02/24/2003 (2)
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" PARKS & ,
,RECREATION
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Parks & Recreation Board
<Minutes. "
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Date 0";), / ~ 'f /03 '
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CITY OF CLEAR\VATER
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD I\tEETING
February 24, 2003
Present:
Jonathan \Vade Sr.
Thomas Fletcher
, Larry Lindner
Steve Swanberg
Chair
Vice Choir'
Board Member
Board Member
Also Present:
Kevin Dunbar
Dawn Jenkins
Mark Abdo
Bobbie Downs
Director, Parks and Recreation Dept.
ll1crapeutic Recreation Supervisor
Executive Director, Long Center
Staff Assistant
Absent:
Board Member
Board Member
Sarah \Viand
James Appelt ,
Vacancy
Board Member
To provide continuity for research, items arc in agenda order although not nccessaril,.. discussed in that
order.
ITEM #1 Can to Order - Chair Wade called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. at the Long Center, 1501 N. Belcher
Road.
ITEM #2 Recreation Programming at the Long Center - Ms. Da\\TI Jenkins, Therapeutic Recreation Supervisor.
, Mr. Dunbar said the Department's goal in therapeutic recreation is to exceed expectations in that field and develop a
model program. Ms. Jenkins estimated some 30,000 mentally or physically challenged children and young adults in
upper Pinellas County are without extended programming. She plans the following programs at the Long Center:
UPARC w,ater exercise classes, water aerobics, karate (starts March 6), 'summer camps including Camp Freedom and
Camp WeCanDo, basketball, and the Make A Difference Fishing Tournament. She hopes the two summer camps can
be extended through the entire summer. Special events include table tennis tournament, Goodlife Games Table
Tennis, Goodlife Games Swim Meet, and Special Olympics Swim Meet. Mr. Dunbar emphasized Ms. Jenkins is the
Department's Inclusion Officer, and all concerns and suggestions on therapeutic programming should be directed to
her.
Mr. Abdo related the growth of the Long Center as it developed partnerships with cities and agencies. Mr. Lindner
said he had heard complaints the water was too cold during a recent swim meet. Mr. Abdo said he had not heard
that comment and asked Mr. Lindner to have the citizens contact him. Mr. Lindner also asked if there is anything
further is being done about arsenic content in the playground equipment. Mr. Abdo said there is a small amount of
CCA in that wood. He said the playground is constantly maintained including being shut down twice a year for
sealant. Although the equipment is considered safe, the board decided to replace it when and if those funds are
raised. Mr. Lindner asked why the pool was not designed to accommodate long and short course meters. Mr. Abdo
said the pool was originally built for instructional purposes, not competition.
ITEM #3 Approval of Minutes of Parks and Recreation Board Meeting of-January 27.2003 - Member Linder noted
under Item #5, New Business, paragraph a, second bullet item should read: "Member Lindner asked ifmajor polic)'
issues should be run by the Board for its comments. Mr. Dunbar stated that would be too cumbersome in light of the
number of decisions that are made. However, it is within the scope of the board to advise or make
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ITEt\1 #4 Correspondence - None
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recummendations on policy." \Vith that correction, t\tember Fletcher mo\'ed to approve the minutes as corrected.
The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
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ITEt>.1 #5 Old Business
a) Capital Project Update - Mr. Dunbar updated the following projects:
. Community Sports Complex - Project moving forward.. City, County, State, and Phillies share the
cost o[thc $27-30 million project. Almost $22 million is grant monies.
. Park Amenity Purchase and Replacement - Projects under way to purchase, repair and replace items
at various sites.
. Tennis Court Resurfacing - Resurfacing of tennis courts including Bay Park at Sand Key, CBRe,
For~st Run and Ed \\'right Park expectcd to be complcted this month. Mr. \Vadc asked if Plaza Park
sign will be replaced; ?\1r. Dunbar said it would be.
. McKay Park - Playground equipment purchased from trade floor at NRP A meeting in Tampa.
Equipment to be divided with 1\1omingside Recreation Complex.
. Long Center - Conceptual design of project complete; fund raising to bcgin soon.
. Ross Norton Complex - Money spent so far is in design area. Breaking ground in late summer with
opening expected October '04. Skate Park project included. In response to a question froin t\1r. \Vade
regarding the bidding processl 1\.1r. Dunbar said each project goes out to bid individually. People
who would want to sub-contract would need to contract the general contractor for each project.
. Fencing Replacement Program - Includes Carpenter Complex, Countryside Community Park and
others as needed.
. Light Repair and Replacement - Timers for lighting are being removed at facilities because frequent
"power spikeslt have resulted in high maintenance. There is heavy use at night at Clearwater High
School basketball courts. Mr. \Vade noted there are crowds at night at Marymont Park basketball
courts as well.
. Recreation Trails: McMullen-Booth Pedestrian Bridge; Clearwater East-\Vest Trail - Drawings 90%
complete. Construction starts in August; completion set by end of year.
. Recreation Trails; Mandalay Channel Pedestrian bridge, Clearwater East-\Vest Trail- On south side
of Causeway; will connect Causeway to Clearwater Marina. Can be driven over by emergency
vehicles. Construction is expected to take one year; it is funded with federal dollars.
. Recreation Trails: Bayshore Drive Section of Clearwater East-\Vcst.Recreation Trail- Awaiting
funding and small changc of project scope to include 92 yards of 4t wide sidewalk in Safety Harbor.
. Crest Lake Dog Park - Project completed. Park is highly successful with users.
. E. C. Moore Softball Complex Fields 8 & 9 - Clearing under way; this is land swap piece with
Calvary Baptist Church. Restroom building and parking lot under design by architect with
completion expected by December this ycar.
. Bayview Park - Cleanup of property under way. Work is being pcrfornlcd by City crc\vs.
'. Glen Oaks Park - Golf course will close the end of t\1arch to make way for the stormwatcr drainage
project. Public Hearing wm be held March 12 at St. Cccelia Interparochial School to address'
concerns ncighbors have over locations of soccer fields. Mr. Swanberg said there is a group that
clears bodies ofwatcr for fishing and asked if that group is working on this project. Mr. Dunbar said
the department has asked for a linkage of blue ways, and ability to have good fishing arcas.
Construction begins later this year and will take about 14 months.
. Kapok Mobile Homc Park Stonnwntcr Improvements - Additional park land~ wiH link to Enst.West
Trail. It will be connected to Cliff Stephens Park by rccreational paths.
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b) Upcoming Recreation Events - Mr. Dunhar reportcd that \Vild Sp\ash Spring break concert is scheduled
March 8 in Coachman Park.. Phillics Spring Training starts Friday. Mr. Dunhar said the Special Events
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tea'm is planning a special concert April 27 in celebration of Fun In Sun's 50th Anniversary. Last week's
Phillies Phan Fest brought the highest participation ever by fans and players.
c) Reminder Public Hearing Next Meeting - Mr DLL.bar suggested members visit and become familiar with
the drainage proj eet just cast of the MSB known as the "town pond." A public meeting will be held at the
next board meeting when the board will suggest to City Commission a name for the p~.rk.' ,
ITEM # 6 New Business - None
ITEM #7 Adiournment - Members adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
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ITEM #8 Tour of Long Center - Mr. Abdo led members on a tour of the facility.
Next m~eting is March 24 at the Municipal Services Building Conference Room 130.
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cJ' Parks & Recreation Board'
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Parks & ~ecrcation. Advisol)' 200~-0224
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