09/23/2008
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
September 23, 2008
Present: Jonathan Wade Vice-Chair
Tom Fletcher Board Member
Brooks Hammac Board member
Ron Whitcomb Board Member
Allen Weatherilt Board Member
Absent: Ray Shaw Chair
Jane Williams Board Member
Also Present: Kevin Dunbar Director-Parks & Recreation
Dawn Lewellyn Recreation Supervisor
Marsha Beall Staff Assistant
The Vice Chair called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. at Long Center.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
2 – Therapeutic Recreation Strategic Plan – Dawn Lewellyn
Since 2003, the City of Clearwater has provided recreational opportunities for people with
disabilities under the guidance of Dawn Lewellyn, a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
(CTRS). Today, the Therapeutic Recreation Office is located at the Long Center. In May 2007,
the City began a strategic planning process to access community needs for therapeutic recreation
services. The process was outlined and four goals were developed: increase accessibility,
enhance programming, public awareness/marketing and expanded advocacy/training.Strategies,
services and facilities are focused toward achieving these goals and improving the lives of
Clearwater members and visitors with disabilities. Successive to Ms. Lewellyn’s presentation to
the Parks and Recreation Board, members engaged in discussions about the program. Ms.
Lewellyn will present the 2008-2018 Therapeutic Recreation Strategic Plan to City Council for
acceptance.
3 - Approval of Minutes – July 22, 2008
Member Fletcher moved to approve the minutes of July 22, 2008 as submitted to members.
motioncarried
The was duly seconded and unanimously.
4 - Unfinished Business
a. Clearwater Country Club
Pursuant to Member Williams inquiry in July 2008 regarding who was responsible for
keeping Stevenson Creek clear of debris at and along the Clearwater Country Club, Mr. Dunbar
reported that the Parks and Recreations staff reviewed the site and contacted Public Services.
Public Services staff is responsible for making sure the creek is free of debris. They are placing a
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turbidity screen at the creek to help collect any further debris, will maintain the site on a regular
basis and send a report to DEP or SWFWMD, whichever appropriate.
b. Capital Projects Update – Mr. Dunbar reviewed the Capital Improvement Projects report:
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Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex – Mr. Dunbar continues to meet with interested parties
regarding plans for the renovation and improvements of the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex.
The major league baseball field project should begin in December 2008.
??Morningside Recreation Complex – the potential scope of this project remains in a state of
uncertainty due to budget constraints. Parks & Recreation has no real ability to absorb the
operational cost. The funding may need to come from new resources. It will be brought
forwarded as an agenda item to City Council in November 2008.
??Downtown Boat Slips & Promenade – Bayfront improvements and downtown boat slips
scheduled to go before CDB on October 21, 2008. Public Art - This project’s budget along
with in-lieu of contributions will constitute the funds used for a public art piece to be located
below the bluff near the entrance to the boat slips and promenade.
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Office for Aging – applied for a State grant to fund a dedicated senior space at the Long
Center/UPARC facility. Grant response due from State by 9/30/08. Mayor and
Councilmembers support this project.
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Lake Chautauqua – Pinellas School Board has signed an agreement to allow the City to
acquire the Lake Chautauqua School Board parcel. The agreement will be presented to
Council November 2008.
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Armory Renovation – work being completed. Events staff will move in the facility sometime
in late September/early October 2008.
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Enterprise Dog Park – completed tree inventory and removal of understory plants.
Anticipate beginning construction Oct./Nov. 2008 with a 90-day construction period.
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Clearwater Beach Recreation Center/Library Expansion – The new fitness and multi-
purpose rooms are completed and open, and the new social hall windows will be installed
from December 2008 through February 2009. Mr. Dunbar explained that renovations to the
social hall must be carefully scheduled to honor commitments that have already been
made for rentals of that space.
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Carpenter Renovations – at 60% review of construction drawings. Project will commence
May 1, 2009 and completed December 2009 to be ready for the 2010 Spring Training
Season.
??Kapok Spur Trail – spur from Kapok Park to Cliff Stevens Park should be completed by
October 2008.
??Druid Road Trail – still waiting on FDOT approval to begin construction on the Beach
Connector Trail section.
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Mandalay Channel – the construction of the new Mandalay Pedestrian Bridge is completed
and open to the public.
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Adopt a Park – have commitments from 50 organizations with 27 existing partners who
have adopted various city P&R facilities.
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Grants – closing out grant for the Countryside Community Park. In process of submitting
FRDAP grant for McMullen Tennis Center. Also working on FTC grant for School Board
Property.
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CFY Youth Athletics – CFY allocated funds for various co-sponsor groups.
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Other – updates on additional ongoing projects are part of this report and submitted to
members.
5 – New Business
a. Upcoming Recreation Events
The Clearwater Parks & Recreation calendar for September/October 2008 was distributed
to members. Mr. Dunbar mentioned this is a busy time of the year. There is quite a lot going on
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NOT ON AGENDA
Mr. Dunbar updated members on the recent news regarding the African American
Leadership Council financial situation. In September, Pinellas Core Management Services, an arm
of the county's Juvenile Welfare Board that oversees smaller agencies receiving funding, made the
decision to defund the AALC. This is where AALC received the vast amount of their funding to
provide its services to the community. Yesterday, the City of Clearwater officially notified AALC that
the City would be terminating their agreement with them. The City is working with JWB and
Pinellas Core Management Services to get a new operator in there to help continue services in the
North Greenwood community and Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center.
Mr. Dunbar summarized some of the impact the Council's budget for fiscal year 2009. The
budget reductions will pare headcount in Parks and Recreation by 14.8 full-time equivalent
positions, resulting in reduced operating hours at recreation centers and impacts to other services
such as landscaping and general maintenance.
6 - Adiournment
Members adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
The next meeting will be held October 28 at Morningside Recreation Complex.
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