05/22/2007
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
May 22, 2007
Present:
Jonathan Wade
Ray Shaw
Brooks Hammac
Ron Whitcomb
Jane Williams
Chair
Vice-Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Absent:
Tom Fletcher
Allen Weatherilt
Board Member
Board Member
Also Present:
Kevin Dunbar
Marsha Beall
Director-Parks & Recreation
Staff Assistant
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. at the Long Center.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
2 - Approval of Minutes - April 24, 2007
Member Shaw moved to approve the minutes of April 24, 2007 as submitted to members.
The motion was duly seconded and carried.
3 - Old Business
a) Capital Projects Update - Mr. Dunbar reviewed the Capital Improvement Projects report:
. Countryside Sports Complex/Chi Chi Rodriquez - appraisals have been completed on the
properties and city staff will meet again with the School Board to discuss possible land
swap. Chi Chi's is looking to move their existing clubhouse over to the Plex and then
expand the original clubhouse site to include fourteen classrooms. The ownership of the
driving range would revert back to the City and then the City will look to build four-six fields
with additional parking. Magnolia Falls site - no activity at this time.
. Lake Chautauqua/Equestrian preserve - discussions ensued about school board property,
equestrian stables and Camp Soule. Member Williams inquired as to the status of the
school board bus depot project. Mr. Dunbar responded saying that it remains a connective
piece being considered in the land swap. Ultimately, the City would leverage the land swap
and the Equestrian property on Union Street to secure FCT grant monies. The grant
monies and impact fees will be used to purchase of the Equestrian site. The final piece
would be securing the first right of refusal option to purchase land on the Camp Soule site.
. Countryside Community Park-plans being developed by the project architect. Construction
should being early Fall 2007.
. Jack Russell Stadium - demolition bids in for removing old stadium; will be auctioning off
old bleachers to any interested parties.
. Armory - renovations being done to move Events and Electrical to new site.
. Long Center Restrooms - project on schedule for completion July 2007.
Parks & Recreation 2007-5-22
. Doggie Day Parking Lot - Crest Lake Park. The old Parkways Motel site has been cleared.
Parking lot is being landscaped and sidewalks are in designed. Completion expected within
45 days.
. Nursery - adding new metal building.
. Memorial Causeway landscape - waiting on FDOT to approval drawings to landscape
remaining medians. Member Williams asked about the landscape plans on the Causeway
right-of-way. Mr. Dunbar explained the additional landscaping was part of Phase III.
Initially, the cost of the project was 100% approved through grant funding, excluding the
cost of approximately $30,000 a year maintenance expense. Council voted against the
project at this time.
. Kapok Spur Trial- submitted an OGT grant on 3/15/07.
. Mandalay Channel Bridge - Council is expected to award the project on June 7.
. Morningside Rec. Center - this center was funded over $3 million dollars toward the
construction of a new facility. An additional $2 million dollars is required to build it properly.
Due to the preliminary budget cuts, this project was presented to Council for their decision
to approve building a new facility. No decision has been made.
. 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 May-June 2007 was distributed to
members. Highlights include May 25-27 - NSA Bomber Memorial Day Weekend Girls Fast Pitch;
June 8-10 - ASA Strike Three Girls Fast Pitch.
4 - New Business
a) Lake Belleview Improvements
Mr. Dunbar reviewed and discussed the Lake Belleview Site Conceptual Plan. Lake
Belleview is adjacent to the Ross Norton Recreation and Aquatic Complex. This plan includes
playground and trail improvements, fencing, landscaping, and dock renovations. A Land and
Water Conservation Grant (LWCF) will be applied for to help fund the proposed improvements.
b) Budget
Mr. Dunbar reviewed the 2007-08 Parks & Recreation annual operating budget
recommendations with regard to the potential state tax reform.
Member Whitcomb introduced copies of a letter directed to the Mayor and City Council from
a group of community residents who patron the Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex. The letter
expressed community support to place the McMullen CIP projects back in the 2008-2009 City
Budget.
Member Shaw expressed his opinion to consider having a larger differential rate in the fees
for non-residence participation in City of Clearwater activities. Discussions ensued with Mr. Dunbar
explaining the theory behind the pricing table.
Mr. Dunbar encouraged member to attend the Public Hearings and contact their Legislators
to voice their opinion on the upcoming budget issues.
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NOT ON AGENDA
Mr. Dunbar advised members that effective this year, State Legislators mandated that local
school districts are to not begin their school year more than two weeks before Labor Day. This
means there remains an extra three weeks this summer that children will be available to attend city
pools. Recognizing this problem, City Council reviewed the normal summer ten-week pool
schedule and found the cost to remain open those additional three weeks would cost a deficit of
$20,000. Council decided not to have the pools remain open during the additional weeks.
Chair Wade sited issues with the air conditioning system at the Martin Luther King Center
and asked Mr. Dunbar if he would review the maintenance contract to see when it is due to have an
overhaul.
Member Williams advised that both the Audubon Society and the Florida Native Plant
Society offers scholarships.
5 - Adiournment
Members adjourned at 8:20p.m.
The next meeting will be held June 26, 2007 at Morningside Recreation Center.
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