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08/27/2013 - Special PARKS & RECREATION BOARD SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER August 27, 2013 Present: Ray Shaw Chair Candace Gardner Vice-Chair Allen Weatherilt Board Member Brooks Hammac Board Member Norene M. Marlow Board Member Ric Ortega Board Member Absent: Jerry Thompson Board Member Also Present: Felicia Leonard Administrative Support Manager 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 — July 23, 2013 Member Gardner moved to approve the minutes of the regular Parks & Recreation Board meeting of July 23, 2013, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3 —Citizens to be Heard re Items Not on the Agenda: None. 4— New Business 4.1. FRDAP (Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program) grant application for McMullen Tennis Courts Administrative Support Manager Felicia Leonard said in 2008, the City submitted a grant application for the McMullen Tennis Courts and set aside $200,000 for the City's match. While the grant was ranked number one, the State legislature has not funded the program for large cities since then. The City is resubmitting its application to construct four clay courts and a shade structure, install water fountains, improve parking, and renovate the picnic facility, exercise trail, and restrooms. If approved, funds would be available in July 2014 and design work would begin at that time. Representative Hooper and Senator Latvala have expressed support for funding the category and the City's application. As planned, the facility eventually will have 16 courts. Ms. Leonard reviewed the Master Plan process; it will consider if Clearwater is a sports tournament destination and address the need for additional tennis courts. For big sports events, staff works with the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Sports Commission and Visit Clearwater/St. Petersburg. Concern was expressed that the City should consider the needs of Clearwater resident players when tennis tournaments are underway. Parks & Recreation Special 2013-08-27 1 Discussion ensued regarding the McMullen Tennis Courts complex with recommendations that the City extend a sidewalk to improve traffic flow for drop off /pickup during events, that traffic patterns discourage visitors from bypassing the cash register, that palm trees not be planted near courts, that shade trees be planted now so they mature before established trees are removed for future courts, that the bottom of chain Zink fence perimeters be secured to extend their useful life, that playground equipment be installed for a tot park, that a kitchen be installed for concessions, and that the complex feature multi -uses to attract more residents. It was noted that the downtown tennis courts will be removed if the CMA (Clearwater Marine Aquarium) is built on the bluff. 5 — Unfinished Business 5.1 Unfinished Business It was recommended that members attend a presentation regarding the proposed CMA project. It was stated the City's downtown needs the project. Ongoing work by the Master Plan committee was complimented. Board member attendance at future meetings was encouraged. Ms. Leonard reviewed meeting dates/ locations. 6 - Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m. NEXT MEETING — October 22, 2013 at the Long Center 2 Attest: Board Report- ✓Chair' Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Parks & Recreation Special 2013 -08 -27 2