01/25/1999PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
January 25, 1999
Present: Gerry Shriver Chair
Larry Lindner Board Member
Gary Giordano Board Member
Donald Harris Board Member (arrived 6:47 P.M.)
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
Bobbie Downs Staff Assistant II
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 Swanberg moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting
of November 23, 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 February schedule of events. He noted all Sunset Music Series concerts are from 5 to 8 p.m. instead of the times
printed. Mr. Miller invited board members to attend a barbecue on Tuesday, February 23, at 6:30 p.m. at McMullen Tennis Complex in conjunction with the Women’s Professional Tennis Tournament.
ITEM #5 - Old Business
a) Current Capital Improvement Status
Parks & Recreation Department Director Art Kader distributed the CIP (Capital Improvement Project) status list and reviewed new projects scheduled for FY 1998/99.
b) Landscape Projects Priority List
Mr. Kader distributed the landscape projects priority list and corresponding locator map.
c) Special Events Calendar
Mr. Miller distributed the Clearwater Events Calendar and noted it is updated continually and the Web site address was noted as well.
ITEM #6 - New Business
a) Capital Improvement Projects 1999/2000
Mr. Kader distributed summaries of CIP and Unfunded Projects and requested members review the literature prior to the next meeting. Board will discuss at the next meeting.
Consensus was to recommend the City Commission approve construction of a temporary skate park at the Bayfront Tennis Courts site.
b) Department Reorganization
Mr. Kader announced he has relinquished his position as Director and returned to that of Assistant Director. He said the City will advertise the Director position this month.
Mr. Kader announced that Mr. Larry Dowd has been named Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation - Maintenance. As a primary task, he will address the reorganization of the Parks, Nursery
and Facility Maintenance divisions. Support positions for special events also are being considered.
b) Soccer Fields in Clearwater
Mr. Kader discussed the soccer field issue that has recently been raised by some Countryside residents and other soccer groups. The City’s master plan will help determine if there is
a shortage of field space. He said Florida Power rights-of-way have been considered for use as soccer fields.
c) State of the Department
Mr. Kader distributed a report prepared by Division superintendents that summarizes major accomplishments for FY 97/98 and goals for FY 98/99.
ITEM #7 - Comments by Board Members
Members thanked Member Giordano for his seven years of service on the board and wished him well.
ITEM #8 - Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.