PR 12-12-23 Minutes
PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
PARKS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ADVISORY BOARD
MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 12, 2023, MEETING
MIAMI BEACH GOLF CLUB, 2301 ALTON ROAD
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Members in Attendance: David Berger, Jonathan Fryd, Janie Hayes, Joseph Hernandez, Carolina
Jones, Shannon Koonin, David Nguah, Joelle Gringarten, Sean Smith, Joshua Lifshultz, and Donald
Goldberg
Members not Present: N/A
City Staff: Jose del Risco (Assistant Director, Parks & Recreation) and Nina Britos (Administrative
Officer, Parks & Recreation)
Meeting called to order at 5:35 p.m.
• Approval of the October 25, 2023 Minutes
o The October 25, 2023 minutes were approved.
Motion made by: David Nguah
Motion seconded by: Janie Hayes
Motion passes: unanimously
• Special “Thank You” to Carolina Jones
o Sean Smith recognized Carolina Jones and she went into her history with the board.
All Board members thanked her for her service and time as a board member.
• Selection of GO Bond Ex-Officio Member
o Sean Smith introduced the item and explained to the board that since Carolina
Jones no longer is serving as a board member in 2024, another board member
needs to be appointed. Carolina Jones explained what the role entailed.
o The Parks and Recreational Facilities Advisory Board motioned to appoint Donald
Goldberg as the Ex-Officio Member of the G.O. Bond Committee.
Motion made by: Jonathan Fryd
Motion seconded by: David Nguah
Motion passes: Unanimously
Members Present for Motion: David Berger, Jonathan Fryd, Janie Hayes, Joseph
Hernandez, Carolina Jones, David Nguah, Sean Smith, Joshua Lifshultz, Donald
Goldberg, Shannon Koonin, Joelle Gringarten
• Discussion of 2024 Meeting Dates as Directed by the City Clerk’s Office
o Jonathan Fryd discussed wanting the Miami Beach Golf Club being the default
location, but it was explained that it is based on availability.
PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
PARKS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ADVISORY BOARD
MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 12, 2023, MEETING
MIAMI BEACH GOLF CLUB, 2301 ALTON ROAD
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o Sean Smith mentioned that the goal is to have meetings in different park locations
throughout the City.
o The Board agreed on the following meeting dates for 2024:
o Thursday, February 1, 2024
o Tuesday, March 5, 2024
o Tuesday, April 9, 2024
o Tuesday, May 7, 2024
o Tuesday, June 4, 2024
o Tuesday, September 10, 2024
o Tuesday, October 8, 2024
o Tuesday, November 19, 2024
o Tuesday, December 10, 2024
• The Sabrina Cohen Foundation Presentation: City Activities and Upcoming Projects
o Sean Smith introduced Sabrina Cohen from The Sabrina Cohen Foundation.
o Sabrina Cohen introduced herself, her background and her history with the City of
Miami Beach.
o The Foundation’s Adaptive Beach Days are the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month
from 11:00am-3:00pm (setup starts at 8:00am) and she went on the further explain
her current management agreement for the future Adaptive Center at Beachview
Park. She gave an update on the funding and challenges. She described the
impact that Adaptive Beach Day’s has made on the community and visitors that
participate.
o Jose Del Risco gave an update on the updates that will be done to Beachview Park,
which will be a fully accessible playground.
o Sabrina Cohen mentioned the brick campaign and naming opportunities she has
put together to raise funds for the park and center. Information is available at her
foundation’s website.
o David Berger asked if the City still had an adopt a bench program and Jose Del
Risco confirmed that we do.
o The following motion was made: The Parks and Recreational Facilities Advisory Board
motions to urge the City to explore budgeting additional access mats and related
storage for events on the beach, such as Formula 1, Art Basel, Air & Sea Show, etc.,
to provide greater accessibility for attendees. Further, providing requirements for
event producers to pay for the provision of said services.
Motion made by: Carolina Jones
Motion seconded by: Jonathan Fryd
Motion passes: Unanimously
PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
PARKS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ADVISORY BOARD
MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 12, 2023, MEETING
MIAMI BEACH GOLF CLUB, 2301 ALTON ROAD
3
Members Present for Motion: Jonathan Fryd, Janie Hayes, Joseph Hernandez,
Carolina Jones, David Nguah, Sean Smith, Joshua Lifshultz, Donald Goldberg,
Shannon Koonin, Joelle Gringarten
Members not Present: David Berger
• South Pointe Park Drum Circle History
o Sean Smith introduced the item and Jose Del Risco began to give a summary on the
history of the South Pointe Park Drum Circle.
o Several board members openly discussed to further understand the challenges.
o Jose Del Risco explained what the current state is and how it is being enforced and
communicated.
o Shannon Koonin read the petition from Raquel Pacheco and the board members
discussed.
• Public Input / Open Discussion
o No discussion took place
Meeting Adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
UPCOMING 2024 MEETING DATES
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Tuesday, June 4, 2024
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Tuesday, December 10, 2024