11/25/2008
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 25, 2008
Present:
Ray Shaw
Jonathan Wade
Tom Fletcher
Brooks Hammac
Chair
Vice-Chair
Board Member
Board member
Absent:
Ron Whitcomb
Allen Weatherilt
Jane Williams
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Also Present:
Kevin Dunbar
Marsha Beall
Director-Parks & Recreation
Staff Assistant
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. at Long Center.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
2 - Approval of Minutes - September 23, 2008
Member Fletcher moved to approve the minutes of September 23, 2008 as submitted to
members. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3 - Unfinished Business
a. Capital Projects Update - Mr. Dunbar reviewed the Capital Improvement Projects report:
. Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex - the City is planning to build four (4) soccer fields and a
restroom concession building at this site. Mr. Dunbar was recently notified by Paul Cozzie,
Pine lias County Leisure Services Director that Pinellas County accepted the City's request
for $2.5 million in funding for this project. This means both outgoing/incoming
administrators and Commissioner Seale have all agreed to support this project and to fully
fund it at the January 2009 County Commission meeting. We are at 30% design drawings
and work should commence in April 2009.
. Morningside Recreation Complex - this project was discussed once again at City Council in
November 2008. Council suggested leaving money in Penny for Pinellas and wait until the
2010 budget process.
. Office for Aging - received a State Senior Center grant in the amount of $750,000 to help
fund a dedicated senior space at the Long Center/UPARC facility. Plans are to use 7,000
sq. ft of space to host partner programs and activities for seniors. City staffing will be
minimal.
. Lawn Bowl - planning stage to restore old fishing parking lot area off Edgewater
Drive/Sunset Point Rd.
. Coachman Park - preparing for demolition of pavers, lighting, site furniture and wall at plaza
area.
. Enterprise Dog Park - continue to resolve SWFWMD issues
. Clearwater Beach Recreation Center/Library Expansion - Phase 2 to commence in
December 2008. Project due to be completed in February 2008. On P&R Board meeting
schedule to visit Center in April 2008.
Parks & Recreation 2008-11-25
. Phillies Carpenter Renovations - 100% construction drawings sent to consultants. Project
will commence May 1, 2009 and completed December 2009 in effort to be ready for the
2010 Spring Training Season.
. Lake Chautauqua - November: Council approved buying School Board property;
December: School Board will vote on at board meeting; January 2009: City applies for a
FTC grant to buy Ruppel property.
. Kapok Spur Trail - spur from Kapok Park to Cliff Stevens Park is completed.
. East Avenue Bike Lane - one-way bike lane headed north. Received letter of feasibility
from FOOT and will proceed with LAP agreement and design contract.
. Adopt a Park - have commitments from 50 organizations with 27 existing partners who
have adopted various city P&R facilities.
. Grants -submitted FRDAP grant for McMullen Tennis Center. Also, working on FTC grant
for School Board property.
. Land Acquisition - CL Christian College is in discussion about property around area. City
has Coopers Bayou and the Point. They would like the City to take title to additional
property around the area and maintain it. Discussion will ensue at the January 27 meeting.
. Secret shopper - Mr. Wade wanted to thank Barbara Moon for her support at the N.
Greenwood Aquatic Center.
. Other - updates on additional ongoing projects are part of this report and submitted to
members.
4 - New Business
a. Upcoming Recreation Events
The Clearwater Parks & Recreation calendar for NovemberlDecember 2008 was distributed
to members. This week's events include the Turkey Trot and all the activities surrounding it. Nov.
26-30 is the 24th Annual UPARC Festival of Trees at Harborview Center. Due to budget cuts, there
will not be a 2008 Downtown Street Parade and in 2009 the City will sponsor only six major events.
b. Election of Officers
The floor was open to nominations for the positions of Chair and Vice Chair.
Member Fletcher moved to nominate Member Ray Shaw to his second term as Chair. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Member Fletcher moved to nominate Member Brooks Hammac for Vice-Chair. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
c. 2009 Meeting Calendar
Dates we give for the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board meetings for 2009. Discussion
endued about holding the March meeting at the Bright House Networks stadium. Mr. Dunbar will
look in to it.
NOT ON AGENDA
Chair Shaw recently completed the Clearwater 101 Citizen Academy. This is an interactive
program that focuses on educating citizens about the City's governmental processes. Many of the
Elected officials, department directors and other city staff hosted informative sessions designed to
give citizens hands-on experience in city government operations. Mr. Shaw was very impressed
with the program. Mr. Dunbar advised other members to let him know if they are interested in
future programs.
Parks & Recreation 2008-11-25 2
On December 3-6, 2008, the National Alliance for Youth Sports' International Youth Sports
Congress - the nation's premier youth sports-focused conference featuring more than 500
recreation professionals from around the world - will be held in conjunction with the Athletic
Business Conference & Expo in San Antonio, Texas. Guest speaker will be NFL's all time
leading rusher Emmitt Smith. Mr. Dunbar will be accepting an Excellence in Youth Sports
Award honoring those programs that are doing a superior job of conducting diverse activities with
a focus on providing safe and positive experiences for all participants. Parks and Recreation has
three programs that embrace those standards: President's Council, Good Sports Program and
No Child Left Behind.
Mr. Wade mentioned Pinellas Core Management Services now has possession of the
Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in North Greenwood and have managers on board to help
operate it.
Chair Shaw inquired as to the future if Jack Russell Stadium. Mr. Dunbar discussed the
various proposals that surfaced over the years, but nothing has been decided upon. This project
may be readdressed in 2009.
6 - Adiournment
Members adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
The next meeting will be held January 27 at Long Center.
~~/n0/VHX/e-/
Vice Chair
Parks & Recreation 2008-11-25
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