04/22/2014 PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
April 22, 2014
Present: Vice Chair Ric Ortega, Board Member Allen Weatherilt, Board Member Brooks
Hammac, Board Member Candace Gardner, Board Member Norene M. Marlow; Board Member
Empty Seat
Absent: Board Member Jerry Thompson
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. Administrative Support
Manager Felicia Leonard announced that Chair Ray Shaw had moved out of the City and
resigned from the board.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
2 —Approval of Minutes
2.1. Approve the minutes of the January 28, 2014 Parks & Recreation Board meeting as
submitted in written summation.
Member Marlow 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
A resident expressed concerns re Moccasin Lake Nature Park. Ms. Leonard reviewed
modifications, improvements, and operational changes at the park based on the new Master Plan.
With the relocation of onsite staff, Parks and Beautification now maintains the park. Staff will lead
this year's summer camp program at the park but is researching alternate future leadership,
including a MOSI (Museum of Science and Industry) satellite program. The park has few visitors.
Hours will be reduced this summer but Sunday hours will be added in the fall. Partner groups will
have access via user code. Efforts to recruit additional volunteers were planned.
In response to a suggestion, Ms. Leonard said teacher guides for City parks are available for
download on the department's website. Pinellas County Schools discontinued the teacher position
at the park in 2008. It was recommended that the City market the park to schools by mailing them
letters with information. It was suggested Duke Energy could install renewable energy at the park.
4— New Business
4.1. Parks & Recreation — Projects Under Design
Ms. Leonard said every year the City Council approves the budget for the department's 6-year
projects' plan, which is available online. Upcoming projects include fitness equipment
replacement, swimming pool repairs and refurbishment, bike path construction, and Bright House
Field projects. Salvageable items are sold as surplus. Funding budgeted for Ruth Eckerd Hall was
Parks & Recreation 2014-04-22 1
moved up and spent on the Capitol Theatre. Out year projects include youth sports fields at Joe
DiMaggio and Countryside complex, Aging Well Center upgrades, and asset management
software. Staff has been asked to budget work at Phillip Jones.
In response to a question, Ms. Leonard said funding for the Morningside Recreation Center,
scheduled for three years ago, is on another list. The City has Penny for Pinellas funds set aside
for construction but no budget for operational expenses. Concern was expressed that park staff
recently had hacked and slashed the foliage at Morningside Park.
4.2. Election of Chair
Member Marlow moved to appoint Ric Ortega as Chair. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
Member Gardner moved to appoint Norene Marlow as Vice Chair. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
5 — Old Business
5.1. Parks & Recreation Projects Updates
Ms. Leonard said design work is underway for the East Shore Boardwalk; the City will construct
the first section. The Lake Chautauqua Park horse trail is almost finished. The Druid Road Trail
is completed to Glen Oaks Park and will extend to Florida Progress Trail in 2015. Staff is
working on the design for the Bayshore Trail, which will connect the Ream Wilson Trail with the
Courtney Campbell Trail, slated for completion in 2015. Work has not been started on a canoe
trail; a volunteer submitted preliminary findings. In response to a question, Ms. Leonard said
Cooper Point has limited access through the college. Design plans on the books for boardwalks,
and a tower are not funded; an alternative access is planned.
Items not on the Agenda
It was recommended that staff hours be flexed to open McMullen Tennis Complex on City
holidays when residents have time to use the facility. It was stated it was not fair that the City
collects admission fees from fundraiser participants when hosting tennis groups pay the City to
open the courts.
The new Sid Lickton facility and its superior amenities were complimented.
6 - Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m.
NEXT MEETING — July 22, 2014 a ter
Attest:
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Parks & Recreation 2014 -04 -22
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