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10/28/1996PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER October 28, 1996 Present: Charles Weaver Donald Harris William Kirbas Gary Giordano Larry Lindner Freda Clayton Chair Vice Chair Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member   Ream Wilson Art Kader Steve Miller Gwen Legters Parks and Recreation Director Parks and Recreation Assistant Director Recreation Superintendent Board Reporter  Absent: Gary Meritt Board Member   The Chair called meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall. To provide continuity, the items are listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. Minutes Approval -- September 23, 1996 Member Lindner requested amendment of the second sentence in the first paragraph on page 8. He wished to encourage the City, State and County to incorporate bike lanes into existing wide boulevards and future road expansion projects whenever feasible. He also corrected the spelling of the McMullen contract tennis instructor’s name to Anandan. Member Harris moved to approve the minutes as amended. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3. Correspondence In response to a memo from the City Clerk, consensus of the board was to reschedule the May 1997 meeting to May 19, due to the Memorial Day holiday. Mr. Wilson questioned where the board wishes to hold meetings while the Commission Chambers is unavailable during City hall renovations. Consensus was to hold the January meeting at Countryside Recreation Center. Consecutive meetings will be scheduled at other Parks and Recreation facilities, as needed. 4. Upcoming Recreation Events -- Report by Steve Miller Mr. Miller distributed handouts highlighting programs and events scheduled for November. He called attention to the Lunchtime Concert Series at Station Square Park; Clearwater for Youth Basketball; Good Life Celebration for Seniors 50+; Pier 60 Park & Playground Grand Opening; the 18th Annual Times Turkey Trot; and the Sunday afternoon hours pilot program at five Parks and Recreation community centers. Discussion ensued regarding the need to ensure rollerbladers and skaters do no enter the Turkey Trot as it progresses through residential areas. Mr. Miller reminded the audience rollerblades are not allowed in the Turkey Trot. He agreed with a suggestion to hold a rollerblade race in conjunction with the Turkey Trot, if anyone wants to sponsor such an event. Discussion ensued regarding sport and age group matching in the Good Life events. One member felt City aquatics programs would have better participation if advertised in the newspaper under “swimming” instead of “aquatics.” Discussion ensued regarding the City’s new head swimming coach, and whether someone has been assigned to manage the Master’s swimming program. Mr. Miller listed the events projected for the Pier 60 grand opening. 5. Presentation -- Recreation Facilities Program -- Larry Dowd, Superintendent Mr. Wilson introduced Mr. Dowd, stating the City receives compliments on the recreation facilities in this active division. Mr. Dowd gave a slide presentation highlighting responsibilities of the General Maintenance Division. A mobile Custodial section takes care of facility restrooms. The Ballfeld Maintenance section performs grounds, court and field upkeep, game preparation, and creates new courts. He explained how the division fabricates and refurbishes most park amenities and related equipment, including signs, tables, benches swings; wooden fitness apparatus and trash receptacle enclosures. Welders repair and fabricate playground equipment, foul poles, hand rails, fencing, barricades, and painting racks. He illustrated how playground and fitness equipment is created to be ADA accessible. The Electrical unit completes hundreds of work orders for service, repairs and installation every year. This division is liaison with cosponsored sports groups and user leases to provide facilities for tournaments and practices. Mr. Dowd described how sports fields are created and/or renovated through cooperation with the City Nursery and Public Service divisions to cultivate and fertilize, provide weed control, install irrigation systems, and pour concrete. In response to questions, Mr. Dowd said the caretaker at Crest Lake Park was working well. Mr. Wilson agreed, stating caretakers will be provided wherever possible. Responding to questions regarding vandalism on fitness courts and trails, Mr. Wilson characterized the damage as minor, mostly graffiti. One member reiterated previous requests to restore and clearly mark the Crest Lake Park jogging trail, and install a water fountain near the fitness court. Discussion ensued regarding the merits of fitness courts versus trails. 6. Public Hearing -- Reconsideration of name for new park on Gulf Blvd. on Sand Key Dick Ruben spoke on behalf of the Sand Key Civic Association. After the City Commission rejected all four proposed names, the group rediscussed the issue, and now proposes the name, “Bay Park on Sand Key.” While agreeing the name is geographically descriptive, some felt the name is too long. Concerns were expressed the name is too neutral and the board should be allowed to recommend names. Mr. Ruben and several board members indicated a preference for the previous choice, Pelican Bay Park. Member Giordano moved to approve the name, “Bay Park on Sand Key” as submitted by the Sand Key Civic Association. Members Weaver, Harris, Kirbas, Giordano and Clayton voted "Aye"; Member Lindner voted "Nay." Motion carried. 7. Old Business A. St. Petersburg Junior College Fields -- Update Mr. Wilson reported he will meet with SPJC representatives to discuss the options. He indicated the school wishes to reserve first option on field use, working with the City on maintenance. In response to a question, he indicated the school is not interested in pursuing the golf driving range, but it is something the City may wish to investigate for the future. The current priority is retaining the baseball and soccer fields. B. Parks and Beach Ordinance 6070-96 -- Proposed amendments Mr. Wilson related details of the ordinance designed to authorize the City Manager to regulate certain park and beach uses based on public health, welfare, and safety. The board wished to ensure such regulation is not done indiscriminately, but on a case by case basis. Mr. Wilson responded the City does not wish to create a proliferation of negative signs. He related two examples in which the City Manager would have discretion to address potential risks to health, welfare and safety. Member Kirbas moved to endorse Ordinance 6070-96 to the City Commission. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. C. Kiosk at Clearwater Mall -- Information regarding detailed maps Mr. Miller responded to a board member’s request for more detailed maps to City facilities in the Clearwater Mall information kiosk computer. He said Information Services Director Jeff Harper has indicated the existing hardware will not support detailed maps. Due to the cost involved, no changes are anticipated. Mr. Miller distributed copies of a leisure services guide containing a map and a detailed listing of City recreation facilities and services. The guide is available at the kiosk for those wanting more detailed information. D. Deteriorated Plastic Slides -- Response to Board Mr. Wilson reported slides at Crest Lake Park have been replaced. The City is installing new playground equipment at Ross Norton Park. E. Bike Lanes -- Proposal to incorporate lanes into wider roadways Mr. Wilson suggested postponing detailed discussion of this item to the November meeting, when Parks and Recreation’s Jon Russell can share information he has obtained from the Pinellas County bikeway committee. Consensus was to accept this suggestion. F. Political Campaign Materials at Advisory Meetings -- Response to Board Mr. Wilson distributed an opinion from Assistant City Attorney John Carassas, indicating the City has the right to ask board members not to wear political materials while the members are acting in an advisory capacity to the City Commission. It was indicated this was done to avoid placing a political slant on public meetings. 8. New Business A. Del Oro Fitness Trail -- Discussion regarding trail versus court Mr. Wilson reported staff will be meeting with the Del Oro Homeowners Association to determine whether they prefer a fitness trail or a court. One indication was a trail might fit in better with the new park, but staff has no preference. B. Leisure Services Brochure Discussion of this item occurred during Item 7C, above. C. Informational Program for November Meeting Board members concurred with Mr. Wilson’s suggestion to invite Jon Russell, Parks and Recreation Administrative Support Manager II, to give a presentation at the November meeting. Board Comments Earlier in the meeting Member Lindner questioned the status of McMullen Tennis court lighting, and what can be done to improve the complex to create a reputation as a first class public facility. Mr. Miller hoped the lighting bid will be awarded by mid-November. Mr. Wilson said $80,000 is budgeted for much-needed restroom renovation. Discussion ensued regarding what is done at municipal tennis facilities in Tampa, Metro-Dade County, and Winter Haven. In response to questions, Mr. Wilson did not feel support exists for expanding the clubhouse and pro shop, but painting and maintenance are planned in conjunction with restroom renovations. He indicated staff is trying to focus on providing adequate court space to all who desire to play tennis. Mr. Kader said staff is careful with taxpayers’ money and cautioned against rushing into a project without proper investigation. Staff responded to questions regarding the showers and locker rooms. Staff agreed more research and study is needed regarding soft courts. Mr. Wilson said asphalt on courts #1 through #8 may have deteriorated because it was laid during hot weather. Staff is pursuing estimates for replacing the asphalt during cooler months. Member Harris requested Mr. Kader to resume providing the status report of current CIP projects. Board members agreed. Member Lindner expressed concern with a negative statement reported in the newspaper about the safety of the Pinellas Trail. Mr. Wilson shared the concern and said staff is looking into the incident. He said preliminary work is underway to begin the process of opening the trail through Clearwater. He hoped to report a start date at the next meeting. Chair Weaver requested photo name tags for board members. Mr. Wilson will coordinate. Member Kirbas reminded staff to agenda election of 1997 board officers for the November meeting. He requested staff to research the status of the City Commission’s plan to meet with individual advisory boards for better communication. He thanked staff for their help with the Clearwater Beach Association’s Oktoberfest. He expressed concern with a report staff was being asked to spend more than eight hours investigating board questions. He wished to state, for the record, he could not think of anything the Parks and Recreation Board asked that took eight hours. Mr. Kader reported staff has been working with adjacent condominium associations to provide a City sidewalk along one side of Sabal Springs Drive to the Countryside Recreation Center. Both developments were concerned with the impact of a sidewalk on the aesthetics of their landscaping improvements. A sidewalk was not installed when the condos were built because the City did not own the roadway until recently. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.