07/28/2003 (2)
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Parks & Recreation Board
Minutes,
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Date
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CITY OF CLEAR\V A TER
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD ~IEETI~G
July 28. 2003
Prescnt:
Jonathan \Vade Sr.
Thomas Flctchcr
Larry Lindncr
James Appelt
Allen \Veatherilt
Chair
Vice Chair
Board Member
Board :rvlembcr
Board M'cmbcr
Also Present:
Kcvin Dunbar
Bill Jonson
Mike Lockwood
Bobbic Downs
Director, Parks and Rccrcation Dcpt.
Clearwatcr City Commissioner
Recrcation Supervisor
Staff Assistant
Absent:
Steve Swanberg
Sarah Wiand
Board ~1embcr
Board Member
To pro\'ide continuity for research, itenls are in agenda order although not nccessaril)' discussed in that
order.
ITEM #1 Tour of Complex - Mr. Dunbar and Mr. Lock"wood led members on a tour of the center and fields.
which have becn enhanced with new landscaping and lighting.
ITEM #2 Introduction of New Member Allen Weatherilt - Mr. Dunbar and Mr. \Vade welcomed Mr. Weatherilt
as a lorig-time resident and participant in youth athletics with a strong background in soccer. Mr. \Veatherilt said
he was pleased to join the board. He has spent 18 years with the Clearwater Chargers and is currently putting
together a Senior Soccer Challenge for older players.'
ITEM #3 Call to Order - Following the tour, the Chair called the business meeting to order at 7: 15 p.m. Mr.
Dunbar introduced Mike Lockwood, Recreation Supervisor at Countryside Recreation Center. He said Mr.
Lockwood is credited with establishing new programs and increasing attendance at youth basketball, after-school
programs and summer camps, among others.
ITEM #4 - Approval of Minutes of Parks and Recreation Board Meetin~ of June 23. 2003 - The minutes were
approved as submitted to members.
ITEM #5 Correspondence - None
ITEM #6 Old Business
a) Capital Projects Update - Mr. Dunbar updated the following projects:
. Community Sports Complex - Pre-cast concrete is in place. Sod work starts next week. ^
"Rounding Second, Heading Home" party last week celebrated passing the 500/0 mark in
construction. Opening day is scheduled for February 28, 2004. Preceding thafwill be stadium
ribbon ,:utting at a Phillics Phan Fest.
. McKay Park - Playground equipment on order for the multi-purpose park. Equipment purchascd
at NRPA trade show earlier this year.
. Long Centcr - Proposed agreement for city to take ovcr facility goes to City Commission next
, week. Upon app'roval. there is a August 8 meeting with Long Center starf to talk about transition
and placement of Long Center employees within the city. Next yearts budget includes 7.9 FTEs
for the Long Center and a list is now open for Recreation Supervisor II to head the center. The
Parks & Recreation Advisory 2003-0728
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City of Safety Harbor is considering pulling out its staff and paying the city for its citizens to use
the center. Facility impro\"ement and infrastructure is critical for the 13.year.old building. For
example, the pool is 13 years old and has not been rcmarcitcd. Monies will come from Penney
for Pincllas, S I million: adding the center to the c'ity's Building and Maintenance program: and
S50.000 annually in dcpartment's CIP budget. Also, J\VB is agreeing to movc the teen program
from Joe DiMaggio to a teen center at Long Center.
· Ross Norton Complex. 750/0 drawings completed. Bringing contractor to commission the
beginning of October: opening still targeted for October 2004.
· Fencing replacement. mo\'ing forward.
· Light repair and replacement - Lighting project complete at Countryside Community Park.
. Recreation Trails work moving forward.
· E. C. ~1oore Softball Complex Fields 8 & 9. S\VFTMD pemlit acquired; work starling next
week with completion still scheduled for January 2004. During the second wcek in February,
USF expects to host the Speed Light Tournament of 27 colleges from Midwest and Northeast. At
that time, the U.S. Olympic Softball Team is scheduled to train here for five days and pia)'
exhibition games against the college teams. 'City motels arc expected to be heavily booked for
that tournament and during March when the stadium is completed.
. Glen Oaks Park. Staff has finished review of stormwatcr and engineering components.
Construction plans being reviewed.
· Kapok Mobile Home Park Stonnwater Improvements - Landscaping and connection to East-\Vcst
Trail will follow eIr budget. Department is pleased with park clements created within
stom1\\'ater projects; the downtown lake is an example.
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,d) Upcoming Recreation Even~s - It was noted that recreation programs are in transition from summer
to fall. Mr. Dunbar reminded members of Citizen Day at the FRPA Conference in Innisbrook on August 26. The
national professional organization, NRPA, is working with Sports Illustrated magazine to designatc Sports Town'
USA for Florida. Clearwater scored highest among finalists. If the city is selected, a featured article will appear
in the February issue of SI to coincide with opening of Spring Training.
ITEM # 7 New Business -
a) Site Plans for Jack Russell Stadium, Joe DiMaggio Soccer Complex & McMullen-Booth Soccer
Project - Mr. Dunbar outlined some potential re-uses for these sites, which fit within the Mastcr Plan and the
needs of residents:
Joe DiMaggio. The $4.5 million project on land the city already owns would create 8 soccer fields and a
baseball field as practice field for Phillies. Park. like setting would provide roads weaving around pods of fields
with parking at each. Funding options include Pinellas County providing 500/0 of funding, and potential federal
appropriation. At the state level, funds may be available to support a regional sports facility, which this would
be. The Clearwater Chargers have indicated a willingness to pay for other buildings for use as training rooms,
classrooms or office space. Have reviewed with DEP as re.use for landfill site. City is in discussion with college
to purchase recreation center building, which would square off the entire field site under city ownership.
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McMullen~Booth Soccer - Existing Chi Chi driving range across McMullen.Booth may become available. The
$2.2 million project would construct 6 multi-purpose fields and 480 parking spaces. Would be home to
Lightning and Jr. Cougars programs. Challenges include nearby pistol range, which could be enhanced with
berms. City of Safety Harbor and Pinellas County are being asked to contribute $1,050,000 each since residents
of those areas are heavy users of north Clearwater fields. Oldsmar also has expressed interest in partnerships.
Mr. Dunbar said the growing popularity of soccer with both youth and adults necessitates providing these fields,
Jack RusscJJ Stadium - Considering the northem concept of using temporary fencing to shift sports with the
~easons. Two fields could be used for soccer/baseball/football. It is proposed to remove existing bowl. and
Parks & Recreation Advisory 2003.0728
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reassemble metal bleachers to create an aluminum bowl, while retaining the historic field. City (and a possible
referendum) needs to decide the ultimate use for tha,t land. The Armory possibly wilt go to the city.
b) Youth Football Analysis - Mr. Dunbar presented a Football and Cheerleading Income and Expense
Analysis of the three city co-sponsorships: Greenwood Panthers. revenue $81 .500"cxpenscs $69,800:
Countryside Jr. Cougars, revenue $211,000, expenses $154,500; and Clearwater for Youth revenue $95.000,
expenses $95,000. Mr. Appelt noted since Countryside costs approximately S IDa more per child. the program is
losing players to more economical teams. Mr. Dunbar said Jr. Cougars is putting money back into equipment.
which has been sub-standard in the past. New leadership is looking at the entire fee structure.
Mr. Dunbar pointed out the Greenwood' Panthers docs not generate much in registration fees. but is successful in
fund raising and grants procurement through the African-Amcrican Leadership Council mentoring program at
Holt Center. Also, an aggressive concession program helps offset costs. '
Last year City Commission approved an agreement with all co-sponsor groups whcrein programs must provide
financial statcments and other information at the end of the year. Mr. Dunbar said all 18 co-sponsor youth
leagues have been informed that, in this partnership, the city provides facilities and ongoing expertise of
consistency of staff. Their part is to conduct programs, and makc sure kids havc fun and arc able to participate.
The city desires a clear picture of operations to be sure things are being done as cfficiently as possible. In regard
to the Countryside program, Mr. Appelt said if thcre's a better manag.er that can produce the samc or bettcr
product at lower cost, peoplenecd to know that. '
Mr. Dunbar notcd Clcanvater fees are in line with other citics' athletic programs.
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Comments -
Commissioner Jonson thanked members for their dedication and participation.
Mr. Lindner notcd there were no recycling containers 'at McMullen. Mr. Dunbar said they should be in the back
area.
Mr. Flctcher said the city is getting favorable publicity from baseball tournaments played here. Hc noted recent
visiting teams from San Francisco were impressed with this area.
Mr. Dunbar said the St. Petersburg/Clearwatcr Convention and Visitors Bureau has created a sports arm to make
presentations around the country selling Clearwater as a tournament site. Last year the city realized an economic
impact of $8.5 million from visiting tournaments; this year, that figure was reached at third quarter.
ITEM #8 Adiournment - Members adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
The next meeting and Public Hearing on naming downtown lakc/park will be August 25 at MSB.
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