02/27/2007
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
February 27, 2007
Present: Jonathan Wade Chair
Ray Shaw Vice-Chair
Tom Fletcher Board Member
Brooks Hammac Board Member
Allen Weatherilt Board Member
Ron Whitcomb Board Member
Absent: n/a
Also Present: Art Kader Assistant Director-Parks & Recreation
Mike Lockwood Recreation Program Coordinator
Marsha Beall Staff Assistant
Jane Williams Citizen
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. at the Henry L. McMullen Tennis Center.
The Chair welcomed guests to the meeting and began introductions.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
2 – Approval of Minutes – January 23, 2007 -
Member Shaw moved to approve the minutes of January 23, 2007 as submitted to
motioncarried
members. The was duly seconded and .
3 – Old Business –
a) Capital Projects Update – Mr. Kader reviewed the Capital Improvement Projects report:
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Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex – plans are to meet with the Philadelphia Phillies
management in April regarding parking and other issues.
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Morningside Recreation Complex – Mr. Dunbar and Ms. Leonard recently traveled to
Washington D.C. to discuss project priorities and funding issues with several federal
agencies and legislative delegates.
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Countryside Sports Complex – next meeting will be in March regarding future plans for this
property.
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Office on Aging – the Aging Well Needs Assessment is progressing with a target date for
completion in March 2007.
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Turtle Creek Park – the School Board now has preliminary plans for a proposed bus depot.
Mr. Kader recently met with Camp Soule’s Boy Scouts of America’s Board of Trustees
regarding the City of Clearwater’s interest in receiving the first right of refusal if they ever
decide to sell. The City’s intention is to preserve this land and protect it for future
generations.
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Countryside Community Park restrooms/concession building – Applied to County for
recreational grant of $125,000 to redesign restroom concession. Plans are to go out to bid
in next three months. Have already installed some of the new playground equipment and
basketball court. Intend on installing additional $75,000 worth of playground equipment.
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Bayview Park – Ms. Williams mentioned she had heard there are additional monies left
over for plantings in this park. Mr. Kader disclaimed that and stated the City Nursery
Division would be a good resource to assist with local groups to develop butterfly gardens
or other plantings.
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Jack Russell Stadium – steel frames for outfield billboards/assorted items under bleachers
have been removed and recycled. Additional demolition taking place. Member Shaw
asked about the use of property. Mr. Kader explained the Winning Inning has a lease
agreement with the City to maintain and pay for expenses at this facility. Future use of this
property remains under debate.
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Armory – ready to got out to bid February/March. Special Events and Electrical staff are
scheduled to relocate offices to this site by late summer.
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Long Center RestroomsAt the Feb. 15 City Council meeting Mr. Kader and other city
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staffers laid out a compelling case for building a 650-square-foot restroom facility at the
city’s new Sunshine Limitless Playground. In the end, the restrooms were approved by a 4-
1 vote.Notice to proceed is forthcoming.
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Miracle Field – this field is a synthetic turf, custom-designed baseball field where
challenged people can play baseball. The field will have a rubberized surface to
accommodate wheelchairs and to help prevent injuries. The rules are “Every child bats,
every child scores, every team wins” because all of the league's two-inning games finish
with tied scores. Currently gathering data and developing conceptual plan to build a field
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Doggie Day Parking Lot – this will be built at Crest Lake Park. The bid has been awarded
and ready for construction in two to three weeks.
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Ream Wilson Clearwater Trail – realigning part of the trail between Long Center and Bright
House Networks Field. Going out to bid by March. FRDAP grant requires completion by
early August 2007.
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Mandalay Channel – opening bids on March 26, 2007, construction late May.
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Contractor led classes – evaluating program and make recommendations to standardize
pay to contract instructors.
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Other – updates on additional ongoing project are part of this report and submitted to
members.
b) Upcoming Recreation Events – The Clearwater Parks & Recreation Calendar for March 2007
was distributed to members. Highlights include March 10 - Wild 98.7 “WildSplash” at
Coachman Park and March 14 - “Arts at the Market” at City Hall parking lot.
4 – New Business
a) Kapok Spur Trail
The City is developing plans to construct a recreation trail spur to connect Kapok Park and
Cliff Stephens Park. Citizens will be able to use the existing parking facility on the east side of the
park and get out and walk/bike the trail. An OGT grant for $200,000 will be submitted for this
project. Members discussed the proposal and recommended support of the project.
Not on Agenda
Member Weatherilt inquired as to the whereabouts of a Time Capsule that had been
buried on the Long Center grounds seven or eight years ago by third grade students. Mr. Kader
said he would look in to it.
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Member Weatherilt ask about recent changes at David Martin Soccer Fields on Court
Street. Mr. Kader explained there are two fields now and the plaque honoring David Martin was
moved across the street when Glen Oaks Park opened. Also, he asked about plans to expand the
clay courts at McMullen. Mr. Kader responded that there are plans to add eight more courts going
east. The funds will need to be secured from the City Council with assistance from a State FRDAP
grant.
5 - Tour of Facilitv
Mr. Lockwood informed members of the history of Henry L. McMullen Tennis Center. The
complex, which opened in 1974, began with 9 hard courts. Since the late 1990's this center has
undergone major modernization, specifically the installation of eight hydro grid clay courts to
accompany nine existing hard courts. The courts were designed in the blue/green color scheme - a
blue inner court surrounded by a green outer court. This new court color mimics the signature look
of the UST A. The City's Nursery Division enhanced the complex with beautiful landscaping around
the new courts. The facility covers 20 acres and offers a variety of opportunities for tennis
tournaments, leagues, after school camps and open play.
6 - Adiournment
Members adjourned at 7:30p.m.
The next meeting will be held March 27, 2007 at Long C
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