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09/28/1998 PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER September 28, 1998 Present: Larry Lindner Chair Donald Harris Board Member - arrived 6:38 p.m. Gary Girodano Board Member Kim Cashman Board Member Stephen Swanberg Board Member Sarah Wiand Board Member Absent: Gerry Shriver Vice-Chair Also Present: Art Kader Parks & Recreation Department Director Steve Miller Superintendent of Recreation Programming Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. at the Countryside Recreation Center. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #2 - Approval of the Minutes Member Girodano moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of August 24, 1998, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. 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 October schedule of events. Staff distributed Parks & Recreation calendars along with ribbons and an assortment of pins for the celebration of National Red Ribbon Week October 23 -31, 1998. Recreation Supervisor Bob Barry introduced Countryside staff members and reviewed special events held at the center. He distributed a schedule of classes and information on the center. Most programs are lead by contract instructors. Due to its location, the center attracts residents of Safety Harbor, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, and Oldsmar. The center is closed on Sunday. Mr. Barry reviewed the center’s operating and camp budget. Members were invited to tour the facility. In response to a question, Mr. Barry indicated this recreation center is one of the largest in Clearwater and the only one with a City-owned gymnasium. Visitation numbers at the Martin Luther King Center are high due to 23 groups using the center regularly and its location near schools. That center attracts approximately 120,000 visits annually. No elementary schools are in the neighborhood of the Countryside center. Most attendees drive to the facility, which attracts annual attendance of 80,000. Countryside’s basketball courts also are used for afternoon bridge, indoor soccer, exercise, and jazzercise classes. Some private schools rent the center for sports programs during afternoon slow times. Mr. Barry said the lack of shower facilities discourages some users. At a future meeting, a report will be distributed comparing the number of visitations per center and the City’s cost per visit. ITEM #5 - Old Business a) Current Capital Improvement Status Parks & Recreation Director Art Kader referred to the status of Capital Improvement Projects, including 3rd quarter amendments. Staff is waiting for a preliminary design for the Cherry Harris Park renovations. A RFP (Request for Proposals) is being considered for a City-wide Parks & Recreation master plan. Construction at Lake Chautauqua has stopped until a protected species of tortoises can be relocated. Furniture approved for the Pinellas Trail includes picnic tables and benches near the Municipal Services Building where chairs and a water fountain have been installed. Restroom facilities are available 24-hours a day in the Police Department headquarters. In response to a question, Mr. Kader said an agenda item will be prepared concerning the temporary location of the skateboard park. Mr. Kader indicated funds for a temporary park will not be wasted as the equipment could be moved to another location. Objections to its location next to the downtown tennis courts were due to concerns that loud music will be played. It was noted traffic at that location already is noisy. Consensus of the board was to support a skateboard park. b) FY 1998/99 Budget Update Mr. Kader said the City Commission had approved the department’s new budget, including new staff positions. c) Swimming Pool on Clearwater beach Mr. Kader said this issue will be brought to the City Commission for a public hearing in November. The Parks & Recreation Department was instrumental in putting together the previous presentation, recommending options that increased the pool’s cost by $200,000 to $700,000. It was noted the Parks & Recreation Board had gone on record in support of an unheated beach pool. Mr. Kader estimated the cost of heating the pool would increase annual operational costs from $100,000 to $150,000. Play equipment and plumbing for heating can be incorporated in a pool’s design for future add-ons. A zero depth entry cannot be added later but could be featured in a future kiddy pool. In response to a question, he said the beach location under consideration is on the southeast corner of Bay Esplanade and Mandalay Avenue. ITEM #6 - New Business a) Clearwater Marine Aquarium Mr. Kader indicated $50,000 of Penny for Pinellas funds has been set aside for the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. The City is interested in partnering with the facility as it is the City’s only tourist attraction. No decision has been made on how the money will be spent. The aquarium offers many educational classes and workshops, and could enhance eco-tourism. Concern was expressed some visitors may feel they did not receive good value for the $8 per person charge. Concern was expressed that tight controls be put into effect regarding the use of City funds. A non-profit group owns the building and several boat slips around the marina. b) Parks & Recreation Master Plan A handout was distributed. Mr. Miller indicated staff felt a community based vision was important to balance the input from small interest groups. The City usually receives more requests than funds. The plan will evaluate current parks and their condition, consider future needs and trends, evaluate neighborhood compatibility, existing recreation programs, organization structure, customer satisfaction, and earned income opportunities, etc. The plan will provide strategies to meet department needs for the next 10 to 15 years. Mr. Miller said trails and connectors are important. Many studies indicate the top recreational pursuit is walking, riding, jogging, etc. New swimming pools should incorporate features of the 1990s, not the 1950s. The Long Center is a model for nationwide public/private recreation partnerships. Staff will identify roles board members can take. It is important Parks & Recreation plans do not conflict with the big picture considered by the City’s master planner, who is focusing on redevelopment. Parks & Recreation has never developed a master plan before of this scope which also considers delivery systems. The consultant chosen will have had appropriate experience. Mr. Kader hoped 1 or 2 board members will be active in the focus groups. c) Northeast Coachman Park Development & Recreation Trail The City has received grant funds to widen the east-west bicycle trail. Mr. Kader said $25,000 has been budgeted to redo the parking lot at the Northeast Coachman Park at the intersection of Old Coachman and $25,000 has been budgeted to renovate the disc golf course. The trail will extend from the Long Center to the Park. The City wants to extend the trail to Bayshore Boulevard. The City will apply for matching grants to install picnic shelters and make the park more user friendly. In response to a question, Mr. Kader said the parking lot is heavily used. Disc golf is popular and tournaments are played on weekends. After board discussion, consensus was to proceed with park development. d) Bayshore Recreation Trail Section Mr. Kader said staff is considering applying for a recreation trails grant to widen the east-west bicycle trail from 4 feet to 10 feet. It was noted the trail portion at Cooper’s Bayou Park is only 4 feet wide. A master plan would have eliminated this oversight. In response to a question, Mr. Kader said the trail will be accessible to emergency vehicles. Bollards will be installed to keep other motor traffic out. Mr. Kader referred to a map listing proposed trails in the County. The goal is to connect the 2 Pinellas Trails. Another route under consideration is Druid Road to the Florida Power right-of-way. The trails will provide the opportunity for residents to use different modes of transportation, such as rollerblades. The trail will run north-south either on McMullen-Booth Road or along the Florida Power right-of-way. e) USTA Grant The USTA (U.S. Tennis Association) had sent a letter indicating interest in encouraging people to play tennis. The USTA is offering 3 tiers of grants. A grass roots grant will support a free tennis day to introduce youth to the sport and develop leagues. Grant money can be used to develop clinics. Staff is researching this issue and awaiting additional information. In response to a question, Mr. Miller said he wasn’t aware of grants to construct tennis courts. The organization is interested in developing programs that increase the visibility and awareness of the sport. Member Girodano moved to recommend the City pursue all grant opportunities discussed. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. f) Morningside Swimming Pool Renovation & Enhancement Project Mr. Kader said the new Morningside recreation center will not be constructed for 9 years. The pool must be remarcited. Staff is considering expanding the project to include water park amenities similar to those recommended for the Clearwater beach pool. Discussion ensued and consensus of the board was to consider retrofitting the Morningside Pool and providing the enhancements. g) Feasibility Study - Cultural Center at Harborview Center The Parks & Recreation Department is participating in a feasibility study regarding the Harborview Center. The feasibility study will use focus groups to see what residents need. It was noted teens need a destination where they are welcomed. The study will review the types of space needed in Clearwater. ITEM #7 - Board Member Comments In response to a question, Mr. Kader indicated he has accepted the position of Parks & Recreation Director. A reorganization plan is under study. In response to a question, Mr. Kader said no further action related to Magnolia Falls has occurred. Mr. Kader reported a ceremonial sledge hammer party is planned to celebrate the upcoming razing of the Atrium building on October 3, 1998. Work will begin October 19, 1998. The City’s master designer is developing a final design for the park which will replace the building. Staff will probably plant grass and palm trees until a design has been finalized. A playground was not considered due to heavy traffic. The next meeting is scheduled for October 26, 1998, at the Municipal Services Building. ITEM #8 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.