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11/22/1999PARKS & RECREATION BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER November 22, 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 John Llauget Recreation Programmer Charlotte Endler Island Estates Civic Association President Evan Endler Citizen 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 Clearwater Beach Recreation Center. ITEM #2 – Approval of Minutes of Parks and Recreation Board meeting of October 25, 1999 - Member Harris moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 25, 1999, as submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #3 – Correspondence - None ITEM #4 – Reappointment of Larry Lindner – Chair Shriver congratulated Member Lindner for his reappointment to the board. His new term ends November 30, 2003. ITEM #5 – Upcoming Recreation Events - Steve Miller, Superintendent of Recreation Programming. Mr. Miller distributed the December calendar of parks and recreation activities highlighting holiday activities including Holiday Street Stroll; Songs of the Season at Ruth Eckerd Hall; Toys for Tots Holiday Jam new this year in Coachman Park; Family Holiday Parade with Run for Santa preceding the parade; Cherry Harris Park Dedication; a major concert in Coachman Park by WFLZ Radio featuring national caliber entertainers; Rally Round the Roundabout which will begin at Coachman Park then motorcade to Pier 60 Park; and the Y2 Karnival – Tampa Bay’s Millennium Kickoff Celebration with Fireworks Dec. 30. In response to a question by Member Ruben, volunteers are welcome. Chair Shriver noted a performance of the Nutcracker is scheduled at Pier 60. ITEM #6 – Old Business a) City Code of Ordinances Mr. Dunbar said he would defer that item until the meeting on January 24, 2000. b) Proposed Name for Playground at Windward Passage Mr. Dunbar noted three names had been submitted by the Island Estates Civic Association. They were: Sunset Sam Park, Island Estates Sunset Sam Park, & Windward Passage Park. Speaking in favor of Sunset Sam Park was citizen Charlotte Endler, president of the Island Estates Civic Association, who pointed out that Island Estates is closely aligned with the Clearwater Marine Aquarium where Sunset Sam is mascot. Discussion ensued, with members agreeing the site location should be part of the name. Member Lindner moved that the name be “Sunset Sam Park on Island Estates.” The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Mr. Dunbar said an agenda item will be prepared for the January 20 meeting of the City Commission. Ms. Endler asked to be notified when the opening date of the park has been set. ITEM #7 – New Business Election of Officers Member Harris nominated Vice Chair Cashman to serve as Chair for the year 2000. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Member Lindner nominated Member Swanberg to serve as Vice Chair. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Comments by Board Members Member Harris thanked the city for consistent upkeep of Crest Lake Park. Mr. Dunbar said the park receives daily and weekly upkeep under the department’s reorganization and that the park is monitored for any inappropriate activity. In response to a question by Member Harris, Mr. Dunbar said he would find out when parking lot improvements are scheduled at Frank Tack Park. Member Swanberg asked if businesses were working with the City to install landscaping improvements along Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. Mr. Dunbar said the City is working with individual property owners. Several businesses want to adopt maintenance of the medians. Chair Shriver said she has received favorable comments on the improvements. In response to a comment by Member Wiand, Mr. Dunbar said power lines are not being buried due to the cost but some may be relocated behind businesses. Member Wiand said she was disturbed by news reports that mangroves along Memorial Causeway would be trimmed to create a vista, and asked if Nursery would be involved in that. Mr. Dunbar said Public Works would undertake that project. Member Wiand said she felt it was a travesty to cut into trees that are protected elsewhere. Responding to a question by Member Wiand, Mr. Dunbar said the cost of bayfront tennis courts improvements is approximately $60,000 for site work, which is expected to be finished by Thanksgiving. City crews will refurbish existing courts including new fencing, lighting, and landscaping. Some rehabilitation to the building also is planned. Member Ruben inquired if there was any thought given to merging the Beautification Committee and the Board. Mr. Dunbar said that has been considered since the committee has had two vacancies for some time. Member Ruben said foliage planted at Clearwater Pass Bridge is dying and asked if it could be replaced with colorful plantings. In response to a question by Member Ruben, Mr. Miller said all members of the board are now citizen members of the Florida Recreation and Park Association. Member Lindner asked if program information will be distributed in any form now that the Clearwater Magazine is no longer being published. Mr. Miller said the department will distribute a program, facilities and services guide, then a summer supplement which would give information on day camps and summer activities. Member Lindner also said some information disseminated at the main office is incorrect. Mr. Miller said customer service guidelines call for any staff member who does not have information at hand should take the customer’s phone number and call them back with correct information. Member Cashman thanked Mr. Dunbar for appearing at McMullen Tennis Complex during Rod Laver’s recent appearance. She said a Futures Tournament is under way at McMullen. She said parents want something planted near the Eddie C. Moore soccer field where 3 trees were removed. She asked if the School Board will be landscaping property adjacent to her business on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. Chair Shriver asked for an update on the St. Petersburg Junior College property acquisition. Mr. Dunbar said the college wants to give the City a 10-year lease for the field house and turn over all exterior facilities on permanent basis. The agreement is expected to go before the City Commission January 20. Member Lindner thanked Chair Shriver for her year of service as chair. ITEM #8 – Presentation and Tour of Clearwater Beach Recreation Center – Mr. Llauget distributed booklets outlining some of the center’s programs afterwhich members toured the center and the site of the proposed Family Aquatic Center. ITEM #9 Adjournment The business meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.