03/28/2005
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PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
March 28, 2005
Present:
Jim Appelt
Steve Swanberg
Allen Weatherilt
Ron Whitcomb
Sarah Wiand
Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Also Present:
Kevin Dunbar
Marsha Beall
Director, Parks and Recreation Dept.
Staff Assistant
Absent:
Thomas Fletcher
Jonathan Wade, Sr.
Vice Chair
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.
ITEM #2 - Approval of Minutes of Parks and Recreation Board Meeting of February 28, 2005 - Mr. Swanberg
moved to approve the minutes as submitted to members. The motion was duly seconded and carried.
ITEM #3 - Old Business -
a) Capital Projects Update - Mr. Dunbar reviewed updates on the following projects:
· Ross Norton Recreation Complex - Scheduled date of completion is April 20, 2005. Full
programming begins April 23. Ribbon cutting is scheduled for May 21, 2005. Mark Richardson
will supervisor the Center. The new Pro Shop will be contracted to an outside company.
· McMullen Booth Pedestrian overpass - scheduled for completion end of July. An elaborate
ribbon cutting ceremony will be planned for the grand opening.
· E.C. Moore 8 & 9 - Competed and operational. Remedial repairs of drainage system underway.
· Myron A. Smith Bayview Park - City of Clearwater applied fora Land Water Conservation Fund
grant to develop this park and a FRDAP grant for a boundless playground project. The City has
recently been informed by Tallahassee that out of $46 billion in projects submitted for grant
monies (maximum $200,000 per project), we ranked third in state.
· Glen Oaks Park - Submitted to Council in April. Eighteen-month construction window.
· Kapok Park - Moving forward and on schedule. Neighbors pleased to have a park developed at
this site. Completion date of January 2006. No restroom facilities will be constructed at this park.
This is a Stormwater Facility and under discussion to determine who pays maintenance cost (as
is Glen Oaks Park).
· Community Sports Complex - Ballpark is completed and nearing the end of the second spring
training season. Attendance is up about 8% over last year.
· Long Center - Reviewing funding issues regarding roofs, air conditioning, and miscellaneous
projects.
Parks & Recreation 2005-03-28
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b)
Upcoming Recreation Events - The "2005 Fun & Sun Festival" program guide was distributed to
members. Mr. Dunbar gave an overview of some of the highlights happening throughout April
and May. This years headliners include Boney James, Steppenwolf, Exile, and Florida
Orchestra.
ITEM #4 New Business -
a) Task Forces - Mayor Hibbard has unveiled three initiatives for Clearwater - 1) make Clearwater
a "Well City", 2) bring back a Veterans Day program, and 3) develop a Senior Center.
The City of Clearwater is establishing a Blue Ribbon Task Force to make recommendations to
the City Council regarding the development of a senior center facility and related programs.
Mayor Hibbard is soliciting for members to sit on a Blue Ribbon task force. The city staff
liaison for this group will be from Equity Services. Other members of the group will include
representatives from non-profit organizations and Clearwater residents.
Mr. Appelt opened the topic for discussion. Mr. Appelt idea is to directly involve the Parks and
Recreation Advisory Board as a whole, or indirectly allow a current board member to serve as a
representative on this task force. After concurring with members over the issues, Mr. Appelt
suggests composing a letter of intent from the Board. Members were in agreement. A letter will
be drafted for review.
b)
Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex - An agreement has been reached with St. Petersburg College to
purchase the field house at Joe DiMaggio. The item will go before the Council for final
approval. Unanimous approval is anticipated.
c) Next Month's Meeting - April 25 at "Ross Norton Recreation Center and Extreme Sports Park",
1426 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Clearwater.
ITEM #5 Adjournment - Members adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
The next meeting will be held April 25th at Ross Norton.
c;. .
Attest:
~~. ~fY1:5
Staff Assistant
Parks & Recreation Advisory 2005-328
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