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10/24/2023 Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes October 24, 2023 City of Clearwater Main Library- Council Chambers 100 N. Osceola Avenue Clearwater, FL 33755 e Meeting Minutes Tuesday, October 24, 2023 6:30 PM Clearwater East Community Library - 2465 Drew St, Clearwater, FL 33765 - Community Room Parks and Recreation Board Page 1 City of Clearwater Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes October 24, 2023 Roll Call Present - Chair Patrick Raftery, Board Member Martin Armstrong, Board Member Kelly S. Kelly, Board Member Angela Tisdale, and Board Member Angelica Lonesome Absent 2 - Vice Chair Jason Hood and Board Member Mark Rodriguez Also Present— Michael Lockwood — Parks & Recreation Assistant Director, Kris Koch — Downtown Core/Venue Division Manager, and Nicole Sprague — Deputy City Clerk 1. Call To Order The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. at the Clearwater East Library. 2. Approval of Minutes 2.1 Approve the Minutes of the July 25, 2023, Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Board Member Lonesome moved to approve the minutes of the July 25, 2023 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 Jonathan Barnes said the city is lacking a concrete skateboard park. He said there used to be one at Ross Norton but it was in bad condition and was eventually removed. He said surrounding communities have them and Clearwater offers lots of other sports amenities. Parks and Recreation Assistant Director Michael Lockwood thanked Mr. Barnes for his input. He said the Parks and Recreation Master Plan is underway and there is potential for a skate park to be installed in another location. The skate park at Ross Norton was about 20 years old and was in disrepair. It was difficult to get parts for damaged equipment and it became unsafe for use. Pat Dalton said the Friends of Moccasin Lake catered an appreciation dinner for the volunteers at Moccasin Lake. She said a lightning strike at Moccasin Lake Park took out the phone system, the security camera system, and the gate opener. The cameras are needed to observe the birds of prey. The Junior City Ranger Program has started in five different parks. Page 1 City of Clearwater Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes October 24, 2023 4. New Business Items 4.1 Gather Input from the Public Regarding Programming for Coachman Park & the City's Use of The Sound Downtown Core/Venue Division Manager Kris Koch reviewed the grand opening events and activities. He said data and feedback were collected from visitors during that time. Staff is using the information to determine what types of events would work best in the different spaces the park has to offer. He said different national organizations have reached out to the city for event information, like art show, marathon, and dog competition organizers. He said there are ten dates that the city may use the facility with no rental fee and the city is requesting feedback from the community on what type of events citizens would like to see. Mr. Lockwood said staff is seeking recommendations to provide to Council who will make the final decision regarding the events on those ten dates. Three individuals said the Hispanic Heritage Festival at Crest Lake Park was a success. One individual said parks are gold and the streets are not child friendly. 4.2 Programming Ideas for Coachman Park Discussion One individual said the community would like to hold the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Festival in Coachman Park at the Sound. 4.3 Special Parks and Recreation Board Meeting for Public Input Establish a quorum for the November 14th Special Parks & Recreation Boad Meeting for public input. Chair Raftery said City Council requested the Board hold a special meeting to gather public input on the various programming at Coachman Park. 4.4 Evaluation of the Moccasin Lake Nature Park Pond Algae and Debris Issues Update on Stormwater Department's evaluation of the Moccasin Lake Nature Park pond algae and debris situation. Mr. Lockwood said a purchase order has been issued to a contractor to address the issues at the lake. They will develop a plan to remediate and restore the condition of the lake. Page 1 City of Clearwater Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes October 24, 2023 4.5 Discuss Accommodations for Wheelchair-Bound Tennis Players at McMullen Tennis Complex Discussion of current process and future plans for accommodating wheelchair-bound tennis players at McMullen Tennis Complex Mr. Lockwood said there is a scholarship program available to help cover program fees. He has been in touch with the U.S. Tennis Association area representative and will meet with him to discuss what types of opportunities or partnerships might be available, which could include financial assistance. He said he will research the idea of reserving parking spots for wheelchair bound users when they reserve a court. He said in the past when the city held arthritic aqua classes at the Long Center, staff would reserve parking spaces for the participants. In response to a concern regarding the pickle ball courts, Mr. Lockwood said staff could keep one or two of the courts for tennis only so the wheelchair players would always have access. He said staff will research installing a concrete pathway that leads to the covered area near the courts. Currently that area is only accessible by grass. 4.6 Discuss Clearwater Audubon Society Agreement for Moccasin Lake Nature Park Birds of Prey Discussion of the Clearwater Audubon Society Agreement for support to Moccasin Lake Nature Park's Birds of Prey Exhibit. Chair Raftery said the city and the Clearwater Audubon Society work together to maintain the birds of prey enclosures, exhibits, and displays at the park. The current agreement between the two organizations expires in January 2024 and the negotiations for the new agreement are underway. Four individuals spoke in support of the Birds of Prey program. The birds are no longer able to live in the wild and provide an excellent educational experience for park visitors. 5. Old Business Items 5.1 October Parks and Recreation Project Update Report Discuss the October Parks and Recreation Project Update Report Mr. Lockwood said the repair work on the Ream Wilson Trail overpass is scheduled to begin. He said the tennis court refurbishment at Country Hollow look great and he hopes to work with the same contractor in the future on other court related repairs and projects. Page 1 City of Clearwater Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes October 24, 2023 5.2 Update on the Moccasin Lake Nature Park Pavilion and Trail Loop Update on the review of Moccasin Lake Nature Park pavilion demolition and completion of the trail loop. Mr. Lockwood said the park pavilion structure is scheduled to be demolished, the banks of the pond will be stabilized, and there was a plan to renovate the bridge, but it will now be replaced. 5.3 Status Update on the Parks and Recreation 15 -Year Master Plan Status Update on the Parks and Recreation 15 -Year Master Plan Mr. Lockwood said the Parks and Recreation 15 -year plan will be presented to Council in January 2024. An online public meeting will be held to gather input and feedback to the plan in late November or early December. 6. Director's Report Mr. Lockwood said the Halloween events at the recreation centers have been magnificent and staff did a phenomenal job. He reviewed recent events at different parks and centers. 7. Board Members to be Heard 8. Adjourn Attes 100 City C er coi, City of Clearwater Member Armstrong suggested hosting an international dinner to celebrate the different cultures that live in the area. The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Page 1 Chair, Parks F�edre�tion �jdvisory Board