08/01/2001BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
August 1, 2001
Present: Brooks Hammac Chair
Jean Stuart Vice Chair
Sally Foote Committee Member
Elizabeth France Committee Member
Allan Dadetto Committee Member
Also Present: Kevin Dunbar Parks & Recreation Director
Leroy Chin Parks, Planning & Projects Manager
Bobbie Downs Staff Assistant II
Absent: Ann Tirpak Committee Member
Vacancy Committee Member
#1 Call to Order – 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 Introduction of New Members – Mr. Dadetto was welcomed as a new member.
#3 Approval of Minutes of January 3, 2001 – Member Foote moved to approve the minutes as recorded and submitted in written summation to each committee member. The motion was duly seconded
and carried unanimously.
#4 Correspondence – It was reported member Candace Hider resigned due to business conflicts.
#5 Old Business –
a) Status of Capital Improvement Projects – Mr. Dunbar reviewed the following progress:
Ray Green Park Expansion – Contract for lot on Pennsylvania Avenue goes to City Commission August 16; one lot left on parcel.
Concrete Sidewalk & Pad Repairs – Ongoing maintenance of infrastructure.
Skate Park – Meeting August 17 hopefully to finalize city’s acquisition of college field house then skate park can be developed.
Softball Complex Development – Renovations at Eddie E. Moore fields 1, 2, 3, & 4 expected to be completed September 16 in time for softball to resume.
Recreation Path – Completing design of East-West Trail behind Cliff Stephens Park and Carpenter Field Complex.
Park Amenity Purchase and Replacement – On-going project for park improvements.
City-wide P&R Master Plan – Consulting firm has been hired by the city; will meet with residents. Committee members requested a copy of the parks inventory.
Tennis Court Resurfacing – Resurfacing of nine courts around the city completed
Playground and Fitness Equipment Purchase and Replacement – Working with residents at Crest Lake to consider moving the playground and installing a dog park. Most residents favor.
Long Center – City negotiating a new lease to be completed by October.
Allen’s Creek Park (Maple Swamp) – Design of playground is in progress.
Ruth Eckerd Hall – City Commission approved funding for education wing.
Northwest Recreation Complex – (See Project Review under New Business)
Glen Oaks Golf Course Improvements – New clubhouse on hold due to possible conflict with a stormwater project proposed for the site.
Fence Replacement, light replacement and parking lot/bicycle path resurfacing and improvements are on-going projects.
b) Beautification Award – Member Foote moved to nominate the downtown Gas Light Alley Park for an award with recognition to extend to others involved in the project including owners
of adjoining buildings. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
#6 New Business –
a) Project Review – Northwest Recreation and Aquatic Center -
Mr. Dunbar said funding for the project is $4 million from Pennies for Pinellas and a $200,000 matching state grant to enhance aquatic facilities. Next year’s budget includes $312,000
for start up costs. It is being constructed as a regional family-oriented facility to draw participants from the area bordered to the south by Cleveland Street, west to the Intracoastal,
north to Sunset Point road, and east to Highland Avenue. The Parks & Recreation Board has recommended three choices for names for the facility; in order of preference: North Greenwood,
Dr. Joseph Carwise and Terrance Griggly. The City Commission will select a name at its second meeting in September.
Mr. Chin, project manager, reviewed plans in detail for the center to be located at 900 North Greenwood Avenue. Amenities include a swimming pool, activity pool and training pool 20-ft
high water slide, playground equipment, teen room, two basketball courts, rooms to hold programs for all ages, and a fully equipped fitness room.
Not on the Agenda –
Mr. Dunbar showed a rendering of the proposed Clearwater Town Pond at approximately five acres of park land bordered on the east by Ewing Avenue, on the west by Prospect Avenue, on the
north by vacated Park Street and far south by Court Street. The park would surround a retention pond, with land adjacent to condominiums. The committee requested a representative from
Environmental Engineering attend the September 5 meeting and discuss plans for the pond.
Updating members on the Historic Bayview project, Mr. Dunbar said the Florida Communities Trust grant would provide 75% of funding to purchase the land; city cost would be $250,000 to
$300,000. Purchase price is between $2 to 2.2 million.