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07/24/2012 PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER July 24, 2012 Present: Ray Shaw Chair Jonathan R. Wade Vice-Chair Allen Weatherilt Board Member Brooks Hammac Board Member Candace Gardner Board Member Jerry Thompson Board Member Norene M. Marlow Board Member Also Present: Art Kader Parks & Recreation Assistant Director Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. at the Clearwater Beach Lifeguard Station. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 2 – Approval of Minutes – April 24, 2012 Member Thompson moved to approve the minutes of the regular Parks & Recreation Board meeting of April 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 An update was requested regarding the Lake Chautauqua equestrian trail. It was recommended that the size of the parking lot and parking lot spaces be increased to handle larger horse trailers. In addition, it was noted that the length of the trail be expanded to accommodate longer rides and that the crushed shell be ground very fine to avoid injuries to horse hooves. 4 – New Business 4.1. Public Hearing – Rename North Greenwood Field It was requested that staff provide board members with background information for agenda items prior to meetings. Parks & Recreation Assistant Director Art Kader said the City Council had requested the Parks & Recreation Board to recommend a name for the new North Greenwood park. A public hearing will be scheduled for the October 23, 2012 board meeting. Concern was expressed that the board had been requested to consider a new name for the North Greenwood Recreation Center but the City Council never discussed the board’s recommendation. Staff will provide board members with City guidelines for naming City parks and recreation facilities. Parks & Recreation 2012-07-24 1 4.2. Future of Morningside Recreation Center It was noted that Penny for Pinellas 2 funds had been set aside to construct a recreation center at Morningside and it was recommended that a date certain be established for construction; there are no recreation centers near southeast Clearwater. It was stated that increased tourism this year should provide additional Penny for Pinellas funds. Mr. Kader said $2.9 million is set aside for a new Morningside facility in 2016 but he was not certain about exact specifics. The City Council will approve or deny the project when the money becomes available. He will verify project details. Operating costs are of concern. All recreation centers are working to increase revenues. 4.3. Tennis Lighting It was recommended that lighting be restored to all City tennis courts. Mr. Kader reviewed recent cuts to the Parks & Recreation Department budget. He said the City’s budget remains at a standstill although he did not anticipate additional cuts which would require closing a recreation center or additional tennis courts. The tourism council is the recipient of increased hotel tax revenues. It was suggested that staff consider providing tennis players the ability to swipe a credit card to turn on court lights. Mr. Kader responded that staff is currently looking into this issue. 4.4. Recent Closure of City Park Restrooms Mr. Kader said by City policy, restrooms are not provided at neighborhood parks. Except for Clearwater Beach, restrooms are open at some facilities only when they are rented or staff is present. The City closed the restrooms at Woodgate, Cherry Harris, and Crest Lake parks. The City has insufficient resources to maintain these restrooms which have had safety problems related to filth, hypodermic needles, and trash fires. It was suggested that neighborhood organizations could be given the opportunity to maintain restrooms in nearby parks. Mr. Kader discussed past problems with lost and duplicated keys. It was noted that Crest Lake Park has had an uptick in homeless individuals since the CHIP (Clearwater Homeless Intervention Project) closed. Mr. Kader reviewed City efforts to address homeless issues. Support was expressed for park restrooms as the City encourages residents to use parks and exercise and older residents need convenient restroom facilities. Concern was expressed that while the City may consider Morningside to be a “neighborhood park,” many who use the tennis courts are not City residents. Mr. Kader said the Parks & Recreation Department cannot do as much as it did before cutting 65 staff positions over the past 4 years. Information was requested regarding savings related to leasing out Jack Russell Stadium and Winning Inning efforts to engage children in the North Greenwood community. Parks & Recreation 2012-07-24 2 5— Facility Tour 6 -Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m., followed by a tour of the lifeguard station. NEXT MEETING —October 23, 2012 at the North Greenwood Recreation &Aquatic Complex (NGRAC) "r/ Chair Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Attest:eSAIV i Board Report Parks & Recreation 2012-07-24 3