01/26/2004
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CITY OF CLEARWATER
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING
January 26, 2004
Present:
Thomas Fletcher
Steve Swanberg
Allen Weatherilt
Sarah Wiand
, James Appelt
Ron Whitcomb
V ice Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Also Present:
Kevin Dunbar
Bobbie Downs
Marsha Beall
Director, Parks and Recreation Dept.
Staff Assistant
Staff Assistant
Absent:
Jonathan Wade Sr.
Chair
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in
that order.
ITEM #1- Call to Order - The Vice Chair called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Mr. Dunbar welcomed
new member, Ron Whitcomb. In a quest to maintain a diverse board, Mr. Dunbar was pleased when the
McMullen staff recommended Mr. Whitcomb based on his past experience in the tennis community. Mr.
Dunbar took a moment to thank Bobbie Downs for her past support to the board and then welcomed a
new staff assistant, Marsha Beall.
ITEM #2 - Public Hearing to Suggest Names for Downtown Lake - Mr. Dunbar reported the City
Commission accepted the Board's recommendation to name the downtown lake, "Prospect Lake Park."
ITEM #3 - Approval of Minutes of Parks and Recreation Board Meeting of November 24,2003 -
Ms. Wiand amended the minutes by revisiting an item she brought up at the last meeting concerning the
purpose of the horizontal boards on the top of the seawall located at the end of Mango Street on North
Beach. Mr. Dunbar will notify Public Works of her concerns. Minutes then were approved as amended.
ITEM #4 - Correspondence - None
ITEM #5 - Old Business -
a) Capital Projects Update - Mr. Dunbar updated the following projects:
. Community Sports Complex - Completion is expected in the next few weeks. The
Phillies are occupying the 2nd and 3rd floor. The first floor is the player area. The
Pitchers and Catchers will arrive Feb. 19. Tickets have been on sale since Jan. 15.
Phillies Fan Fest and ribbon cutting is Feb. 27 from 5:30 to 6 p.m. On Feb. 28 the
Clearwater Neighborhoods Coalition is meeting upstairs in the party room area.
Opening day is March 4 at 1 p.m. against the N.Y. Yankees. The game has sold out
except for 300 tickets held for opening day fans. Ticket sales are up by 30% and
season tickets are up by 25%. Tickets can be purchased at the complex or via
Internet.
. Joe DiMaggio Complex - Ms. Wiand asked the status of clearing the roadway around
the park. Mr. Dunbar said that basically the entire perimeter has been cleaned up
from exotic plants.
. Long Center - The architect's contract is being fmalized during this fiscal year for
renovation work for the facility. Construction is anticipated to commence in October
2004.
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· Ross Norton Complex - Contract was awarded to Angle Schmid Inc. The facility
will open early 2005. The present center will not be closing down until the new
center is up and running. Ms. Wiand recalled from a previous meeting that there
were budget issues. Mr. Dunbar stated that costs were readdressed once the
contractor was brought on board. If grant funding is successful, this will turn out to
be just under a $4 million dollar project (including the skate park). Mr. Dunbar
strongly feels this will be another destination facility for the community. He invited
the Board to the groundbreaking ceremony Feb. 11 at 5 p.m.
· Recreation TrailslPedestrian Bridge - Moving forward. It is at bid right now and
projects an April groundbreaking. Mandalay Channel piece will commence by year-
end. The Bayshore Drive piece is currently under construction with a. completion
date in about 45 days.
· E.C. Moore 8 & 9 - Project is close to completion and will open early February. First
activity will be The Speedline USF Spring Classic on March 4, 5 and 6 at 5 p.m..
There will be 22 college teams from around the country, the 23rd team is the USF
Host team, 24th team is the US Olympic team. It is a ticketed event; board members
should contact Parks and Recreation Dept. for tickets. Mr. Weatherilt mentioned
parking concerns since Senior Showcase Soccer will be playing there on March 5 and
6. Mr. Weatherilt suggested seeking permission to use Calvary Church across the
street for additional parking. Mr. Dunbar will advise his staff about the additional
needs.
· Bayview Park - Working with county on accessing easement agreements. Mr.
Fletcher asked about the process in naming the park. Mr. Dunbar said he would
bring the issue before the board this spring.
· Glen Oaks Park - On schedule for June. Mr. Fletcher asked if there will be a
sidewalk there. Mr. Dunbar explained the plan is to have the Druid Road trail come
through on the southside of the park and intersect with a 10-foot sidewalk along
Court Street. All this will wrap around the lake. Mr. Dunbar reminded members that
Felecia Leonard is working through all of these issues. The main drive is to have all
recreation facilities have the pedestrian connection.
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b) Upcoming Recreation Events - A calendar of events for February listed many community
events. Next major event for Park and Recreation is WildSplash in March. Completion of
the new Memorial Bridge slated for April.
Mr. Dunbar invited members to the second Phillies spring training game at the Bright House
Network Field on March 6 at 1 p.m.
ITEM #6 New Business-
a) The Board will have its next meeting on Feb. 23 at the new stadium. Mr. Dunbar has
dedicated this meeting to a tour of the new stadium. Everyone should meet in the Florida
Operations offices on the 2nd floor. Mr. Dunbar advised members to park on the Old
Coachman side of the ballpark in the Player's parking lot. Hard hats may be furnished if
needed.
Mr. Swanberg asked who will be operating the retail establishments. Mr. Dunbar stated the
Phillies will handle everything inside the ballpark and the City will focus on the Carpenter
complex and exterior grounds. Ms. Wiand inquired as to the use of the field when the
Phillies are not occupying it. Mr. Dunbar explained the Clearwater Threshers and other
community events will utilize the complex. The Phillies do maintain a full-time catering
manager who can handle many of the social events booked at the complex.
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Not on the Agenda
Mr. Dunbar reminded members that the city has rebuilt its Web site, which is now www.myclearwater.com.
Also, the department has hired its first LT. staff member to maintain the Parks & Recreation Web page, be
in charge of the photo ill system, and look for software systems to perform various tasks, including on-line
program registration. Mr. Dunbar said the piece downloaded most often from Parks & Recreation's Web site
is Adult Softball Standings.
Mr. Weatherilt asked to have information on the Senior Soccer Challenge event at Countryside High
School disseminated to the community via Parks and Recreation. Mr. Dunbar referred him to Melanie
Cornwell via Bob Barry.
Mr. Weatherilt asked about the status of the Joe DiMaggio property. Mr. Dunbar said the college is still
reviewing the City's offer to purchase the center. In addition, the city is looking at four or five different
ways to fund improvement to that area. They are also working with the Florida Grapefruit Association to
get legislation passed to establish a grant program for destination athletic facilities. The sponsor is
anxious to fund a facility that would have a regional draw. It will be listed as a CIP in this year's budget
with a two-year projection.
Mr. Whitcomb inquired as to parking availability at the Bright House Complex. Mr. Dunbar explained
there are about 2,000 spaces: 1,200 atJoe DiMaggio, 600 at the Progress Energy right-of-away, and 200
at the former Home Depot parking lot.
Ms. Wi and requested the Parks and Recreation department consider posting the Ladies Doubles Tennis
League results on its Web site. Mr. Dunbar assured her the ultimate goal is to have all team results
. available for public viewing. Staff will contact Jim Halios and Tracy to begin posting tennis results.
ITEM #7 Adjournment - Members adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
The next meeting will be February 23, 2004, at Bright House Networks Field.
Vice Chair
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