04/22/2008
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
April 22, 2008
Present: Ray Shaw Chair
Tom Fletcher Board Member
Brooks Hammac Board member
Jonathan Wade Vice-Chair
Allen Weatherilt Board Member
Ron Whitcomb Board Member
Jane Williams Board Member
Also Present: Kevin Dunbar Director-Parks & Recreation
Kerry Kimball Marsalek Office on Aging
Marsha Beall Staff Assistant
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. at Long Center, Clearwater, FL.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
2 - Approval of Minutes – March 25, 2008
Member Hammac moved to approve the minutes of March 25, 2008 as submitted to
motioncarried
members. The was duly seconded and unanimously.
3 – Unfinished Business
a. Capital Projects Update – Mr. Dunbar reviewed the Capital Improvement Projects report:
??Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex – This project provides for the renovation and improvements
of the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex. The first phase of this project is out to bid. The
project should take sixty days to complete. Still waiting to hear back from Pinellas County
for their participation in constructing four (4) full size multi-purpose fields for NW corner.
Eventually, all this property will be completely fenced in. Once the facility is completed
1200 parking spaces will be available (which will fill contractual obligations with the
Phillies).
??
Downtown Boat Slips & Promenade - On March 13, 2008 the citizens of Clearwater
approved a referendum allowing boat slips to be built along the downtown waterfront. The
original estimate of costs for the project was $10,249,718. Due to escalating prices the
total cost for the project increased to $12,972,350. The project's revised budget was
approved at the April 17 meeting. The promenade is scheduled for construction this spring
and boat slips for summer 2009. Members Williams and Hammac inquired about parking
improvements and landscaping. Mr. Dunbar explained part of the proposed long-term
plansfor Coachman Park would eliminate the Drew Street "loop" and replace the
Harborview Center parking with expanded green space. Access to the boat slips would be
routed to Pierce Street, and Cleveland Street from Osceola Avenue to the waterfront would
become a pedestrian promenade. Parking would be relocated to another location, either
under the bridge (where parking currently exists) or at the top of the bluff. Member
Hammac has concerns over available parking for the boaters using the marina. Mr. Dunbar
recommended contacting Bill Morris, Harbormaster or attend some of the Marine Advisory
Board meetings for updates concerning the proposed design for marina parking.
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??Lake Chautauqua – working with School Board on the trade of property. Concerns have
arisen due to the recent announcement that Superintendent Wilcox and Property Manager
Jim Miller will be vacating their positions. They were key players in this process. Proposal
to purchase the Ruppel property was sent to TPL (Trust for Public Land) in March. A
critical path for the project has been developed. Basically, TPL’s proposal was made
during the height of property values. The City will only be permitted to purchase this
property based on a current appraisal price.
??
Ross Norton-Phase III – Clearwater has partnered with the State of Florida and “Changing
Point” (Let Them Be Kids) to construct a new playground in front of the complex. Tonight,
Ms. Leonard is facilitating a meeting with the planning committee to continue deliberations
about the upcoming project. The new playground will be constructed on Saturday, June 14.
??
Infrastructure CIP – Woodgate Park - new playground equipment has been delivered and
ready to install. Cliff Stephens – removing two unused docks and rebuilding the remaining
two.
??
Armory Renovation – in process. Events staff are anticipated to move there in July 2008.
??
Nursery Maintenance Building – 100% completed, processing Certificate of Occupancy
and closing project.
??
Enterprise Dog Park – completing design and ready to go out to bid. Completion should be
by end of 2008. In the large run are two uplands areas, so a pedestrian/dog bridge will be
built as a connector piece.
??
Clearwater Beach Recreation Center/Library Expansion – Phase I work continues in order
to move the library in to the existing Center by end of May 2008. The new expanded fitness
space should be ready May-June. Renovation to the multi-purpose space continues.
Entire project completion is expected by December 2008. Chair Shaw asked about the
progression of the volunteer program for this center. Mr. Dunbar advised that much of
volunteer time is spent meeting with staff, volunteering time at some of the special
programs and disseminating information to the community about activities at the Center.
??
Kapok Spur Trail – ready to go out to bid once receive OGT (Office of Greenways & Trails)
approval.
??
Druid Road Trail – waiting on DOT approval to begin construction on the section of trail
along Druid Road from Glen Oaks to the beach. Mandalay Channel – bridge is under
construction. Anticipated completion by June 2008.
??
East Lake Avenue Bike Lane – development of a bike lane boulevard along the south lane
of East Avenue. Vehicle usage on East Avenue will become a one-way thoroughfare
going north. Waiting to hear if scope of work is adopted by DOT. This project is fully
funded. Member Williams inquired as to the plans for landscaping along this route. Mr.
Dunbar advised this would occur as part of the Downtown Streetscape project from
Court/Chestnut to Drew St. It is also up to CSX’s approval.
??
Adopt a Park – 27 partners to date, which is well in excess to what was expected.
??
Other – updates on additional ongoing projects are part of this report and submitted to
members.
b. Office on Aging
Mr. Dunbar invited Kerry Kimball Marsalek, Office on Aging Manager to present an update
on the Office on Aging program. Ms. Marsalek came on board in 2006. She has a strong
background, including a Masters in Gerontology from University of South Florida. Ms. Marsalek is
charged with facilitating the city’s Communities for a Lifetime efforts and the development and
implementation of an Aging Well Master Plan.
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Since Ms. Marsalek joined the Parks & Recreation Division, she has implemented multiple
initiatives to address the needs of our older residents. She has been responsible for facilitating a
Needs Assessment, Aging Well Publication, Transportation Options, File for Life Program,
expansion of senior Programs in community centers and many other programs. Ms. Marsalek and
members conversed about some of these programs and future endeavors for seniors.
Member Williams brought up the question as to why the city no longer has a dedicated
senior citizens center. Mr. Dunbar explained that all of our recreation centers offer senior
programs allowing seniors to utilize programs closer to their homes. City staff are in discussions
with UPARC to acquire some dedicated space to function exclusively for seniors. The funding to
refurbish the space would come from dollars available in Penny for Pinellas. Discussions are also
ongoing with Senior Services about them endowing funds to the city for operating cost of that
space.
4 – New Business
a. Upcoming Recreation Events
The Clearwater Parks & Recreation Calendar for April/May 2008 was distributed to
members. Mr. Dunbar mentioned some upcoming events: April 25 - Q Fest; April 26-27 - Fun N
Sun Country Fest and Latin Carnival; May 3-4 Pinellas Living Green Expo at Harborview Center.
Mr. Dunbar invited members to attend the Annual Parks and Recreation Volunteer
Appreciation Party on May 13 at Moccasin Lake from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
b. Budget cutting ideas
Member Williams requested a portion of time set aside to discuss potential cost savings
measures of city parks. Her thought was to convert some of the "parks" that are not recreational
to "preserves" and therefore provide far less maintenance by mowing only along the
sidewalks...similar to what is done at Lake Chautauqua.
Some candidate parks could be:
Kapok Park
??
the area at the intersection of Hercules and Lake view. We know this as Maple Swamp
??
Prospect Lake Park and Glen Oaks probably ought to stay manicured since they are so
??
visible from down town
Bayview Park (US19 and the bay)
??
Coopers Bayou
??
Discussion ensued. Mr. Dunbar advised that out of the 1500 acres of parks in Clearwater,
350 acres are kept natural. The Parks & Recreation maintenance is dictated by seasonal
changes. The budget has to reflect any projected expense incurred. The challenge is the
fluctuation of possible staff reductions and contracted service costs. Mr. Dunbar commented that
Kapok Park is funded by stormwater and would be costly for city staff to maintain natural
overgrowth. Bayview is maintained under direction of a State Grant. Mr. Dunbar will investigate if
the City it is responsible for maintaining a meadow on site and arrange funding support to plant
native plants.
Chair Shaw stated that generally speaking the concept is good, but not all our citizens want
to see natural environments in a metropolitan area. There is a certain population in the city that
want to see the parks maintained and not grown wild or under strict environmental controls. Mr.
Dunbar mentioned that figures show Clearwater is at 98.2% built out and is the more densely
populated city in the most densely populated county in Florida. Citizen opinions should be heard,
but unanimity is difficult to achieve.
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5 - Not on the Aqenda
The Council for the Friends of McMullen Tennis Complex on Edenville Road in Clearwater
asked Member Whitcomb to thank City representatives and Mayor Hibbard for the support to put
the McMullen Tennis project back in to the 2008-2009 budget and also co-partner with citizens to
securing funding to build additional courts. Mr. Dunbar mentioned that staff have already contacted
UST A. The City will also attempt to secure a grant from the National UST A for $50,000, that the
Florida USTA may match. The proposal is to build up to eight (8) courts (based on funds
assembled) on the area east of the existing courts.
Member Williams inquired as to the status of Morningside Recreation Complex project. Mr.
Dunbar advised that the operation is a fully funded project in the 2009 budget and is not currently
on any reduction list, but has been tabled for now. The Council plans are to address this project in
November 2008.
6 - Adiournment
Members adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
The next meeting will be held May 27,2008 at Long Center.
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