11/14/2023 Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes November 14, 2023
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
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Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
6:30 PM
Special Meeting
Main Library - Council Chambers
Parks and Recreation Board
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City of Clearwater
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes November 14, 2023
Roll Call
Present 6 - Chair Patrick Raftery, Vice Chair Jason Hood, Board Member Martin
Armstrong (Arrived — 6:35 p.m.), Board Member Kelly S. Kelly, Board
Member Angela Tisdale (Arrived 6:48 p.m.), and Board Member
Angelica Lonesome
Absent 1 - Board Member Mark Rodriguez
Also Present—Art Kader— Parks & Recreation Director and Rosemarie Call — City
Clerk
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
Unapproved
1. Call to Order— Chair Raftery
The meeting was called to order at 6:33 p.m.
2. Citizens to be Heard Regarding Items Not on the Agenda
Dina Ramos requested consideration to turn the passive area in Crest
Lake Park into a parking area. She said nothing happens in the big
grassy area and that additional parking would be more practical. Ms.
Ramos described the issues associated with lack of parking during the
recent Hispanic Heritage Celebration at Crest Lake Park.
Mr. Kader said the area described by Ms. Ramos was designed to be a
passive area. He said when the park was designed, a parking lot was
considered but the neighborhood did not want a parking lot. He said staff
is considering a site that is one block away from the park for additional
parking. The parking lot at Crest Lake Parks accommodates daily needs,-
special
eeds,special events always need additional parking.
In response to questions, Ms. Ramos said the Hispanic Celebration, until
Recently, has been held on private property. The event organizers are
working on next year's event, which is expected to be larger. She said the
City has identified Coachman Park as a potential site but the group prefers
Crest Lake Park for the community event.
3. New Business Items
3.1 Gather Input from the Public Regarding Programming for Coachman Park and the City's
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City of Clearwater
Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes November 14, 2023
Use of The Sound.
Gather input from the public regarding programming for Coachman Park and
the City's use of The Sound.
One individual expressed a concern with the lack of public restrooms and
suggested holding the Gay Pride celebration during a different month as
June is too hot.
One individual requested a dedicated gymnasium or practice area for the
local youth basketball league and encouraged the City to continue
supporting Hispanic events.
One individual supported the recent Hispanic Heritage Celebration event
and suggested the City continue holding similar community events as
they support local vendors, like her. She said she sold Mexican food at
the Hispanic celebration. She said other communities allow individuals
to park on the grass and suggested the City consider allowing the same.
In response to a comment, Mr. Kader said staff is planning holiday
celebrations at Coachman Park. Staff is looking into starting a Friends of
Coachman Park at the beginning of the new year to assist with park
programming, the group will be similar to the Friends of Moccasin Lake.
3.2 Status Update on the Parks & Recreation 15-Year Master Plan.
Status Update on the Parks & Recreation 15-Year Master Plan.
Mr. Kader said the consultants held their final priority and visioning
session with staff and are in the process of finalizing the report and
final plan. The last public meeting is scheduled for December 6, 2023 via
Skype or Teams. He said the consultants will provide an overview of their
findings.
4. Director's Report
Mr. Kader said the Department has applied for a $200,000-FRDAP grant
to improve Edgewater Drive Park and expand the parking lot. Staff is
currently gathering information regarding the Plumb House, which is
currently owned by the Clearwater Historical Society and in need of repair.
In response to a question, Mr. Kader said the City is trying to purchase
property near Moccasin Lake, which is approximately 3.4 acres of open
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City of Clearwater
Parks and Recreation Board
Meeting Minutes November 14, 2023
space. The property will be added to the park.
5. Board Members to be Heard
6. Adjourn
Board Member Lonesome expressed accessibility concerns at Forest
Run Park. She said many parents use the parking lot to avoid the school
parking lot.
Mr. Kader said the parking area at Forest Run Park needs to be
renovated. Staff is looking at potentially beginning in six months. A
sidewalk can be installed as long as it is ADA compliant.
Board Member Kelly expressed concerns with the concrete at the
Mercado area and requested an update on Coopers Point.
Mr. Kader said the Mercado project had to go out for bid again due to
cost increase. Staff will provide an update once the new bid process has
been completed. He said staff will provide an update on Coopers Point
soon.
Chair Raftery said the Parks and Recreation Department collected
unwanted Halloween candy for the military. He said that was a great idea.
He said during the last meeting there were wheelchair-bound tennis
players who raised accessibility concerns at the McMullen Tennis
Complex. Staff has been working to address their concerns in order to
make the facility more accessible.
Board Member Kelly questioned the demolition status of the water tower
by Kings Highway and suggested it would be a nice area for a covered
basketball court.
The meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m.
Attes ; hair, Par & ereatio► Advisory Board
, 0C. City Ierk
City of Clearwater
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