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07/26/1999PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER July 26, 1999 Present: Kim Cashman Vice Chair Larry Lindner Board Member Donald Harris Board Member Sarah Wiand Board Member Steve Swanberg Board Member Dick Ruben Board Member Absent: Geri Shriver Chair Kevin Dunbar Parks and Recreation Department Director Also Present: Mike Roberto City Manager Bill Horne Assistant City Manager Steve Miller Superintendent of Recreation Programming 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 Municipal Services Building. Superintendent of Recreation Programming Steve Miller introduced City Manager Mike Roberto who introduced Assistant City Manager Bill Horne. ITEM #2 – City Manager Mike Roberto (Attending at the Request of the Board) Mr. Roberto handed out brochures, A Vision of Our Future. He said the Parks and Recreation Department’s first area of concern is raising more revenue. Some challenges would be: 1) examine options of partnering, particularly with the county in terms of the city providing recreation services in exchange for operating dollars, or price city programs differently to generate more dollars from non-residents; 2) develop a master plan that deals with revenue – determine what is desired to build and how it will be paid for; 3) examine options in leases that would give the city something in return – for example, golf course club houses could provide public meeting room space; 4) explore asking the Clearwater Housing Authority to help fund Jasmine Courts’ recreation program; 5) continue talks toward acquiring the SPJC athletic complex. Vice Chair Cashman expressed concern the board has sought citizen input, supported their suggestions, then found they were cut from the budget. She cited the skate park as an example. She said the board is confused about its role. Mr. Roberto said the city has not done well in better engaging some of its boards. He suggested members examine the board’s original mission, get consensus of the board, then ask the City Commission if that is what the City Commission wants the board to be doing. He suggested the board provide input in the department’s master plan. In response to a question from Vice Chair Cashman, he suggested the board select its main issues and take them to the City Commission during upcoming budget hearings. In response to Member Lindner’s concern at closing Norton Pool part of the year, Mr. Roberto said the Long Center is an available alternative. In response to questions of department efficiency from Member Wiand, Mr. Roberto said it is efficient to have landscaping, nursery and maintenance in one department. The department is accountable for ballfields so must have control over maintaining them. Parks and Recreation is involved early when other departments, such as Public Works, begin a project. In response to another question from Member Wiand relative to grants, Mr. Roberto said the department could do a lot more with grants but has no grant writer. He noted some FRDAP monies have been received. ITEM #3 – Introduction of Kevin E. Dunbar, New Parks and Recreation Director Mr. Miller said Mr. Dunbar was unable to attend because of a commitment he made prior to joining the city but he was looking forward to meeting members at the next meeting. ITEM #4 – Approval of Minutes of Parks and Recreation Board meeting of Monday, June 28, 1999 Member Swanberg moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 28, 1999, as submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously ITEM #5 – Correspondence - None ITEM #6 – Upcoming Recreation Events – Steve Miller, Superintendent of Recreation Programming He distributed the August schedule of events, highlighting Stage Agenda’s performance, NesQuik professional in-line skating exhibition at Coachman Park, Friday Concert Series at Coachman Park, United States Amateur Boxing Tournament at Countryside Recreation Center, NFL Alumni Golf Tournament at Belleair Country Club and its accompanying Clearwater Music Fest at Coachman Park. Copies of the Volunteer Update newsletter for volunteers were distributed. In response to a question by Member Lindner, Mr. Miller said all summer camps are filled. In response to a question by member Wiand, the Beach Fishing tournament is free and is geared to children. ITEM #7 – Old Business Current Capital Improvement Status Mr. Miller pointed out Cherry Harris Park is nearing 50% completion. He said the new Director plans to give McMullen Tennis Complex immediate attention. Positions of a supervisor and PPT employee are in the budget but McMullen must make enough money to cover their salaries. The board’s input was requested in deciding whether to build 6 or 8 new clay courts or convert half of the existing courts to clay. Member Lindner suggested charging membership fees and allowing reserved court times. Mr. Miller said court fees will be raised Oct. 1 to $4 for day and $4.50 for night play to generate additional revenue. Member Swanberg questioned the large amount of money budgeted to remove 5 tennis courts. Mr. Miller said that is a lump sum of dollars for Bayfront park development. Not all would be used to remove the courts; the project would also include landscaping, planting grass, fence work, etc. Members questioned spending that amount because of the temporary plans for that property. In response to a question by Member Swanberg regarding bids on the family aquatic center, Mr. Miller said specs will go out in mid-August for the required advertising period. Member Wiand noted the lesser amount being budgeted for a skate park than for removal of 5 tennis courts. Mr. Miller said the amount shown is the balance left in a fund that was designated for the Bayfront park development. Report on Board Members’ Requests And Naming Park Property In response to members’ concerns expressed at last month’s meeting, Mr. Miller reported the following: A board member can suggest a park name as long as he/she follows other steps in the process. Also, the board must conduct an advertised public hearing for each proposal. Nursery Superintendent Mark Roether will install an upgraded “Welcome to Clearwater” sign at Sand Key when road widening is completed. If right-of-way space is occupied, the sign will be placed in Bay Park. Two signs have been posted at Bay Park on Sand Key advising “No Parking 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.” Trash containers will be ordered and installed at all public beach accesses on Sand Key as time permits. The recreation trail on Druid Road is only partially funded and partially designed. Cages will be installed over the picnic pavilion light at Morningside Recreation Complex to discourage loitering. Staff has been advised to be aware of offensive language of persons using the courts. RFP for Holt Avenue Youth Center Mr. Miller said a Request For Proposal has been issued, with responses due August 4. There have been four inquiries so far. It is hoped the group selected could be in place Oct. 1. ITEM #7 - New Business Update of Parks Rules & Regulations Members were given copies of Chapter 22 Parks, Beaches, Recreation of the City Code of Ordinances. Mr. Miller asked members to read the document for items they feel are outdated or difficult to understand with the purpose of revising the document. Board Procedures Mr. Miller read an e-mail by City Clerk Cyndie Goudeau outlining procedures for submitting minutes to the City Commission, for submitting recommendations for City Commission consideration, and for adding recommendations to City Commission agenda items. In response to a question, Mr. Miller said the board would have to make a motion before generating a memo to the commission. ITEM #8 - Comments by Board Members Member Lindner reported seeing indications of rollerblading at tennis courts at Coachman Ridge Park. He said there were no signs posted. He said courts appeared they were not kept up. Mr. Miller said staff would investigate. Member Cashman said the removal of 5 oak trees to build the trail near Eddie C. Moore field has angered soccer fans who sat under those trees to watch games. Mr. Miller said the city forester’s approval was needed before trees were removed. Member Cashman revisted the subject of rate increases for recreation cards and suggested the board discuss the issue at the next meeting. Member Wiand suggested it as an agenda item next month. Member Harris noted the proposed new parking lots at Frank Tack Park will be welcomed. Member Wiand suggested members study the mission statement and discuss it at the next meeting. In response to her question about city property being part of Calvary Baptist Church expansion plans, Mr. Miller said the property in question is the Chesapeake ballfield, but the property cannot be conveyed or sold without public referendum. Member Wiand said beach residents plan a beach cleanup in partnership with the city. Also, a resident said signage on access boardwalks is misleading compared with city ordinance. One sign reads “no pets” where It should read “dogs must be on a leash, and clean up after your dog.” Mr. Miller said staff would investigate. Member Swanberg moved to present a plaque to Art Kader in recognition of his service as director, and to send a letter of commendation to the City Manager and City Commissioners. The motion was duly seconded. Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously. Member Swanberg moved to amend the motion adding members will purchase the plaque with their own funds and wording will be: “To Art Kader in Recognition of Outstanding Service to Our Community while Director of the Parks and Recreation Department from December 1997 to July 1999 Presented by The City of Clearwater Parks and Recreation Board.” In addition, a letter will be drafted and sent to the City Manager and City Commissioners indicating the board’s feelings of joy working with Mr. Kader and the outstanding service he has done. The motion was duly seconded. Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously. Member Ruben will purchase the plaque. Member Cashman will draft the letter to be sent to the City Manager and City Commissioners. The next meeting will be held August 23 in Conference Room 130 of the Municipal Services Building. ITEM #9 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.