Coral Ridge residents who hoped last week’s meeting of the city’s Parks, Recreation and Beaches Board would help resolve their $150,000 problem came away disappointed.

The money has been sitting in an escrow account for nearly a decade, ever since Bayview Elementary School paid to lease temporary classroom space from nearby George English Park.

But when members gathered to discuss potential improvements, they disagreed on how best to spend the money. One group wanted lights for the ball field. Another group, claiming an illuminated field would result in increased noise, traffic and litter, recommended improving the park’s amenities – landscaping, drinking fountains and playground equipment.

Board member John Aurelius, who had convened one of the meetings, said the group would not be able to reach an agreement and asked the Parks, Recreation and Beaches Board to decide which spending option should be recommended to the Board of Commissioners. The meeting, with 13 board members in attendance, began with member Mark McCormick stating that the baseball field “contractually has the right” to the money and that it should be spent on lights.

Betsy Dow, president of the Coral Ridge Civic Association, suggested that McCormick recuse himself from the deliberations because he represents the Fort Lauderdale Select Soccer League, which wants to use the ball field.

Dan Empty, treasurer of the Coral Ridge Little League, repeated in his address to the board that “the money was specifically allocated for ballpark improvement.”

Board chair Mark Hartman said any decision will be postponed until the June 24 meeting of the board.