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11/24/1997PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER November 24, 1997 Present: Donald Harris Chair Larry Lindner Vice Chair William Kirbas Board Member Gary Giordano Board Member Gerry Shriver Board Member Ream Wilson Parks and Recreation Director Steve Miller Recreation Programming Superintendent Gwen Legters Board Reporter Absent: Charles Weaver Board Member Gary Meritt Board Member The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity, the items are listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 2. Minutes Approval - October 27, 1997 Member Lindner moved to approve the minutes as submitted to each member in writing by the Board Reporter. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3. Correspondence - None 4. Upcoming Recreation Events - Report by Steve Miller The board received handouts highlighting 25 focus programs and events scheduled for the month of December. He called attention to: 1) Trailfest 1997, outlining the route for the grand opening of the Clearwater section of Pinellas Trail; 2) Clearwater Community Chorus Songs of the Season; 3) Family Holiday Parade; 4) Family Holiday Winter Festival at Coachman Park; and 5) Holiday Camps for elementary school children. He invited anyone wishing more information to call him. 5. Old Business A. Clearwater Beach Family Aquatics Center – Steve Miller Mr. Wilson related the history and background of this item, stating $300,000 had been allocated to replace the Clearwater beach pool. When it was felt a traditional pool with lanes would not satisfy the public, a $500,000 water park design was created. Discussions with the public revealed a desire for more emphasis on competitive swimming, requiring increased pool depth and two more lanes. The expanded project was estimated to cost $570,000. Another public meeting was held to inform beach residents of the cost estimates and proposed funding sources. Staff and the project architects were surprised the five bids received were about $700,000, much higher than the estimates. It is hoped to bring this item to the City Commission on December 4 for discussion and resolution. Mr. Miller presented site plan drawings showing orientation in relation to the existing recreation center facilities. A conceptual drawing showed amenities including men’s and women’s restrooms, filtration, a deck surrounded by perimeter fencing for aesthetic value along Mandalay Avenue, six swim lanes, five foot depth to meet the competitive swim criteria, one umbrella, a rinse shower, zero depth entry for disabled patrons, shallow water entry, raindrop water park amenity, lemon drop spray, floating devices for climbing and playing, a slide into deep water, areas for young children, and lanes for fitness workouts and swim programs. Landscaping and lounge area furniture would be provided by the City. In response to questions, Mr. Miller said the pool heater was value engineered out of the project because the cost was to be $4,000 plus fuel and maintenance. Mr. Wilson said the facility would be plumbed for heat to be added in the future. Lengthy discussion ensued regarding the merits of including pool heating in the project. Several board members strongly asserted the beach residents want their pool heated and felt $4,000 was a small percentage of the total cost and recommended adding back the heating, to enable keeping the pool open year round. Staff indicated the target season is April through October, as the main costs of pool heating are for long term operation, fuel, and staff. Potential operation costs were compared to heating Ross Norton Park’s larger pool. While there had been discussions of the Clearwater Aquatic Team purchasing the heater and fuel, concerns arose regarding the operational issue of whether the pool should be opened to the public under such a scenario. Discussion ensued regarding which amenities could be omitted to fund the heater. Mr. Wilson said the board could make a recommendation for the heater, but staff’s position is the water park amenities are important and will be what makes the pool successful. Beach residents Herbert and Lorraine Frietag addressed the board in support of including a pool heater. It was indicated public opinion had been virtually unanimous that two additional lanes, deeper water, and a pool heater were felt to be the most important features. Those who wanted the use during the winter were filling to pay for that use, and were willing to give up some of the amenities in favor of heating. They recommended adding some of the planned amenities later to bring the initial cost down. It was suggested that outside interests might donate funding to add amenities. They felt the City should start with a basic heated pool that can be used year-round, then consider adding special features later. Mr. Wilson agreed the City Commission has many questions to consider and the final decision is in their hands. General discussion ensued regarding site preparation, location of a pool heater if included, statistics of fitness and competitive swimmers’ winter use, differences in potential users, projected costs of operation compared to projected revenue. It was noted the service building is a minimal facility with no heated changing areas or hot showers. It was designed as a bare bones building to keep costs down while meeting minimum health department standards. Some felt the pool heater would have a better chance of success if included at the outset, leaving it to the discretion of the City Commission which features to remove through value engineering. It was felt to be unlikely that the City Commission would support later additions to an over-budget project. Member Lindner moved for the Parks and Recreation Board to recommend to the City Commission that the highest priority be given to approving a pool heater and year-round operation for the Clearwater Beach Aquatic Center. The motion was duly seconded. Members Harris, Lindner, Kirbas, and Shriver voted “Aye;” Member Giordano voted “Nay.” B. Capital Improvement Projects - Status Report Mr. Wilson highlighted changes since the last report. In response to questions, he said Crest Lake Park Master Plan is waiting for direction as it relates to Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard beautification. One member compared this issue to delays on Mandalay Streetscape improvements, expressing concerns Crest Lake Park’s master plan will be moved back several years due to the need to wait for another project. Mr. Wilson said Mandalay Avenue improvements are tied in with the Clearwater beach redevelopment issue. He did not feel Crest Lake Park will experience a similar delay due to the current push to finish Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard beautification. The Crest Lake Park Master Plan is viable and can be started at any time. In response to a question regarding netting at Sid Lickton Field, Mr. Wilson said it was determined a spectator was hit by a baseball because a set of bleachers had been moved to an area between two fields. Staff will be looking at netting in response to a request from the league president. In response to a question, Mr. Wilson said Lake Chautauqua Park improvements were delayed because regulatory agencies had problems with the plan. Roadway drainage was flowing into wetlands across the east end. While swales were designed to divert the runoff, the swales required a bigger cut through the wetlands. He briefly related the City’s efforts to work toward an access solution acceptable to the State, County, and neighboring residents. It is hoped the project will be completed in the latter part of next summer. C. Boardwalk at Street Ends – Check for Safety Mr. Wilson reported a crew was sent to look for and secure loose nail heads. 6. New Business A. December Meeting Schedule Consensus was to cancel the December meeting as it falls during Christmas week. B. Election of Board Officers Member Harris opened the floor for nominations. Member Kirbas nominated Larry Lindner as Chair for 1998. The nomination was duly seconded. Upon the vote being taken, Larry Lindner was unanimously elected as Chairperson, effective January 1, 1998. Member Giordano nominated Bill Kirbas as Vice-Chair for 1998. No additional nominations ensued. Upon the vote being taken, Bill Kirbas was unanimously elected as 1998 ViceChairperson C. Program for January Meeting Board members suggested an overview of where the board and the parks and recreation program have been, where they are now, and what is wanted for the future with regard to programs and activities. Rather than recapping the costs of doing business or performance statistics, a status report of goals and accomplishments was suggested. Staff will gather information for presentation at the next meeting. Board and Staff Discussion Member Giordano wished to explain his vote regarding the pool heater, stating he felt it important: 1) to support staff’s recommendation; and 2) to get the pool in first, then focus on what can be added later. Discussion resumed regarding the issue. Member Lindner questioned developments in Pinellas Trail amenities. Mr. Wilson related how the $100,000 budget is being spent to design a Trail Stop, the trail’s location in relation to the City parking garage and through streets, and the need to construct supervised public restrooms. Board members acknowledged this is Mr. Wilson’s last meeting with the board before his retirements. They praised his accomplishments, adding the fact that Clearwater has the finest parks and recreation department in the State is directly attributable to his years of fine service. Mr. Wilson acknowledged staff’s hard work and thanked the board for their kind words. Member Kirbas moved for the Parks and Recreation Board to write a letter to the City Manager strongly encouraging appointment of Art Kader as the new Parks and Recreation Department Director. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Member Harris stated he has enjoyed serving as Chair of this great board with terrific staff. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:43 p.m.