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06/22/1998 (2) PARKS & o , 0 ..... ............. RECREATION p. ,';. ". -:' . .' ! h.. " t~~~"~~ i ~~ ~.~ t . I" ".. C,; ., ~ ' . ~. ( ~! :' !.~, . , . , '. I' . -.: ',;. ~'. ~ '.' . ~~;:.,~,~, \. <: .";. ., . ','i,:' . ,. ,. ',If, '. c' , ' 0 '/..:.' , ~+. ,.' ':. .' 'e. .. ~ ' , ~ . c ., ' . ~ . . _ 'J ~ .. ," c . , '. ~',.o ..,. I' . . ;'c'c,:" . .t,".. . '.,- ~~~ ~;. " ". (,; c '.' I.l,. .. .')" ~ '. ~ ::... .> , 0 ~~ " : i 1,."\" . '. ,. oj . ., - ~ .< . .' ;" : . , c ~~ ,_. ',~! ~" '.", ,.:.,< . .' : . . , L . .' ~ " 0 , . . "+' .. I .' . I . I .', . ~ , ' , , .. . :-' . "~ . ,. i... . c '. ',. .,' ...... . ". . . ~ , ' "<.', ," + . \ , . . ". ~ l :j,,. . ./"" I . ,I '.' . J . , " , " o .. Parks & Recreation Board Minutes Date .31-nr 22 J,qqi \ , '. .,. ., ..' . , I l, . ,t . o " . ~ r: . , .'.J.~' ",'... . . .." < . . ....'" fl,'" -F~. ,. -c' . ~ . . c _..' . . . _' : .' . '.' '.. ," " ~ ... . I'. " ~ .' . ~ .' I . I ' .... ~ . '. .' .c>~ r.c.~. ,;,~.'h"" ... .,.~. . .., " , . r (' , ! I , i I 0' I ! " , I qg,1 " ' ,"-') ..' r~'-. -, , J -..-' , , } , I .1 . ~ . . PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER June 22, 1998 Present: Gerry Shriver Gary Giordano Donald Harris Kim Cashman Stephen Swanberg Sarah Wiand Vice Chair Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Absent: Art Kader Birgitt Dowd Gwen Legters Larry Lindner Interim Parks and Recreation Director Public Information Specialist Board Reporter Chair To provide continuity for research. items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed In that order. , Interim Parks and Recreation Director called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. at the Municipal Services Building. 2. Election of Vice Chair Mr. Kader opened the floor for nominations for vice chair to fill the vacancy created when Bill Kirbas finished his term on the board. Member Giordano nominated Gerry Shriver. Member Shriver accepted the nomination. No other nominations were made. Upon the vote being taken, Member Shriver was unanimously elected as Vice Chair for the remainder of calendar year 1998. Member Shriver chaired the remainder of the meeting. " 3. Minutes Approval -- May 18, 1998 Member Harris moved to approve the minutes according to copies submitted in writing to each member by the Board Reporter. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 4. Corrospondonce - None 5. Upcoming Recreation Events - Public Information Specialist Birgitt Dowd Ms. Dowd reported July is National Recreation and Park Month. She responded to questions regarding handouts highlighting Summer Sports Camps, activities, and events in July. Board members were invited to sign up for reserved parking and seating at the July 41h Celebration at Coachman Park. Discussion ensued regarding the new event, Sunsets Music Series. The new edition of Clearwater magazine was reviewed. 6. Old Business mpr0698 1 06/22/98 ~., ,... :~t"'I''':''It'~'''H l.. ."'"'E ~ , ~....... C) ,J A. Current Capital Imorovement Status Mr. Kader distributed and reviewed a handout highlighting changes since last month. 8. Participant Cards/Fees Mr. Kader responded to questions, citing rising per capita costs of operating programs as rationale for raising' fees. While about 70% 'of Little League players are Clearwater residents due to zoned districts, only 400 of 1,300 soccer players are Clearwater residents. Concern was expressed that allowing non-taxpaying apartment dwellers to pay the resident rate with two proofs of residency was creating a double "hit" on taxpayers. Mr. Kader said it was felt renters' taxes are incorporated into their rental rates. Discussion ensued regarding paying partial year fees versus a per visit fee for winter residents and tourists. Consensus of the board was to support a non-resident rate of $60 per year annual individual fee. C. Skate Park Recommendations/Ordinance Mr. Kader reported the City Commission adopted the ordinance prohibiting skating on private property and on posted public property. Skating in parking lots on Clearwater beach was exempted from the ordinance. Once a property is posted, the ordinance can be enforced. The fine for violating the ordinance is $30. As a positive alternative, the Parks and Recreation Department is recommending the installation of a skate park, on a trial basis at the Bayfront Tennis Courts. Funds are in place and a $15,000 "vert" ramp has been donated. 7. New Business A. Phillies Aareement - Review In response to a request by Member Giordano, Mr. Kader provided a synopsis of the City's agreement to lease Jack Russell Stadium to the Phillies for $1 per year. Operating issues, shared use, and shared costs were reviewed. Revenue from concessions, sign age, and ticket sales belongs to the Phillies. A study is underway regarding economic benefits the Phillies bring to the City. Discussion ensued regarding personnel and insurance costs. While there is no rule that the stadium cannot be used for events other than baseball, some problems have occurred with damage by other uses such as concerts. B. Clean Teams - Clearwater Beach/Downtown Due to concerns about trash and debris causing a negative image on Clearwater beach, the city is sponsoring a trial program to remove trash and debris from sidewalks, curb areas, and parking lots twice a day, at specific areas of the beach. and Pier 60. Mr. Kader reviewed a preliminary proposal for trial program running from June 1 through September 30, 1998. Team members will dress in attractive uniforms and interact with visitors, residents, and merchants. Education and cooperation of business owners will be needed to make the program successful. The program will be reviewed at the end of the trial period so see if business owners are .willing to sponsor continuation of the program. Press releases and other advertising will announce and publicize the program's kickoff. Staff mpr0698 2 06/22/98 '., .....'" ':; .~." : ~'.:.;. :,~"I '0.'. :..:..,...,........ ~ Staff accepted favorably a suggestion for the team to use bells and whistles to announce their passage in an entertaining manner, calling attention to their efforts, and discouraging litter. Potential problems with oversight and reliability were cited as reasons not to solicit private sponsorship of areas, similar to the "adopt-a.street" program. Hosing or pressure cleaning sidewalks. and emptying trash cans at beach access ways were discussed. Downtown Clearwater is being addressed. but sponsorship issues are different due to the number of vacant businesses and absentee owners. .. C. Location and Proaram for Julv 20 Meetina Consensus was to delay touring Parks and Recreation infrastructure facilities until cooler weather arrives. The board will meet in the Municipal Services Building in July and view a program to be arranged by Mr. Kader. Board suggestions for agenda items were welcomed. 8. Board & Staff Comments In response to questions. staff was not aware of any progress in the search for a new Parks and Recreation Director. While the City Manager wishes to fill vacant department director positions. the Management Team has been heavily involved i~ One City. One Future. issues. Staff was requested to investigate complaints the deck around the kiddie pool is very slippery at Morningside pool. Staff was requested to look at rescheduling a dive group that -': closes the deep end during open swim sessions Monday through Thursday afternoons. The new playground and shelter were praised. Questions were ra"ised regarding advertising for Parks and Recreation programs and events. Mr. Kader said print and audio-visual media public relations coverage is intense. The City's schedule is provided to the newspaper every week, but it may not always be printed due to space limitations, at the newspaper's discretion. The City Manager has discouraged promotions such as utility bill stuffers, preferring to concentrate advertising in Clearwater magazine. 9. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. ~ / Jv~ LA. Chair Parks and Recreation Board mpr0698 3 06/22/98 <i::""':~" .' """,. .'" q,"'.