06/28/2013 - Topic Trasnportation CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
June 28, 2013
Present: Mayor George N. Cretekos, Vice Mayor Paul Gibson, Councilmember
Doreen Hock-DiPolito, Councilmember Bill Jonson, and Councilmember
Jay E. Polglaze.
Also Present: William B. Horne II - City Manager, Jill S. Silverboard - Assistant City
Manager, Rod Irwin - Assistant City Manager, Pamela K. Akin - City
Attorney, Rosemarie Call - City Clerk, and Nicole Sprague - Official
Records and Legislative Services Coordinator.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
1. Call to Order - Mayor George N. Cretekos
The meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. at City Hall.
The Mayor presented a Proclamation, July 4, 2013 as Independence Day, to the Sons
of the American Revolution: Dan Hooper, John Siegert, and Nelson Jansen.
The City Manager said Amendment 1 and the recession that followed resulted in
significant changes in the Parks and Recreation Department's budget and service
delivery approach. As the economy strengthens in some areas, staff is now being faced
with requests to expand services and amend the fee structure. Today, staff will provide
a brief orientation on the department and seek council feedback regarding possible
changes.
2. Council Discussion Items
2.1 Department Overview - Kevin Dunbar (5 minutes)
Overview and Workshop Goals and Objectives, Organizational Structure,
Introductions
Parks and Recreation Director Kevin Dunbar said the Master Plan is the guiding
principle for how the Department provides services. The current plan was established in
2002. With the recent recession and Department resource reductions, now is the
appropriate time to review the document and determine what changes are needed, as
well as ensuring staff is in-sync with Council's vision.
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Mr. Dunbar said the Department currently runs on a facilitator model; the Department
does not need to do everything but must make sure everything is done.
2.2 Division Overviews - (30 minutes - 5 minutes each division)
Administration - Felicia Leonard
Office on Aging - Kerry Marsalek
Recreation Programming - Mike Lockwood
Landscape Division - Alexis Wells
Community Maintenance - Jim Halios
Planning and Projects - Leroy Chin
Mses. Leonard and Marsalek and Messrs. Lockwood, Wells, Halios, and Chin provided
a PowerPoint presentation and an overview of their respective Division's responsibilities
and activities.
2.3 10 Year Historical Perspective - Art Kader (10 minutes)
2002 Master Plan Goals and Overview
Strategic Planning Process and Outcomes Needed due to Economic Conditions
Completed Master Plan Items
Current Projects / Strategic Objectives
Master Plan Update Needed
Parks and Recreation Assistant Director Art Kader said the City's 20-year Master Plan
was adopted in 2002 after completing a citizen engagement process and council
feedback. The Master Plan includes a comprehensive needs assessment and an action
plan/implementation program. The economic downturn in 2007/2008 caused staff to
look at the Plan and make strategically necessary reductions due to less revenue and
personnel. Personnel budget was reduced by 25%; 240.8 FTEs (FY 2006/2007) to
184.1 FTEs (FY 2010/2011). The reduction in staffing levels has resulted in reduced
level of service.
2.4 2013 Master Plan Update - Felicia Leonard (30 minutes)
Process
Master Plan Community Engagement Input
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Administrative Support Manager Felicia Leonard provided a PowerPoint presentation
and reviewed the community engagement plan process for the Master Plan Update.
The approach will look at the existing conditions; revisit the Department's mission,
vision, and guiding principles; and develop an action plan. The community engagement
program will include a Stakeholder Advisory Committee, Internal Stakeholders,
community workshops, an online community forum, and a mail survey. The community
engagement component will target a minimum participation level of 383 residents. The
Stakeholder Advisory Committee will be tasked with drafting most of the Plan update.
Ms. Leonard said reviewing the existing conditions will encompass demographic trends,
level of service system-wide, and evaluation of park properties and programs. The
department follows national and state guidelines for determining the types of recreation
facilities and amenities needed per population. The process should be completed within
six months, beginning with reviewing the existing conditions during July through
September.
Discussion ensued with suggestions made that survey questions should include
defining Crest Lake Park as a community park and consider what is trending with the
young professional age group, a bike share program, splash parks and other amenities
that attract young families, operation and capital cost when posing options for
facilities/amenities, and community gardens. It was also suggested that the entry of
Crest Lake Park be improved and consideration be given for a new recreation facility at
the city's southeast quadrant (Morningside area). A concern was expressed regarding
lighting neighborhood parks.
2.5 Council Feedback - (45 minutes)
In response to questions, Parks and Recreation Director Kevin Dunbar said the
community engagement process will collect feedback through various community
meetings and survey results. Staff will present the updated Master Plan to Council for
prioritization; priorities will be discussed annually during the budget process.
Administrative Support Manager Felicia Leonard said the Stakeholders Advisory
Committee will review the Department's public-private partnerships model for new
opportunities.
Staff was directed to proceed with appointing individuals to the Stakeholders Advisory
Committee, which should include a Pinellas County Commissioner and an
administrative representative; provide an update on Crest Lake Improvements in
August; and include a question regarding preference for a smaller community park or
neighborhood park in the Master Plan survey.
3. Adjourn
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The meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.
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