06/24/2008
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
June 24, 2008
Present: Ray Shaw Chair
Jonathan Wade Vice-Chair
Tom Fletcher Board Member
Brooks Hammac Board member
Ron Whitcomb Board Member
Absent: Allen Weatherilt Board Member
Jane Williams Board Member
Also Present: Kevin Dunbar Director-Parks & Recreation
Marsha Beall Staff Assistant
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. at Clearwater Country Club, Clearwater, FL.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
2 - Approval of Minutes – May 27, 2008
Member Fletcher moved to approve the minutes of May 27, 2008 as submitted to members.
motioncarried
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 – on June 17 Mr. Dunbar met with Paul Cozzie, Pinellas
County Director of Parks and Recreation to review the County’s participation in this project.
The County is very receptive to providing funding to build four fields on NW corner of the
complex, as well as restroom/concession building. If all goes well, construction should
begin April 2008. Multi-purpose fields: should be available for play in Fall 2008. The Junior
Tornado teams are not anticipated to move to these fields until their 2010 season due to
the support facility not being completed until then.
??Morningside Recreation Complex – working on agenda item to bring to Council August 7.
Discussion ensued and members agreed to explicate a letter of support for this project.
The letter will be submitted to members for approval at the July 22 meeting.
??Downtown Boat Slips & Promenade – Misener Marine awarded the design/build contract.
The final designs due next month. Promenade construction will not begin until sometime
after July. Construction schedule 180 days with January 2009 completion.
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Armory Renovation – in process. Events staff are anticipated to move in to facility
sometime in August 2008.
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Lake Chautauqua – continue discussions with Pinellas School Board to acquire the Lake
Chautauqua School Board parcel.
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Enterprise Dog Park – meeting with SWFWMD regarding environmental options.
Anticipate beginning construction Oct./Nov. 2008 with a 90-day construction period.
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Clearwater Beach Recreation Center/Library Expansion – preparing to move Library in to
the new Center; should be open to public July 2008. Renovations to the existing multi-
purpose space should begin Dec./Jan.
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OPUS – Bayfront Park Bluff site grading complete, implementing landscaping. Competition
slated for end of June 2008.
??Ross Norton-Phase III – the new playground, donated by the “Let Them Be Kids”
organization out of California, was constructed at Ross Norton on Saturday, June 14. In
turn, Clearwater will donate the old playground to the organization to be refurbished and to
build a park in another country. Over 350 volunteers attended during the day, including
Board members Shaw and Wade. The new playground was dedicated to Mr. Arturo
Huerta-Cruz, who was killed in Iraq.
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Kapok Spur Trail – received all State approvals, project out to bid. Contract duration 90
days.
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Druid Road Trail – waiting on FDOT approval to begin construction on the section of trail
along Druid Road from Glen Oaks to the beach.
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Mandalay Channel – project still on schedule. Anticipated completion by August 2008.
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East Lake Avenue Bike Lane – development of a bike lane boulevard along the south lane
of East Avenue. The plans have been submitted to CSX for approval. This project is fully
funded.
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Adopt a Park – to date 27 partners have adopted various city P&R facilities.
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Grants – the City has submitted a proposal for a FRDAP Grant for McMullen Tennis
Center. The proposal is to build up to eight (8) courts (based on funds assembled) on the
area east of the existing courts. Member Whitcomb mentioned the “Friends of McMullen
Tennis Complex” are planning fundraising events to raise additional funds above and
beyond the proposed amount. No work will begin until after July 2009.
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CFY Youth Athletics – at the Clearwater for Youth banquet in February 2008 the group was
provided with a challenge opportunity for a matching $700,000 grant. So far, they have
secured verbal commitments for $350,000. It is possible by years-end they will be able to
secure up to $1 million in total pledges.
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Other – updates on additional ongoing projects are part of this report and submitted to
members.
4 – New Business
a. Upcoming Recreation Events
The Clearwater Parks & Recreation Calendar for June/July 2008 was distributed to
members. Mr. Dunbar reminded members about the upcoming July 3-4 Clearwater Celebrates
America event at Coachman Park.
5 – Tour of Facility
Mr. J.C. Imfeld, Board of Directors and Ms. Paula Penix, Clubhouse Manager welcomed
the Parks and Recreation Board to Clearwater Country Club. The Country Club has been around
since 1920. The current clubhouse was built in 2001 and dedicated in 2002.The facility includes
locker rooms, game rooms, grill, dining rooms, pro shop and administrative offices. The Country
Club is presently open to both Golf and Social Memberships.
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Mr. Dunbar briefed members that on June 19, 2008 City Council approved the term sheet
establishing the basis for negotiations for City acquisition of 5.7 acres owned by Clearwater
Country Club Management, Inc. and amendment of the current Lease Agreement between the City
and CCC. Under the proposed deal, the city would purchase the clubhouse and the surrounding
5.7 acres, but the country club will continue to manage them.
6 - Adjournment
Members adjourned at 7:47 p.m.
The next meeting will be held July 22, 2008 at Long Center.
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Staff Assistant
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