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10/26/2021 Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes October 26, 2021 City of Clearwater Main Library- Council Chambers 100 N. Osceola Avenue Clearwater, FL 33755 m s Meeting Minutes Tuesday, October 26, 2021 6:30 PM Main Library - Council Chambers Parks and Recreation Board Page 1 City of Clearwater Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes October 26, 2021 Roll Call Present 4 - Vice Chair Mark Rodriguez, Board Member Jason Hood, Board Member Patrick Raftery, and Board Member Scott Thomas Absent 3 - Chair Bruce Rector, Board Member Lisa Tuttle, and Board Member Martin Armstrong Also Present— Jim Halios — Parks & Recreation Director, Patricia O. Sullivan — Board Reporter 1. Call To Order The Vice Chair called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. at the Main Library. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 2. Approval of Minutes 2.1 Approve the September 28, 2021 Parks and Recreation Board meeting minutes as submitted. Member Raftery moved to approve the minutes of the September 28, 2021 Parks & Recreation Board meeting as submitted in written summation. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3. Citizens to be Heard Regarding Items Not on the Agenda Parks & Recreation Director Jim Halios read Maura Hedrich's e-comment indicating her insurance company had replaced her Silver Sneakers benefit with Silver&Fit. She requested the City provide exercise classes to Silver&Fit and other Medicare Advantage program members. Mr. Halios said staff was working with providers to determine if accepting other fitness programs would be financially feasible, staff time would be required to identify each person's program, track each person's participation and submit documentation of this information to each program. 4. New Business Items 4.1 Review the October 2021 Parks and Recreation Project Update Report. Mr. Halios reviewed the report. In response to questions, he noted a scriveners error re the Del Oro Trailhead and said the CIP (Capital Improvement Project) for new exercise equipment was allocated annually with funds rotated among City recreation centers. An update on Bird Island was requested. Page 2 City of Clearwater Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes October 26, 2021 4.2 Woodgate Park Report - Patrick Raftery. Member Raftery discussed Woodgate Park amenities. He said he had visited the park twice and spoke with residents there, the park is busier on weekends. He advised staff re need for a new basketball net. 4.3 Discuss Sidewalk Repair Process and Concerns. Concern was expressed that many residents have commented that City sidewalks that present tripping hazards were not repaired in a timely manner. It was suggested the Parks & Recreation Department should only be responsible for City park sidewalks. Mr. Halios reviewed the department's underfunded and understaffed process to repair/replace sidewalks, curbs, and fill potholes and discussed City liability concerns. Sidewalk repairs caused by tree roots were complicated. Residents should contact the City to report hazards,- repairs azards,repairs were complaint driven. To avoid diverting crew efforts from City sidewalks, the department engaged contractors to repair park sidewalks. Sidewalks painted pink have been reported. It was stated that some residents were frustrated waiting for sidewalk repairs and have given up submitting complaints. 5. Director's Report City Clerk Rosemarie Call reviewed the Sunshine Law that prohibits board member communications re any board business outside of meetings. Assistant City Attorney Mike Fuino reviewed Sunshine Law penalties. He recommended members direct all comments and questions to the liaison and not respond to member emails. Mr. Halios said Chair Rector was scheduled to present the Board's annual report to the City Council on November 18. He encouraged all members to attend and requested members email him with recommended topics. Discussion ensued re monthly meetings. It was felt that quarterly meetings were too infrequent. It was noted the full board was not present to comment. Comments in support of monthly meetings: 1) not a burden, 2) helped members stay on top of issues and bring forward resident comments, and 3) not too much time passes when members miss meetings. Comments in support of bi-monthly meetings: 1) less burdensome for staff, 2) frequent enough to address resident concerns, 3) agenda length did not dictate monthly meetings, 3) the same amount of business could be accomplished, and 4) board attendance would improve (members could call Page 3 City of Clearwater Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes October 26, 2021 staff with any questions). Mr. Halios said the board had struggled to have full attendance at monthly meetings. It was stated that board members should take their responsibility seriously to attend all meetings. Member Raftery moved to recommend the Parks & Recreation Board meet monthly. The motion was duly seconded. Member Raftery and Vice Chair Rodriguez voted "Aye"; Members Hood and Thomas voted "Nay." Motion failed. Member Hood moved to recommend the Parks & Recreation Board meet more frequently than quarterly. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 6. Board Members to be Heard 7. Adjourn Member Thomas thanked Lisa Lanza for the tour of Valencia Park. Member Thomas reported a resident in attendance tonight had encouraged resident participation at the Clearwater Lawn Bowling Club. Member Raftery said the Citywide cleanup had significant community support. He encouraged residents to volunteer and keep their neighborhood parks clean. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. City of Clearwater Chair Parks & Page 4 dvisory Board Parks and Recreation Board on 2021-10-26 6:30 PM 10-26-21 18:30 3. Citizens to be Heard Regarding Items Not on the Agenda 1 0 0 0 Sentiments for All Agenda Items The following graphs display sentiments for comments that have location data. Only locations of users who have commented will be shown. Overall Sentiment Overall Sentiment Maura Hedrich Location: Submitted At: 4:09pm 10-14-21 I really enjoy going to Morningside Rec Center 4 to 5 days a week for Silver Sneaker classes and work out in the gym. In January when my Medicare Advantage insurance BayCare Plus started, I was thrilled that I had SilverSneakers as an extra benefit. That's a big reason why I picked that inusrance. That meant I didn't have to pay the $100 fee for a rec card and I didn't have to pay $4 per SilverSneakers class I attended or $4 to workout in the gym. Unfortunately, BayCare Plus is dropping that benefit and adding Silver&Fit as their new program which is provided by American Specialty Health Fitness, Inc. a subsiduary of American Specialty Health Incorporated. This change will make a big impacted on many Clearwater senior residents. So what are our choices? Pay the fees, change insurace companies, don't go to the gym or don't attend classes? Has Clearwater Parks & Recreation ever investigated adding additional health & fitmess programs Silver&Fit and Renew Active with United Healthcare that are offered through insurance programs for seniors? Thank you for your kind consideration. Maura Hedrich