04/24/2012
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
April 24, 2012
Present: Ray Shaw Chair
Jonathan R. Wade Vice-Chair
Brooks Hammac Board Member
Jerry Thompson Board Member
Norene M. Marlow Board Member
Absent: Allen Weatherilt 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 North Greenwood Recreation &
Aquatic Center.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
2 – Public Hearing: Proposals for renaming the North Greenwood Recreation & Aquatic
Complex
The City received requests to rename the North Greenwood Recreation & Aquatic
Complex: 1) The Walter C. Campbell, Sr. Community Center; 2) The Walter C. Campbell, Sr.
Aquatic Complex; and 3) Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center.
Two people spoke in favor of renaming the complex after Walter C. Campbell and three
people spoke in favor of renaming the complex after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Two people
discussed plans to rehabilitate and reopen the Martin Luther King Jr. Center. When asked and by
a show of hands, most of the approximately 150 people in attendance indicated a preference for
renaming the complex after Walter C. Campbell.
Discussion ensued with comments admiring the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,
a suggestion that nearby community centers should not share the same name, and support for
renaming the complex after Walter C. Campbell, based on his many contributions to the
community, county, and country.
Member Thompson moved to recommend that the North Greenwood Recreation &
Aquatic Complex be named, in order: 1) The Walter C. Campbell, Sr. Recreation and Aquatic
Complex; 2) The Walter C. Campbell, Sr. Community Center; and 3) Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Recreation Center.
The Parks & Recreation Board recessed from 7:30 to 7:36 p.m.
3 – Approval of Minutes
– January 24, 2012
Parks & Recreation 2012-04-24 1
Member Wade moved to approve the minutes of the regular Parks & Recreation Board
meeting of January 24, 2012, 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 reviewed the Capital Projects’ spreadsheet.
The City is working with FDEP (Florida Department of Environmental Protection) to clean and
encase pollution at the Phillip Jones Field site and reopen the field in 2013. Ash from an
incinerator once located next door encroached on the site.
Replacement of tanks at the water pollution control plant next to Sid Lickton Park will
require the park to close from June 2012 through summer 2013; fall ball games will be relocated
to Countryside and Dunedin. The 2013 Clearwater Little League season will be held throughout
the City and assistance may be needed from outside communities. The site will be reconfigured
with a practice field and also five fields circling a fly wheel that will feature a press box and rest
rooms. The facility will accommodate tournament play and fields will be sized to meet the needs
of players of all ages.
Mr. Dunbar said performance issues with the remaining air-conditioning systems at the
Long Center are being reviewed to improve energy efficiencies and determine which a/c units
need replacement.
It was stated that safety was compromised during blasting work to repair Long Center
columns. Concern was expressed that workers did not wear proper safety equipment and
employees and visitors were not protected. It was recommended the City seriously consider
safety issues when contracting work.
Mr. Dunbar said work has begun on the Jack Russell athletic fields; one field should be
ready for football practice halfway through this fall’s season. It was noted the Parks & Recreation
Board had been instrumental in recommending this project.
Mr. Dunbar said construction of the Pier 60 restrooms is complete. Work to address
storage will be done later this year. The design for the Belleview trail extension is 60% complete,
the topographical survey of Lake Chautauqua Park is complete, and design of the horse trails is
60% complete. Aquatic renovations at the Clearwater Beach swimming pool are done and work
has begun at the North Greenwood Recreation & Aquatic Complex. Due to budget reductions,
City swimming pools now open in the summer when school is out of session. The design for the
new baseball training building at Carpenter complex is complete and will be ready for minor
league operations next year. Discussion ensued regarding the Phillies’ contribution to the local
economy. Spring Training game attendance broke all records.
4 – New Business
.1. Board Presentation to Council:
4 May 3, 2012 at 6 p.m.
Mr. Dunbar said the Mayor requested the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board provide a
presentation to the City Council on May 3, 2012.
Parks & Recreation 2012-04-24 2
Consensus was to request that the board meet six times a year, rather than quarterly.
5 -Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
NEXT MEETING —July 24 2012 at the Clearwater Be- 'ifeguard Station
Staff will make parking arrang- - -
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Chair
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Attest: ///
and Reporter ,
Parks & Recreation 2012-04-24 3