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10/26/1998 (2) " , '. "., . ' ...., . .... . '~': : +:... t'T ~ " " ~. . ." ,..'. .;, ,,: I. " . .tl. ~,.' \ ~. . " ' ," ", l . . ~ ).; ~ f. . . , , . '.. , ,/ . r.I' . ~ ," t! ~ . , .. .',5' , > ;'..: " ' (C;,. , , , , , :,T ; . . . . . , :1:. .,' ,> " ~~ ., + ~: /, ' . ' ::~r, T, . , > .'\" ,~ ." . .,.:. ~ . '. . ',"'1<:" ':""~:""PA'RKS & . " . . I. '.. . ",. <.. ..".. . . . ".' .', . , ,), , " ',:, ' , . \ . . . > '.~.' '.' . . . . , , , , d' . ' "'.,"',' RECREATION" 1+" . , . ", .". , ' , i<. ':..' .' .. ~.:I > '>, .;. ',' . {,:" " ' , ' ',::. '. ' ; I ~ ' ~T~':~ .. . . 1'. ' ., I, r:'" '6'. ~. . I d '. \ ( Parks & Recreation Board Minutes I' '. " ".'" to, . ): " + F ," , .' , ,', . I Date , ' qqi, , I i I I I I I I , I ! I 1 ! , ' I i I i I I \! SD 'J.- , , , ...." 8 PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER October 26, 1998 Present: Larry Lindner Gerry Shriver Donald Harris Kim Cashman. Sarah Wiand Chair Vice~Chair Board Member Board Member Board Member , ' Absent: Gary Girodano Stephen Swanberg Board Member Board Member , ' , " ,Also Present: Art Kader Steve Miller Patricia O. Sullivan Parks & Recreation Department Director Superintendent of Recreation Programming Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:38 p,m. at the Municipal Services Building. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order althoug,h not necessarily discussed in that order. . '--.... . \ \1..._,./ ITEM #2 - Approval of the Minutes , Member Harris moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 28, 1998, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried ummimously. ITEM #3 ~ Correspondence - None. ITEM #4 - Upcoming Recreation Events Superintendent of Recreation Programming Steve Miller distributed the November schedule of events. The 5K Run scheduled the Military Appreciation Weekend will end at the Sailing Center. In response to a question, he will report on the cooking class schedule. Parks & Recreation Director Art Kader said department staff had worked extremely hard to meet the awesome number of Parks & Recreation Department programs and new events scheduled during the next few months. Plans also are underway for a Millennium celebration. It has been suggested a nominal admission of approximately $1 5 for prime talent, such as Charlie Daniels, a1: Coachman Park could be charged for a benefit. As the park requires time to recuperate from heavy usage, staff is mindful that large events must be paced carefully. ITEM #5 - Old Business --.J mpr 1 098 1 10/26/98 c' ~ . .' ~ I, ") ....~...... J a) Current Capital Improvement Status Mr. Kader noted a few changes to the Capital Improvement Projects. Next month's chart will include the new budget year. He reviewed impediments to recommending the skate park to the Commission, including funding only available to construct a temporary facility anr:l administrative plans for use of the downtown harbor front under "One City. One Future.~' He said a permanent facility would better serve patrons. Plans for the downtown water front will be completed within ~ years. It was suggested small skate parks be installed at all recreation complexes. Mr. Kader said sites by the Sid Lickton Field water tower and in Countryside are being considered. He expressed concern patrons will find small skate parks boring and not challenging. He recommended a skate park should be at least 15,000 square~feet. Interest in the sport is widespread throughout the City. It is anticipated parents will drive their ,children ,to the facility . Mr. Kader reiterated the $101,000 budgeted is inadequate to build a worthwhile facility. It was felt a skate park facility near downtown would attract young people and offer healthy fun. Concern was expressed regarding the Sid Lickton Field site as it may distract Little League players and tie up the parking lot, It was suggested the facility could entertain children while siblings are participating in Little League. It was suggested a trail spur to the facility should be considered. In response to concerns that professional tennis instructors ignore signs and instruct students at City tennis facilities other than McMullen Park, Mr, Miller requested citizens contact the City when this illegal practice is observed. It was recommended the City program more tennis classes. Concern was expressed that removed tennis courts be replaced. Mr. Kader said once staff levels improveJ many of these issues can be addressed. b) Swimming Pool on Clearwater Beach Mr. Kader reported the City Commission will hold a Public Hearing to discuss a swimming pool on Clearwater beach on November 19, 1998. He reviewed the project's background. It was noted while many Clearwater beach and Sand Key properties have swimming pools and are near the Gulf, other areas of the City have a greater need for a pool. It was suggested staff present a pool plan with fewer upgrades, Mr. Kader said options are being reviewed. ,In response to a question, Mr. Miller said the cost of the pool has increased approximately 10% since last December. It was recommended the Parks & Recreation master plan be completed before any pool Is constructed, c) Grants Mr. Kader said staff has applied for grants for several projects: 11 water park amenities for Morningside pool; 2) bicycle trail enhancements; 3) a small pedestrian/bicycle bridge on Memorial Causeway; 4) a beach pedestrian crossing; 5) a pedestrian fly-over McMullen-Booth Road at Del Oro Park and A.C. Moore complex; and 6) trail expansion mpr1098 2 10/26/98 ~~;....~~. .~'."'CI ....:. ',.. f. ,1" , I ."} along Bayshore Boulevard. Many of the grants require a match. Decisions will be made within 6 months. Mr. Miller reported the Legislature had not approved funding for 1999 grant applications yet. In response to a question, he said staff has received information from the USTA (U.S. .Tennis Association) regarding the organization's interest in developing leagues. Mr. Kader also said the City may qualify for some funding from the tobacco settlement geared toward discouraging teen smoking. ITEM #6 - New Business a) Memorial Civic Center Concern was expressed regarding when the beach library and police substation will be replaced. Mr. Kader said plans are to raze the Memorial Civic Center after January 1, 1999. Staff is considering ways to address the needs of the library, Police Department substatio~, civic center offices, and Parks & Recreation classes once the civic center is closed. The City is considering renting temporary space to meet these needs. It was suggested the library be moved to the beach fire station. Mr. Kader said relocating the fire station is being considered to reduce response times to Sand Key. Concern was expressed beach residents are losing many services. I I I r I I I , I I Atrium Park / -... Mr. Kader said a temporary fix has been planned for Atrium Park, which is similar to a large triangular medium. A drawing of the proposed landscaping plan was presented. No park benches will be installed. It was suggested adequate lighting will deter night visitors. Mr. Kader invited members to view landscaping installed on Court street, west of Missouri. He requested input regarding the 3 types of up lighting featured in the pilot project. Planning for the new Island Estates playground will begin in November. The reclaimed water project is near completion. Mr. Kader estimated the use of reclaimed water on the Memorial Causeway will save the City,$50,000 annually. ITEM #7 - Board Member Comments The next meeting is scheduled for November 23, 1998, at the Municipal Services Building at 6:30 p.m. No December meeting is scheduled. Member Cashman complimented the look of new palm trees installed on the berms along the west side of Crest Lake Park. She expressed concern the park's playground equipment is'in shabby condition, noting a child couid be injured on a protruding rusty screw. Staff will review these concerns. Member Cashman expressed concern the Parks & Recreation Department no longer offers Mommy and Me classes. ~ mpr1098 3 10/26/98 ,t. . ~:~,,:. . . ': I', " , " ,:;' () ::. ~ ....,.., f'..' ~,':;; 'I' ',' . ~: : , ' .: ' :1 l " \cc f, . " .~~~~ ~.' ~~', ... ;j- , " , ~. . ! ," "1 "'0 "< .'. l C C I' , : , " l .... ..,~' , " . , " , " , i' ~ t - ,C, 'l ']'." ~ " " . . Chair Lindner said residents have indicated th~y miss the previous fitness trail at Crest Lake Park. Chair Lindner said the Pinel/as Trailloaks barren near the Post Office. Mr. Kader reviewed 'ways staff has worked to beautify the trail, noting difficulties res,ult from the narrowness of the trail downtown. Planting date palms in downtown corner rights-of-way is under consideration. Another mural has been approved. He said Freedom Park has been developed into a nice downtown trail stop. It was noted the Farmers Market, run by the non~profit group~ Saturday in the City, is attracting people downtown. The Parks & ,Recreation Department provides some logistical assistance. It was recommended the availability 'of free weekend parking in downtown garages be publicized, , Chair Lindner questioned why FOOT (Florida Department of Transportation) left a long stretch of Gulf to Bay Boulevard unfinished near Keene Road. Member Cashman complimented the' efforts to resurface Gulf to Bay Boulevard, noting businesses were not affected by the work. 1 . 'Mr. Kader reported an agreement has been reached between the school band boosters and North Greenwood community so that both groups can participate in Phillies game parking. ITEM #8 - Adiournment The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. ~.L w',,}/L Chair Parks & Recreation Board ,:. , mpr1 098 10/26/98 4 " " " . . < < ~; ". ~, ........-:\..~.f,~l\-.~.~... t:'~""~""'.';~J">~:I"'.'. '~!Il"'~' t:.