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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/13/2008 (2)INDEX TO MINUTES OF JOINT WORKSHOP MEETING i 1 AD-11refflM-� COMMISSIONERS AND THE INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD, REGARDING ITEMS OF MUTUAL INTEREST MARCH 13, 2008 I. CALL DISCUSSION TO ORDER — CHAIRMAN DISNEY-BROMBACH..................................................................................2 II. PURPOSE OF THE DISCUSSION - CHAIRMAN DISNEY-BROMBACH..................................................................................2 III. DISCUSSION BY BOARD MEMBERS AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON ITEMS OF MUTUAL INTEREST - CHAIRMAN DISNEY-BROMBACH.........................................................2 IIIA. KAREN DISNEY-BROMBACH, INDIANRIVER COUNTYSCHOOL BOARD CHAIRMAN -COOPERATIVE SPENDING... WWA III. B. WESLEYS. DA VIS, INDIANRIVER COUNTY VICE CHAIRMAN.....................................5 III. B. I. PLEASANT RIDGE - PAGES I - 41.............................................................................. S ADDITION: SCHOOL BOARD'S NEED FOR ADDITIONAL SPACE ..................5 III. C. LENORA QUIMBY, BOARD MEMBER............................................................................. 6 I. JOINT USE OF FACILITIES............................................................................................ 6 I March 13, 2008 Joint Meeting/Indian River County School Board 2. SUMMER PROGRAMS..................................................................................................... 7 3. LAND SWAP................................................................................................................... 8 III. D. ANN REUTER, BOARD MEMBER ..................................................................................9 1. BIKE TRAILS, SIDEWALKS, FITNESS............................................................................. 9 2. COMBINING RESOURCES.............................................................................................11 IV. ADJOURNMENT.........................................................................................11 2 March 13, 2008 Joint Meeting/Indian River County School Board March 13, 2008 JOINT WORKSHOP OF THE INDIAN RIVER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THE INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD REGARDING ITEMS OF MUTUAL INTEREST The Board of County Commissioners of Indian River County, Florida, met in a Joint Workshop meeting at the Teacher Education Center (TEC) of the Indian River County School District's Administrative Offices, 1990 25th Street, Vero Beach, Florida, on Thursday, March 13, 2008, to discuss items of mutual interest. Present for Indian River County were Board Chairman Sandra L. Bowden, Vice Chairman Wesley S. Davis, Commissioners Joseph E. Flescher, Peter D. O'Bryan, and Gary C. Wheeler, who joined the meeting later. Also present were County Administrator Joseph A. Baird, County Attorney William G. Collins II, Community Development Director Robert Keating, Environmental and Code Enforcement Chief Roland DeBlois, Deputy County Attorney William DeBraal, Planning Director Stan Boling, and Deputy Clerk Maureen Gelfo. Present for the Indian River County School Board were Chairman Karen Disney-Brombach, Vice Chairman Carol Johnson, Board Members Lenora Quimby, Ann Reuter, Debbie MacKay, Superintendent Dr. Harry La Cava, and Executive Assistant to the School Board. Judy Stang. 1 March 13, 2008 Joint Meeting/Indian River County School Board I. CALL DISCUSSION TO ORDER - CHAIRMAN DISNEY-BROMBACH Indian River County School Board Chairman Disney-Brombach called the Meeting to order at 12:36 P.M. She explained that School Board Members and County Commissioners have the option to discuss any issue of concern that has not been placed on the Agenda. II. PURPOSE OF THE DISCUSSION - CHAIRMAN DISNEY-BROMBACH School Board Chairman Disney-Brombach stated that the purpose of today's Workshop was to open up discussion on items that the elected officials deemed important which are coordinated with the School District, and to brainstorm on items of mutual interest. III. DISCUSSION BY BOARD MEMBERS AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON ITEMS OF MUTUAL INTEREST - CHAIRMAN DISNEY-BROMBACH IILA. KARENDISNEY-BROMBACH. INDIANRIVER COUNTYSCHOOL BOARD CHAIRMAN -COOPERATIVE SPENDING Chairman Disney-Brombach felt that the School Board and the County could work together to find ways to reduce financial impact on expenditures. She believed that the School Board and the County, two of the regions' largest employers, could pool their buying power to purchase supplies or fuel. Ms. Disney-Brombach asked for other ideas for cooperative spending. County Vice Chairman Davis declared that diesel fuel costs had increased, and he believed that biodiesel was cheaper. He wanted to look into the County using biodiesel if it was cheaper 2 March 13, 2008 Joint Meeting/Indian River County School Board and if no retrofit of County vehicles was necessary. He inquired whether the County shared fuel with the School District, and learned from County Administrator Joseph Baird that fuel was purchased in bulk and used by all County vehicles, the School Board, and the Sheriff's Department. School Board members and County Administrator Baird speculated on whether there might be a joint savings relative to telephone services. Commissioner Flescher informed everyone that Hess has incorporated 10% ethanol into their fuel and has reduced their prices. He felt that this might be one avenue to pursue. He urged both Boards to explore opportunities to reduce costs by combining recreational and other facilities which could be shared by the County's youth. School Board Vice Chairman Carol Johnson agreed that in today's economic times, it was important not to have duplication of services or facilities. Chairman -Commissioner Bowden conveyed that the County and Indian River Community College were jointly building a new library. She believed that sharing library use, including personnel, would be another pertinent avenue for reducing costs through County and School Board partnership. School Board Vice Chairman Johnson talked about the media center at the new school, which would be built at 66th Avenue. School Board Members and County Commissioners speculated on who would be allowed to access the school media centers. Discussion ensued regarding possible safety measures which could be established to allow public access to the media centers without jeopardizing the safety of the students. 3 March 13, 2008 Joint Meeting/Indian River County School Board School Board Member Lenora Quimby talked about the opportunities available for joint use of facilities, such as the libraries, Citrus Bowl, tennis courts, and gymnasiums. Commissioners Davis and Flescher discussed the need for more efficient utilization of the existing athletic fields. Commissioner Flescher was concerned about allowing outside access to the media centers and into the schools, and spoke about the need to ensure student safety. County Administrator Baird discussed, and distributed to the School Board members, a list of facilities (copy on file) which are currently shared by the Indian River County Recreation Department and the School District. County Vice Chairman Davis felt that once budget cuts were made, ways to save money through partnering with the School Board, and with other municipalities, would become more obvious. School Board Chairman Disney-Brombach agreed with Vice Chairman -Commissioner Davis, and noted that this was a good time to examine every angle to cut costs by sharing services and facilities. School Board members made further observations about safety and maintenance concerns regarding joint use facilities, such as school libraries. They also talked about the need to establish a suitable meeting place for County residents. 4 March 13, 2008 Joint Meeting/Indian River County School Board IILB. WESLEYS. DAMS, INDIANRIVER COUNTY VICE CHAIRMAN III.B.1. PLEASANT RIDGE - PAGEs 1- 41 Clerk's Note: This item was heard after Item III.D.1. and is placed here for continuity. Clerk's Note: The School Board has placed this item on the Agenda as Pleasant Ridge, because that is the way it was originally platted. The site is now known as the Winter Beach School. Vice Chairman Davis introduced this item, which pertains to the future of the Winter Beach School, located at 6500 North Old Dixie Highway, which is soon to be acquired by the School District. He wanted to let the School Board know that since the Historic Resources Advisory Committee (HRAC) has placed the school on their list for historic preservation, the Committee might have concerns about the School District's future plans for the building. School Board Vice Chairman Carol Johnson reported that School Superintendent Dr. Harry La Cava had already met with a representative of the HRAC. She believed that no one was yet ready to make a decision on what would be done with the Winter Beach School property. She commended Vice Chairman Davis, County Administrator Joseph Baird, County staff, and School Superintendent Dr. Harry La Cava for their cooperation and excellent handling of this matter. ADDITION: SCHOOL BOARD'S NEED FOR ADDITIONAL SPACE School Board Chairman Disney-Brombach conveyed the School Board's dire need for additional space. She inquired whether the County Commissioners would allow a trailer to be placed upon their property, and told the Commissioners that the extra space would accommodate the School District's need for additional square footage. 5 March 13, 2008 Joint Meeting/Indian River County School Board Discussion ensued regarding whether there was suitable space available for the School District's use at Building B of the new County Administration Building. Administrator Baird discussed why the subject space would not be suitable, and told the School Board that if it was all right with the County Commissioners, staff had no problem with the School Board erecting modulars. Vice Chairman Davis and Commissioner O'Bryan noted that they had no problem with the modulars, provided they were approved by the City of Vero Beach. School Board Chairman Disney-Brombach conveyed that the modulars would provide a temporary solution to accommodate Superintendent La Cava's staff, until the new administrative building is built in the future. County Vice Chairman Davis and Commissioner Flescher wanted to keep "on the table" the option of the School Board using space in the new County Administration Building B. Commissioner O'Bryan inquired whether the County needed all the space remaining where the old Administration Building formerly stood, and learned from County Community Development Director Bob Keating that the subject space was under the jurisdiction of the City of Vero Beach. A brief discussion ensued regarding the modulars which were vacated by the Supervisor of Elections, and which are no longer on-site. III. C. LENORA V UIMBY. BOARD MEMBER 1. JOINT USE OF FACILITIES Clerk's Note: Please refer to Item X.A. for this discussion. 6 March 13, 2008 Joint Meeting/Indian River County School Board 2. SUMMER PROGRAMS School Board Member Lenora Quimby introduced this topic, which focused on providing an opportunity for all County youth to participate in quality supervised summer programs. She discussed how summer programs could provide nutrition for those not eating properly, how to prepare the students to succeed in school, and how to help deter problem behaviors. Ms. Quimby wanted to see a committee or task force established, which, through cooperative efforts, could evaluate current, and establish future summer programs. Discussion ensued between the School Board and Commissioners regarding the importance of making the summer programs affordable for all County youth. The Gifford Youth Activity Center was cited as a model program to emulate. Vice Chairman Davis suggested that the Recreation Department would be a good starting point from which to begin the cooperative effort. Commissioner O'Bryan talked about the possibility of using Indian River Community College students (gratis), to supervise the youth, through prospective College summer internship programs. Further discussion ensued between School Board members and Commissioners regarding what groups might best assist in the effort to establish more widespread summer programs, with the following suggestions: • Barbara Musselwhite, the School District's Supervisor of Extended Day Programs • Other School District Personnel • The Early Learning Coalition • Recreation Committee members 7 March 13, 2008 Joint Meeting/Indian River County School Board • Churches • The Gifford Youth Activities Center • Law enforcement. 3. LAND SWAP School Board Member Lenora Quimby wondered whether there might be some mutually beneficial property exchanges which could be transacted between the School District and the County. She conveyed that there was a serious need for more parking at Vero Beach High School, and wondered if the County would be receptive to making available to the School District the property which fronts the High School, and which currently has ball fields. In return, the County would receive acreage on 66th Avenue, an area of future growth in the County. Vice Chairman Davis asked what would be the School District's goals for the existing ball fields, and School Board Member Quimby stated that an evaluation would have to be done to determine what the needs of the High School were. In response to Vice Chairman's Davis query, County Administrator Baird revealed that there are four ball fields. He said that the fields were a "maintenance headache" for the County, and felt that because of the huge parking problem at the school, it might be in the community's best interest to have the School District utilize the property. Vice Chairman Davis supported the idea of expanded parking for the High School, but wanted to know how the School District would address the loss of the ball fields. Administrator Baird wondered if the School District would build fields on the 66th Avenue property. 8 March 13, 2008 Joint Meeting/Indian River County School Board Commissioner O'Bryan stated that a lot of teams use the ball fields. Although he understands the need for increased parking, he thought that the 66th Avenue location would be inconvenient for many people. School Board Member Quimby and School Board Superintendent Harry La Cava agreed that there were not enough ball fields in the community. Administrator Baird addressed Superintendent La Cava's concerns about the subject property being a "maintenance headache." Discussion ensued between School Board Members and County Commissioners regarding other possible locations, besides the 66th Avenue property, for the construction of the ball fields. School Board Vice Chairman Johnson emphasized that this should be a joint effort, with staffs conducting some evaluations, and bringing information back to the respective Boards. Clerk's Note: Vice Chairman Davis exited the meeting at 1:45 p.m. HID. ANNREUTER. BOARD MEMBER I. BIKE TRAILS, SIDEWALKS. FITNESS Clerk's Note: This item was heard following III.A., and is placed here for continuity. Indian River County School Board Member Ann Reuter recounted her experience taking a walk between Rosewood and Glendale Schools, during which a round -about route had to be found in order to remain on a sidewalk. She proposed putting in sidewalks/bike paths near the schools as a cost-effective way to encourage fitness among students and their parents, and to ensure that there is a safe way for neighborhood children to get to school. 9 March 13, 2008 Joint Meeting/Indian River County School Board Vice Chairman Davis agreed that sidewalks would be a great idea, noting that by State Statute, the School Board is not required to transport students within 2 to 3 miles of the school. He suggested having the School Board pick a school with a large amount of pedestrian traffic, analyze its infrastructure, and return to the County with the information. County Community Development Director Bob Keating said that a number of sidewalk projects are in the works, although some of them are, by necessity, tied in with roadway projects. Commissioner Flescher invited Metropolitan Planning Organization Staff Director Bill Mathis to speak about the "Safe Schools" program. Clerk's Note: Indian River County Commissioner Wheeler entered the meeting at 1:03 Bill Mathis disclosed that the County's Land Development Regulations (LDR) which require developers to build sidewalks has resulted in seventy-six (76) miles of sidewalks over a ten-year period. He explained that there was a legal distinction regarding the roads for which the "Safe Schools" money could be used. Mr. Mathis supported the idea of picking one school as a pilot case; one which has or potentially could have a high walking population. Commissioner O'Bryan cautioned that all the sidewalks in the world would be of no importance if parents would not let their children use them, for safety reasons. He advocated having parents fill out a survey to see if they would allow their children to walk to school. School Board Member Reuter agreed that the parents would have to support this initiative; otherwise, it would be a waste of money. 10 March 13, 2008 Joint Meeting/Indian River County School Board L Vice Chairman Davis declared that the County was ready to build sidewalks, and he tasked the School Board to show the County where they should be placed. 2. COMBINING RESOURCES Clerk's Note: As most of today's discussion was centered on "Combining Resources ", Ms. Reuter noted that she did not need to add anything specific. The meeting concluded with positive comments offered by School Board members and County Commissioners regarding today's meeting, and about the need for continued cooperation. Both groups expressed the desire for more meetings in the future. IV. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairman Disney-Brombach adjourned the Meeting at 1:51 p.m. ATTEST: Jeffr&K{ ton, Clerk Sandr L. Bowden, Chairman Minutes Approved: APR 1 5 2008 mg 11 March 13, 2008 K 134 P6 7 I'S Joint Meeting/Indian River County School Board