01/24/2005
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PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
January 24, 2005
Present:
Jim Appelt
Thomas Fletcher
Steve Swanberg
Ron Whitcomb
Chair
Vice Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Also Present:
Kevin Dunbar
Marsha Beall
Director, Parks and Recreation Dept.
Staff Assistant
Absent:
Jonathan Wade, Sr.
Allen Weatherilt
Sarah Wiand
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Mr. Appelt called the meeting to order at 6:35pm at the Long Center.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that
order.
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ITEM #2 - Approval of Minutes of Parks and Recreation Board Meeting of November 22. 2004 - Mr. Fletcher
moved to approve the minutes as submitted to members. The motion was duly seconded and carried.
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ITEM #3 - Old Business -
a) Capital Projects Update - Mr. Dunbar reviewed updates on the following projects:
. Long Center - Plans are at 100%. A Pre-Bid meeting is scheduled for February 1. Bids are due
back in on February 15. Looking for Council to award on March 17. Scheduled for completion
by Thanksgiving 2005. Exotic plant removal occurred on the east side of the property and has
increased the size of Coachman Ridge Park. Staff is reviewing green spacing options to enhance
visual aesthetics.
. Ross Norton Recreation Complex - Scheduled date of completion is April 20, 2005. Ribbon
cutting will be soon after. Recent Bids for pool work came in excessively high and have been
rejected. Facility will be open for summer and then closed back down for construction after
school year begins which will allow time to rebid.
. Fencing Replacement Program - Work completed at Sid Lickton 6, 7. Clearwater Little League
and Clearwater For Youth have merged their programs. Clearwater Little League will program
out all the fields at Sid Lickton.
. Recreations Trails - The structure for the fly over for East/W est Trials was installed on January
23, 2005. McMullen Booth Road will be closed between State Road 590 and Drew Street in
both directions 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6 to finish installation of the pedestrian overpass.
The bridge rebar and concrete will be installed during this closure. Mandalay Bridge - Back out
of DOT and ready to put project out to bid. Should be able to begin construction late Summer.
. E.c. Moore 8&9 - Competed and operational.
. Glen Oaks Park - 100 % plans completed. Current construction is out to bid. Eighteen-month
construction window.
. Kapok Park - Moving forward and on schedule. Completion date of January 2006.
. Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex - Moved out effective January 10,2005. The City's offer is still
on the table. Renewed interest is coming forth from St. Petersburg College.
Parks & Recreation Advisory 2005-124
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b) Upcoming Recreation Events - "Countryside Cougar" newspaper has begun advertising a new
single-page layout listing City of Clearwater's upcoming events. January publication promotes
Long Center activities, Countryside Community News, and McMullen Tennis Complex "UST A
Pro Circuit".
Mr. Fletcher announced Clearwater High School is presenting a Baseball Showcase at Bright
House Fields on Saturday, February 12, 2005. Admission is free. Mr. Dunbar added that the
Winning Inning has also graciously invited Clearwater High School to play at their facility. One
of the perks Winning Inning offered is to set up locker room space for their use.
ITEM #4 New Business -
a) Myron A. Smith Bayview Park Conceptual Plans - Mr. Dunbar discussed this project with
members. This project will provide for the construction of the park according to agreements with
the State of Florida in regards to the Grant Program Trust for Public Land. Construction will
include landscaping, parking,signage, and pathcenstruction. Designs were presented to
members. Discussion ensued and members asked questions and offered input into the project.
The board members were in support of the project.
b) Next Month's Meeting - February 28 at Ruth Eckerd Hall. A tour of the facility will be given.
ITEM #5 Adjournment - Members adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
The next meeting will be held February 28, 2005 at Ruth Eckerd Hall.
Chair
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Staff Assist'am '\
Parks & Recreation Advisory 2005-124
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