09/25/2007
PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
September 25, 2007
Present: Jonathan Wade Chair
Ray Shaw Vice-Chair
Brooks Hammac Board Member
Allen Weatherilt Board Member
Ron Whitcomb Board Member
Jane Williams Board Member
Absent: Tom Fletcher Board Member
Also Present: Art Kader Asst. Director-Parks & Recreation
Marsha Beall Staff Assistant
The Vice Chair called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. at Long Center.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
2 - Approval of Minutes – August 28, 2007
Member Whitcomb moved to approve the minutes of August 28, 2007 as submitted to
motioncarried
members. The was duly seconded and .
3 – Old Business
a. Capital Projects Update – Mr. Kader reviewed the Capital Improvement Projects report:
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Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex– demolition contract awarded by City Council and is now
being signed by contractor, pre-construction meeting has been held, and demolition should
begin in about two weeks.
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Morningside Recreation Complex – project moving forward, negotiating contract with
architect. Will go to City Council on November 15.
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Magazine
Office on Aging – is up and running. It is available on a quarterly basis.
Transportation
Members asked to be placed on the mailing list. grant has been approved,
File of Life
expect to fund in January 2008. - new Life Safety program. The file will
contain complete medical information that can be placed on your refrigerator in case of an
emergency. Member Shaw is in communication with local rotary clubs for local
sponsorship. Member Shaw mentioned the costs for one is only $1.06.
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Lake Chautauqua/Equestrian Preserve – the FCT grant rankings released and this project
was #1 in the State. Negotiations are on going with school board representatives on the
trade of land with $0 transfer of funds. Proposal will go to school board in December and
then to City Council in January.
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Countryside Community Park- bids are in, contract to be awarded at the October 4 City
Council meeting. Demolition on old concession stand will be completed this week.
Construction on the restroom concession building to begin soon in order to have project
completed by the 2008 baseball season. Member Shaw mentioned that there is a plaque
in the old building that should be saved.
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Various Infrastructures – amenities (benches, trash cans) have been purchased for Crest
Lake Park. Carpenter Field is undergoing renovations on new entry light, poles set,
trenching for conduit and wiring.
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Jack Russell Stadium – restoration of this site is underway. The 300-seat portable
bleachers will be store there.
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Armory Renovations – received bids, should go to City Council on October 4. There is
150-day construction period with project completion slated for April 2008. Chair Wade
suggested members visit this site once construction has been completed.
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Memorial Causeway landscape – Phase II. FDOT has approved drawings to landscape
remaining medians west of bridge down to Island Way. Contract to be awarded at City
Council on Oct. 4.
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Clearwater Beach Recreation Center/Library Expansion – design committee met and the
architect & engineer are under contract. A new fitness center will be constructed. Member
Shaw wanted to know how the volunteers will be tracked. Mr. Kader stated that the City
will monitor the volunteers and that if the volunteers do not step up to the plate as they
have promised or the programs do not produce, then the next option may be to convert the
Center to mainly a rental facility.
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Kapok/Cliff Stephens Parks – developing plans to construct a recreation trail spur to
connect the two parks. Recently awarded a $40,000 OGT grant.
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Ream Wilson Trail – the section is now complete from the Long Center over to Carpenter
Field. The bridge was installed and the new driveway into the Frisbee Park is completed.
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Mandalay Channel - the first meeting was held this week. Construction will be for a period
of 413 days.
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Adopt-a-Park – to date there are 25 partners.
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Grant Coordination – a FRDAP grant has been submitted for renovations of the
Morningside Recreation Center pool area. Renovations will include marciting, installation
of new slide and new decking.
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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 October 2007 was distributed to
members. Mr. Kader highlighted some special upcoming events and also advised member that
October is “Arts & Humanities” month.
4 – New Business
a. Clearwater Charter Review Board issues
The Clearwater Charter Review Board wanted to make it easier to sell and develop public
land set aside for recreational activities and parks. On September 11, the Charter Review
Committee held a public hearing so that the public could have input on proposed changes to the
charter. Many residents opposed this idea, therefore, the Charter Review Boardvoted not to
remove the referendum requirement for transfer or development of municipal open space, in light
of public input. However, another issue is still under consideration as follows: A separate question
is whether to remove language requiring Coachman Park to remain open space; a referendum is
currently needed to approve any non-open space use. The next public meeting will be held on
Thursday Sept 27, 2:30 pm at City Hall.
Member Williams personally felt this action needed to be presented to members.
Discussion ensued and members decided not to make any recommendations at this time.
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5 - Adiournment
Members adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
The next meeting will be held October 23,2007 at Moccasin Lake Nature Center.
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