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11/25/1996PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER November 25, 1996 Present: Charles Weaver Donald Harris Gary Giordano William Kirbas Gary Meritt Larry Lindner Freda Clayton Chair Vice Chair Board Member 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   The Chair called the 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 -- October 28, 1996 Member Lindner requested a change on page 4, paragraph 4. The first sentence regarding the McMullen Tennis Complex was amended to read: “…to create a reputation as a world first class public facility.” Member Harris moved to approve the minutes as amended. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Correspondence Chair Weaver read a November 19, 1996, fax from citizen Pat Hice requesting a basketball goal in Crest Lake Park. Mr. Weaver and Mr. Wilson indicated they had thanked Ms. Hice for her input, but informed her Crest Lake is a passive park area. Public opposition has been expressed in the past regarding loss of green space to active park development. Neither staff nor the board recommended pursuing this request. It was indicated more parking would be required, and many basketball courts exist elsewhere in the vicinity. Upcoming Recreation Events -- Report by Steve Miller Mr. Miller distributed handouts highlighting programs and events scheduled for December. He called attention to: 1) Clearwater Community Chorus presents “Song of the Season” at Ruth Eckerd Hall; 2) Family Holiday Parade & 3) Family Holiday Traditions in downtown Clearwater in conjunction with the Downtown Development Board and Downtown Clearwater Association; 4) Jolly Holiday Camps at City recreation centers; 5) Men’s Basketball Organizational Meeting at the Municipal Services building; 6) Softball Winter Organizational Meeting at Clearwater High School; 7) Volleyball Organizational Meeting at the Municipal Services building; and 8) a pilot program for Sunday hours at various recreation facilities. He encouraged families to become involved, and invited anyone with questions to call him at 562-4800. In response to questions, Mr. Miller said the December 22 hay ride at Countryside Recreation Center is free to children in the Countryside area. Mr. Wilson reported thousands of people who attended the opening of Pier 60 Park yesterday were receptive and complimentary. Board members who attended the opening agreed the park is a spectacular addition to the beach, and commended all who worked on the project. Mr. Miller reported Myra Hickman’s monthly listing of recreation services and events in the St. Petersburg Times will continue to list swimming activities under “Aquatics,” but will add a cross reference to aquatics under “Swimming.” Updating information regarding Clearwater Aquatic Team activities, Mr. Miller listed the coaches and total number of swimmers on various teams. He said the Masters program has grown and people seem satisfied with the leadership. Presentation -- Parks and Recreation Administration Division/Bike Trails Jon Russell, Administrative Support Manager II Mr. Wilson introduced Mr. Russell and reviewed his duties in the department. He said Mr. Russell’s leadership, resourcefulness and computer proficiency are assets to the Parks and Recreation Administrative team. Mr. Russell distributed packets of handouts to accompany his overhead projection presentation. He provided a detailed review of the organizational structure and function of Parks and Recreation Administration. He spoke at length regarding a graphic depicting 20 individual segments of the division’s Management Information database system. Discussion ensued regarding samples of forms used to report work measurement and location; productive work hours and detail; and economic impact data and summary by event. He responded to questions regarding database programming. Mr. Wilson explained the economic impact summary tracks estimated revenue that comes into the City when people stay in Clearwater for recreation activities. Staff was excited to see the dollars brought into the City by Parks and Recreation events. During the last fiscal year revenues amounted to approximately $4.8 million. In response to a question, it was indicated onethird of facility participants are nonresidents of the City. One of Mr. Russell’s projects is locating and establishing bicycle trails. He displayed a Metropolitan Planning Organization map showing the locations of existing and proposed bikeways. In response to a question, he detailed the procedure that will be used to protect Pinellas Trail users at street crossings. He reviewed trail locating criteria, statistics on the number of potential trail users, and alternative routes. He indicated provision must be made for the growing numbers of inline skaters, and explained problems related to skating and biking on streets and sidewalks. Safety campaigns and signs are needed to educate the public regarding these issues. Cooperation among planning staff and downtown businesses is needed to market downtown to trail users, provide bike parking and create connector routes for safe access to the trail and Clearwater beach. Land Development Code amendments, and a City bicycle coordinator are needed to accomplish these goals. Discussion ensued regarding trail design strategies and bike lane width requirements. Public Hearing -- 7:00 p.m. -- Reconsideration of Name for New Park on Sand Key Mr. Wilson said this item is being reheard to allow time to properly advertise the public hearing. The item will be on the first City Commission agenda in January. Dick Ruben, President of Sand Key Civic Association said the majority of Commissioners appear to support the name “Bay Park on Sand Key.” Member Kirbas moved to recommend approval of the name “Bay Park on Sand Key.” Members Weaver, Harris, Kirbas, Giordano, Meritt, and Clayton voted "Aye"; Member Lindner voted "Nay." Motion carried. Old Business A. St. Petersburg Junior College Mr. Wilson reported SPJC has indicated they do not want a golf driving range on campus due to concerns the location was a former dumping site. The school is working with City staff about proposed uses of the sports fields. Mr. Wilson will update the board as new information is received. B. McMullen Tennis Complex Mr. Wilson provided a comprehensive status report in response to a number of board questions regarding: the tennis court lighting bid; engineering details and costs of resurfacing; start date for rest room construction; and complexities of soft court maintenance. He reported results of his research comparing staffing and maintenance levels needed for soft courts in several surrounding communities. In response to questions, Mr. Wilson indicated a higher soft court fee would be justified, but participants might be discouraged if they thought it was too high. Discussion ensued regarding the different types of irrigation and resurfacing needed to repair soft court erosion. He will provide more information as it becomes available. One member noted certain lines on the McMullen courts need repainting. Mr. Wilson responded courts are not relined generally, because they are resurfaced every four years in rotation. Mr. Miller will investigate the suggestion. A question was raised regarding having received no lighting bids. It was indicated the bid was advertised, but individual invitations had not been mailed to specific bidders. C. Schedule of 1997 Parks and Recreation Board Meetings Due to the proposed City Hall construction schedule, consensus was to hold the January meeting at Countryside Recreation Center and the February meeting at Clearwater Beach Recreation Center. D. Status of Capital Improvement Projects -- Art Kader Mr. Wilson distributed copies of the CIP status report, noting it contains about 30 projects. He said Penny for Pinellas has been a tremendous boon to projects throughout Pinellas County. He invited members to call Mr. Kader with questions. He reported staff is meeting with consultants who will be contracted to design the new Clearwater beach pool project. Meetings with residents will follow. E. Member Name Tags Mr. Wilson distributed mock-ups of identification tags. He requested information verification and direction whether or not to proceed with creating the name tags. He explained members will need to visit the Clearwater Police Department to have their photographs taken and laminated onto their cards. Consensus was to approve the name tags and ask staff to proceed. New Business A. Election of Board Officers Discussion ensued regarding the effective date of the office. Consensus was officers elected in November will start their one-year terms at the beginning of January each calendar year. It was indicated term limits are not in effect. Member Kirbas nominated Donald Harris as Chair. Member Harris accepted the nomination. Upon the vote being taken, it carried unanimously. Donald Harris was declared elected as Parks and Recreation Board Chair for calendar year 1997. Member Clayton nominated Larry Lindner as Vice Chair. Member Lindner accepted the nomination. Upon the vote being taken, it carried unanimously. Larry Lindner was declared elected as Parks and Recreation Board Vice Chair for calendar year 1997. Members Harris and Lindner thanked the board for their support. B. Status of December 23, 1996 Board Meeting Member Kirbas moved to cancel the December meeting due to the winter holidays. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Board Comments Member Lindner questioned if any changes in recreation have resulted from the City’s interaction with the North Greenwood Association. Mr. Wilson highlighted concerts, landscaping and special events taking place in the North Greenwood Neighborhood. He will ask the North Greenwood Community Task Team to meet with Parks and Recreation staff at Martin Luther King Center one night in the near future to share information. Member Harris thanked the board for voting him as Chair, stating he looks forward to serving. He added he was impressed with Pier 60 park and felt it is a wonderful addition to the beach. Member Clayton questioned whether downtown businesses could be informed in advance so they may prepare when large crowds are expected at the Harborview Center. Mr. Wilson said the monthly calendar of downtown activities might need to denote the number of people expected for events at Harborview Center, the Baptist church, and Coachman Park. Member Clayton announced she is stepping down from the Parks and Recreation Board after one full year of service. For personal reasons, she will be moving out of Florida. She said she has enjoyed her association with Parks and Recreation board members and staff, finding them warm, friendly, and hard working. She expressed admiration and respect for Mr. Wilson and staff for a great deal of participation with the board, and throughout the City. Board and staff indicated they were pleased to have served with Ms. Clayton, and wished her happiness and success. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.