| REPORT: |
Assistant County Attorney Monica Rizo read into the record the title of the foregoing discussion item.
Commissioner Heyman commented on her long-time, supportive involvement with non-profit organizations and her sponsorship of their annual fund raisers, which benefited the entire community. She advised the annual fund raiser of the March of Dimes, Walk-A-Thon, had been severely impacted due to the recent enforcement of Crandon Park’s covenant prohibiting advertising and promotional materials. She noted the need to make a formal request to Crandon Park Master Plan Amendment Committee (CPMPAC) to review and amend the covenant to facilitate annual fund raisers sponsored by deserving non-profit organizations at Crandon Park. She requested an alternative facility be identified to host this year’s event because the requirement to submit a request to amend the Crandon Park Master Plan 70 days prior to a scheduled meeting could not be sufficed.
Commissioner Heyman asked Department Director Jack Kardys, Parks and Recreation Department, to identify an alternative facility that could accommodate over 20,000 participants for five days in order to prevent the March of Dimes from loosing the event’s sponsors.
Mr. Kardys advised that the department had already met with the March of Dimes representatives at Tropical Park to discuss an alternative site, and the event was scheduled to take place at Tropical Park.
Discussion ensued regarding the covenant amendment of Crandon Park Master Plan, and how it related to signage and advertising.
Commissioner Heyman requested that the Parks and Recreation Department Director apprise the members of the RCA Committee in a public forum on covenant restrictions related issues of County parks or facilities whenever the sponsorship of an event at one of those facilities was under consideration.
Commissioner Heyman asked Assistant County Attorney Rizo to draft legislation for a presentation to be made to the CPMPAC requesting that the Crandon Park Master Plan be amended waiving restrictions on advertising and promotional materials for annual fundraisers sponsored by non-profit organizations at Crandon Park, and the waiver of restrictions would include the caveat that all advertising and promotional materials be removed at the end of each day. These organizations should include the March of Dimes, The Autism Walk-A-Thon, etc.
In addition, Commissioner Heyman asked Ms. Rizo to draft appropriate legislation waiving similar restrictions on advertising and promotional materials in County parks and other County-owned facilities provided the event was for a public purpose. |
