08/28/2007
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
August 28, 2007
Present: Jonathan Wade Chair
Ray Shaw Vice-Chair
Tom Fletcher Board Member
Brooks Hammac Board Member
Allen Weatherilt Board Member
Jane Williams Board Member
Absent: Ron Whitcomb Board Member
Also Present: George N. Cretekos Councilmember
Cary Stiff Chi Chi Rodriquez Foundation
Kevin Dunbar Director-Parks & Recreation
Marsha Beall Staff Assistant
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. at Chi Chi Rodriquez Golf Club.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
2 - Approval of Minutes – July 24, 2007
Member Fletcher moved to approve the minutes of July 24, 2007 as submitted to members.
motioncarried
The was duly seconded and .
3 – Old Business
a. Capital Projects Update – Mr. Dunbar reviewed the Capital Improvement Projects report:
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Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex– bringing agenda item to Council on September 6 for
approval to demo the existing field house. Recommending new sod and irrigation in order
to reuse site for soccer and football. Project estimated to cost $300,000. Half of the funds
will come from the Parks and Recreation budget and the other half will be requested from
Council. Member Fletcher suggested constructing a canopy for shade. Mr. Dunbar
advised that in this particular area the existing oak trees would be retained to provide for
adequate shading.
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Office on Aging – "Vial of Life/File of Life" - new programs for Life Safety Initiative. It gives
emergency personnel that are called to your home...complete medical information about
you...they grab the information from your refrigerator door...and they can read it and take it
to the hospital if necessary to help you. Ms. Kimball is working with Chief Geer of the Fire
and Rescue Department. Vice Chair Shaw suggested possible funding from local rotary
clubs. Councilmember Cretekos mentioned his church recently distributed emergency
packets to their members via Morton Plant Hospital.
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911 Cell Phone Project – the Department of Aging is partnering with the area Aging’s
Senior Victim Advocate Program to provide the Senior Safety Phone Project. The
program’s main goal is to keep seniors safe during times of emergency. The program
provides seniors with a free 911cell phone and has four donation sites for old phones. The
program is on going.
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Lake Chautauqua/Equestrian Preserve – the City has ranked high on the FCT grant and
Trust for Public Lands grant. For additional grant quality points, Mr. Dunbar and Vice
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Mayor Doran are planning a trip to Tallahassee to represent their request. City staff and
School Board staff continue to meet to finalize and bring forward to both respective boards.
Looking before the end of the calendar year to bring forward land swap.
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Countryside Community Park- plans out to bid; contract to be awarded at the October 4
Council meeting. Construction to begin soon after on the restroom concession building in
order to have completed by the 2008 baseball season.
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Ross Norton/Lake Belleview – 100% construction plans completed and project out to bid in
September. Phase III improvements includes new playground and completion of grass
parking driveway and grass parking. Chair Wade asked if there is anyway to stock the
pond for fishing and hold fishing tournaments. Mr. Dunbar stated that is indeed part of the
plan. Stormwater Management will enlarge the lake by five acres and improve the water
quality impact on fishing.
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Jack Russell Stadium – the main grandstand area is gone. In restoration mode. Continue
to move forward on project. Winning Inning continues to use facilities.
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Armory Renovations – project out to bid, should go to Council on October 4.
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Long Center Restroomsthe new restrooms are open. There are a few punch items to
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complete.
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Miracle Field – no update. Members discussed future considerations for the use of the
field.
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Nursery – survey complete, drawings for new metal building 90% complete.
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Memorial Causeway landscape – Phase II. FDOT has approved drawings to landscape
remaining medians west of bridge down to Island Way.
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Enterprise Dog Park – located in wooded area a quarter-mile east of US 19 and Enterprise
Road. Grant funding has been approved. Environmental assessment has been completed
and developing a report. Discussion ensued on the viability of the project.
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Kapok Spur Trail – waiting for OGT grant approval.
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Ream Wilson Trail – work has been completed.
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Mandalay Channel Bridge – contract has been awarded. Construction began June 25 with
estimated completion in 413 days.
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Adopt a Park – initially we had 15 properties adopted, to date there are 25 partners.
Member Williams requested a current list of projects and participating facilities.
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Clearwater Beach Recreation Center Expansion - in process to move forward with project.
FEMA is authorized to approve up to $390,000 for this renovation, which is 50% of the
value of the existing facility. Plans are to accelerate this project by utilizing a trailer on the
site to have the library continue to function as close to October 1 as possible. The library
was also able to secure a $100,000 grant. Fowler & Associates are the chosen architects
for this project.
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Other – updates on additional ongoing projects are part of this report and submitted to
members.
b. Upcoming Recreation Events
The Clearwater Parks & Recreation Calendar for September 2007 was distributed to
members. It is a busy time for the City; members were encouraged to review the multitude of
upcoming events during the next couple months.
4 – New Business
a. Morningside Recreation Center –
Councilmember Cretekos thanked members for their letter of support to retain the
Morningside Recreation Center. Council approved the project viability. Parks and Recreation staff
will now move forward in securing funding from a FRDAP grant. Working on architect’s contract
and budget in order to be ready to go in October 2007. The design will be for a 25,000 square
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b. Chi Chi Rodriquez - Cary Stiff, Sr. V.P./Director of Development
The Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation was built upon an idea conceived when Bill
Hayes enlisted "Chi Chi" Rodriguez and Bob James, founder of Raymond James Financial, Inc.
and the three of them embarked on building the Foundation. The Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth
Foundation, Inc.'s mission is to serve inner city youths who are at risk of dropping out of school by
improving their self-esteem, character, work ethic, social adjustment, and academic performance.
In 1989, the Foundation built the Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club on Clearwater city property with
privately generated funds. The staff of the Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation consists of
teachers, administrators, course superintendents, golf professionals, and volunteers - all of whom
work very hard to ensure that the programs offered produce effective results.
The target group for Foundation's activities are children ranging in ages from 5 to 11. They
continue in the programs through high school. All of the candidates for the programs are referred
by either the Pinellas County School System, (which consists of 81 elementary and 22 middle
schools), private counselors or psychologists, community agencies, and, in the case of one
program, the court system. This year they have served over 800 community children.
NOT ON AGENDA
As representative of City Council, Councilmember Cretekos took a moment to thank the
Parks and Recreation members for their diligence and dedication to support of community interest.
Chair Wade reported on recent action from North Greenwood Crime Prevention sub-
committee. task force. The task force group is discussing possibilities of providing community
baseball in North Greenwood area. They have been in discussions with Winning Inning for
sponsorship and to the City for redevelopment of the 16-acre Jack Russell stadium site.
Councilmember Cretekos cited that City Council continues to determine the highest and best land
use that would benefit the North Greenwood neighborhood and the City of Clearwater. The primary
trepidation will be selecting between several groups, some which are interested in that particular
area for housing and new business ventures. They continue to welcome concerns and input from
local residents and neighborhood groups.
5 - Adiournment
Members adjourned at 8:06p.m. Tour of facility followed.
The next meeting will be held September 25, 2007 at Long Center.
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Staff Assist
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