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07/28/2009 PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER July 28, 2009 Present: Ray Shaw Chair Brooks Hammac Vice-Chair Jonathan R. Wade Board Member – departed at 7:53 p.m. Allen Weatherilt Board Member Ron Whitcomb Board Member Jane Williams Board Member Candace Gardner Board Member – departed at 7:58 p.m. Also Present: Kevin Dunbar Parks & Recreation Director Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. at the Long Center. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 3 – Approval of Minutes – April 28, 2009 Member Wade moved to approve the minutes of the regular Parks & Recreation Board meeting of April 28, 2009, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 4 – Unfinished Business 4.1. Capital Projects Update Parks & Recreation Director Kevin Dunbar presented Parks & Recreation Department capital projects. In response to questions, Mr. Dunbar reviewed plans to raze the Morningside Recreation Center; capital funds to construct a replacement will remain in the budget until operational funds become available. FRDAP (Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program) funds will be used to renovate the Morningside swimming pool after it closes for the season. Staff is working to secure Brownfield funds to remove contamination from Phillip Jones Field, a former land fill. Cleanup is estimated to cost several million dollars. Staff has secured an alternative location for the Greenwood Panthers. It was suggested that the Jack Russell Stadium site be made available for the Greenwood Panthers, as a lack of transportation will hamper many players’ ability to participate. Parking on the west end of Memorial Causeway, east of the Mandalay Bridge, will be removed by year’s end. The City has added beach parking lots, recapturing spaces lost to Beach Walk. The Hyatt Hotel will feature 400 public spaces. Temporary parking on the causeway was initiated for roundabout construction workers. Currently, it is used by crews constructing the Hyatt, which will be completed by December. FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) controls the Memorial Causeway (SR 60); the City has a maintenance agreement with the State. A beach parking garage would require a City subsidy as spaces Parks & Recreation 2009-07-28 1 would only be needed 80 days a year. While a parking garage would be beneficial, the City is operating with limited funds. Concern was expressed that the north beach commercial area has insufficient parking around sunset. The State did not fund any new FRDAP programs this year. Mr. Dunbar reviewed funding sources for planned tennis courts at the McMullen Tennis Complex. As the City must match the FRDAP grant, set aside funds cannot be used to build courts. The project received a high score. Staff has resubmitted the application for next year’s cycle. Mr. Dunbar said the Enterprise Dog Park will be completed this year; its rural design will limit maintenance costs. He provided updates on property purchases near Lake Chautauqua and trail work on the Memorial Causeway. The City has insufficient funds to connect the Druid Road section of the trail with the Progress Energy Trail. Completion of the Ream Wilson Trail along Old Coachman, a County road, was to be done during road improvements. The County’s plan to turn that road over to the City has not been resolved due to issues related to replacement of the Channel A Bridge. Federal stimulus funds will be used to widen the Pinellas Trail through downtown. Mr. Dunbar said Clearwater Christian College’s plan to deed land to the City that could tie Coopers Bayou Park and Coopers Point Nature Park has stalled due to the poor economy; the college plans to construct a hotel at the college entrance. Access to Cooper Point Nature Park is limited. A boardwalk between Coopers Point Nature Park and Coopers Bayou Park is being considered. 4.2. FY 2009/2010 Preliminary Budget Mr. Dunbar discussed challenges related to lower property values, decreased tax revenues, and budget reductions. Property taxes only cover 40% of the City’s budget. The Morningside Recreation Center is the only City recreation center scheduled for closing this year. He anticipated additional cuts to the department’s budget will be required next year. He said some Parks & Recreation programs in the country are funded by lottery proceeds or one cent tax options. Funds from Penny for Pinellas 3, not available until 2015, will be directed to facility improvements that do not require additional resources to operate. . Concern was expressed that the proposed relocation of the North Greenwood Library to the North Greenwood Recreation Center is an affront to the community. It was stated that tourists use the Beach Library while residents use the one in North Greenwood, JWB (Juvenile Welfare Board) may provide capital money to make necessary improvements to the Martin Luther King Jr. Center, and the millage rate could have been set higher to cover North Greenwood Library and Rescue 50 costs. In response to a concern, Mr. Dunbar reported that religious organizations pay taxes on some properties. The Top of the World complex is unincorporated; its residents do not qualify for Clearwater resident rates. The City has eliminated seasonal fees and doubled the cost for non-resident recreation cards. 5 – New Business 5.1. Upcoming Recreation Events Mr. Dunbar distributed and reviewed a list of upcoming recreation events. Parks & Recreation 2009-07-28 2 John Wiser Mr. Dunbar reported the City Council planned to allow recreation center amenities to be named after individuals. The City Council has suggested that the Countryside Recreation Center gymnasium be named after John Wiser, who recently passed away. Discussion ensued regarding the naming of parks and facilities. Mr. Dunbar said those so honored typically have made a significant contribution to the greater Clearwater community. Member Comments To be a more effective board, it was recommended that meetings should be scheduled at least six times a year. Concern was expressed that board responses to the Parks & Recreation survey did not accurately reflect each member's views. Members were encouraged to participate in the Citizens Academy. 6 - Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Next Meeting October 27, 2009 at Clearwater Beach Recr~ Bay Esplanade Chair Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Parks & Recreation 2009-07-28 3