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08/24/1998 PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER August 24, 1998 Present: Larry Lindner Chair Gerry Shriver Vice-Chair Gary Girodano Board Member Kim Cashman. Board Member Stephen Swanberg Board Member - departed at 7:45 p.m. Sarah Wiand Board Member Absent: Donald Harris Board Member Also Present: Art Kader Acting Parks & Recreation Department Director Steve Miller Superintendent of Recreation Programming Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. at the Long Center. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #2 - Approval of the Minutes The Chair indicated his name had been misspelled in the previous minutes. Member Shriver moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 27, 1998, as corrected. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #3 - Correspondence - None. ITEM #4 - Upcoming Recreation Events Superintendent of Recreation Programming Steve Miller distributed the September schedule of events. ITEM #5 - Old Business a) Current Capital Improvement Status Acting Parks & Recreation Director Art Kader distributed the status of CIP (Capital Improvement Project). He reviewed efforts to replace the former pool by Pier 60 on Clearwater beach. The City Commission had rejected staff’s recommendation for a $700,000 pool designed for laps, lessons, and water park features. The pool, now part of the “One City. One Future.” plan for a beach recreation district, continues to be budgeted with $518,000. It was noted beach residents want the pool to be heated. Mr. Miller said annual operating costs, estimated at $130,000, would not cover year round activities or heat. He said recommended amenities increased the cost of pool construction but would have attracted more tourists and residents. The high cost of replacement also was related to construction requirements for restroom facilities and site work, including removal of an old swimming pool. It was noted the City Commission had promised to replace the Pier 60 pool. Mr. Kader stated the old pool was used only 8 weeks a year for 4 hours each morning. Records indicate the pool had little use. He expressed concern that the size of the investment compare favorably with projected usage. The Parks & Recreation Department is planning to develop a master recreation plan for the entire City. Countryside and East Clearwater have no City pools. In response to a recommendation, Mr. Kader said the Pinellas County School Board does not build swimming pools for high school swim teams. Several local pools can no longer be used for competition as new rules require a minimum 5-foot depth in the shallow end. Mr. Kader estimated Ross Norton Pool is about a 15-minute drive from Clearwater beach and Island Estates. He said all alternatives are being considered. It was noted senior beach residents also want a pool. The issue will be brought back to the City Commission in November. b) Long Center Update/Presentation Recreation Programmer Eric Watson reviewed this year’s summer programs at the Long Center. UPARC (Upper Pinellas Association for Retarded Citizens) allowed the summer camp the use of their buses for field trips. He complimented Recreation Supervisor Lisa Hall for her recruitment of volunteers. He reported adapted therapeutic sessions for physical disabilities cost $18 per half hour. The Long Center will host an area meet for Special Olympics, which now welcomes competitors challenged by a wide range of disabilities. Fliers advertise the City’s Learn to Swim Program which also offers special training for those with disabilities as well as addresses the needs of parents who cannot afford the programs. Recreation Programmer Barbara Moon coordinates the City’s swim programs at the center. A physical therapist teaches Ai Chi, a new form of water exercise addressing breathing and posture. In response to a question, Mr. Watson said all sponsor agencies of the Center use the same method to count visitors. In response to a question, Mr. Miller said outreach activities include swimming lessons for Head Start participants. Mr. Watson said the Long Center’s executive staff provides excellent customer service. Long Center Executive Director Mark Abdo distributed materials on the Long Center. The center is run as a collaboration by the cities of Clearwater and Safety Harbor, UPARC, CFY (Clearwater for Youth), and the Long Center. These groups coordinate schedules and reciprocate access to programs. Most program instructors are contracted. The Long Center Board of Directors has 18 members. Member Girodano also sits on that board. The Long Center Foundation raises money for the center which opened debt free in July 1990. Mr. Abdo said attendance records are based on user hours. He reported 915,000 visits to the facility last year. He said the CVB (St. Petersburg/Clearwater Convention and Visitors Bureau) had printed brochures and developed 2 video tapes for the center. Balancing the needs of the local population with the financial needs of the partnerships is important. Last year’s marketing study is helping the center balance its efforts. Participation fees have remained low. The center, which is closed on Sundays, is working with Pinellas County regarding a possible partnership. Each partner supports programs that represent their strengths: 1) Clearwater - core aquatics program; 2) Safety Harbor - summer camp, arts & crafts, gym, etc.; and 3) CFY - maintains youth sports fields, manages basketball programs, and provides Tai Kwan Do instruction. Mr. Abdo said approximately 4 weekend events are hosted annually. Center program participants filled 7,000 motel room nights last year. A procedure is in place to deal with schedule conflicts. The center’s main goal is to serve residents in the center’s vicinity, but special events bring in needed funds. Mr. Abdo said the center has developed a 7-year budget. Clearwater’s contribution is expected to decrease substantially by 2001. The Foundation has established a goal to raise a $4-million endowment. He thanked the City for its support. Clearwater and Safety Harbor have committed some Penny for Pinellas funds to the center. Plans are to enclose the courtyard for an aerobic fitness studio and community room. Adding bleachers to the natatorium will provide enough space to host a national event. By the playground, CFY is planning to construct a 2-story field house with rest rooms, a snack bar, and offices for coaches. A 4-lane outdoor track also is planned for training. Sponsors are being recruited. In response to a question, Mr. Abdo said the center is trying to address parking shortages. A plan to construct spaces on abutting land was rejected due to wetland concerns. Other land is under consideration. A voice mail system is planned. The center can be contacted via e-mail. It also has a Web page, although all events are not listed. Mr. Abdo noted the budget does not cover all maintenance costs. When rates were increased to raise needed funds, membership dropped by 50%. The Foundation is working to raise funds early enough to provide an additional $100,000 to address maintenance issues. The center also serves as a customer and training facility for UPARC clients. UPARC occupies half the building and pays half the common costs. Problems related to poor supervision of the custodial program were addressed and have improved. It was noted it is difficult to keep a facility clean after hundreds of children use the locker room. In response to a question, Mr. Abdo said the proposed alliance with Pinellas County should not impact the center significantly. Most participants live less than 5 miles from the facility. All entities who run the Long Center must agree to any contract with the County. c) FY 1998/99 Budget Update A status report was distributed. Mr. Kader reviewed the update which includes additional staff for recreation programming and increased maintenance of beautification projects. He indicated the City Commission would consider a 3rd quarter budget amendment to change the scope for Crest Lake Park on September 17, 1998. ITEM #6 - New Business a) New Parks & Recreation Department Director Mr. Kader reported he had been offered the position and was negotiating a contract. The department’s structure will be reviewed before an assistant director is appointed. He thanked the board for their support. b) Penny for Pinellas Project Rankings Mr. Kader distributed a report on capital improvement projects and the time line proposed for completion. The status report identifies the funding source, including Penny for Pinellas. In response to a question, he said repairs are listed for Jack Russell Stadium. Funding for a replacement is not listed. A feasibility study regarding the economic impact of the Phillies is underway. In response to a question, Mr. Kader said plans are to develop an asphalt recreation trail between the Long Center and Bayshore Boulevard. c) Update - “One City. One Future.” - None. ITEM #7 - Board Member Comments Mr. Abdo and Mr. Watson were thanked for their presentations. Mr. Abdo distributed passes, noting the upgraded look of the pass has resulted in excellent feedback. It was recommended the City provide extra copies of Clearwater Magazine to the center for distribution. Clearwater was complimented for its maintenance of City swimming pools. It was suggested next month’s meeting be held at the Countryside Recreation Facility or Moccasin Lake Nature Park. In response to a question, Mr. Kader reviewed $500,000 in projects recommended for the Countryside area during the next 10 years: 1) expand recreation center meeting room space; 2) median improvements; 3) construct a bike path on Landmark Drive from Curlew Road to Lake Chautauqua Park; and 4) expand the children’s section at the library. ITEM #8 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.