04/26/2022 Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes April 26, 2022
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
e e
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 26, 2022
6:30 PM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Parks and Recreation Board
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City of Clearwater
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes April 26, 2022
Roll Call
Present 5 - Acting Chair Patrick Raftery, Chair Mark Rodriguez — arrived 6:38 p.m.,
Board Member Lisa Tuttle, Board Member Jason Hood, and Board
Member Martin Armstrong
Also Present— Jim Halios —Parks & Recreation Director, Patricia O. Sullivan — Board
Reporter
1. Call To Order
The Acting Chair called the meeting to order at 6:30 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 Approval of the January 25, 2022, Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes
Member Armstrong moved to approve the minutes of the January 25,
2022 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: None.
4. New Business Items
4.1 Parks and Recreation April Project Update Report
Parks & Recreation Director Jim Halios provided the April project update
report. In response to questions, he said following Engineering plans to
improve water flow at Coopers Point the Parks & Recreation Department will
install a nature preserve and boardwalks once funding is in place. The City
has set aside funds for upgrading the BayCare Ballpark facility. The project's
scope has not been finalized. County, State, and Phillies project funding is
pending.
Upgrades underway at Del Oro Park were reviewed.
4.2 Update on the Renovation Status of Enterprise Dog Park.
Mr. Halios said Enterprise Dog Park reopened April 17 following renovations
that included new grass, shade structures and a bridge. Agility equipment
replacement has been delayed due to supply chain disruptions.
It was stated the heavily used park served as a social venue for many
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City of Clearwater
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes April 26, 2022
residents. It was commented that park visitors were complimentary re
upgrades. Residents were encouraged to maintain the park's cleanliness by
picking up trash.
4.3 Discussion of City Manager Jennings Initiative on Sidewalk Repairs
Mr. Halios said the City Manager had initiated an accelerated program to
repair City sidewalks. It was stated that residents can report sidewalk
problems online. The City Manager, City Council, and Parks & Recreation
Department were thanked for excellent progress.
4.4 Proposal of Sidewalk Responsibility Removal from Parks and Recreation
Discussion of a proposal to Council for sidewalk responsibility removal from
Parks and Recreation except for those within a recreational facility.
Mr. Halios said the Parks & Recreation Department is still responsible for
maintaining all City sidewalks. Discussions are underway to transfer
sidewalk maintenance to another department and having Parks &
Recreation only be responsible for sidewalk maintenance in City parks.
The disbanded Public Works Department previously was responsible for
sidewalks.
5. Old Business Items
It was recommended that Parks & Recreation survey City parks for nuisance
and exotic plants to verify their locations as they can get out of hand quickly.
Mr. Halios said he did not have sufficient personnel to undertake a survey,
although he did see its value. The department then would need to plan how
to mitigate the problem. Brazilian pepper trees are prevalent in some parks.
As nuisance plants spread quickly, determining the best way to contain them
is essential.
6. Director's Report
Mr. Halios said irrigation, electrical, and sewer work in front of the Main
Library for Imagine Clearwater should be completed by late June. Residents
can view project progress via webcam on the City's website. Installation of
footers for the canopy and groundwork for the amphitheater were underway.
Negotiations will follow City Council's choice in May of a venue operator for
the amphitheater.
Member Tuttle moved to reappoint Mark Rodriguez as Chair. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Member Hood moved to appoint Patrick Raftery as Vice Chair. The
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City of Clearwater
Parks and Recreation Board
Meeting Minutes April 26, 2022
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
7. Board Members to be Heard
8. Adjourn
Attest: .
LLr/
• rd Repo
Member Rodriguez requested follow up on citizen comments and the
Clearwater Lawn Bowling Club's request for City assistance.
Member Raftery recommended inviting Kelly Kelly to make her presentation
on the more than 100 City parks she visited to the City Council.
The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.11111
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City of Clearwater
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Chair
Parks & Recreatio
visory Board