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06/28/1999PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER June 28, 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 and Recreation Department Interim Director Steve Miller Superintendent of Recreation Programming Barbara Moon Recreation Supervisor - Morningside Bobbie Downs Staff Assistant II To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. The Vice Chair called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. at the Morningside Recreation Complex. Interim Parks and Recreation Director Art Kader announced that a new Parks and Recreation Director, Kevin A. Dunbar of Temple Terrace, FL, will join the City staff July 19. ITEM #2 - Approval of Minutes of May 24, 1999 Member Swanberg moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 24, 1999, as submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #3 - Correspondence Mr. Kader reported he sent a letter to Ms. Charlotte Endler of the Island Estates Civic Association requesting additional suggestions for names for the future park at Windward Passage. Mr. Kader also wrote that if the Association could not submit other names, the Board may suggest other names so the Commission would have a selection from which to choose. Member Rubin said he had talked with Ms. Endler and she was appreciative of the reply. Member Lindner asked if a public hearing must be advertised before a name is selected. ITEM #4 - Upcoming Recreation Events Recreation Programming Superintendent Steve Miller distributed the July schedule of events. He noted July is National Recreation and Parks Month and Mayor Aungst had issued a proclamation to that effect for Clearwater. Other highlights included Clearwater Celebrates America in Coachman Park; City Players Summer Musical; Stage Agenda youth theater; Friday night Concerts in the Park, which are no longer sponsored by the St. Petersburg Times; Summer Specialty Sports Camps utilizing area coaches; Sunsets at Pier 60 entertainment offered seven days a week, plus ice skating offered in the Pavilion. In response to a member’s question, Mr. Miller said the St. Petersburg Times is concentrating its sponsorships toward literacy and reading programs. For example, the Times will help host a reading festival at the Harborview. In answer to another member’s question, Mr. Miller said ice skating participation is rather slow during daylight hours but picks up in the afternoons. ITEM #5 - Morningside Presentation Mr. Miller introduced Barbara Moon as Recreation Supervisor at Morningside and noted she was promoted from operating aquatics activities at the Long Center. Ms. Moon presented a slide show and overview of the Morningside program. Member Rubin offered to provide contact with the Sheriff’s Department which would fingerprint children at the center. Mr. Miller said a $100,000 FRDAP (Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program) grant would be used in the preschool area’s circular pool to install water type features such as sprays, fountains and raindrops. ITEM #6 - Old Business a) Current Capital Improvement Status Mr. Kader reviewed the status of various projects. He noted the SPJC tennis courts, rather than the YMCA, are being investigated as a site for a skate park. b) Report on Board Members’ Requests In response to a member’s question, Mr. Miller reported on his research of tennis courts on Davis Islands and Hillsborough Community College. In response to a member’s question, Mr. Miller contacted the Recycling Coordinator who reported mulch is subject to availability. Member Lindner said he observed the mulch bin at Moccasin Lake Nature Park recently was full. c) S.P.J.C. Negotiations Mr. Kader said he has met with college officials attempting to reach an agreement over the city using the gymnasium, ballfields, auditorium, and use of the tennis courts for a skate park. FRDAP grants of $200,000 may be an additional funding source for a skate park. Member Lindner questioned if budget items have been cut, as reported in newspapers. Mr. Kader said such articles were incomplete, and there would be several public meetings before a final budget is set. Member Cashman suggested inviting City Manager Mike Roberto to the next meeting to discuss this issue. Member Rubin agreed and suggested inviting Parks & Recreation Director Dunbar as well. Members favored both suggestions unanimously. d) RFP for Glen Oaks Mr. Kader said there were three inquiries, but only the Chi Chi Rodriguez Foundation submitted a written proposal. ITEM #7 - New Business a) RFP for Holt Avenue Center Mr. Kader reported strong interest in the Holt Center, and reviewed the procedure used for selection. He said the former occupant, Ervin’s All American Youth Center, has moved to another location and will not be competing for this RFP. He said Mr. Miller is representing the Parks & Recreation Department on the selection committee. b) Welcome to Clearwater Signs Mr. Kader said the “Welcome to Clearwater” signs will be altered to display a smaller sign denoting the Philadelphia Phillies. Member Rubin asked to disregard a request to improve the area around the sign at Sand Key since the road widening project appears to be in the near future. Mr. Kader said other welcome signs are planned at Bayshore Drive and at SR 580 near Countryside High School. ITEM #8 - Comments by Board Members Member Cashman reported on her research of tennis courts in Temple Terrace, and expressed concern about privatizing McMullen Tennis Complex. Member Rubin suggested stronger signage at the public beach access at Sand Key to discourage overnight parking of boats and cars. He also asked if the City could install more trash receptacles in strategic areas along the beach. In response to member Swanberg’s question regarding parks where dogs are allowed, Mr. Kader said the property off Old Coachman Road, on the east side, often is used as a dog walk. Member Lindner asked about the status of the bike path along Druid Road, west from Belcher Road. He also commented on the attractive appearance of signs at McMullen Tennis Complex. Member Harris said attendees at the Little League tournament at Sid Lickton Field were impressed by the condition of the fields. Member Cashman expressed concerns about loitering around the Morningside picnic shelter, and offensive language on basketball courts. She suggested cage shields around overhead light bulbs, or to increase the amount of light in the area. The next meeting will be held July 26 in Conference Room 130 of the Municipal Services Building. ITEM #9 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.