01/28/2014 PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
January 28, 2014
Present: Chair Ray Shaw. Vice Chair Candace Gardner, Member Allen Weatherilt,
Member Brooks Hammac, Member Jerry Thompson, Member Norene M. Marlow, Member
Ric Ortega
Also Present: Felicia Leonard -Administrative Support Manager, Patricia O. Sullivan -
Board Reporter
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. at the Long Center
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve minutes of October 22, 2013 Parks & Recreation Board meeting as
submitted in written summation.
Member Thompson moved to approve Item 2.1. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
3. Citizens to be Heard re Items Not on the Agenda: None.
4. Unfinished Business
4.1 Parks and Recreation - Master Plan Update
Administrative Support Manager Felicia Leonard said the Master Plan had robust
community input. The draft is under final review; staff will present the Master Plan to the
City Council Work Session on Monday, March 3, at 1:00 p.m. for input.
Ms. Leonard said Master Plan results indicate the majority of respondents preferred larger
playgrounds and did not want rest rooms in neighborhood parks. Based on resident input,
she recommended that all tennis court lights be turned back on, requiring a $25,000
budget adjustment. In response to a concern that many residents are unaware that Sid
Lickton Sports Complex and Moccasin Lake Nature Park exist, Ms. Leonard reviewed the
plan to install wayfinding signs. Parks & Recreation Director Kevin Dunbar is working to
increase department resources for marketing and promotion. It was noted that many
residents need to use recreation center facilities when they are closed.
The board commended Ms. Leonard's professionalism in facilitating the Master Plan
meetings, keeping participants on topic, and fostering an atmosphere where participants
talked without arguing, even when they disagreed. She was thanked for her efforts.
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It was recommended that all board members attend the upcoming Work Session.
4.2 Parks and Recreation - Projects Updates
Ms. Leonard said work on Sid Lickton Sports Complex nears completion. Invitations will be
mailed for Little League opening day on Saturday, February 15 at 2:00 p.m.
The equestrian trail parking lot, which meets Florida Greenways & Trails design
requirements, is completed. Nearby reforesting efforts were successful. The 1.2-mile
equestrian loop should be done in March. The multi-use trail is designed for use by horses,
dogs, etc. Once open, staff may need to consider a set of rules.
It was recommended that a driveway be added off Gulf Boulevard, north of the Clearwater
Sailing Center and that the dirt road be paved to provide residents access to the
Intracoastal for night fishing.
In response to a question, Ms. Leonard said expansion of the Enterprise Dog Park parking
lot is planned. Live security cameras were installed to curtail thefts from parked cars.
5. New Business
5.1 Focus Group - January 21, 2014 at Ross Norton
Ms. Leonard said the City sought Focus Group volunteers via newspaper and Facebook.
Participants were divided into categories for aquatics, seniors, athletics, etc. USF
(University of South Florida) graduate students facilitated the discussions re
recommendations for improvements, areas of satisfaction, etc. The report on resident
feedback will be submitted in March; copies will be forwarded to the board. It was stated
that some of the questions facilitators asked were difficult for participants to answer.
In response to a suggestion, Ms. Leonard said staff has done personal intercept surveys
throughout Clearwater.
5.2 Parks and Recreation - Projects Under Design
Ms. Leonard said the listed CIPs (Capital Improvement Projects) are under design. The
Bay Shore Trail, which will connect the Courtney Campbell Causeway and Ream Wilson
trails, will cross SR60 at the traffic signal at grade; there is no history of pedestrian
fatalities at that intersection.
Discussion ensued with recommendations that a flyover would be safer and could be
designed to welcome drivers to the City and be funded with grants. Ms. Leonard said
money was not budgeted for a flyover, which would cost approximately $5 million.
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Ms. Leonard said staff applies for grants to increase CIP project budgets, which can be
used for matches. Staff is applying for a $200,000 Land & Water Conservation Fund grant
for Moccasin Lake Nature Park to augment $400,000 budgeted in the CIP for renovations.
Discussion ensued with concern expressed that the board receives information after the
fact. It was recommended that staff apply for grant money to build a handicapped, rubber
baseball field. Concern was expressed re plans to spend $600,000 on a park that has
insufficient parking and attracts few residents. Ms. Leonard discussed renovations, the
park's environmental features, and the importance of City stewardship of public lands and
maintaining public access. She said the park is underutilized and after improvements
anticipated increased visits by ecotourists and environmental- minded residents. It is
possible to design trails that discourage visitors from walking off the trail. In response to a
suggestion, she said it may be possible to add a canoe launch; documenting a kayak trail
is listed in the department's long term plan. It was noted that Sawgrass Lake Park is a
natural area and attracts a significant number of visitors.
Ms. Leonard reviewed the project to resurface the Clearwater Beach Recreation Center
tennis courts. The CIP is at http: / /www.myclearwater.com /gov /depts /omb /index.asp
5.3 Updated P &R Board Rules & Regulations — approval
Member Thompson moved to approve the Parks & Recreation Board Rules & Regulations
as amended. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
5.4 Election of Officers
Member Thompson moved to reappoint Ray Shaw as Chair. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
Member Thompson moved to appoint Ric Ortega as Vice Chair. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
NEXT MEETING — April 22, 2014 at the Long Center
6. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
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