05/23/2005
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
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May 23, 2005
Present:
Jim Appelt
Thomas Fletcher
Steve Swanberg
Ron Whitcomb
Sarah Wiand
Chair
V ice Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Also Present:
Kevin Dunbar
Marsha Beall
Director, Parks and Recreation Dept.
Staff Assistant
Absent:
Jonathan Wade, Sr.
Allen Weatherilt
Board Member
Board Member
Mr. Appelt called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 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 April 25, 2005 - Mr. Swanberg
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:
· Ross Norton Recreation Complex - Grand Opening was held Saturday, May 21 from lOam until
4pm. Mark Richardson will supervise the Center. Punch items will be completed by June 30.
This extreme park is the city's first and the largest in the area. It includes a teen lounge equipped
with Play Stations, Xbox, high definition stereo and a 55inch big screen TV, a fitness room,
gymnasium, skate park, and many outdoors amenities. The facility will operate all but four
holidays out of the year. Mr. Dunbar expressed how proud he was to see teams assemble on a
citywide basis and successfully complete this project on time. It was evident the staff displayed
overall effort and comrodery throughout this entire project.
· Crest Lake Park - Funding will be incorporated in the budget for next year.
· Long Center - Contract was awarded at City Council meeting on May 5, 2005. Expecting to get
started mid June. This will be a six-month project.
· Recreation Trails - McMullen Booth Overpass: Plans for a ribbon cutting ceremony in July.
Expected to open August 2005. Mandalay Bridge: 100% plans are completed. Mr. Dunbar
explained some additional features include a Pinellas Trail pedestrian spur to Clearwater Beach
and a new access way to Cleveland Street. The bridge will connect the causeway to the new
bridge and provide a safe, independent path of travel for bicyclists, skaters, and pedestrians
traveling between the East-West Trail on the Memorial Causeway, as well as, the trail section
leading to the beach along the south side of the new beach entryway. Mr. Dunbar will present
Parks & Recreation members with a design of the Mandalay bridge elevations and the Druid
Road Trail aerial design at the June meeting. Ms. Wiand inquired as to parking facilities issues.
Mr. Dunbar advised this item would be addressed at the next City Council meeting.
· Myron A. Smith Bayview Park - City of Clearwater applied for a Land Water Conservation Fund
grant to develop this park. The grant reserve fund will be needed to fund this $200,000 project.
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· Glen Oaks Park - Construction has begun. The project will entail conversion of almost the entire
parcel into a multi-purpose flood detention, stormwater treatment, wildlife habitat and
recreational facility. Completion expected next year. Overall, this is a $7.8 million project.
· Joe DiMaggio - City has purchased this facility and will continue to honor any outstanding
commitments. This facility is available for rental only.
b) Upcoming Recreation Events - The May-July 2005 calendar was distributed to members. Mr. Dunbar
highlighted the itinerary plans for July 3-4 "Clearwater Celebrates America" at Coachman Park.
July 3: Concert featuring the Commodores, family activities, games, food and beverages. July 4:
John and Mary Wilson with the Mostly Pops Orchestra, family activities, concessions, and
fireworks. Events will run from 5 :OOpm-l 0:00pm each day.
Mr. Dunbar announced the Clearwater Threshers and City of Clearwater Parks and Recreation
are presenting the Bob Dylan/Willie Nelson Show on May 29 at Bright House Networks Field.
The gates are scheduled to open at 5:30pm and the show begins at 6:30pm. Ticket can be
purchased at the box office.
ITEM#4 - New Business -
Ms. Wiand suggested the Parks & Recreation Board consider offering support to the Public Arts Ordinance being
presented to City Council in July. Mr. Dunbar will include this as a discussion item at the June meeting.
Mr. Whitcomb reported on his recent attendance at the Senior Center Task Force meeting. The purpose of the
Task Force is to make recommendations to the City Council in August regarding the development of a senior
center facility and related programs. In order to do this, the Task Force is reviewing other senior centers for
practices, programs, locations, and operating cost. Meetings are scheduled every other Tuesday from 9:00am-
12:00pm. Mr. Dunbar thanked Mr. Whitcomb for his report and reaffirmed Parks & Recreation's commitment to
the senior population. Whether through a dedicated facility or just in mainstream activities, the Parks &
Recreation staff focus has been to include activities of interest for all age groups, without limiting senior services
to one building location. This management style has been to create participant opportunities at any center of
choice, without the limitations that location, transportation, or cost restraints which normally incur on
individuals. Mr. Dunbar goal is to continue to improve the quality of design and infrastructure that already exist
within the City of Clearwater Parks & Recreation facilities. A good example is the Long Center Therapeutics
program, Fitness Center, and some of the Special Needs programs that are currently available, as well as, being
continually improved upon.
ITEM #5 - Adjournment - Members adjourned at 7:35p.m.
The next meeting will be held June 27 at Wood Valley Park.
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