03/02/2021 - SpecialTuesday, March 2, 2021
9:00 AM
City of Clearwater
Main Library - Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
Main Library - Council Chambers
Council Work Session
Special Work Session
Special Work Session - Imagine Clearwater
March 2, 2021Council Work Session Special Work Session
1. Call to Order
2. Council Discussion Item
Operations and Management Discussion for Coachman Park /
Performance Venue
2.1
3. New Business (items not on the agenda may be brought up asking they be
scheduled for subsequent meetings or work sessions in accordance with Rule 1,
Paragraph 2).
4. Closing Comments by Mayor
5. Adjourn
Page 2 City of Clearwater Printed on 2/26/2021
Cover Memo
City of Clearwater Main Library - Council
Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
File Number: ID#21-8828
Agenda Date: 3/2/2021 Status: Agenda ReadyVersion: 1
File Type: Council Discussion
Item
In Control: Parks & Recreation
Agenda Number: 2.1
SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Operations and Management Discussion for Coachman Park / Performance Venue
SUMMARY:
Provide direction concerning the structure and management of Coachman Park and the
performance venue. Discuss the operational, programming and maintenance responsibilities
of the city in relation to both elements. Explore the creation of an outside organizational
framework to partner in the areas of, capital funding, maintenance and programming for both
Coachman Park and the performance venue. Identify key stakeholders to participate in the
creation of a work group led by city and CRA staff to explore the feasibility and viability of a
public/private partnership.
Page 1 City of Clearwater Printed on 2/26/2021
Coachman Park /
Performance Venue
Operations and
Management
Does
Council/Staff
desire a
partner?
Potential Partner Role
•Park management/operations?
•Venue management/operations?
•Capital fundraising?
•Park programming?
City’s Role
•Operate and maintain entire
park/venue?
•Operate and maintain just venue?
•Operate and maintain just park?
•Provide a base level of funding for the operations of the partner?
Successful Partner
•Deliberate planning process and robust community outreach prior to formation
•Have guaranteed funding stream (NOT fundraising) for a base level of employees and park maintenance
•Have authority to implement diverse revenue streams (leases, events, sponsorship, fundraising)
•Have a clearly defined brand, set of operational values and target audiences, often which focuses on community engagement, environmental preservation and cultural experiences.
•Have a diverse board of directors
•Have a clearly defined relationship with the city
How should the park operate?
Public
Management
Public
Management
with Private Support
Joint
Operation
Private
Management
with Public Support
Private
Management
Organizational
Structure
•City owns and operates all aspects of park (Current situation at Crest Lake Park)
•City owns, provides base level of funding and leases all or some portions of the park to
operating entity (potential charter issues)
•City owns and outside group helps with some
projects/programming (potential charter issues)
•City owns and leases to operating entity with no additional financial support (potential charter issues)
•Hybrid – City owns and operates for a short period of time to provide a “runway” before the conservancy takes off to an independent model (potential charter issues)
The Bay
Sarasota -
Conservancy
•Responsible for operation, maintenance, and programming of 52-acre Bayfront Park
•Conservancy also oversees fundraising and
construction of park in phases
•Conservancy is set to receive annual funding from the city for maintenance
•City of Sarasota also contributes annually
to capital funding
•Unique funding stream (TIF for capital dollars)
Miami Bayfront Park Trust
•Bayfront Park Trust consists of nine members appointed by the city commission. One commissioner is selected as chair of the
trust
•Trust is responsible for hiring CEO who in turn answers to trust
•CEO is responsible for all aspects of park operations
•Miami Bayfront Park trust received annual operating subsidy from City of Miami for several years
•Unique funding streams; boat slip rentals, adjacent parking lot revenues
Friends of River Walk - Tampa
•The city, is a public partner, responsible for the design and construction of the Riverwalk.
•Friends of the Riverwalk plays a role in the generation of events and marketing partner of the Riverwalk.
•The friends raise funds for Riverwalk enhancements
•Secure funding through private participation and matching grants from various funding partners
Venue
City Operated
•Legal – allowed under current rules
•Staffing – higher staffing levels
needed
•Risk – High (financial)
•Benefit – No charter change, city
controls all aspects of
operations
Partner Operated
•Legal – Possible charter change
•Staffing – much lower,
depending on lease maybe zero
•Risk – High
•Benefit – Mitigated direct financial risk. Reduces day to day
operational costs
Park
City Operated
•Legal – allowed under current rules
•Staffing – Additional staff will
be needed to maintain the park
at a level consistent with the investment
•Risk – moderate to low
•Benefit – programming control
is maintained by the city and
can be planned based on council priorities
Partner Operated
•Legal – Possible charter change
•Staffing – much lower, depending on lease maybe zero
•Risk – moderate to low
•Reward – City will not have direct responsibility for resource management/programming in the park and can focus on other areas
Staff
Recommendations
Strategic Plan
•Short Term = Hire a general manager to begin staffing and operational models for venue. Enlist a consultant to engage with community stakeholders and staff to
develop a framework for a potential partnership
•Medium Term = Develop community partnership group. Evaluate and address operational capacity of venue. If needed exam charter issues
•Long Term = Determine and implement most viable
and economically sustainable model for management of the venue and participation of partners