05/24/1999PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
May 24, 1999
Present: Kim Cashman Vice Chair
Larry Lindner Board Member
Donald Harris Board Member
Sarah Wiand Board Member
Stephen Swanberg Board Member
Dick Ruben Board Member
Absent: Gerry Shriver Chair
Also Present: Art Kader Parks & Recreation Department Interim Director
J.B. Johnson Jr. City Commissioner
Steve Miller Superintendent of Recreation Programming
Mark Roether Superintendent of Nursery
Bobbie Downs Staff Assistant II
The Vice Chair called the meeting to order at 6:25 p.m. at the Parks & Recreation Department Nursery.
The Vice Chair recognized City Commissioner J.B. Johnson Jr. and thanked him for attending.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM #2 - Approval of Minutes of April 26, 1999
Member Swanberg moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of April 26, 1999, as submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #3 - Correspondence
Interim Parks & Recreation Department Director Art Kader said the Island Estates Civic Association suggested the name “Sunset Sam Park” for the future park at Windward Passage. Board
members asked for more than one name to submit to City Commission. Mr. Kader said he would write Ms. Charlotte Endler and ask for additional suggestions.
ITEM #4 - Upcoming Recreation Events
Recreation Programming Superintendent Steve Miller distributed the June schedule of events. He highlighted Memorial Day events, the opening of Glice skating at Pier 60 Park, summer camps
and aquatics and performing arts auditions. He said entertainment is now provided at Pier 60 seven days a week with the addition of concerts Mondays through Thursdays sponsored by the
Sunsets at Pier 60 Society.
ITEM #5 - Nursery Presentation and Tour
Nursery Superintendent Mark Roether guided members through nursery property, pointing out that many labor-intensive tasks once performed on site, such as growing all plants and trees
used by the City, are now contracted out.
ITEM #6 - Old Business
a) Current Capital Improvement Status
Mr. Kader called attention to the Status of Capital Improvements Projects for the period ending 4/30/99.
b) Report on Board Members’ Requests
In response to members’ earlier questions, Mr. Kader said lights at McMullen Tennis Complex are all working, as are lights at Carpenter Field #2.
c) Operating Budget 1999/2000
Member Cashman expressed concern the City was considering turning over management of McMullen Tennis Complex to private enterprise. Member Wiand suggested looking at the successful
city-operated courts at Davis Islands.
ITEM #7 - New Business
a) RFP for Glen Oaks
Mr. Kader suggested Chair Shriver serve as board representative on the RFP Citizen Committee.
b) Comprehensive Plan Standards
Mr. Kader distributed handouts from the Comprehensive Plan pointing out Service Radius and Primary User Guidelines for various recreation facilities. Board members were asked for input
if they felt needs had changed in any of these areas.
Member Wiand commented that Holt Pool is not big enough to serve needs of neighborhood residents. Mr. Kader said a new pool is planned in the area near Jack Russell Stadium in 2000-2001.
c) Advertisement on Beach – Anti-Smoking Campaign
Mr. Kader showed members a proposal by Beach’n Billboard, Inc., to use the drum of the City beach cleaner to imprint public service announcements in the sand.
ITEM #8 - Comments by Board Members
Member Ruben said he had heard several favorable comments about the newly painted “Welcome to Clearwater” signs around the City. He also congratulated the City and Parks & Recreation
Department for helping plant sea oats at the beach renourishment on Sand Key. Mr. Roether said the City employee leadership group also was to be commended for participating in the planting
project.
Member Lindner asked when planting would begin on the right-of-way on Druid Road between Belcher and Edenville. Mr. Kader said the project is low priority financially and would be put
on the project list.
Member Lindner said free mulch and compost pickup bins at Moccasin Lake Nature Park have been empty for some time. He also said compost and mulch are advertised at the Solid Waste plant
but mulch does not seem to be available. Mr. Kader said he would report on the project next month.
Member Swanberg commented drivers are disturbing landscaped portions on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard medians when trying to reach the turn lane.
The next meeting will be held June 28 at Morningside Recreation Complex, 2400 Harn Blvd.
ITEM #9 - Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.