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09/27/1999PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER September 27, 1999 Present: Geri Shriver Chair Kim Cashman Vice Chair Larry Lindner Board Member Donald Harris Board Member Sarah Wiand Board Member Steve Swanberg Board Member Dick Ruben Board Member Also Present: Kevin Dunbar Director of Parks and Recreation Steve Miller Superintendent of Recreation Programming Gina Morrow Recreation Programmer Ike Hinson Recreation Leader Trent Whitter Permanent Part-Time Recreation Leader Ellen Hess Kings Highway Center Volunteer Bobbie Downs Staff Assistant II To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. at Kings Highway Recreation Center. ITEM #2 – Approval of Minutes of Parks and Recreation Board meeting of Monday, August 23, 1999 - Member Lindner moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 26, 1999, as submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #3 – Correspondence - None ITEM #4 – Upcoming Recreation Events – Steve Miller, Superintendent of Recreation Programming - Mr. Miller distributed the October calendar of events highlighting School’s Out Camps, 20th Anniversary Jazz Holiday concerts on the beach and in Coachman Park; Farmer’s Market resuming Oct. 23; Halloween weekend activities; and Sunset Concerts @ Pier 60. Mr. Miller said the ice skating operation at Pier 60 shelter is gone and is not scheduled to return. Concerts will resume in the pavilion and some renovations are planned including building a backstage area for entertainers and removing railings around the shelter. In response to a question by a member, Mr. Miller said the Times Turkey Trot Track Team is funded by a grant and designed to acquaint youngsters at various recreation centers with track and field experience. In response to another question, Mr. Miller said the ice rink will not return because it could not cover its expenses. ITEM #5 – Kings Highway Recreation Center Presentation – Gina Morrow, Recreation Programmer; Ike Hinson, Recreation Leader; and Trent Whitter, Permanent Part-Time Recreation Leader, facilitated a slide presentation highlighting various activities at the center. Volunteer Ellen Hess spoke about her personal contributions of time and fundraising events for the center and was thanked by the board and staff for her commitment. ITEM #6 – Old Business Current Capital Improvement Status McMullen Tennis Complex – Mr. Dunbar said re-engineering at the complex is expected to be completed by the end of October. Mr. Miller said talks are under way with Krishnan Anandan to possibly hire him as a City employee, then examine the staffing level beneath him. Mr. Dunbar said construction on clay courts is expected after the first of the year. Department’s Master Plan - Mr. Dunbar said a Planning and Projects Division headed by Leroy Chin, a certified landscape architect, began work today developing the Department’s master plan. One of his first projects will be the McMullen Tennis Complex including the clay courts and enhanced landscaping. Mr. Dunbar said the overall master plan should take no more than one year to complete. It will be a long-range, 15-year plan encompassing community support. It is planned the tennis program will be a totally self-supporting cost center within two years. Other programs, such as aquatics, might also be grouped as cost centers. Mr. Dunbar asked members to bring their “wish lists” of five areas of interest to the next meeting. Mr. Chin will be invited to attend and hear the input. Proposed 1999/00 Budget Update - Mr. Dunbar said Ross Norton Pool and Jasmine Courts are back in the proposed budget. In answer to Member Lindner’s question regarding a skatepark, Mr. Dunbar said negotiations are continuing with St. Petersburg Junior College for the city to acquire the field house and tennis courts. The city’s grant writer is preparing a grant proposal for $200,000 from the State of Florida to fund half of the $400,000 needed to convert the tennis courts into a skatepark. Funding would be available in September 2000 to begin construction. In response to a member’s question, Mr. Dunbar said the $100,000 originally earmarked for the temporary skatepark is part of the city’s $200,000 required as matching funds. Mr. Dunbar said it is hoped the city could begin operating the St. Petersburg Junior College facility by January 1. He said the department’s athletics operation would be moved to that facility. iv. Island Estates Playground (not on agenda) – Mr. Dunbar said Mr. Kader has sent a letter to the Island Estates Civic Association again asking for more proposed names for the playground at Windward Passage. A progress report will be give at the next board meeting. Report on Board Members’ Requests - In response to Vice Chair Cashman’s concern, Mr. Dunbar said another portable toilet has been installed at SPJC soccer fields. In response to Member Wiand’s question regarding conflicting signage on beach accesses, Mr. Miller said the issue is being studied by the Legal Department and Police Department. Member Ruben said “No Pets Allowed” signs will be installed in September at Sand Key beach. Police also will put signage on the beach marking boundaries of public/private beach areas. Member Lindler remarked he hasn’t seen as much evidence of rollerblading recently at Coachman Ridge. In response to a question by Member Cashman, the CHS tennis courts have been completed. Member Lindner said the nets are rotting. Mr. Miller said staff would investigate. In response to a question by Member Ruben regarding Dispoz-A-Scoops, Mr. Miller said the information was turned over to the Parks and Beautification Group. ITEM #8 – New Business Comments by Board Members Member Swanberg thanked staff for finishing the trail through Del Oro. In response to a member’s question, Parks and Recreation is responsible for maintenance of the Gulf -to-Bay Beautification Project. Regarding changes to Chapter 22 PARKS BEACHES, RECREATION of the City Code of Ordinances, three members submitted suggestions. Member Lindner said “Section 22.52 Advertising, publicity and signs” is too broadly written, and could possibly refer to such signage as bumper stickers. Member Swanberg submitted the following proposals for discussion: Article II, Sec. 22.21. Definitions: under public bathing add after Gulf of Mexico: “and Tampa Bay.” Sec. 22.22. Necessity For rules and regulations. Delete remainder of sentence beginning with the word “therefore.” Sec. 22.23. Applicable areas. Replace “embraced” with “governed.” Sec. 22.28. Protection and preservation of property. Article (3) question, does the wording prohibit normal family sandcastle building on the beach? Sec. 22.33. Article (6), Surfboarding and the like are great recreational activities. Clearwater should consider allowing the sport in designated areas. Bathers are not as likely to swim during wave action that is conducive to surfboarding. Sec.22.38. Camping. Does Clearwater have camp sites? Member Ruben submitted the following proposals for discussion: Sec. 22.26. Enforcement. For discussion: adding the “Sand Key Volunteer Patrol.” Sec. 22.23. Bathing and Swimming Areas. For discussion, Adult swimming attire (T-backs, Thongs). Sec. 22.36 Picnic Areas. For discussion: If we have any parks with “Shelter Houses,” can they be reserved? Sec. 22.37. Use of Restrooms and Bathhouses. For discussion: To add and/or change that no person under the age of six be allowed to use any restroom, bathhouse or pavilion unless accompanied by an adult who will remain in or outside of the structure. Sec. 22.40. Domestic Animals. For discussion: Should domestic animals be allowed on public beaches under any circumstances? Part (3) is an exception. Sec. 22.45 Motorcycles and Mopeds. For discussion: Are bikes allowed? Mr. Dunbar suggested future meetings be held alternately between MSB and off-site facilities and that he would bring a suggested meeting schedule to the October meeting. The next meeting will be held October 25 at the Municipal Services Building Conference Room 130. The November 22 meeting is scheduled for Clearwater Beach Recreation Center. The Board will not meet in December because of the holidays. ITEM #9 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8 p.m.