11/23/1998PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 23, 1998
Present: Larry Lindner Chair
Gerry Shriver Vice-Chair
Gary Giordano Board Member
Donald Harris Board Member
Stephen Swanberg Board Member
Kim Cashman Board Member
Sarah Wiand Board Member
Also Present: Art Kader Parks & Recreation Department Director
Steve Miller Recreation Programming Superintendent
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. at the Municipal Services Building.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM #2 - Approval of Minutes
Member Harris moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 26, 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
Recreation Programming Superintendent Steve Miller distributed the December schedule of events. He reviewed the holiday events and animated displays planned for downtown. He reported
the upcoming events calendar is distributed to the City Commission. It was suggested the calendar also be shared with the Chambers of Commerce and neighborhood associations. Parks
& Recreation Director Art Kader said staff is working extremely hard due to the large number of events scheduled this time of year. The City Manager has requested the department consider
3 new festivals for next year.
ITEM #5 - Upcoming Recreation Events
a) Review of October 26, 1998, Member Comments
Mr. Kader reviewed member comments from October 26, 1998: 1) playground equipment at Crest Lake Park has been repaired and is scheduled for replacement next year; 2) the City is looking
for contractors to offer Mommy & Me and Start Smart classes. Interested participants should contact the recreation centers to be placed on a list; 3) the City has applied for a $2.9-million
grant to beautify Pinellas Trial through downtown; 4) the Memorial Civic
Center is scheduled for demolition on January 6, 1999. The City will relocate some of the palm trees; and 5) FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) left a portion of the resurfacing
project on SR 60 undone at Keene Road where the County road project is planned.
b) Current Capital Improvement Status
Mr. Kader distributed the capital improvement project status list and reviewed new projects scheduled for FY (fiscal year) 1998/99. In response to a question, he said staff has contacted
the YMCA on Highland regarding construction of a skate park, noting a preference to partner with an agency on this project. No rate schedule has been addressed. The agency would collect
admission and control the facility. Concern was expressed Sid Lickton Field is too far from the Pinellas Trail. Discussion ensued regarding skate parks and the City’s need for such
a facility. No commercial interest has been expressed to construct a skate park in the City.
In response to a question, Mr. Kader said staff had recommended tearing out the harbor front concrete tennis courts because they are in poor condition and are rarely used. The corner
needs a beautification treatment. It was recommended a temporary skate park be constructed on that site as the lights, concrete slab, and restrooms already exist. It was noted most
tennis enthusiasts play in the morning while skating is more popular in the afternoon.
In response to a suggestion, it was felt the Long Center would not be interested in hosting a skate park. Mr. Miller said a skate park requires a great deal of land for the facility,
restrooms, and concession stand. Mr. Kader said beach residents had opposed a previous proposition to locate a skate park there. It was requested staff look at other skate parks in
south Florida.
c) Swimming Pool on Clearwater Beach
Mr. Kader reported the City Commission had approved $790,000 to construct a unheated swimming pool, plumbed for heat, on Clearwater beach. The pool will be completed by Spring 2000.
d) Grants
In addition to the grant to beautify the Pinellas Trail, the City has applied for grants to construct a pedestrian bridge to Clearwater beach parallel to the small bridge, a flyover
McMullen-Booth Road from Eddie C. Moore Park to Del Oro Park, and for trail improvements along Bayshore.
ITEM #6 - New Business
a) Overview of Current Parks & Recreation Projects
A list of landscape projects and special events will be distributed to the board in January.
b) Master Plan Development
Staff plans to oversee development of a Parks & Recreation Master Plan.
c) Rest Rooms on Clearwater Beach
New rest rooms are planned for Clearwater beach. Mr. Kader suggested the facilities also include showers and changing rooms like those at Sand Key Park. Beach rest rooms receive rough
treatment. Due to flood plain regulations, the facilities must be raised.
Elections
Member Wiand moved to appoint Gerry Shriver as Chair. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Member Shriver moved to appoint Kim Cashman as Vice-Chair. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Chair Lindner was thanked for the good job he performed.
The next meeting is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. on January 25, 1999, at the Municipal Services Building.
ITEM #7 - Board Member Comments - None.
ITEM #8 - Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.