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08/25/1975 . ' " , V~' ,:'0 CITY OF CLEARWATER PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MINUTES AUGUST 25, 1.975 / .,"......./ The regular monthly meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board was held at the department offices 10 South Missouri' Avenue on Monday, August 25, 1975 at 7:30 P.M. Present were Mr. Dick ,Prokes Chairman; Mrs. Edwin Grenelle, Mrs, Melvin Taube; and Messrs. Harold Robinson, Frank Tack, Gus Stavros, Al Price, Bill Justice, Henry McWhorter, Jr., Ream Wilson and Eddie C. Moore. , Approval of minutes for the regular nnd special meetings during the month of July will be delayed until the next Board meeting in September. Board members received copies of department reports for the month of July and year-to-date with total department bud- get expenditures l~% below normal during the nine months fiscal year. However,' expenditures for the summer should closely balance the budget inasmuch as $45,000. in maintenance of facil- ities at Jack Russell Stadium, National Guard Armory, Shuffle- board and Lawn Bowling has not been encumbered at present; although bids are now being asked for the Jack Russell Stadium job. The Glen Oaks Golf Course receipts slightly exceeded ex- penses in July and fiscal year receipts at this facility exceed 'expenses by $31,262.66. We have recently acquired a new Golf Course Manager, Mr. Chris Hardman. City department staff members have twice met with City' Manager Picot Floyd and members of the City Commission to dis- cuss the 1975-76 City Budget. Final action on the budget is scheduled for Thursday, September 4, 1975 at 12:30 at City Hall. The matter of fees for swimming at Morningside and Bobby Walker Pools and tennis at Bayfront Courts and McMullen Park has not been determined at,this time. , I The Board was advised construction continues on the McMullen Park Tennis Clubhouse. The eight tennis courts have been com- pleted;a1though nets have not been placed. We hope to deter- mine if charges are made for court usage before placing nets. If this appears to be several weeks away, we will consider putting up the nets and opening play through the day without charge un- til a definite decision is reached. The Board was informed that tennis backstop and bikQ trails have now been completed at Del Ora Park. The building nt this facility has been completed with the exception of restrooms. Also, handball courts have been ~omp1eted with the e~ception of painting. The edges of the hand- ball courts and the tennis backstop area must be filled with dirt and sodded prior to total completion. We will determine if funds a,re available for blke trails to Bayshore Boulevard aftt'r completion of all of the above-mentioned projects. '.,'. ,..... '., . , . ,'0: ,..-' Plnns are being mode at Wood Valley to construct R buildini 30' x 40' by our Building Department. We have met with Mr. Volland's creWR to discuss this hullding. J'urt.hPT. it 1s expected funds will be made available for construction of n concrete multipurpose area. Provision is being made for construction of an BOO ft. sidewalk in the corridor at Valencia Park. The six-car parking lot is yet to be constructed for this facility. , 'd . , We have requested Public Service grade approximately 2~ acres of the Woodgate area for a children's playfield. There are seven acres available to the City at this particular tract. City engineer surveyors have been contacted to set grade stakes with Public Service doing the grading. ~. . The Board was advised a National Bicycle Moto-Cross Race sponsored by the local Optimist Club will be staged at area south of Carpenter Fieldl this weekend. We will assist the club in preparing this arca in whatever manner is possiblc. , I ., ,. " ';'~ .. ->, ~ > j ." /. '.Jl .!. . The Southern Region Softball Tournament will be played at'Jack RUBsel1 Stadium August 27-30. with Bombers serving as hosts'for the Tournament. The winner will advance to the National Tournament to be played at Hayward, California, September 5-13, 1975. .'..1 r', ' ) , , I :{:,,:';':,:Z) .. ~ . ' . .Ji".:' ... "~ . i\,' . ~ ',' . . ' ... ,,-.... ;";. . ".Mr. Moore reported the four shuffleboard courts have beenco~structed at the Greenwood Complex and only horseshore courts n,ow remain to be built to complete this project. , The Board was advised a drainage problem still exists at Kings 'Highway Neighborhood Center, and upon completion of these problems ,the parking area will be finished. We arc ,improving the'outside area temporarily with Park personnel, and upon com- :pl~ti~n of the parking ,1~t the Nursery Division will landscape the entire area. ;'t ~ ~ ~ ' ~' -', ;!(:'" ' .....r: ...,., ! , ' ",:.'.) '.' .-:~,' '~: .: ~,:,:". '< ....-, k'f ~.>~. ~. ~ \ ." . ,~.::. '.' 'I ., . :~:/'" .. .A deep well has been installed ~t the Bay Drive project to provide an irrigation system. At this date fill dirt is needed' prior to finishing the landscaping by the Nursery Divi- sion. .'. ,. . ri-; :. Landscaping of the East Clearwater Pollution Control Plant ~ontinues by the Nursery Division. All trees being utilized in ,this ar~a. have been donated to the department. ~. ~. "' '. :~::~" . ~ / ' '1' . '1.' :..' I Construction of restrooms for Bobby Walker Pool hns been ,cleared. However, the Hethbd to transfer $15,000. in City :.funds to the:County School Board needs' to b~ worked out with our Finance Department. i' , L,c l't r~ .' ',I', ".1 '. ,TO, '. i;,',:<:t~\ " ....':'........~... '~:~~. '. ..,. L~;.:(, ] ,~: " ~}:~: . 1" ~:: ,... -2- I' , ' '. "; ,. ,. -,1 ,"'., . . .. a Mr. Wilson roported on the District tv Meeting of Lhe Florida Recreation nnd Parks ABsocintion scheduleu for l:luOlr- water on September 16th. Huard members were advised they ore invited to attend uny of these sessIons. In discussing recreational facilities for Chesapeake Villns motion by Mr. Justice and seconded by Mr. Stavros thnt the Parks nnd Recreation Board sugges~we proceed with capital improvements of the 4-acres for recreation including swimming pool, ballfield, multipurpose area, playground apparatus nnd any other recreational equipment adaptable to this area. Mo- tion carried. Mr. Robinson, suggested the City consider construction of a tennis bac.kwall at the Greenwood Complex tennis courts,. ,I It was reported there has been boat launching on the north side of Clearwater Causeway and picnicing on the south side of the Causeway. After a discussion among Board members, it was suggested the department look into this matter to determine as to whether this violates City ord~nances in any respect. ," ':"', " ~ , I'," 'r " ' , ' , ' ,iii",>:,: ' ,...... .. Mr. Stavros advised the Board he had received a letter from Mr. Gerald Rehm of Dunedin with regard to suggesting the Parks a~dRecreation Board recommend waiver of non-resident fees foi ,the 'Youth Winter Instructional Baseball League. After discussion) the'Board agreed' that such a request was not within the province of the..' Parks and Recreation Board inasmuch a.s the City Commission ,hRsnot.requested inform~tion from them in this respect. Mr. 'Moore a~vised the Board that he was scheduled to meet with Asst. City Ma~ager" Mike Paroby, and Hr. Rehm on Tues., August 26th, to 'discuss this matter. Mr. Moore stated he had previously ad- vi~~d'Mr. Rehm that, this was a matter to he discussed with the City Commission. " " ce' ~ . \ T .'.\ "dO, , . , '..~. '1 ,.' ' " ' ~!)':.;,', ,'.',<" , ~.... 'I ',:: ,." '-.' ~:. : Mr. Moore reported he expects to vacation from September 22 to October 1st and attend the meeting of the Executive Board of the Amateur Softball Association in Chicago October 2 - 4.' It will be necessary to schedule the next meeting of the Board on Monday~, September lSthJ or Mr. Wilson" may rept:esent the depart- ment at the,regular meeting scheduled September 22. After dis- cussionJ 'it was decided to hold the meeting on Monday, September 15. '::,\ .. c ~" . ,,' t'.. ' "!Y.c',' c': ' '.V ~> . ~~H.'~',: ' (T ~.~ '; . '.t,' , .1 . ~ , . " .t'..... . ~, '. L.. . ,." 'r,",'" There being no further business. the meeting was adjourned. :~:~. . > , ~ ~. \ " "1', .' : r '..> .!l!" :~ . . :,!;>,,'\:., , !/-:/~ ~f \,;1.1:,', '!l-'~ :,': . '1. ;;:, ': ;f) " " 1\ ~; ., '4 ";. .: I }~ . . ~.~~!~Ll;\..> . <' ..., \ (- . -.-' . t, . , , ; l\ ~ 1'\1... ~. ,\ ',i' l. :, :. . ,ii>, : ~ ' 'l '..,.. ....... ..' i- ,'11, \ I 6 t/ . ' " '. REPORT: NON-RESIDENT RECREATION FEES ,/ /'" f ~/ d PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT / .../ t BACKGROUND In ja~uary, 1975 the city commission approved the establishment of non-resident charges for various Parks and,Recreation Programs_ The charge established was $10.00 and was determined by dividing the 1974-75 Recreation Budget of $800,000 by the population of the citY'of Clearwater, or 80,000 people. :'J " .The objective of the policy wa~ to collect from non-resident . participants an amount equal to the per ~apita cost heretofore' assUmed only by city residents. ..,:. ~:":'9"" , '::: .' ':, (.,,: , ~ " . . , , . STATUS OF NON-RESIDENT POLICY .;,' , ' ,'" .,.~: . ;1, " ?:~'" Siriqe'the establishment of the non-resident. policy and the date of this memorandum, the Parks and Recreation Department has sold 1,5.95 non':'"'resident cards and has deposited $15,950. " . '"'. ';: (, , " " The policy has been received with mixed 'reaction. The effective- "ness .of enforcement has varied with three different program areas. '. ", (. ," 1. PROGRAMS WHICH REQUIRE REGISTRATION. CONDUCTED ENTIRELY' ~ CITY PERSONNEL ~ : ~ >, .i, . .) Virtually 100% of all participants have purchased non-resident cards to participate in th~se pr~grams. This involves activities such as adult softball, day camps, swimming classes at Morningside and Bobby "Walker pools, arts and crafts, baton, ballet, tap :. dancing, dog obedience, and other special interest ';' programs. ':.: ':. '. ~ f. :. " " . .. . ':'~'.: :' '" //'." " ; \~, ~. , ....' ...~...... ~i>;;'~' .' 'i....,.' /~..)" ~; ~ i' ,'. T '. . :i' ':.~;~~ 'I :' ,The above programs are conducted by department 'personnel on city facilities and non-residents must' 'possess a card to be admitted to the program. ',oil._ . ~; ": >, ,I., . ~~{~i\,: ......:... .~< 1y~ ".", ' ,. ~~~~ '~.:~<\ ,"- ...'.. ..... '~." '~. , , " : '. . . .~. "~': .'..... ," ,,'. . J 'I I ,," .",', , ':'. , '.. /'~:;.~;--::;:.; .m.~...~' .' ':c'. . '::Y.:\.'. j' ':',' ',' ,..:, ",.':. :'-'" ~,' :, :"."':""",.", :,',:.:,,:'L'~.~':,;. "" ,:;:.',:;.' ..': :" '~;;<:',:: ... "It', ':,',' : r,".~ic <:L::! :p':\'.:: /:i;:.;: ; .. '. ': ~'.:. '. ". .':.. " ." .' ..,.,:'"" '... ',; ::'~". ,'..',; '. ., , '. . " :~..':..>~:I~ :',::'::':' ,',"',"'~;~ ::.~: ,',:; ,~,,"" .:,;: . ;', . "" ,,, .'.,,' <-::.",:"..:<." ,';::' ";:?i?;i),~'I~'j'\',,:"":: ii~'::)~::':",:I~i '! ;;~;'. '.'.,-- ',;, ...... ::'I,J,{i,: ;:,:;,i';;c::"'::';;;~;<!'1f' ... , " .. " '.'., i ," I. \ T' ,": . . "-/, , , '. ' " I, . , ,~ ' " , . ~ "~,, " :',' .~:; . . '. ,. . .:. /',:' '.' :: ?'..' " "'.'. , . ' '., . " :,': {. '."'''.~~ ~. . ;, '" , I '~t . , .. (, , , II II I:, , ~ . f' ','i ~., ~; I , " ,'. ~ . . .... .' < " , :'., ~' ..> . .. .' .' I, , " '. " I ,~:, . ~ ~ , , '. Pr ,. , i .'~. :/ Little League Baseball I, r. ,.' ,Babe Ruth League Baseball j: ::\ Winter Instructional Baseball, ". .., . clearwater High School - baseball and' t.ennis I- . St. Petersburg Junior college - baseball, swimming, softball' ,: . Clearwater central catholic softball :: Junior Development Tennis ," Lawn Bowling Club I: t'i: ShUffleboard club, ;: Clearwater for Youth - football, swimming School System Adult Education' Programs Three Score Softball Clearwater Power Squadron Classes Junior Gators Football . programs relating to schools " In each ~f.,the above programs registrations are collected by : outside instructors or volunteers who actually sponsor, organize and conduct 'the activities. The majority of these volunteers . have cooperated very well, however, many of the participants have " not purchased non-resident cards since they are involved in running the act! vity. , . "'. ~': "~~." ~ , " \'" , ' . .\ r ;'c,: ' l\ . :,\,,' ;~. .' i ' \. ,.' \': . . j' ~ ,. . : c' ,is '~~. i .~ ,.,.~' "...',["J ~ . ': l . \ .: ...~ .. 11." t. -l., oJ ... ~:~ , ' . , '. ' ~ ,I I I ., ", , '2 . PROG~S CONDUCTED ON CITY FACILITIES WHI.CH 122. ~ INVOLVE REGISTRATION I' , :; The enforcement of the non-resident policy has been less effective in this area. A primary example is publip tennis courts where participants, as a ~ule, are left on the honor system. ~igns are posted at these facilities, however, personnel is not,available to register persons as they arrive to play. These areas are spot checked periodically but enforced.on a complaint basis only. I ',' '3. PROGRAMS CONDUCTED ON CITY FACILITIES !!X OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS This category includes the following activities: ,; t "c, , ",', :~>"(;~\" ,: ' . A!~.' ~?, ' , ~}: :.." .' c,. . ;' " " \" . 'j '.' ~J <. .'~ . ,. .~ ': \t:::i...... ~T:;'~ .: ~ .: '.: .,'.... " ;." .' :.' , '--'.. l . '. ' \~~"'.:> ' L'<~ ?~\ " ~)l! ,,'r:~ : ~; . " . ,'\ 2 , ~~. ;.1 I"',.,' h l ~ , 1 , , /, ',. t.., , ... t' : \i'j"l,' . r :.'rt< r :J. ~ 1 :' ~.:,'t ., ~ ',' .' t ~ " I ' ~! I 1 ~ I \ ' l I, 'I r: , , " L. I I, I ~.' 't l- iI I: ,I .:. i I 1 t" '. C.: . .', ; , t! l, \, . l . , !}, ;, ., ,.. II 'I , , , ,I I I " I" ') , . . .. " , ,,:><": il.;">"-.:; r' ", I' ' ~ I .' / ' ~ ' ,\~, .- '. '. I. I' 'I !, ,I ., ~ , The non-resid~nts involved are made aware of the policy but in some cases league rules complicate enforcement. For example" in order for the Clearwater'I.little League to retain its charter with Little League baseball they cannot require youngsters to pay a fee as a condition of participation. Rosters of players were requested by the Parks and Recreation Department although, only two of the four leagues submitted ~e. As a result, the number of non-resident Little League players paying the fee was substantially less then those who did not pay. I, I. , We feel the less than desired response received from this program carried over to other activities where many of the same volunteers were involved. : .'- .. .'. , .. 'The Parks and Recreation Department staff has met on different occasions with Little League officials in an attempt to improve enforcement. " . .; ~ . A second example is school teams or classes who utilize City' facilities. In some cases, the school itself pays for the number of non-residents they have in a particular program. However, at clearwater High School, each non-resident member of the baseball team had to pay his own fee to remain on the te~. J~: ~I> 0':' ,', (, J ~ . .: " ~ , ,'.: ': :-0 , , ~ : .'. , :' st. Petersburg JuniorCollege received a waiver of fees for the usage of Morningside Swimming Pool. They are also requesting usage of a baseball field for a college class and desire Holt , 'Avenue pool for a scuba diving class. (, . I , . :"1':' Clearwater for Youth'~ swimming team utilized Morningside Pool for practice sessions, however they scheduled city residents for these sessions. Other members of their swim team practiced at Bobby Walker pool at Clearwater High School. Their football program is in'progress and they are sending us copies of their rosters so that non-residents could be notified by letter regard- ingthe policy. ,,' ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ,) ,. i :',: . J ': , One of tbe major complaints received regarding the policy is that it does' not take into consideration the large family. ~, ;'; .~~'\ !t \J ~,:: .' C..~f J . " , ~:. . \ . < . , . " " , ~:...' ;.: - 3 ~'\~. ',: .' . -;... ~', . iiL:,:/':,,':'.: ..i: :.:::.. .' " . ~ " ,', " '. ' '~'.' '" : ',:: ' ," ': .' . ',,!. " ' ~' .~ " ,:" ,'. . ' . , , ' " ' , . .' : , ' , .. . If. ,'..' r" /, .fl "' , , . . G ".~ ;or Another',area of concern is those activities conducted by outside organizations. The majority of these groups spend considerable money and man hours in programs for youth. The city provides the facilities but is not involved in payments for leadership even though the majority of their participants may be city residents. If volunteers ' were not involved in conducting these programs the Parks and Recreation Department would most likely be called upon to fill the void. This would increase our cost in that, we now only provide the facility and not the leadership. I' .. . The County School System has been most cooperative in allowing . us to utilize many of their facilities. The enforcement of the non-resident fee for school sponsored programs has also been a concern to many. After reflecting on almost one years experience with the policy the staff respectfully submits the following recommendationst RECOMMENDATIONS: I~ ", 1. The non-resident fee based on the per capita expenditure for recreation programs be adjust~d to reflect the new budget and population figures for 1975-76, ie, a recreation budget of $1,313,645 divided by 81,000 people. For ease and uniformity of collection. a $15 fee per non-resident is suggested. I' :~ ; '..."'8:" . ... .. . -'" , , " ., , " ~ , 2. Planning Department figures indicate an average family ,size in clearwater is 2.5 persons. A family charge of $37.50 is recommended. , . . ,'" , " , :. , . . , " , :. ~. ' 3. It is also recommended the policy of exempting playgrounds. drop-in programs, activities where individual admission . tickets are sold. and rentals of public facilities be continued. , I~ I .." . " ,~, '.":: < 4. Further we recommend that all programs conducted by outside leadership, and which contain a majority of city residents, be exempt from paying non-resident fees. " /, l ~., \',' . , '.... I' ,I " ...' . .~.. ~" : . 5. Also, we recommend that with the above exceptions, the present policy be continued. ~e fee of $15 will affect only those programs conducted by city personnel on city facilities. ....~ . ." 'f; . .j, '. '..'.. , Acceptance of these recommendations will simplify implementation of non-resident fees by the Parks and Recreation Department. Also, we would expect to receive the total revenue as projected in the' 1975-76. budget. \, \',',. I.." :::,0 ,;!,'; :~, .,; ~:.;./ t. ' :t:: j ... (;r' j 'i: . . l. - 4 - ,. '