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10/04/2000BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER October 4, 2000 Present: Jean Stuart Chair Candace Hider Vice Chair Brooks Hammac Committee Member Sally Foote Committee Member Also Present: Kevin Dunbar Parks & Recreation Director Leroy Chin Parks, Planning & Projects Manager Bobbie Downs Staff Assistant II Absent: Steve Brown Committee Member Vacancies (2) Committee Members The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m. at the Municipal Services Building. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. #2. Approval of Minutes of August 2, 2000 - Member Foote moved to approve the minutes as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. #3. Correspondence - None #4 Old Business - Status of Capital Improvement Projects – Mr. Dunbar reviewed the following progress: Ray Green Park Expansion - City Commission will be asked on Thursday to approve the engineer/architect of record to design the North Greenwood Recreation Center. The City is working to acquire all lots on the southwest corner of the parcel so the center can occupy one city block. Construction is expected to begin next summer with the center scheduled to open in June 2002. The complex is expected to be a 27,500- to 35,000-square-foot recreation center with two swimming pools, gyms, fitness facilities and gymnastics rooms. The library will not be on that site. It may occupy the parking lot of Jack Russell Stadium. The future of the stadium may be as an economic generator for the North Greenwood Community. This could mean packaging the Armory and Stadium together to be torn down and replaced with a venue that would economically boost the community. St. Petersburg Junior College site - The Department officially took over operation of the field house October 1. This week the athletic staff is moving operations from MSB. The facility is about 40,000 square feet. Countryside Infrastructure Improvement – Approximately 4,300 square feet will be added to the Countryside Recreation Center. Bids will open October 11; awarded November 16. Construction is expected to begin in late November. McMullen Tennis Complex - Court renovation has been completed. Courts were opened October 1. Dedication will be the evening of November 9. The attractive landscaping package was designed by Mr. Chin. Memorial Causeway Irrigation System – Mr. Chin said proposals have been received from irrigation designers. After sdelection and bid, construction is expected to begin in November. Both sides of the median will be irrigated with reclaimed water. Jack Russell Stadium/Carpenter Complex – Renovations, such as office renovations and repairing leaks, are being done at the stadium with costs being split with the Phillies. b) Nominations for Beautification Awards – Member Foote nominated the Ramada Inn on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard to receive an award. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously. It was decided to schedule the presentation November 16 and award another certificate in January. In response to a question regarding criteria for nominating awards, Mr. Chin and Mr. Dunbar explained some of the requirements. Members have received copies of the Landscape/Tree Protection code. #6 New Business – Ms. Foote brought up the issue of recruiting committee members. She suggested contacting garden clubs, civic groups and local homeowners associations. Mr. Dunbar said a list of homeowners association s would be supplied at the next meeting. Mr. Dunbar said this committee typically has not had a waiting list of prospective members. Member Hider said she would contact the CCHA and ask if any members were interested in serving. Chair Stuart suggested distributing fliers to assist businesses in beautifying their areas. Member Hammack suggested having input with the Zoning Board. In response to a question by Ms. Foote regarding the role of the committee, Mr. Dunbar said the committee is an advisory board to the City Commission. Chair Stuart pointed to the recent recommendation regarding the Conley property as an example. Mr. Dunbar said he would like to see the committee expand to seven members, better define its mission, and take the opportunity to reinvent itself and branch off into other areas. He suggested projects not necessarily related to beautification, such as overseeing the distribution of scholarship monies to allow low-income citizens to participate in programs. Member Hammock agreed with the concept. Member Hider suggested another committee of other citizens should take that project. Chair Stuart suggested a committee with representation from each board. #7. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 9:02 a.m.