07/27/2010
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
July 27, 2010
Present: Ray Shaw Chair
Jonathan R. Wade Vice-Chair – departed 8:12 p.m.
Allen Weatherilt Board Member
Ron Whitcomb Board Member
Jason Happe Board Member
Absent: Brooks Hammac Board Member
Candace Gardner 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 – Approval of Minutes
– April 27, 2010
Member Whitcomb moved to approve the minutes of the regular Parks & Recreation
Board meeting of April 27, 2010, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board
member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3 – Unfinished Business
3.1. Capital Projects Update
Parks & Recreation Director Kevin Dunbar said the Jr. Tornadoes Football Program has
moved operations to Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex. The soccer and football programs have
been asked to raise $400,000 in funds. All project elements are completed at Morningside
Recreation Complex except the tennis courts; additional storm drainage work is needed. A water
fountain is in the playground area. City tennis courts are not shaded by trees due to root intrusion
and falling leaves.
Concern was expressed that the Greenwood Panthers do not have a place to play and
transportation is a challenge for neighborhood youth. Mr. Dunbar said staff is working to
determine the cost of remediating Phillip Jones field. The Police Chief supports sports activities
for North Greenwood youth, encouraging a basketball season to follow football. The Tampa Bay
Rays’ $100,000 offer to renovate the Jack Russell parking lot for a multipurpose facility would not
cover costs. Staff is reaching out to the NFL for a match. Support was expressed for retaining
the Jack Russell property for sports and not rezoning it for economic development.
Mr. Dunbar said installation of pilings for north basin Downtown Boat Slips was delayed
after the reclaimed water line was damaged; repairs are underway. The fishing pier will open
soon. Renovations to south beach restrooms will be completed in November. Bids are due in
September for upgrades to the Lifeguard Building; the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) lift
requirement has attracted national attention. Final inspection of the Long Center’s catering
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kitchen has been requested. Work is progressing on installation of a lightning protection system
for the Long Center swimming pool.
Mr. Dunbar said the Mayor was interviewed at a Phillies game regarding Clearwater’s
untainted beaches. Drawings for the Druid Road trail are at 90%; staff hopes the next phase can
extend to Highland Avenue. Since the Parks & Recreation Department has taken over upkeep of
beach accesses, staff has been rebuilding the boardwalks in-house.
3.1. 2011 Budget
Mr. Dunbar said the City Manager had recommended against closing or reducing hours at
Parks & Recreation facilities and libraries next year. He discussed the significant increase in
Parks & Recreation Department responsibilities over the past decade and the effect of budget
reductions. He said his budget anticipates department needs 18 months out. Staff is considering
ways to partner with other organizations to meet community needs. Four facilities are not
producing as they should. He expressed concern that neighborhood residents did not complain
when North Greenwood and Ross Norton hours were reduced. He said facilities need to be
relevant to their neighborhoods and offer affordable activities that attract nearby residents. He
said the McMullen Tennis Complex also needs to meet financial targets.
On behalf of Friends of McMullen Tennis, staff was thanked for their efforts to increase
facility revenues. It was reported that grants are available to serve the visually impaired and
juvenile diabetes at the McMullen Tennis Complex during off hours.
Mr. Dunbar reviewed efforts to reduce costs, such as contracting athletic programming
and umpire scheduling and collecting plastic bags for City dog parks. The Police Chief has
suggested using seizure money to fund shirts, referees, and utility costs for a basketball program
in North Greenwood.
Concern was expressed regarding the possible closing of the Martin Luther King Jr.
Center, which is important to the community. Programs and center functions were reviewed. Mr.
Dunbar estimated that repairs to the roof and air-conditioning would cost $200,000. The design of
the North Greenwood Center considered its proximity to the Martin Luther King Jr. Center and did
not replicate those facilities. He reviewed renovation possibilities at the North Greenwood
Recreation Center.
Mr. Dunbar stated 19 agencies partner with the City to operate the Aging Well Center. He
reviewed discussions underway with Top of the World management to help its residents pay lower
rates to use City recreational facilities. Mr. Dunbar did not anticipate any closings of Parks &
Recreation facilities in 2011.
4 – New Business
Items not on the Agenda
Mr. Dunbar said the City has funded at least $400,000 to Ruth Eckerd Hall each year
since 1981. State funding for the arts has been reduced significantly.
It was suggested that trees be planted at Hibiscus Park to shade the benches, and that
chairs be added to Charles Street Park and removed from Cherry Harris Park, where the
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playground also needs shade. It was felt that residents are not aware of the kayak ramp off
Stevenson Creek and that kayak storage there could provide income for the City. In response
to a suggestion, Mr. Dunbar said donation boxes in front of facilities could be vandalized. He
reviewed Customer Service efforts to raise funds. CFY (Clearwater for Youth) also raises
money for youth sports. Suggestions were made to save landscaping costs by not hedging
bushes and to reduce boat slip rates to attract tenants.
In response to a question, Mr. Dunbar said donations to the City are not tax deductible.
Clearwater Charger efforts to transport Haitian soccer team members to the tournament in
Clearwater were reviewed.
5 - Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
NEXT MEETING - October 26, 2010 at ong Center
Chair
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
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