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Parks &' Recreation Board.. .
Minutes
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PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
August 24, 1 998
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Present:
Larry Lindner
Gerry Shriver
Gary Girodano
Kim Cashman.
Stephen Swanberg
Sarah Wiand
Chair
Vice-Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member - departed at 7:45 p.m.
Board Member
Absent:
Donald Harris
Board Member
Also Present:
Art Kader
Steve Miller
Patricia O. Sullivan
Acting Parks & Recreation Department Director
Superintendent of Recreation Programming
Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. at the Long Center.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
ITEM #2. Approval of the Minutes
The Chair indicated his name had been misspelled in the previous minutes.
Member Shriver moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 27,
1998, as corrected. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #3 - Correspondence - None.
ITEM #4 - Upcominq Recreation Events
Superintendent of Recreation Programming Steve Miller distributed the September
schedule of events.
ITEM #5 - Old Business
a) Current Capital Improvement Status
Acting Parks & Recreation Director Art Kader distributed the status of CIP (Capital
Improvement Project). He reviewed efforts to replace the former pool by Pier 60 on
Clearwater beach. The City Commission had rejected staff's recommendation for a
$700,000 pool designed for laps, lessons, and water park f,eatures. The pool, now part of
the "One City. One Future." plan for a beach recreation district, continues to be budgeted
with $518,000. It was noted beach residents want the pool to be heated. Mr. Miller said
annual operating costs, estimated at $130,000, would not cover year round activities or
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heat. He said recommended amenities increased the cost of pool construction but would
have attracted more tourists and residents. The high cost of replacement also was related
to construction requirements for restroom facilities and site work, Including removal of an
old swimming pool.
It was noted the City Commission had promised to replace the Pier 60 pool. Mr.
Kader stated,the old pool was used only 8 weeks a year for 4 hours each morning.
Records indicate the pool had little use. He expressed concern that the size of the
investment compare favorably with projected usage. The Parks & Recreation Department
is planning to develop a master recreation plan for the entire City. Countryside and East
Clearwater have no City pools. In response to a recommendation, Mr. Kader said the
Pinellas County School Board does not build SWimming pools for high school swim teams.
Several local pools can no longer be used for competition as new rules require a minimum
5-100t depth in the shallow end. Mr. Kader estimated Ross Norton Pool is about a 15-
minute drive from Clearwater beach and Island Estates. He said all alternatives are being
considered. It was noted senior beach residents also want a pool. The issue will be
brought back to the City Commission in November.
b) Long Center Update/Presentation
Recreation Programmer Eric Watson reviewed this year/ s summer programs at the
Long Center. , UPARC (Upper Pinellas Association for Retarded Citizens) allowed the
summer camp the use of their buses for field trips. He complimented Recreation
Supervisor Lisa Hall for her recruitment of volunteers. He reported adapted therapeutic
sessions for physical disabilities cost $1 8 per half hour.
The Long Center will host an area meet for Special Olympics, which now welcomes
competitors challenged by a wide range of disabilities. Fliers advertise the City's Learn to
Swim Program which also offers special training for those with disabilities as well as
addresses the needs of parents who cannot afford the programs. Recreation Programmer
Barbara Moon coordinates the City's swim programs at the center. A physical therapist
teaches Ai Chi, ~ new form of water exercise addressing breathing and posture.
In response to a question, Mr. Watson said all sponsor agencies of the Center use
the same method to count visitors. rn response to a question, Mr. Miller said outreach
activities include swimming lessons for Head Start participants. Mr. Watson said the Long
Center's executive staff provides excellent customer service.
Long Center Executive Director Mark Abdo,distributed materials on the Long Center.
The center is run as a collaboration by the cities of Clearwater and Safety Harbor, UPARC,
CFY (Clearwater for Youth), and the Long Center. These groups coordinate schedules and
,reciprocate access to programs. Most program instructors are contracted. The Long
Center Board of Directors has 18 members. Member Girodano also sits on that board. The
Long Center Foundation raises money for the center which opened debt free in July 1990.
Mr. Abdo said attendance records are based on user hours. He reported 915,000
visits to the facility last year. He said the CVB (St. Petersburg/Clearwater Convention and
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Visitors Bureau} had printed brochures and developed 2 video tapes for the center.
Balancing the needs of the local population with the financial needs of the partnerships is
Important. Last year's marketing study is helping the center balance its efforts.
Participation fees have remained low. The center, which is closed on Sundays, is working
with Pinellas County regarding a possible partnership. Each partner supports programs that
represent their strengths: 1) Clearwater - core aquatics progral11; 2) Safety Harbor -
summer camp, arts & crafts, gym, etc.; and 3t CFY - maintains youth sports fields,
manages basketball programs, and provides Tai Kwan Do instruction. Mr. Abdo said
approximately 4 weekend events are hosted annually. Center program participants filled
7,000 motel room nights last year. A procedure is in place to deal with schedule conflicts.
The center's main goal is to serve residents in the center's vicinity, but special events
bring in needed funds. '
Mr. Abdo said the center has developed a 7-year budget. Clearwater's contribution
is expected to decrease substantially by 2001. The Foundation has established a goal to
raise a $4-million endowment. He thanked the City for its support. Clearwater and Safety
Harbor have committed some Penny for Pinellas funds to the center. Plans are to enclose
the courtyard for an aerobic fitness studio and community room. Adding bleachers to the
natatorium will provide enough space to host a national event. By the playground, CFY is
planning to construct a 2-story field house with rest rooms, a snack bar, and offices for
coaches. A 4-lane outdoor track also is planned for training. Sponsors are being recruited.
In response to a question" Mr. Abdo said the center is trying to address parking
shortages. A plan to construct spaces on abutting land was rejected due to wetland
concerns. Other land is under consideration. A voice mail system is planned. The center
can be contacted via e-mail. It also has a Web page, although all events are not listed.
Mr. Abdo noted the budget does not cover all maintenance costs. When rates were
increased to raise needed funds, membership dropped by 50%. The Foundation is working
to raise funds early enough to provide an additional $100,000 to address maintenance
issues. The center also serves as a customer and training facility for UPARC clients.
UPARC occupies half the building and pays half the common costs. Problems related to
poor supervision of the custodial program were addressed and have improved. It was
noted it is difficult to keep a facility clean after hundreds of children use the locker room.
In response to a question, Mr. Abdo said the proposed alliance with Pinellas County
should not impact the center significantly. Most participants live less than 5 miles from the
facility. All entities who run the Long Center must agree to any contract with the County.
c) FY 1 998/99 Budget Update
A status report was distributed. Mr. Kader reviewed the update which includes
additional staff for recreation programming and increased maintenance of beautification
projects. He indicated the City Commission would consider a 3t~ quarter budget
amendment to change the scope for Crest Lake Park on September 17, 1998.
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ITEM #6 - New Business
a) New Parks & Recreation Department Director
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Mr. Kader reported he had been offered the position and was negotiating a contract.
The department's structure will be reviewed before an assistant director is appointed. He
thanked the board for their support.
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b) Penny for Pinellas Project Ranklngs'
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Mr. Kader distributed a report on capital improvement projects and the time line
proposed for completion. The status report identifies the funding source, Including Penny
for Pinellas. In response to a question, he said repairs are listed for Jack Russell Stadium.
Funding for a replacement is not listed. A feasibility study regarding the economic impact
of the Phillies is underway. In response to a question, Mr. Kader said plans are to develop
an asphalt recreation trail between the Long Center and Bayshore Boulevard.
c) Update - "One City. One Future." - None.
ITEM #7 - Board Member Comments
, Mr. Abdo and Mr. Watson were thanked for their presentations. Mr. Abdo
distributed passes, noting the upgraded look of the pass has resulted in excellent feedback.
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It was recommended the City 'provide extra copies of Clearwater Magazine to the
center for distribution.
C,learwater was complimented for its maintenance of City swimming pools.
It was suggested next month's meeting be held at the Countryside Recreation
Facility or Moccasin Lake Nature Park.
In response to a question, Mr. Kader reviewed $500,000 in projects recommended
for the Countryside area during the next 10 years: 1) expand recreation center meeting
room space; 2) median improvements; 3) construct a bike path on Landmark Drive from
Curlew Road to Lake Chautauqua Park; and 4) expand the children's section at the library.
ITEM #8 - Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
,LV~
Chair
Parks & Recreation Board
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