01/27/2009
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
January 27, 2009
Present: Brooks Hammac Vice-Chair
Tom Fletcher Board Member
Jonathan Wade Board Member
Allen Weatherilt Board Member
Ron Whitcomb Board Member
Jane Williams Board Member
Absent: Ray Shaw Chair
Also Present: Kevin Dunbar Director-Parks & Recreation
Marsha Beall Staff Assistant
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:32 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 – November 25, 2008
Member Fletcher moved to approve the minutes of November 25, 2008 as submitted to
motioncarried
members. The was duly seconded and unanimously.
3 - Unfinished Business
a. Capital Projects Update – Mr. Dunbar reviewed the Capital Improvement Projects report:
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Morningside Recreation Complex – this project remains on hold awaiting 2010 budget
process.
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Countryside Sports Complex – will readdress when driving range operator’s contract
expires in 2010.
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Downtown Boat Slips – moving forward. Clearwater has committed $12.8-million for the
boat slip project. The floating docks have already been ordered. Therefore, Council
decided to forge ahead with the boat slips, which are part of the city's efforts to rejuvenate
its struggling downtown. They believe boaters are more likely to sign up once they see
construction start on the docks.
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Lawn Bowl –off Edgewater Drive/Sunset Point Road. Restored old fishing kayaking
parking lot area with sod restoration and berm replacement. Parking will be allowed in
designated area only.
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Armory Renovation – this project is completed and the events staff has moved in. The
P&R Board will visit site at February 24 meeting. Members should enter the facility gate on
Seminole Street and park on the north side of the building.
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Coachman Park – removed pavers, lighting, site furniture and wall at plaza promenade
area. The waterfall feature remains, along with new landscape.
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Enterprise Dog Park – continue working with SWFWMD. Construction drawings
completed. Anticipate construction February 2009.
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. Clearwater Beach Recreation Center/Library Expansion - contractor completed demolition
of Phase 2 construction. Project due to be completed in February 2008. On P&R Board
meeting schedule to visit Center in April 2009.
. Senior Center - Clearwater was a recent recipient of one of the eight grants funded by the
State. $727,500 grant was awarded. The design process in place and project has
commenced.
. Phillies Carpenter Renovations - 100% construction drawings sent to consultants. Project
will commence May 1, 2009 and be completed December 2009 in effort to be ready for the
2010 Spring Training Season.
. Lake Chautauqua - purchase agreement approved by both Council and School Board. The
ROW vacated by County. Waiting to hear from FCT grant funding from Florida Forever
Land Conservation. May need to have property reappraised.
. Druid Road Trail - received go ahead from FDOT, with some comments regarding
certification. The first section will connect Pinellas Trail with Mandalay Channel Bridge.
Eventually, it will be an eight foot wide trail that will come down the right away on Druid
Road down to Myrtle Avenue and over to Pierce Street and then connect up to the bridge.
. East Avenue Bike Lane - one-way bike lane headed north. Received letter of feasibility
from FDOT and will proceed with LAP agreement. Design will include closing west lane on
East Avenue and make it a bike boulevard. Landscaping along the bike lane will tie into the
downtown corridor and act as a buffer to the CSX right away.
. Land Acquisition - CL Christian College is in discussion with the City about the property
around the college. The College's intent is to sell some of the uplands at Bayshore Blvd. to
developers for hotels. The College would like the City to take title to the rest of the land and
tie it in to Coopers Bayou and the Point. The college would provide maintenance on the
property. The success of this project is contingent on securing a FCT grant from Florida
Forever.
. Other - updates on additional ongoing projects are part of this report and submitted to
members.
4 - New Business
a. Joe DiMaggio--LWCF Grant
This project provides for the renovation and improvements of the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex
by constructing 7 new multi-purpose fields and one full-size baseball field. In addition there will be
restrooms, concession building, press box, parking and other park amenities. The City's plans are
to partner with the County, State, and Federal Government as well as local co-sponsor groups to
fund this project. Pinellas County has accepted the City's request for $2.5 million in funding. An
additional $400,000 has been committed from co-sponsor groups. A Land and Water Conservation
Grant (LWCF) will be applied for additional help to fund the proposed improvements.
b. Advocacy - Quality of Life Services
Mr. Dunbar enlightened members on recent Council discussions regarding the utility of the
advisory boards. The original intent of advisory boards is to recommend and advice City Council
on matters of the community. Councilmembers are concerned about advisory staff only on monthly
advisory board meeting purely for the sake of meeting. Councilmembers are considering changing
the advisory boards meetings from monthly to once per quarter.
Discussion ensued. Members felt it was more important for the Parks & Recreation Advisory
Board to meet monthly. Mr. Dunbar solicits their guidance regarding parks and recreation services,
staffing and maintenance in connection to all parks and property used for public purposes. The
Parks & Recreation Board members represent various aspects of community interest. Their
expertise brings innovative ideas to the table. They have a history of communicating with Council
on naming parks, advocating for facilities such as Morningside and McMullen Tennis Complex, and
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acting as a catalyst in the process of securing grand funding. Now, as the City moves in to more
difficult economic conditions, Mr. Dunbar will encourage the Board to review recommendations and
advise Council. Members were in agreement to recommend to the Council the P&R Advisory
Board remains with monthly meetings.
c. Upcoming Recreation Events
The Clearwater Parks & Recreation calendar for January/February 2009 was distributed to
members. February 19 is the initial kick-off party to the annual Knology Clearwater Sea-Blues
Festival at Coachman Park.
NOT ON AGENDA
Mr. Wade requested a copy of the City's contract at M L King Center with Pinellas Core
Management Services (PCMS). Mr. Wade is also requesting to have the palms trimmed from
Marshall Street to Palmetto Ave, both sides of the street. Lastly, Mr. Wade would like to have sod in
the city's right of way between Carlton St and Engman St.
6 - Adiournment
Members adjourned at 8:16 p.m.
The next meeting will be held February 24 at Special Events Armory.
Attes~~~~
Staff Assistant .
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Chair 1/
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