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10/27/2009 PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER October 27, 2009 Present: Ray Shaw Chair Brooks Hammac Vice-Chair Jonathan R. Wade Board Member – departed at 7:08 p.m. Allen Weatherilt Board Member Ron Whitcomb Board Member Absent: Candace Gardner Board Member Jane Williams Board Member 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. 2 – Public Hearing re naming of Countryside Recreation Center gymnasium The Chair reviewed the City’s procedure to name Parks & Recreation facilities. The City received three proposals to name the Countryside Recreation Center gymnasium. Ten people, including five Clearwater residents, spoke in support of naming the gymnasium after John Wiser. In response to questions, Parks & Recreation Director Kevin Dunbar said while John Wiser’s heart was in the right place in his support of various issues, he was headstrong and alienated much of the Countryside Recreation Center staff due to the way he spoke to them. Two female employees filed formal complaints against Mr. Wiser regarding equity issues due to comments he made and the way he addressed them. Over time, Mr. Wiser wore on the patience of the center’s supervisors. The Police could have been called when Mr. Wiser resisted staff direction 18 months ago, went against City policy which prohibits loaning equipment, and took City-owned tables and chairs to use for a Rotary function. Mr. Dunbar said the City’s policy indicates that this honor should be bestowed only rarely and the person honored should have provided lengthy civic service to the City and be locally important. Member Wade commented that he had never heard of John Wiser but noted that no one had come to the public meeting to oppose the recommendation. Member Wade moved to recommend approval of naming the Countryside Recreation Center gymnasium and move forward the presented names. Members Hammac, Wade, Weatherilt, and Whitcomb voted “Aye’; Chair Shaw voted “Nay.” Motion carried. Chair Shaw said he dissented because he felt this recommendation does not meet City criteria as Mr. Wiser had not contributed sufficiently to be so honored. Parks & Recreation 2009-10-27 1 Member Wade moved to recommend naming the Countryside Recreation Center gymnasium, in order or preference: 1) The John Wiser Gymnasium; 2) The John Wiser Gymnasium at Countryside Recreation Center; and 3) John Wiser. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3 – Approval of Minutes – July 28, 2009 Member Wade moved to approve the minutes of the regular Parks & Recreation Board meeting of July 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 Mr. Dunbar presented Parks & Recreation Department capital projects. Mr. Dunbar discussed plans to potentially add a second floor to the building at EC Moore 8 & 9 for a press box and meeting space. Cost estimates are being obtained. Both fields will be viewable from the press box. Seating at one field will be increased to 1,200. Discussions are underway to host the Little League softball championship for 15 to 19 year-old girls and the Big East championships for softball; the City already hosts Big East championships for baseball. Press facilities are required for these events. Mr. Dunbar reviewed uses of Bright House Fields, noting there has been significant wear and tear over the past six years that requires repairs. The Morningside tennis courts are being renovated and the playground is being replaced with a FRDAP (Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program) grant. The department has taken responsibility for wood structures on Clearwater beach, i.e. beach accesses, docks, and sand walls. Beach access #6 has been replaced; work is underway on Beach access #4. Recycled lumber is replacing the weathered wood. The accesses are handicapped accessible. He complimented the high quality of craftsmanship on this project. A walkway now connects Pier 60 Park with the Hilton. Beach restrooms are being expanded, renovated, and replaced. The removal of free parking on Memorial Causeway will be completed next week and new landscaping will be planted; the Police will make certain that no one parks there. The trail on the Memorial Causeway between the Mandalay Channel Bridge and Memorial Causeway Bridge is nearly complete; benches and shade shelters will be added. The next segment of the trail will connect the Memorial Causeway Bridge with the Pinellas Trail and the following piece will extend to Glen Oaks. Extension of the East West Trail is awaiting the County to resolve issues related to the Old Coachman Road channel bridge. Federal stimulus funds will be used to enlarge the Pinellas Trail through downtown, along East Avenue. The Enterprise Dog Pak will open in the next two weeks. The Aging Well Center will be operational in May 2010. Mr. Dunbar reviewed staff efforts to research lightning protection for the Long Center pool. There are concerns that if lightning strikes the Long Center, electricity would travel through the filtration room and mechanical system to interact with the water. Most experts opine that it probably would never happen. Staff has not found any State or national guidance. There are no documented cases in the world of someone being struck by lightning while in an indoor pool. The CAT program wishes to work with USA Swim to certify the pool as an elite training Parks & Recreation 2009-10-27 2 facility; however the City treats the Long Center pool as if it were an outdoor facility and will not put the public at risk. Mr. Dunbar said rehabilitation of the Carpenter Club House is ahead of schedule. The Phillies will begin to move back in the next five weeks. Staff has resubmitted a grant application for McMullen Tennis Center. The Clearwater for Youth fundraiser, scheduled for November 2, 2009, will feature athletes and staff from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, and lronman. 5 - New Business 5.1. 2010 MeetinQ Schedule Parks & Recreation Board meetings in 2010 are scheduled for January 26, April 27, July 27, and October 26 at 6:30 p.m. In January, options for a different location for the April meeting will be presented. Member Comments Concern was expressed that trash remains strewn along Pier 60 Park on Sunday mornings following Saturday beach events. Mr. Dunbar reviewed efforts to clean up the trash. Staff is considering a facility rental fee that will cover staff and cleanup costs. Adding trash cans would increase staff's workload. Coachman Park also requires significant cleanup following events. Members were encouraged to attend the Outback Bowl Clearwater Beach Day on December 30, 2009, at the Hilton. Mr. Dunbar said the October 4, 2009 boat races north of Pier 60 were watched by approximately 50,000 people on the beach and people on more than 25,000 boats. CBS will broadcast the event in mid November. It was requested that staff provide the board with budget information early so that members can work to support the department's budget. 6 - Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m. NEXT MEETING - January 26, 2010 ~F- Chair Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Parks & Recreation 2009-10-27 3