03/22/1999PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
March 22, 1999
Present: Gerry Shriver Chair
Larry Lindner Board Member
Donald Harris Board Member
Dick Ruben Board Member
Sarah Wiand Board Member
Stephen Swanberg Board Member
Absent: Kim Cashman Board Member
Also Present: Art Kader Parks & Recreation Department Director
Birgitt Dowd Public Information Specialist/ Recreation Programming
Jon Russell Administrative Support Manager II
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 - Introduction of New Member
Introduced as a new member was Richard Ruben who will serve until March 28, 2003.
ITEM #3 - Approval of Minutes
In reference to page 2, Item #7, it was noted a sentence should be added to reflect member Cashman’s suggestion that the Pier 60 playground be fenced.
Member Swanberg moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting
of February 22, 1999, as corrected. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #4 - Correspondence -- None
ITEM #5 - Upcoming Recreation Events
Recreation Public Information Specialist/Recreation Birgitt Dowd distributed the April schedule of events. She highlighted the Easter Egg Hunts, Day Camp registrations, Fun ‘n Sun events,
Morningside Pool opening, and Moccasin Lake Nature Park’s “Butterfly Gardening In Pinellas County.”
ITEM #6 - Old Business
a) Current Capital Improvement Status
AND
b) Capital Improvement Projects 1999/2000 -- Prioritization
Parks and Recreation Department Director Art Kader distributed copies of the CIP (Capital Improvement Project) status list and of FY 1999-00 through FY 2005 Capital Improvement Program
and FY 1999-00 Capital Budget pointing out on-going maintenance projects, park development projects, and unfunded projects.
c) NRPA Southern Regional Conference on Recreation and Parks
Mr. Kader urged members interested in attending to contact him.
ITEM #7 - New Business
a) Recreation Paths Presentation
Administrative Support Manager II Jon Russell explained the status of the Recreational Trail System including the Clearwater East-West Trail, Pinellas Trail (County), and Independent
Clearwater Park Trails, which total 40 miles of trails either open, usable, planned, proposed, or under construction.
b) Cherry Harris Park Designs
Mr. Kader showed diagrams of the proposed upgrade of the park, considered a centerpiece of the community. The park is a key element in the One City. One Future. initiative.
TEM #8 - Comments by Board Members
In response to a question by member Wiand, Mr. Kader said he would inquire as to the status of the Harbor Oaks street planting project. Responding to another question by member Wiand,
Mr. Kader suggested that if there was enough interest, the Clearwater Beach Neighborhood Association could request a neighborhood playground for Big Bennett Park.
In response to a question by member Lindner, Mr. Kader said a decision on the consultant for the comprehensive plan for Parks and Recreation will be made soon.
In response to a question by member Harris, Mr. Kader said he would ask staff when lights would be completed at Sid Lickton Field #1.
Members decided to hold the April 26 meeting at Moccasin Lake Nature Park at 6:30 p.m.
ITEM #9 - Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.