Loading...
02/24/2009 PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER February 24, 2009 Present: Ray Shaw Chair 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: n/a Also Present: Kevin Dunbar Director-Parks & Recreation Terry Schmidt Special Events Manager Marsha Beall Staff Assistant The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. at Special Events Armory. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 2 – Approval of Minutes – January 27, 2009 Member Wade moved to approve the minutes of January 27, 2009 as submitted to members. motioncarried The was duly seconded and unanimously. 3 - Unfinished Business a. Advocacy – Quality of Life The Parks and Recreation Department is initiating a strategic plan that will address future economic realities for the department with board members intricately involved. As growing concerns over the economy surface, it becomes obligatory that the Parks & Recreation Department began a planning process. The planning process will draw on the opinions and expertise of many people—boards, citizens, neighbors and others—who have a stake in the city's future. Some of the questions will relate to structuring the surface delivery of our facilities, maintenance of fields, co-sponsored groups and general administration. The goal is to have this completed prior to June’s City Manager’s Budget Submittal deadline. Member Wade’s strongly views Parks & Recreation as a core service; not as a luxury, but an alternative resource to keep our children out of trouble. Chair Shaw issue relates to fees equity policies for co-sponsored program/activities. His concerns are that the City pay heed in remaining cost-neutral when subsidizing non-residents. Mr. Dunbar explained the value to nonresidents using the City’s parks and facilities or programs and his efforts to evoke Pinellas County’s support in offsetting the differential costs. Members briefly discussed other issues such as downtown development, parking signage and fire services. Parks & Recreation 2009-2-24 1 ~ b. Capital Projects Update - Mr. Dunbar reviewed the Capital Improvement Projects report: . Joe DiMaggio - the baseball field is complete. Still waiting to hear back from Pinellas County on request for $2.5MM in support. . Morningside Recreation Complex - on March 12, Council will have a "Penny for Pinellas" discussion to decide funding for this project. . Countryside Sports Complex - no update . Phillip Jones Field - monitoring landfill issues; have a list of remedial work that needs done once funding is available. . Downtown Boat Slips - moving forward. Since Clearwater has already committed $12.8- million for the boat slip project, Council voted to move ahead with project. . Clearwater Beach Restrooms - renovating restrooms at the South Beach, Rockaway, as well as, adding to Pier 60 concession. . Aging Well Center - Council accepted grant for $727,500 at last meeting. The design process in place and project has commenced. . Enterprise Dog Park - should receive SWFWMD permit by March 3. Work begins in June and should be completed by year-end. . 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 - closed on School Board property last week. The City now owns the property. . Druid Road Trail - still waiting for FDOT to approve and sign off on everything. . Grant Coordination - applied for a LWCF grant for Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex. Also applying for OGWT grant for Lake Belleview Park. Not pursuing any additional FTC grants this fiscal year. . 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 February/March 2009 was distributed to members. Mr. Dunbar highlighted the following: February 22 - March 1 is the USTA Pro Circuit at McMullen Tennis Complex; March 6-8, 13-15 is the USF Softball Under Armour Invitational at Eddie C. Moore Complex. Friday, March 6 is the VIP event. b. Tour of Facility Mr. Terry Schmidt, Special Events Manager welcomed board members to the newly renovated Special Events Armory. The City entered in to a 30-year lease with the State to use the National Guard Armory for recreational purposes. Renovations were made to the facility so that the Special Events Division, Emergency Preparedness and electrical section of the Parks & Beautification could use the property. Some of the funding for improvements came from a "Special Program Fund", actually revenue collected from Special Events. Members were given a tour of the building. 5 - Adiournment Members adjourned at 7:55 p.m. Center. The next meeting will be held March 24 at Long _rlJ~/,,~e.---- Vice Chair ~''\'"'''''''''''''''''''' . \.. , \ .~ . , Parks & Recreation 2009-2-24 2