pretty much standard kayaking would be $100. Wow.

And that's the same rate for residents?

Exactly. So, it's the same rate for residents as non-residents. And I was speaking to the person who was working at the time, and I was curious how many residents are using it. And they're like, barely anyone. Mostly it's people double kayaks where we could have more people and it would be like maybe a sign-in, sign-out program?

We've discussed this for years. I've been against it for years. We don't have the staff. We're not in the rental business. I mean, Rudy, you're the new guy. You can chime in. But it's more of a liability on the town when you're not bringing your own equipment and just using the ramp or If we rent the equipment, it's more of a liability. We don't have a storage facility to have more than they have. The paddle boards was not part of their initial deal, but that's what the manager worked out at that time. If they had the paddle boards, then they would include the kayaks. Could we ask them if they have two-seater kayaks? I don't know why.

We could reach out and talk to them and see how they went.

I mean, have we declined? Are they upset with us?

I've only seen single kinds.

Yeah, but you didn't have that, you usually have it on the agenda. Do you know if the usage went down? Is the company still okay with having us there?

I haven't had complaints from them. From them? I don't know if Carl's received any emails from them.

So do you have to have like a minimum? Do you have to have a minimum? Do you know?

We're waiting, yeah.

Like a minimum amount of hours or people renting it?

No. When Mark got the company, they didn't seem to have any, they were just glad to be involved. Because the other companies that the managers looked into were charging us like $14,000 just to put something there.

What's the deal with the current?

They don't charge us anything. They supplied the kiosk. and they- Yeah, it's pretty operational itself. Self-operate, yeah.

Scan, check in.

Oh, there doesn't have to be anybody there?

No. It's pretty operational.

A credit card in, you sign the thing online, and they download the app, they do everything to the app. All you need is just to- Oh, you're up there all the time. You just need to keep up from the resident just to access the game.

Just like a bike, like a city bike?

Yeah, it's the same process. Something like that. But it's expensive.

And did you say 25, a half hour or an hour? $25 an hour. An hour. $25 an hour. Okay.

But then that's how they get you to try to buy the membership. Isn't it a lot cheaper to buy the membership where you can go to hopeful sites? $200 for a whole year. How much? $200 for a whole year. $200 for a whole year.

Oh.

They're unlimited. Right. You can go to many, they have those kiosks at many sites on the beach. Is that one of them?

It's not completely unlimited from what I know. I'm not sure. I remember they're unlimited.

They have different memberships, but the basic one is $200 at like 20 rides a month, something like that.

So you can go in the kiosk and become a member like that?

You download the app and you can either pay for an hour or register as a membership.

Oliver? There's a lot going on and the conversations go back to before the park was rebuilt. Question today is, does the existing kiosk concession impede residents' use of the launch and the ramp and all that?

It doesn't impede the use.

Why don't you bring your own anymore?

Because it's difficult. The whole thing was, I was excited, finally we'll have kayaks because I'll just show up, I'll get in a kayak and I'll go. And so the one I have is a two seater, cheap one from Amazon. At least. So that's kind of the process.

Are you saying it's awkward to bring your own? I don't care about being awkward.

It's to the point. The thing about having a dock is at least maybe storage or something.

So there's residents I know firsthand who are happy with things the way they are. They don't use the rentals. They bring their own. And they launch. They go and they come back. And my understanding is, from others' accounts, that it doesn't interfere the rentals. Now, the personal convenience is such that there's a trade-off. If you don't want to bring your own equipment, there is equipment available at a cost.

And people are bringing their own equipment because they like their equipment better. yes and they can have multiple people yes so maybe if there was if we could get our own racks where people could store their items maybe that would be something it's well we're not going to have a personal property correct in our park yeah that's what's been it's been discussed for years and and it also the park is also open to the public it's a it is we're not going to store resident personal items okay so you have argument say six racks

25 residents in town. How do you, this is our discussion for years, who gets the six racks?

First come, first serve.

First come, first serve. I didn't get the email, you didn't include me. It's tough. Do you know that at each street end, Vice Mayor Rose had to town to install ladders?

Yes. I have used them. It is, I mean, it depends on the tide. Right. But they're rocky and it's pretty dangerous. I've almost hurt myself multiple times. Wow. Even with the ladder, it's kind of like, it's just 10% less chance you're going to get hurt, you know? Wow.

The ladders are rocky or the surface? There's locks all below. Right.

So even I've gone at higher tides. It's better at higher tides, of course, but it's still difficult, especially for an older person. to get up the ladder, to get down the ladder. Even as a young person, it's difficult. It definitely makes it easier, but it's not, you know, of course the dock is the best option.

But if you could look into, if they have two-seater. We could ask.

They'll probably replace one-seater for a two-seater.

That would be a big jump. Or two.

Or two and two. Yeah. There's a Surfside resident because we have such a nice ramp. Do we get a discount?

Yeah, that's also something. I was like, Surfside residents maybe should have some sort of... A different fee?

Maybe, yeah. It might be subsidized by the town. That could be something.

Resident versus non-resident.

They're not distinguishing. The vendor doesn't distinguish between residents and non-residents.

because the app doesn't... It's just an app. It's just an app.

Yeah, it just is, right.

Our Carson Rec app knows when it's a resident and not a resident. Yeah, exactly. Now we do. How's the... How's the new thing...

Didn't we upgrade our... to the tennis center and... Which one? How to get in and out?

I don't know. Yeah. Well, no, he... The... We're trying, we were brought up trying to have a digital way that maybe myself, Carlos, would be able to open and close the tennis center digitally. Kind of how we have the Moscow lights, how we could manage them, send them out. But vendors are kind of expensive, so we're still looking into that.

There's a lock that people use on their homes that they can open and close remotely.

It's kind of like a gate. We need like a gate.

Bring that up tomorrow, say the committee recommends it. They got money, don't let them fool you.

Lots of money.

But I, that's been, it's just, the way we came to this kiosk thing, because it was the easiest way for residents to have a kayak or paddleboard there.

but it's I remember when the manager came in I thought he said $35 an hour it's like $25 an hour still it's a token gesture by the town because there was a variety of reasons they were resisting a legitimate kayak launch not in the park so there was a long discussion about that a lot of back and forth and in the end it ended up in the park and so that really restricted what it could be. Did I say that right?

Yeah, and for safety.

We have to get you some help. Don't try to inflate it. Well, I want to talk about how I tried to get it done.

And an e-bike?

There have been some flying boats in this neighborhood. Some what? Flying boats. Anyways.

Yeah. And there's a floating helicopter pad out here, too.

Thank you, Mr. Football. All right. Is that it? Did Mike Green email you today? No. This is the gentleman that was supposed to come tonight, that texted me and called me numerous times over the last two days that he had a conflict, that he forgot he was teaching a class on South Beach. And I said, you're welcome to come here, but the director is the one that's going to make the ultimate decision whether you have to go to the commission or not to have these extra tai chi, swimming, steel drum... sensational classes at the pool deck.

So, I kind of... Who is Michael Green?

A resident, friend of... No, he does live in Surfside now. He's a new resident that teaches Tai Chi... Stop. It's... of water swimming, learning how to do this in the water, with steel drums, and I don't know. It's a lot. It's a lot to add to programming during the day.

You lost me in the water.

In the water, yeah, this is in the water. You lost me in the water. The gentleman, he called me and I said, well, you're welcome to come to the committee. This was a month and a half ago. Now we have the committee and he had a conflict of interest, conflict of appointment, so I kind of threw Rudy under the bus today and said, you really just need to contact the director. You're welcome to present to us, but... We're technically nobody. Good job. Good job. Rudy says, why just throw them on me? All right. No public comments. Next meeting date?

February 17th. Woo-hoo!

February 17th.

All right. I will not be here. I'll be in Mexico.

I will not be here either. I'll have somebody cover for me.

Anybody else going with her?

You're welcome.

Are you the new committee member? Yes. Can you tell us real quick something about yourself? Yeah, we didn't meet. Oh, I'm sorry.

I'm Rafael. I moved here two years ago from California, and I started going to Miami Dade College.

Oh, you're on this plan. Excellent. Welcome aboard.

Thank you.

He doesn't know you either. I was just going to say. This is Oliver.

He's an open book. How long do you want to talk, Oliver? No, no. His name is Oliver, and he paints Santa's. Yes, yes. He's got a business. Have you ever had a Santa painted? He's your man. Great. Can I get a motion to adjourn? Motion to adjourn. Can I see if you have anything else? Uh-huh. We want to, again, congratulate Genesis on her fabulous wedding.

What? Go married on the 9th.

Is that when you went red?

She brought cake for everybody.

Is that when you went red? I've been red. I just got extensions.

I know what you're talking about.