10/26/2010
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
October 26, 2010
Present: Ray Shaw Chair
Jonathan R. Wade Vice-Chair – arrived at 6: 53 p.m.
Allen Weatherilt Board Member
Ron Whitcomb Board Member
Absent: Brooks Hammac Board Member
Candace Gardner Board Member
Jason Happe Board Member
Also Present: Art Kader Parks & Recreation Assistant Director
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Chair called a work session to order at 6:47 p.m. at the Long Center. When a
quorum was reached, the Chair called the meeting to order at 6:53 p.m.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
2 – Approval of Minutes
– July 27, 2010
Member Wade moved to approve the minutes of the regular Parks & Recreation Board
meeting of July 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
Assistant Parks & Recreation Director Art Kader reviewed updates to Joe DiMaggio Sports
Complex. Morningside tennis court upgrades near completion. The City is working with
Honeywell to lower electricity costs by installing new lighting at the Countryside Sports Complex
and all EC Moore softball fields. The $1.4 million project has a 25-year warranty and an 11-year
payback. New lighting has been installed at the Long Center and City Hall. In response to a
question, Mr. Kader said lighting costs $8/hour at softball fields and $50/hour at Joe DiMaggio
football fields.
Mr. Kader said a selection panel is reviewing the more than 200 proposals submitted for
the public art project at the downtown boat slips. Work continues on repairs to beach access
walks. He anticipated new beach restrooms will be completed in early November; old facilities will
be razed. Work to upgrade the lifeguard station will begin soon. A call to artists has been
released for public art at the Carpenter Complex. The City Council will be asked to accept a
$200,000 trails grant awarded for Lake Chautauqua. Work nears completion on the East Avenue
widening of the Pinellas Trail. The City is negotiating to purchase 2 acres west of Bright House
Fields for parking. Federal representatives have not responded to the City with a report on
contamination issues at Philip Jones Field.
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3.2. 2011 Approved Budget
Mr. Kader reported the City Council had approved the 2011 Parks & Recreation budget of
approximately $18 million which includes about $900,000 in cuts. Staff levels have been reduced;
the department has fewer FTEs (Full-Time Equivalents) than it did a decade ago but is
responsible for significantly more parks and facilities. Ball fields at Belmont and Marymont and
US 19 soccer practice fields have closed; the City is negotiating with a group to maintain
Marymont. The water department owns the soccer practice fields at US 19 and will construct a
water plant there. Lights have been cut off at all tennis courts except those at McMullen Tennis
Complex, Bayfront Tennis Complex, and Clearwater Beach Recreation Center, saving $21,000
annually. Many tennis players are upset by the change. Meters were not installed due to
vandalism and the high cost of electricity. Staff will investigate meters that accept credit cards.
Lights will remain in place until the economic climate improves. The hand ball and basketball
courts remain lit due to their high use. It was suggested that turning lights off for youth sports
would drive home the consequences of budget cuts.
Mr. Kader reviewed changes to the Penny for Pinellas list, which will be used to expand
the North Greenwood Recreation Complex to handle programming currently held at the Martin
Luther King Center. Discussion ensued regarding the importance of the Martin Luther King
Center to the community with comments that private groups are working to raise money to keep
the center open. Increased spending in the North Greenwood community was encouraged. It
was noted that youth football cannot use the local facility as the field is contaminated. It was
stated that the North Greenwood Recreation Center is not working as a community center as it
does not attract local residents. Mr. Kader said staff has tried a range of activities to attract
residents. Budget cuts have closed the Harborview Center. The Morningside Recreation Center
was razed. It was stated that Countryside residents also feel neglected by the City.
In response to a question, Mr. Kader reviewed upgrades planned for the North Greenwood
Recreation Center and North Greenwood Library to handle programming now offered at the
Martin Luther King Center. Staff is trying to reduce taxpayer subsidies for City facilities. It was
suggested that the North Greenwood Recreation Center could be renamed after Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. if the current center closes.
4 – New Business
4.1. 2011 Meeting Dates
Parks & Recreation Board meetings are on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at the Long Center.
2011 meetings dates are: January 25, April 26, July 26, and October 25.
Items not on the Agenda
Mr. Kader said after the County delayed or reneged on its promised contribution to build
6 soccer fields at the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex, the City met with the presidents of the
Tornados and Chargers to discuss the need for the football program to raise $100,000 and the
soccer program to raise $300,000 for the $4 million complex. He said questions about these
amounts have been raised. All need to partner together for this project.
In response to a question, Mr. Kader the Condon Gardens property has drainage
problems related to its use as a construction site when the Courtney Campbell Causeway was
built.
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Concern was expressed that walkers often block runners at the beginning of the Turkey
Trot.
It was requested that an item regarding the quarterly meeting schedule be placed on the
next agenda. It was suggested that the board consider disbanding as it seems to be
disconnected from the City; parks are important to the City but the board does not seem to be
important to the City. It was felt the board should meet at least every other month. It was
questioned what the board accomplishes. It was noted that the Parks & Recreation Board
recommends park and facility names and is important to the grant application process. It was
recommended that the board have goals. Concern was expressed that the City spent $750,000
on a dolphin while it spends less and less on people. It was felt that significant taxes will need
to be generated to cover those costs.
5 - Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
NEXT MEETING - January 25, 2011 at the Long Center
A
air
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
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