10/28/1996 (2)
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PARKS &
RECREATION
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Parks & Recreation Board
Minutes
. Date
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Absent:
Charles Weaver
Donald Harris
William Kirbas
Gary Giordano
Larry Lindner
Freda Clayton
Ream Wilson
Art Kader
Steve Miller
Gwen Legters
Gary Meritt
Chair
Vice Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Parks and Recreation Director
Parks and Recreation Assistant Director
Recreation Superintendent
Board Reporter
Board Member
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PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
CITY OF CLEARWATER
October 28, 1996
Present:
The Chair called meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall. To provide continuity, the
items are listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
Minutes Approval -- September 23, 1996
I:)
Member Lindner requested amendment of the second sentence in the first paragraph
on page 8. He wished to encourage the City, State and County to incorporate bike lanes
into existing wide boulevards and future road expansion projects whenever feasible. He
also corrected the spelling of the McMullen contract tennis instructor's name to Anandan.
Member Harris moved to approve the minutes as amended. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
3. Correspondence
In response to a memo from the City Clerk, consensus of the board was to reschedule
the May 1997 meeting to May 19, due to the Memorial Day holiday. Mr. Wilson
questioned where the board wishes to hold meetings while the Commission Chambers is
unavailable during City hall renovations. Consensus was to hold the January meeting at
Countryside Recreation Center. Consecutive meetings will be scheduled at other Parks
and Recreation facilities, as needed.
4. Upcoming Recreation Events -- Report by Steve Miller
Mr. Miller distributed handouts highlighting programs and events scheduled for
November. He called attention to the Lunchtime Concert Series at Station Square Park;
Clearwater for Youth Basketball; Good Life Celebration for Seniors 50 +; Pier 60 Park &
Playground Grand Opening; the 18th Annual Times Turkey Trot; and the Sunday afternoon
hours pilot program at five Parks and Recreation community centers.
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Discussion ensued regarding the need to ensure rollerbladers and skaters do no enter
the Turkey Trot 8S it progresses through residential areas. Mr. Miller reminded the
audience rollerblades are not allowed in the Turkey Trot. He agreed with a suggestion to
hold a rolJerblade race in conjunction with the Turkey Trot, if anyone wants to sponsor
such an event. Discussion ensued regarding sport and age group matching in the Good
Life events. One member felt City aquatics programs would have better participation if
advertised in the newspaper under "swimming" instead of "aquatics." Discussion ensued
regarding the City's new head swimming coach, and whether someone has been assigned
to manage the Master's swimming program. Mr. Miller listed the events projected for the
Pier 60 grand opening.
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5. Presentation ~~ Recreation Facilities Program ~~ Larry Dowd, Superintendent
Mr. Wilson introduced Mr. Dowd, stating the City receives compliments on the
recreation facilities in this active division. Mr. Dowd gave a slide presentation highlighting
responsibilities of the General Maintenance Division. A mobile Custodial section takes care
of facility restrooms. The SaJlfeld Maintenance section performs grounds, court and field
upkeep, game preparation, and creates new courts. He explained how the division
fabricates and refurbishes most park amenities and related equipment, including signs,
tables, benches swings; wooden fitness apparatus and trash receptacle enclosures.
Welders repair and fabricate playground equipment, foul poles, hand (ails, fencing,
barricades. and painting racks. He illustrated how playground and fitness equipment is
created to be ADA accessible. The Electrical unit completes hundreds of work orders for
service, repairs and installation every year. This division is liaison with cosponsored sports
groups and user leases to provide facilities for tournaments and practices. Mr. Dowd
described how sports fields are created and/or renovated through cooperation with the City
Nursery and Public Service divisions to cultivate and fertilize, provide weed control, install
irrigation systems, and pour concrete.
In response to Questions, Mr. Dowd said the caretaker at Crest Lake Park was working
well. Mr. Wilson agreed, stating caretakers will be provided wherever possible.
Responding to questions regarding vandalism on fitness courts and trails, Mr. Wilson
characterized the damage as minor, mostly graffiti. One member reiterated previous
requests to restore and Clearly mark the Crest Lake Park jogging trail, and install a water
fountain near the fitness court. Discussion ensued regarding the merits of fitness courts
versus trails.
6. Public Hearing -- Reconsideration of name for new park on Gulf Blvd. on Sand Key
Dick Ruben spoke on behalf of the Sand Key Civic Association. After the City
Commission rejected all four proposed names, the group rediscussed the issue. and now
proposes the name, "Say Park on Sand Key." While agreeing the name is geographically
descriptive, some felt the name is too long. Concerns were expressed the name is too
neutral and the board should be allowed to recommend names. Mr. Ruben and several
board members indicated a preference for the previous choice, Pelican Bay Park.
:)
Member Giordano moved to approve the name. "Bay Park on Sand Key" as submitted
by the Sand Key Civic Association. Members Weaver, Harris, Kirbas, Giordano and
Clayton voted "Aye"; Member Lindner voted ttNay.tl Moth;m carried.
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7. Ord Business
A. f?t. Petersburg Junior Colleoe Fields -- Update
Mr. Wilson reported he will meet with SPJC representatives to discuss the options.
He indicated the school wishes to reserve first option on field use, working with the City
on maintenance. In response to a question, he indicated the school is not interested in
pursuing the golf driving range, but it is something the City may wish to investigate for the
future. The current priority is retaining the baseball and soccer fields.
B. E'arks and Beach Ordinance 6070-96 -- Proposed amendments
Mr. Wilson related details of the ordinance designed to authorize the City Manager to
regulate certain park and beach uses based on public health, welfare, and safety. The
board wished to ensure such regulation is not done indiscriminately, but on a case by case
basis. Mr. Wilson responded the City does not wish to create a proliferation of negative
signs. He related two examples in which the City Manager would have discretion to
address potential risks to health, welfare and safety.
Member Kirbas moved to endorse Ordinance 6070-96 to the City Commission. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
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C. Kiosk at Clearwater Mall -- Information regarding detailed maps
Mr. Miller responded to a board member's request for more detailed maps to City
facilities in the Clearwater Mall information kiosk computer. He said Information Services
Director Jeff Harper has indicated the existing hardware will not support detailed maps,
Due to the cost involved, no changes are anticipated. Mr. Miller distributed copies of a
leisure services guide containing a map and a detailed listing of City recreation facilities
and services. The guide is available at the kiosk for those wanting more detailed
information.
D. Deteriorated Plastic Slides -- Response to Board
Mr. Wilson reported slides at Crest Lake Park have been replaced. The City is
installing new playground equipment at Ross Norton Park.
E. Bike Lanes ~~ Proposal to incorporate lanes into wider roadways
Mr. Wilson suggested postponing detailed discussion of this item to the November
meeting, when Parks and Recreation's Jon Russell can share information he has obtained
from the Pinellas County bikeway committee. Consensus was to accept this suggestion.
F. Political Camoaian M,aterials at Advisorv Meetinas -. Response to Board
Mr. Wilson distributed an opinion from Assistant City Attorney John Caressas,
indicating the City has the right to ask board members not to wear political materials while
the members are acting in an advisory capacity to the City Commission. It was indicated
this was done to avoid placing a political slant on public meetings.
".:)
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8. New Business
A. Del Oro Fitness Trail -- Discussion regarding trail versus court
Mr. Wilson reported staff will be meeting with the Del Oro Homeowners Association to
determine whether they prefer a fitness trail or a court. One indication was a trail might fit
in better with the new park, but staff has no preference.
8. Leisure Services Brochure
Discussion of this item occurred during Item 7C, above.
C. Informational Proaram for November Meetina
Board members concurred with Mr. Wilson's suggestion to invite Jon Russell, Parks
and Recreation Administrative Support Manager II, to give a presentation at the November
meeting.
Board Comments
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Earlier in the meeting Member Lindner questioned the status of McMullen Tennis court
lighting, and what can be done to improve the complex to create a reputation as a first
class public facility. Mr. Miller hoped the lighting bid will be awarded by midwNovember.
Mr. Wilson said $80,000 is budgeted for much.needed restroom renovation. Discussion
ensued regarding what is done at municipal tennis facilities in Tampa, Metro-Dade County,
and Winter Haven. In response to questions, Mr. Wilson did not feel support exists for
expanding the clubhouse and pro shop, but painting and maintenance are planned in
conjunction with restroom renovations. He indicated staff is trying to focus on providing
adequate court space to all who desire to play tennis. Mr. Kader said staff is careful with
taxpayers' money and cautioned against rushing into a project without proper
investigation. Staff responded to questions regarding the showers and locker rooms. Staff
agreed more research and study is needed regarding soft courts. Mr. Wilson said asphalt
on courts #1 through #8 may have deteriorated because it was laid during hot weather.
Staff is pursuing estimates for replacing the asphalt during cooler months.
Member Harris requested Mr. Kader to resume providing the status report of current
CIP projects. Board members agreed.
Member Lindner expressed concern with a negative statement reported in the
newspaper about the safety of the Pinellas Trail. Mr. Wilson shared the concern and said
staff is looking into the incident. He said preliminary work is underway to begin the
process of opening the trail through Clearwater. He hoped to report a start date at the
next meeting.
Chair Weaver requested photo name tags for board members. Mr. Wilson will
coordinate.
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Chair
Parks and Recreation Board
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Member Kirbas reminded staff to agenda election of 1997 board officers far the
November meeting. He requested staff ta research the status of the City Commission's
plan to meet with individual advisory boards for better communication. He thanked staff for
their help with the Clearwater Beach Association's Oktoberfest. He expressed concern
with a report staff was being asked to spend more than eight hours investigating board
questions. He wished to state, for the record, he could not think of anything the Parks and
Recreation Board asked that took eight hours.
Mr. Kader reported staff has been working with adjacent condominium associations to
provide a City sidewalk along one side of Sabal Springs Drive to the Countryside
Recreation Center. 80th developments were concerned with the impact of a sidewalk on
. the aesthetics of their landscaping improvements. A sidewalk was not installed when the
condos were built because the City did not own the roadway until recently.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.
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