10/25/1999PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
October 25, 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
Leroy Chin Parks, Planning and Projects Manager
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 6:35 p.m. at the Municipal Services Building.
ITEM #2 – Approval of Minutes of Parks and Recreation Board meeting of Monday, September 27, 1999 - Member Swanberg moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September
27, 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’s handouts included the November calendar of recreation activities highlighting
Halloween activities, a quarterly Volunteer newsletter featuring an article about Member Ruben, information on Red Ribbon Week which encourages a drug-free life, and year 2000 Recreation
Calendars.
ITEM #5 – Department Master Plan – Introduction of Leroy Chin - Mr. Dunbar introduced Mr. Chin, who explained his background and some of the projects on which he has worked around the
world. He emphasized he would seek input from board members and the community as well as talent within the department as he develops the department’s master plan. Mr. Dunbar said a
master plan would enable the department to strategically place capital budget items and identify potential revenue sources. For example, the Courtney Campbell Causeway is being considered
as a site to offer more water-type activities. A DOT grant would be pursued to help develop that site. Another continuing issue is whether Clearwater should be getting money from Pinellas
County since the county does not provide recreation services thus city programs attract a substantial number of non-city residents. He said funding set aside to build Ross Norton, North
Greenwood and Morningside recreation centers may not be enough.
Mr. Chin said the department is a member of the subcommittee in a pilot streetscape project on Cleveland Street. Member Lindner remarked this project was tried years ago and reversed.
Mr. Dunbar said bids have been received to build the pool at Clearwater Beach Recreation Center and a contract was expected to be awarded at the November 4 City Commission meeting.
ITEM #6 – Old Business
Current Capital Improvement Status
Proposed Name for Playground at Windward Passage – Mr. Dunbar said three suggestions had been received. They are: Sunset Sam Park, Island Estates Sunset Sam Park, and Windward Passage
Park. Mr. Dunbar said the proposal will be advertised and brought before the board at the next meeting.
SPJC – College and city staffs are considering dual usage by students and the general public. West side of facility may be the site of a skate park. Public input from users will be
sought in its design. Funding is in place to begin skate park construction by January, pending adoption of an agreement with SPJC.
Report on Board Members’ Comments
Dog Signage at Beach - Staff will investigate and install proper signage for beach accesses.
Nets at Clearwater High Tennis Courts - Mr. Miller said the school has been contacted about the poor condition of nets and the school agreed to replace them.
City Code of Ordinances (not on agenda) - Mr. Dunbar said he would have members’ suggestions compiled by the next meeting, and make them the dominant point of discussion. He invited
members to mail or e-mail their contributions before then. Mr. Dunbar said the five areas of focus also will be discussed at the next meeting.
ITEM #7 – New Business
Comments by Board Members
In response to a question from Member Ruben, Mr. Dunbar said he would look into a request to place fill material where patrol ATVs are parked on Sand Key.
In response to a question from Member Wiand, board meetings are open to the public. In response to her question about jurisdiction of the ferry dock at Drew Street. Mr. Miller said
he would report at the next meeting. He suggested inviting Mike Hancock or Bill Morris from Marina operations to a board meeting to explain waterway issues. Member Wiand thanked Parks
and Recreation for helping the Clearwater Beach Association clean up the street end access points.
Member Lindner asked if background checks are performed on contract instructors who teach at the centers. Mr. Miller said yes, a local law background check. He added that volunteers
who work with children more than 15 hours a week (primarily day camp workers) undergo the same check as permanent staff: through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
In response to a question from Member Lindner, Mr. Dunbar said a contract for Krishnan Anandan has yet to be completed. It is under study, and due to its uniqueness, will take some
time. A tennis operations business plan also is being developed.
Responding to another question by Member Lindner, Mr. Dunbar said staff is revisiting the recreation scholarship program, which may be offering free services to some who may be able
to pay a small fee.
In response to a question by Member Swanberg, removal of 5 tennis courts at Bayfront awaits City Commission approval.
Chair Shriver inquired about recreation facilities available to the Hispanic population. Mr. Miller indicated the city has a number of Hispanic participants, most notably at Ross Norton
Recreation Complex.
ITEM #8 – Tentative Meeting Location Schedule
Members received a tentative schedule of board meeting dates as follows: 10/25/99, Municipal Services Building; 11/22/99, Clearwater Beach Recreation Center;
(no meeting in December); 1/24/00, Municipal Services Building; 2/28/00, Countryside Recreation Center; 3/27/00, Municipal Services Building; 4/24/00, McMullen Tennis Complex; 5/22/00,
Municipal Services Building; 6/26/00, Eddie C. Moore Softball Complex; 7/24/00, Municipal Services Building; 8/28/00, Ross Norton Recreation Center; 9/25/00, Municipal Services Building;
10/23/00, SPJC; 11/27/00, Municipal Services Building.
Election of officers will take place at the November 22 meeting.
ITEM #9 Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8 p.m.